Proxy TCP Connection Management via Sequence Number Revaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TCP connection management systems fail to preserve sequence numbers and acknowledgment numbers when splitting TCP connections, leading to disruptions in communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that intercepts SYN and SYN-ACK packets to establish Proxy TCP client and server sockets, maintaining a connection table to revalue sequence and acknowledgment numbers, ensuring seamless communication through a proxy server while maintaining TCP connection integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If TCP connections are split through a proxy server to enable network management and optimization, then network control and optimization capabilities are improved, but sequence numbers and acknowledgment numbers are not preserved leading to communication disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy server as an intermediary component that sits between the client and server, establishing separate TCP connections (client-proxy and proxy-server) to enable network management while maintaining communication integrity. The proxy server acts as a mediator that forwards packets between the two connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying sequence numbers and acknowledgment numbers in the connection table. When packets are forwarded through the proxy, the system adjusts these TCP parameters to ensure consistency across the split connections, preventing communication disruptions.
2Productivity
If a proxy server is introduced to manage TCP connections, then network optimization and management are improved, but the complexity of connection management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the original direct TCP connection into two separate connections (client-proxy and proxy-server), allowing independent management and optimization of each segment. This segmentation enables the proxy server to handle different aspects of connection management separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a connection table that essentially copies and maps the relationship between the two TCP connections. This copying mechanism allows the proxy server to track and manage both connections simultaneously, maintaining synchronization without requiring complex real-time coordination.
3Ease of manufacture
If sequence numbers and acknowledgment numbers are not preserved when splitting TCP connections, then proxy server insertion is simplified, but communication disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the connection table and configuring the mapping between the two TCP connections before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary setup includes defining how sequence and acknowledgment numbers should be adjusted, ensuring readiness for seamless packet forwarding.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a method of managing connections in a communication network. A first packet is received that is, or is a copy of, a packet sent from a transport layer protocol first socket at a first entity to a second entity and a second packet is received that is, or is a copy of, a packet sent from a transport layer protocol socket at the second entity to the first entity in response to the second entity receiving the packet or a copy of the packet sent from the transport layer protocol first socket. The first packet and the second packet are received from a third entity that is intermediate the first entity and the second entity in the communication network. The first packet and the second packet are used in a process to establish a transport layer protocol third socket and a transport layer protocol fourth socket at a fourth entity. The transport layer protocol third socket is for communicating with the transport layer protocol first socket at the first entity and the transport layer protocol fourth socket is for communicating with the transport layer protocol second socket at the second entity. Header field re-valuing information is established based at least in part on first header field value information obtained from the first packet and/or second header field value information obtained from the second packet. One or more header field values in a subsequent received packet are re-valued based on the header field re-valuing information, either prior to the subsequent packet being input to the transport layer protocol third socket or the transport layer protocol fourth socket or subsequent to the subsequent packet being output from the transport layer protocol third socket or the transport layer protocol fourth socket.