Server Agent Communication via Zone Proxy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network data processing systems, existing communication methods between server and agent applications face challenges such as bandwidth inefficiency due to polling intervals that are too short, requiring frequent checks even when no work is being performed, and the difficulty of using listening sockets in cloud-based systems due to firewall configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method where a server application sends a request to a first agent application, and if it fails to respond, it instructs a second agent application in the same zone to communicate with the server, allowing for urgent communication without reconfiguring firewalls or dedicated infrastructures, using a listening socket to initiate communication and potentially acting as a proxy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the agent application periodically contacts the server to send status updates and check for work, then the server can receive status information and commands, but network bandwidth is consumed inefficiently due to frequent polling even when no work is being performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic polling with dynamic interval adjustment. The server sends requests to agents at periodic intervals, and the system adapts the polling frequency based on whether work is actually available, reducing unnecessary network traffic while maintaining reliable status information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The agent application autonomously determines when to contact the server based on whether work is available. Instead of the server continuously polling all agents, the system allows agents to self-regulate their communication frequency, reducing overall network bandwidth consumption while maintaining operational reliability.
2Speed
If a listening socket is used to allow the server to communicate with the agent, then urgent commands can be delivered, but firewall configurations in cloud-based systems prevent the agent from accepting inbound requests
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the agent listening for inbound connections from the server (which firewalls block), the patent inverts the communication direction by having the server initiate outbound connections to the agent. This allows urgent command delivery while maintaining compatibility with cloud firewall configurations that restrict inbound traffic to agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication intermediary mechanism where the server acts as the initiator of communication sessions. Rather than requiring the agent to open inbound ports, the server establishes outbound connections through the firewall, effectively using the firewall itself as an intermediary that permits controlled communication while maintaining security.
3Ease of operation
If a persistent connection is maintained between the server and agent, then two-way communication is enabled, but the system complexity increases and resources are consumed continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic connection management where the communication mode adapts based on operational needs. Rather than maintaining a static persistent connection, the system dynamically establishes and terminates connections based on whether work is available, balancing two-way communication capabilities with reduced system complexity and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for communicating with agent applications. A first request is sent by a server application on a server computer system to a first agent application to communicate with the server application. The first agent application is located in a first network. If the first agent application fails to respond to the first request, a second request is sent by the server application to a second agent application to instruct the first agent application to communicate with the server application. The first agent application is located on a first client computer system that is in a zone with a second client computer system on which the second agent application is located.