Accurate VPN Progress Indicator via Time Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VPN connection configuration progress indicators fail to accurately represent the remaining time for completing processes, leading to premature termination of connections and inefficient resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the respective durations of time for each process related to configuring a VPN connection, accounting for variations and complexities, to configure a progress indicator that accurately represents the remaining time, thereby preventing premature termination and optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a progress indicator is displayed during VPN connection configuration, then users are informed about the configuration status, but the connection may be prematurely terminated if the indicator is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating the total configuration time and distributing it to individual processes before they actually execute. This allows the progress indicator to show accurate estimated remaining times from the start, preventing users from terminating the connection due to perceived delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously updating the progress indicator with real-time information about configuration progress and estimated remaining time. This feedback loop keeps users informed about the actual status, reducing premature terminations caused by uncertainty.
2Reliability
If the VPN connection configuration time is extended to complete all processes, then connection stability is improved, but user waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary time estimation for all configuration processes before they start executing. By calculating and displaying the total expected configuration time upfront, users can make informed decisions, and the system can optimize process execution to meet the predicted timeline, balancing stability with user patience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the progress indicator display based on actual process execution progress versus predicted progress. This allows the system to maintain accurate time information while adapting to variations in process execution speed, ensuring users have realistic expectations without unnecessarily extending configuration time.
3Ease of manufacture
If process duration estimation is simplified, then the progress indicator is easier to implement, but accuracy of remaining time indication decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the VPN configuration process into distinct, identifiable processes (e.g., authentication, key exchange, tunnel establishment). By breaking down the configuration into segments, the system can assign specific time estimates to each segment and sum them to get an accurate total, maintaining precision while keeping the implementation manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by using multiple factors for time estimation including process type, device characteristics, and network conditions. This multi-parameter approach improves accuracy without significantly complicating the implementation, as each parameter can be independently determined and combined.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a virtual private network (VPN) service environment, the method including measuring, during a given interval of time, respective durations of time associated with performing a plurality of processes for configuring VPN connections; calculating average respective durations of time based at least in part on the measured respective durations of time; configuring a progress indicator to indicate a total duration of time associated with configuring a VPN connection for a user device, the total duration of time being substantially equal to a sum of the average respective durations of time; and transmitting, to the user device, information associated with the progress indicator to enable display of the progress indicator on a screen associated with the user device. Various other aspects are contemplated.