Proxy Node Port Sharding for Parallel TCP Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for accelerating web page loading, such as domain sharding, face limitations due to browser cookie restrictions, leading to recognition issues in subscription services and inefficient use of available bandwidth, primarily causing latency problems in high-traffic networks.

Innovation Solution

A proxy node method that captures and modifies TCP/IP packets between a server and client, incrementing server hostname counts and appending non-standard port numbers to HTML tags, allowing for additional concurrent connections beyond protocol limits, while avoiding conflicts and maintaining cookie compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If domain sharding is used to distribute resources across multiple domains, then the number of simultaneous connections increases and download time is reduced, but browser cookie restrictions cause recognition issues in subscription services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownload timeVSAvoidcookie compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the host identifier in HTTP requests by appending different port numbers to the same host, allowing resources to be distributed across multiple port-sharded connections while maintaining cookie compatibility. This segmentation enables parallel downloads without breaking subscription service recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the port number parameter in TCP/IP connections to create multiple simultaneous connections to the same server. By modifying this technical parameter, the system bypasses browser connection limits and cookie restrictions, enabling domain sharding without the traditional domain-based approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the number of TCP/IP connections to a server is increased to download more resources in parallel, then bandwidth utilization improves, but browser protocol restrictions limit the number of concurrent connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidprotocol compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the port number parameter to create multiple distinct TCP/IP connections that appear different to the browser protocol layer. This allows the system to establish more concurrent connections than the standard four or six allowed by browser restrictions, thereby improving bandwidth utilization while maintaining protocol compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If resources are downloaded sequentially due to connection limits, then protocol compliance is maintained, but latency increases and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol complianceVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments resource downloads by creating multiple port-sharded connections, allowing parallel download of resources that would otherwise be downloaded sequentially. This segmentation maintains protocol compliance at the application layer while enabling concurrent connections at the transport layer, thereby reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to connection management by utilizing the port number parameter as an additional degree of freedom. This dimensional change allows the system to create multiple connections beyond the traditional protocol limits without violating browser restrictions, thus reducing latency while maintaining compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3155788B1Proxy node for transferring packets between a server and a client using port sharding
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 SANDVINE CORP
  • EP3155788B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3155788B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3155788B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a proxy node 30, a methodand a computer program in a proxy node in an IP network for transferring TCP packets between a server 40and a client 20. The disclosure comprises modifying the port number of the server of at least one object so as to create the appearance that the at least one object, which resides on the same server, is residing on a different server, and causing the client 20to open an additional TCP connection for the at least one object, whereby the speed of downloading web content can be accelerated. (Figure 5for publication)