Web Service Locator Mediator for Dynamic Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Web services often face challenges in re-locating without impacting the code of client applications, as their URLs may change over time, making it difficult to scale and maintain connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a referral service and a locater service that redirects client applications to updated web service locations based on attributes like client type, version, or locale, allowing seamless re-location and easy transition between old and new services without modifying client application code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a web service changes its location (URL), then the web service can be relocated to support increased demands or improve performance, but the client application will be unable to access the web service and will not operate properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a locater service as an intermediary between the client application and the web service. The locater service receives location requests from client applications, resolves the web service URL based on provided identifiers, and returns the current location. This mediator allows the web service to change locations independently while maintaining reliable connectivity for client applications, as they continue to query the locator service for current addresses.
2Reliability
If the location of a web service is hard coded into the client application, then the client application can reliably access the web service, but it becomes difficult to scale up (add servers) to support increased demands
Solution Approach 1:
The locator service acts as a dynamic configuration intermediary that replaces static hard-coded URLs. Instead of embedding fixed service addresses in client applications, the system uses the locator service to provide current web service locations at runtime. This enables scalability because new server instances can be registered with the locator service, which automatically makes them accessible to client applications without requiring code changes or re-deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, fixed URL configuration into a dynamic resolution process. The locator service maintains current web service location information and provides real-time updates to client applications. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing deployment configurations, server additions, and load balancing scenarios while maintaining reliable client connectivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the location of a web service is hard coded into the client application, then the client application can access the web service, but making it difficult to update the location without modifying client application code
Solution Approach 1:
The locator service serves as a centralized configuration management intermediary. During initial setup, web service locations are registered with the locator service just once. For maintenance and updates, administrators can modify service location information in the locator service without touching client application code. The locator service automatically propagates these updates to client applications on their next location query, dramatically simplifying maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The mechanisms described herein are directed at methods for locating web services available for client applications. The methods allow web services to re-locate without impacting the code of the client applications that access the web services. The client application sends a message that includes an identifier to a referral service. The referral service re-directs the message to a locater service based on the identifier. The locater service determines a set of locations associated with web services based on attributes associated with the client application. The attributes may include a client type, a client version, or a locale. The set of locations are transmitted to the client application for use in accessing the web services. Upon failing to access one of the web services identified within the set, the client application re-sends the message to obtain an updated set of locations.