Network Appliance Advertisement Blocking via SDN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network solutions fail to efficiently block or substitute advertisements at the network level, leading to bandwidth consumption and resource drain on end-user devices, as ad-blocking technologies are often resource-intensive and can be blocked by devices or operating systems, and companies struggle to manage network bandwidth in environments where they do not own all devices.
Innovation Solution
A network appliance with components like an interface, parameter identification engine, rule engine, and enforcement engine, integrated with Software Defined Networking (SDN) controllers, inspects network packets for advertisement indicators and performs actions such as blocking or substituting advertisements, reducing bandwidth consumption by managing advertisements at the network level without requiring end-user software installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ad-blocking technology is implemented at the end-user device level, then advertisements can be blocked, but it consumes processing power and energy from end-user devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network appliance as an intermediary device that blocks advertisements at the network level rather than requiring end-user devices to perform ad-blocking functions. The appliance intercepts network traffic, identifies advertisement packets, and blocks them before they reach end-user devices, thereby eliminating the energy consumption burden on user devices while maintaining effective advertisement blocking.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ad-blocking technology is installed on end-user devices, then advertisements can be blocked, but it can be blocked or restricted by devices or operating systems
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the ad-blocking function in a network appliance that operates at the network level rather than on end-user devices, the solution bypasses device-level restrictions and operating system blocks. The appliance operates independently in the network infrastructure, ensuring reliable advertisement blocking without being subject to device policies or user installation restrictions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ad-blocking technology is deployed on company-owned devices, then advertisements can be blocked, but it does not stop network bandwidth consumption from devices not owned by the company
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the ad-blocking operation from the device dimension to the network dimension. Instead of controlling ad-blocking on individual devices, the solution operates at the network level where it can monitor and block advertisement traffic from any device connected to the network, regardless of ownership. This dimensional shift enables comprehensive bandwidth management and advertisement blocking across the entire network infrastructure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If network appliances inspect all network packets for advertisement indicators, then advertisements can be identified and blocked, but it increases processing requirements and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary classification of network packets to identify only those that may contain advertisements. The appliance uses initial inspection criteria to filter and select candidate packets for detailed advertisement indicator analysis, rather than examining every packet in depth. This preliminary action reduces processing requirements and simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining effective advertisement identification.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to performing an action based on an advertisement indicator is present in a network packet. In one example, a network packet identified by a network infrastructure device as matching criteria associated with a pre-identified request is received. A parameter within the network packet is identified. A rule is used to determine whether the parameter indicates that an advertisement indicator is present in a flow associated with the network packet. An action is performed based on whether the advertisement indicator is present in the network packet.