Proxy-Based Transport Protocol Negotiation for Faster Connection Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport protocol selection methods, such as ALPN and Alt-SVC, are inefficient in determining the best protocol for communication with servers of unknown capabilities, leading to increased connection setup times and potential server overload when multiple connections are attempted in parallel.
Innovation Solution
A proxy-based method that receives and selects transport protocol setup messages from a client, sends them to a server, and responds accordingly, optimizing the selection based on client preferences, server capabilities, and policies to reduce connection setup time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple transport protocol connections are attempted in parallel to discover server capabilities, then protocol selection efficiency is improved, but server overload increases and connection setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The client performs capability discovery and transport protocol selection in advance, before establishing the actual data connection. The client sends capability discovery messages during the initial connection phase, allowing the server to respond with supported protocols before full connection establishment, thus avoiding parallel connection attempts and reducing connection setup time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary capability discovery mechanism that mediates between client and server. Instead of directly attempting multiple parallel connections, the client uses an intermediary discovery phase where capability messages are exchanged, allowing both parties to negotiate supported protocols without the overhead of multiple full connection setups
2Adaptability or versatility
If capability discovery is performed before connection setup using DNS SVCB, then protocol selection is improved, but additional connection setup time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capability discovery phase with the connection establishment phase. Instead of performing DNS SVCB lookup as a separate preliminary step, the capability discovery messages are integrated into the TLS handshake process, allowing capability negotiation to occur concurrently with security context establishment, thus eliminating additional connection setup time
3Adaptability or versatility
If Alt-SVC is used to switch transport protocols, then protocol flexibility is improved, but connection setup time increases due to additional setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The client determines the optimal transport protocol in advance during the capability discovery phase, before establishing the data connection. By performing capability discovery and protocol selection during the initial TLS handshake, the system avoids the need for subsequent protocol switching operations, thus eliminating additional connection setup time that would be required by Alt-SVC mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for establishing a transport protocol to use between a client and a sewer are disclosed. In particular there is disclosed a method a proxy, for establishing a transport protocol to use between a client and a server, the method comprising: receiving, from the client, a plurality of transport protocol setup messages; selecting at least one transport protocol setup message from the plurality of transport protocol setup messages; sending at least one transport protocol setup message to the server based on the selected at least one transport protocol setup message; and responsive to receiving from the server at least one transport protocol setup response message corresponding to a transport protocol setup message sent to the server, sending a transport protocol setup response message corresponding to a received transport protocol setup response message to the client.