Proxy Automatic Configuration File Manager System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing and updating proxy automatic configuration (PAC) files across multiple servers in a networked environment is challenging due to frequent URL changes, leading to difficulties in maintaining up-to-date PAC files.

Innovation Solution

A PAC file manager system that maintains datasets for each PAC file, logs updates, stores them, and generates updated files at predetermined intervals, minimizing update anomalies by incorporating segment data from one file into another during generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PAC files are manually updated frequently to reflect URL changes, then the proxy server information remains accurate, but the complexity and difficulty of managing multiple PAC files increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of proxy server informationVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple PAC files

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple PAC files into a single consolidated PAC file manager system. The system maintains a master PAC file that incorporates proxy server information from multiple source PAC files, automatically updating and consolidating them into one centralized location. This eliminates the need to manually manage and update multiple separate PAC files, reducing management complexity while maintaining accuracy through automated consolidation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring template PAC files with standard proxy server information and structures. These templates are prepared in advance and automatically populated with current proxy server data before deployment. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of ongoing updates, as the system only needs to refresh specific data fields rather than recreate entire PAC files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If PAC files are updated frequently to keep up with URL changes, then the proxy configurations remain current, but the time and resources required for maintenance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveup-to-date status of PAC filesVSAvoidtime required for PAC file maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The PAC file manager system implements self-service capabilities by automatically detecting changes in proxy server information and URLs, then autonomously updating the consolidated PAC files without human intervention. The system monitors source PAC files for changes, retrieves updated proxy server information, and regenerates the master PAC file automatically. This self-service approach maintains current proxy configurations while eliminating the time investment required for manual maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback loops that continuously monitor proxy server information sources for changes. When updates are detected, the system automatically triggers regeneration of the consolidated PAC files. This feedback mechanism ensures PAC files remain synchronized with current proxy server information without requiring manual checking or updating, reducing maintenance time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple PAC files are maintained across the network, then specific proxy configurations can be tailored to different servers, but consistency and synchronization between files becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to tailor proxy configurationsVSAvoidconsistency of PAC file data

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments proxy server information into distinct, identifiable components within the consolidated PAC file structure. Each source PAC file's proxy information is extracted and organized as separate data elements, allowing the system to maintain the adaptability and specificity of individual server configurations while managing them through a single unified file. This segmentation enables selective updating and clear tracking of changes from different sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The consolidated PAC file manager serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains adaptability for different server-specific proxy configurations while ensuring universal consistency across all deployed PAC files. The system generates a single master PAC file that can be distributed to multiple servers, ensuring all locations receive identical, synchronized proxy information while still supporting server-specific routing rules through the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10873507B2Proxy automatic configuration file manager

Publication Date: 2020.12.22 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

A PAC file manager is provided. The PAC file manager may include PAC files. The PAC files may be generated by, and be resident on, a PAC server. The PAC file manager may include update processors. Each update processor may include a capability to transmit update information to the PAC server. The update information may be for updating URLs included in the PAC files. The PAC file manager may also include general processors and proxy servers. Each time a general processor launches a web browser, the general processor may download a PAC file from the PAC server. The PAC file may be stored in a temporary file associated with the general processor. Each PAC file may include instructions to be used to direct the associated general processor how to access the URL. The instructions may identify whether to use a proxy server and which specific proxy server to use.