Transparent Proxy Traffic Bridging via Socket Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet scanning devices require complex configuration and support due to non-transparent traffic handling, leading to increased vendor support costs and network disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables transparent bridging of proxy traffic by caching socket information and using a cache ID to create a modified socket, allowing for seamless forwarding of packets without requiring detailed network configuration, thereby minimizing support calls and network disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet scanning devices handle traffic non-transparently, then traffic can be scanned and filtered, but configuration complexity and vendor support costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent bridge as an intermediary component that sits between the packet scanning device and the network traffic. This bridge handles the complexity of traffic redirection and socket management internally, while presenting a transparent interface to both the packet scanning device and the network. The bridge maintains socket mappings and redirects traffic without requiring configuration changes on other network devices, thus enabling traffic scanning while reducing configuration complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If packet scanning devices require detailed network configuration, then traffic handling can be customized, but network disruptions and support calls increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent bridge implements self-service by automatically discovering network sockets and maintaining mappings between original and redirected sockets. It dynamically adjusts traffic handling based on observed network patterns without requiring manual configuration. The bridge can identify application protocols and customize traffic handling rules automatically, reducing the need for detailed network configuration while maintaining adaptability.
3Productivity
If socket information is cached with cache ID, then packet forwarding efficiency improves, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential socket information needed for transparent bridging into a compact cache structure. Instead of caching complete socket states, it stores minimal necessary data such as socket identifiers and mapping relationships indexed by cache ID. This selective extraction maintains packet forwarding efficiency while minimizing memory consumption by storing only critical routing information.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided of bridging proxy traffic in an electronic network. The method can include the operation of receiving a data stream from a client into a packet scanning device using a first socket. This data stream can be directed to an external communication network. The socket information for the first socket can be cached or stored in a cache in the packet scanning device using a cache ID. The first socket can then be connected to a user space process. A second socket can be generated by the user space process using the cache ID. The second socket can be modified using information retrieved from the cache based on the cache ID to make the second socket emulate the first socket. An additional operation is sending the data stream through the second socket to the external communication network.