SOAP Streaming File Transfer via Intermediary Relay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Business-to-business (B2B) transactions face challenges with insecure file transfer protocols (FTP) and high costs associated with dedicated networks for large file transfers, particularly due to security concerns and firewall filtering.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system that streams Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)-encoded messages through a chain of servers without intermediate storage, utilizing components like SOAP decoder and encoder modules, HTTP modules, and business logic modules within the Microsoft .Net framework to maintain security and reduce costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If FTP is used to transfer large files, then file transfer capability is improved, but security deteriorates due to clear text password transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile transfer capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a SOAP-based messaging system as an intermediary between FTP clients and servers. This intermediary layer encapsulates file transfer operations within secure SOAP messages that use encrypted authentication mechanisms, thereby maintaining FTP's file transfer capability while eliminating its security vulnerabilities through protocol abstraction and encryption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dedicated networks are used for B2B transactional messaging, then security and reliability are improved, but cost deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessaging reliabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal SOAP-based messaging framework that can operate over existing standard networks (Internet, intranets, extranets) rather than requiring dedicated networks. This universal protocol handles multiple B2B transaction types and can be deployed across diverse network infrastructures, achieving reliable messaging without the high costs of dedicated network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If intermediate storage is implemented in message streaming, then message routing flexibility is improved, but security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage routing flexibilityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a streaming message relay mechanism where SOAP messages are transmitted through intermediate servers without being stored or persisted. The messages are rapidly forwarded from source to destination through the network, skipping the storage step entirely. This approach maintains routing flexibility by allowing messages to pass through multiple intermediate nodes while eliminating security vulnerabilities associated with intermediate storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS7797405B2Streaming file transfer apparatus, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2010.09.14 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive a stream of packets, including perhaps a stream of hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) packets, at a server. The stream of HTTP packets may comprise a data message and a control message. Both messages may be encoded in a computing platform independent protocol, including perhaps a simple object access protocol (SOAP). A SOAP decoder may extract the data message from the SOAP. The data message may be extracted and stored while receiving the stream of HTTP packets. Other embodiments are described and claimed.