Proxy Agent Always-On Architecture for Online Gaming Session Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for online gaming over networks poses challenges for service providers to enhance personalization, reduce delays, and increase interactivity without significant network upgrades or increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An 'always-on' architecture comprising a client, proxy agent, and lobby that enables quick communication and session management through 'always-on' sessions, message filtering, and efficient bandwidth use, allowing users to easily connect with friends and initiate games quickly, with components stored on computer-readable media within various devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional connection methods are used where clients establish connections only when needed, then network bandwidth is conserved, but connection establishment delays occur and interactivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes preliminary connections between clients and proxy agents before actual gaming sessions begin. The always-on client maintains persistent connections with proxy agents, allowing instant game initiation without connection establishment delays, while the proxy agents manage these connections efficiently to control bandwidth usage.
Solution Approach 2:
Proxy agents are introduced as intermediaries between clients and game servers. These agents maintain persistent connections on behalf of clients, filtering and managing information messages. The intermediary structure allows clients to quickly rejoin games without establishing direct connections, reducing both delay and unnecessary bandwidth consumption.
2Loss of time
If persistent connections are maintained for all clients, then connection speed is improved, but network costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Proxy agents serve as intermediaries that maintain persistent connections with game servers while clients connect only when needed. The proxy agents handle session management, message filtering, and connection persistence, allowing fast session resumption without requiring complex client-side connection management or full persistent connections for all clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The always-on client automatically re-establishes connections with its proxy agent when becoming active again, without requiring manual intervention or complex reconnection protocols. The client independently manages its connection state, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fast resumption capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more signaling and information messages are sent to enable personalized gaming and friend availability, then personalization and interactivity improve, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Proxy agents act as intermediaries that filter and manage information messages between clients and game servers. They handle presence status information, friend availability data, and personalized gaming signals, delivering only relevant information to clients. This filtering mechanism enables personalized gaming experiences while reducing overall network bandwidth consumption by eliminating redundant messages.
4Productivity
If network upgrades are implemented to handle increased gaming traffic, then service quality improves, but infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Proxy agents are deployed as software-based intermediaries that manage and optimize network traffic without requiring physical network infrastructure upgrades. They efficiently route messages, manage connections, and filter information, allowing existing networks to handle increased gaming traffic and personalized services without substantial hardware investments or infrastructure changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Sessions, such as on-line gaming sessions, are maintained by proxy agents on behalf of users even when the users are inactive. The agents, along with other components, form a novel “always-on” architecture that greatly reduces the time it takes to initiate and carry out sessions.