Proxy Server Redirect Chain Optimization for Network Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Client devices experience substantial latency and delays when requesting network resources over slow connections due to multiple redirect messages exchanged between client devices and servers, which can lead to resource unavailability or failure to obtain resources within time constraints.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a proxy server device with a redirect module that manages and optimizes redirect chains by forwarding only the last redirect message to the client device, reducing the number of intermediate redirect messages and leveraging high-speed communication infrastructure between the proxy server and content servers, thereby minimizing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple redirect messages are exchanged between client device and server, then the client device can obtain network resources through standard HTTP protocol, but the network connection latency increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
A proxy server is introduced as an intermediary between the client device and the content server. The proxy server intercepts HTTP requests, manages redirect chains by forwarding only the final redirect message to the client, and handles multiple back-and-forth communications with the server on behalf of the client. This eliminates the need for the client to participate in multiple redirect exchanges, thereby reducing network latency while maintaining reliable resource acquisition.
2Ease of operation
If proxy server devices forward all redirect messages to client devices, then the client device can process redirects autonomously, but the number of back and forth communications increases resulting in higher latency
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy server performs partial action by selectively forwarding only the final redirect message in a redirect chain to the client device, while handling intermediate redirects itself. This partial intervention reduces the number of communications the client must participate in, decreasing latency while still allowing the client to complete the resource acquisition process autonomously with minimal proxy involvement.
3Reliability
If the client device handles multiple redirects over slow connections, then the HTTP protocol standards are followed, but the time to establish connection and send requests increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy server performs preliminary action by pre-resolving redirect chains and determining the final destination URL before the client needs to know it. The proxy server maintains state information about ongoing requests and redirect sequences, allowing it to anticipate and prepare the final redirect message for immediate forwarding to the client, thereby accelerating resource retrieval while maintaining protocol compliance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, computer readable medium, and apparatus for reducing latency in network connections include receiving at a proxy server device a first response from one or more server devices in response to a first request from a client device for a network resource stored on the one or more server devices. The proxy server device determines whether or not the first response is a redirect message, and sends a second request to the one or more server devices when the first response includes the first redirect message, such that the sending is performed at least partially based upon the received redirect message.