VPN Server Selection via Pre-Connection Service Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VPN systems face inefficiencies in server selection, leading to suboptimal connections that consume user device resources and introduce delays, as they often fail to prioritize factors like geolocation, network load, and proximity to Internet exchange hubs, resulting in compromised security and performance.
Innovation Solution
A method for optimized server picking in VPNs, where a processing unit within the VPN service provider's control infrastructure receives service information from user devices to determine the most suitable VPN server based on factors such as geolocation, network load, and proximity to Internet exchange hubs, and transmits this information to enable secure and efficient connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional server selection methods are used in VPN systems, then system complexity is reduced, but connection performance and security are compromised due to suboptimal server choices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of VPN servers by collecting and analyzing service information, geolocation data, network load metrics, and Internet exchange hub proximity before the user connects. This pre-assessment allows the system to pre-determine the optimal server, avoiding complex real-time decisions during connection establishment and ensuring both security and performance without adding operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary server selection mechanism that acts as a mediator between the user device and VPN servers. This intermediary evaluates multiple servers based on predefined criteria (geolocation, network load, proximity to Internet exchange hubs) and selects the optimal one, thereby improving connection reliability without requiring the user device to implement complex selection logic.
2Productivity
If optimal server selection based on multiple factors is implemented, then VPN connection performance and security are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects and evaluates service information, geolocation, network load, and Internet exchange hub proximity data in advance, before the user initiates a connection. This preliminary action allows the optimal server to be predetermined, enabling fast connection establishment without requiring complex real-time evaluation during the connection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameters from simple proximity-based selection to a multi-factor assessment including service information, geolocation, network load, and Internet exchange hub proximity. By establishing these parameters in advance and using them for automated evaluation, the system improves productivity while managing complexity through structured parameter-based decision-making.
3Reliability
If user device resources are consumed for continuous server evaluation, then connection optimization is achieved, but user device energy and processing resources are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary server selection mechanism that performs the resource-intensive evaluation of service information, geolocation, network load, and Internet exchange hub proximity on external servers rather than on the user device. This intermediary handles the complex computations and data analysis, ensuring connection optimality while minimizing energy and processing resource consumption on the user device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables servers to self-evaluate and self-report their status (network load, geolocation, proximity to Internet exchange hubs) without requiring continuous querying by user devices. This self-service approach allows the intermediary to collect accurate information with minimal user device involvement, maintaining connection optimality while reducing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including transmitting, by a user device to an infrastructure device prior to establishing a virtual private network (VPN) connection with a VPN server, service information indicating one or more VPN services to be received by the user device after establishing the VPN connection with the VPN server; receiving, by the user device from the infrastructure device, information associated with the VPN server that is selected by the infrastructure device to provide the one or more VPN services to the user device based at least in part on the service information; and establishing, by the user device based at least in part on utilizing the information associated with the VPN server, the VPN connection with the VPN server to receive the one or more VPN services is disclosed. Various other aspects are contemplated.