Embedding Management Data in HTTP Messages

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Network management and security systems generate additional traffic by using proprietary non-HTTP protocols to transmit management data, increasing packet count and processing overhead in corporate intranets.

Innovation Solution

Embedding management data within HTTP messages between a network gateway or proxy and client computers, allowing extraction and processing of this data without adding to external HTTP traffic, using a system with a gateway communicator, data embedder, and client extractor to manage and forward data efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If proprietary non-HTTP protocols are used to transmit management data, then management data can be transmitted between server and clients, but the number of packets and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of packetsVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges management data transmission with existing HTTP traffic by embedding management data within HTTP message bodies. The gateway embedder inserts management data into HTTP requests before they reach clients, and the gateway extractor removes management data from HTTP responses before they reach the management server. This combining approach allows management data to be transmitted alongside regular web traffic, eliminating separate packet streams and reducing overall processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes HTTP messages universal carriers that serve dual purposes: transporting web content and transporting management data. By enabling HTTP messages to carry both types of data, the system eliminates the need for dedicated proprietary protocols for management data, thereby reducing packet count and processing requirements while maintaining management functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If management data is transmitted using separate proprietary protocols, then management communication is established, but bandwidth utilization is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidtraffic volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines management data transmission with existing HTTP traffic flows. The gateway embedder inserts management data into HTTP request messages, and the gateway extractor removes management data from HTTP response messages. This merging allows management data to share bandwidth with web traffic, eliminating redundant packet transmissions and improving overall bandwidth utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gateways as intermediary components that facilitate efficient management data transmission. The gateway embedder and gateway extractor act as mediators between the management server and clients, enabling management data to be carried within HTTP traffic without requiring separate dedicated channels, thereby reducing total traffic volume and improving bandwidth efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7756996B2Embedding management data within HTTP messages
Publication Date: 2010.07.13 FINJAN LLC
  • US7756996B2 patent drawing
  • US7756996B2 patent drawing
  • US7756996B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for embedding messages within HTTP streams, including a gateway communicator, situated within a network gateway computer that communicates with at least one client computer, for receiving management data intended for the at least one client computer from a management server computer that communicates with the network gateway computer, a gateway data embedder situated within the network gateway computer for inserting non-HTTP management data within an HTTP message, and a client data extractor situated within each of the at least one client computer for extracting non-HTTP management data from within an HTTP message. A method and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.