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`US 6,766,373 B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(12) United States Patent
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`Beadle et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jul. 20, 2004
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`U5006766373B1
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`(54) DYNAMIC, SEAMLESS SWITCHING OF A
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`NETWORK SESSION FROM ONE
`CONNECTION ROUTE TO ANOTHER
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`Primary Examiner—Moustafa M. Meky
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`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Marilyn Smith Dawkins;
`Dillon & Yudell LLP
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`(57)
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`(75)
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`Inventors: Bruce A. Beadle, Round Rock, TX
`(US); Michael Wayne Brown,
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`Georgetown, TX (US); Randolph
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`Michael Forlenza, Austin, TX (US);
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`Douglas Scott Rothert, Austin, TX
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`(us); Miguel Sang, Austin, TX (us)
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`(73) Assignee:
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`( * ) Notice:
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`International Business Machines
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`Corporation, Armonk, NY (US)
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`Subject to any disclaimer, the term Of this
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`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
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`U~S~C~ 154(b) by 629 days.
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`ABSTRACT
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`A’system for prov1d1ng. continuous connection between a
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`chent and a network dur1ng a sess1on. The system comprlses
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`of a connection utility, which monitors a network session for
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`an occurrence of a pre-defined event and/or condition. The
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`system is particularly advantageous in scenarios where a
`session’s connection is lost and the session has to be
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`reconnected to the network. The system also finds applica-
`bility with several other types of events/conditions, includ-
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`ing a connection break, a slow or congested connection or a
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`change in the type of data being transmitted. When any one
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`of the pre-defined events/conditions occur, the session is
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`automatically routed from the present connection route to
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`another connection route, and is completed on the other
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/584,068
`connection route. In order to complete the re-routing of the
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`(22)
`sessions, session information is cached on the client and the
`Filed:
`May 31’ 2000
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`(51)
`server. The session data is tagged with the original session
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ G06F 13/00
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`(52) us. Cl.
`........................................ 709/227, 709/203 D .On the server, a special Client Key is storedior later
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`(58) Field of Search ................................. 709/200, 201,
`retrleVal, and 0n the Chem a SPeclal Sewer Key 15 stored-
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`709/203, 217’ 218, 219’ 227’ 228, 229
`During the reconnect, the server uses its previously stored
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`sess1on data assoc1ated w1th the chent key and prev1ous
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`session ID to regain a new session connection. The client
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`uses its previously stored session data to regain its side of the
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`connection and to pass the proper request over the wire to
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`the 56W“ This SPeCial“handSh‘i‘ke” OC‘WS at 565510“ FCCOH'
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`nect t1me and allows the spec1al sess1on re-connectlon to
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`occur. The re-routing of the session is completed with no
`noticeable loss in connection or session information. Thus,
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`a substantially seamless switching of the session from the
`first connection route to the second connection route is
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`implemented.
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`(56)
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`References Cited
`
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`
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`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`................. 375/8
`5,347,539 A *
`9/1994 Sridhar et a1.
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`5,835,724 A 4 11/1998 Smith ............... 707/501
`
`
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`
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`5,859,959 A *
`1/1999 Kimball et a1.
`..... 370/216
`.
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`6,145,089 A * 11/2000 Le et a1. ................. 714/4
`
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`
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`6,286,058 B1 *
`9/2001 Hrastar et a1.
`..... 709/239
`..
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`6,324,161 El * 11/2001 Kirch .................. 370/217
`
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`6,490,610 B1 * 12/2002 Rizvi et a1. .......... 709/101
`6,519,224 B2 *
`2/2003 Hrastar et a1.
`.............. 370/227
`
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`* cited by examiner
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`27 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
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`801
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`Establish connection
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`805
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`807
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`Complete session
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`Connection
`No
`change
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`condition ?
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`Yes 809
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`Select optimal route
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`8 1 1
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`Switch connection
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`to optimal route
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`Page 1 of 19
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1008
`
`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1008
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`Page 1 of 19
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 1 0f 10
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 3 0f 10
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`Page 4 of 19
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`Page 4 of 19
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`Page 5 of 19
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 5 0f 10
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`500
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`Server 4 : Chicago _______________________
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`:.
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`Override Defaults
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`Server 2 : Texas
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`Server 3 : New York
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`5 0 5 D
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`5 1 3
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`CONDITION MESSAGE
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`5 5 5
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`CLICK BELOW TO
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`SWITCH TO MORE
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`OPTIMAL ROUTE
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`Page 6 of 19
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`Page 6 of 19
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`US. Patent
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`Jul
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`. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 6 0f 10
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`766,373 B1
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`Page 7 of 19
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 7 0f 10
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`651
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`Yes
`
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`
`
`
`Is there
`
`historical
`
`
`data ?
`
`
`655
`
`
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`
`Does
`
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`user wish to
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`utilize historical
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`Create metrics on
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`current connections
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`661
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`Retrieve best guess
`
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`results from database
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`Weigh user's
`
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`
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`that matches user
`
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`preference against
`
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`
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`preferences for
`
`reported metrics and
`
`
`
`this domain and
`
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`determine optimal
`
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`historical data
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`connection
`
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`Switch to optimal
`
`connection
`
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`
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`of server/connection
`
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`or user preferences
`
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`to change
`
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`665 Wait for attributes
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`667 Terminator
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`T1g.
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`6%)
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`Page 8 of 19
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`Page 8 of 19
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`US.
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`Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 8 0f 10
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`7 0 3
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`User request
`
`Internet connection
`
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`705
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`
` Set
`
`
`connection
`
`
`defaults .7
`
`
`
`No
`
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`707
`
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`Yes
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`Connect via defaults
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`709
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`End
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`7 1 3
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`Yes
`
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`
`
`Make initial
`connection via
`
`
`default
`
`
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`7 1 5
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`Check alternate
`
`routes
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`7 1 7
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`7 1 1
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`suDef::‘clito‘r’1Vs/ 7
`
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`99
`'
`
`
`N0
`
`
`7 21
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`
`
`Check connections
`table for most
`
`
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`
`
`optimal route
`7 2 3
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`Connect via most
`
`
`optimal route
`7 2 5
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`U date table
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`7 0 9
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`End
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`More
`
`
`optimal routes
`found ?
`
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`
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`No
`
`
`
`
`
`
`settings
`
`
`(Set optimal route
`as default)
`
`
`
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`
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`fig. 7
`
`End
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`
`7 0 9
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`Page 9 of 19
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`801
`
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`03
`
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`
`
`Establish connection
`
`
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`8 0 5
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`
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`8 0 7
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`N0
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`Connection
`
`change
`
`condition ?
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`Complete session
`
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`fig. 8
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`Yes 809
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`Select optimal route
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`81 1
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`Switch connection
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`to optimal route
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`PROTOCOL
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`III-III
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`
`BEST (NIC)
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`ADDR
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`SRC lP
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`ADDR
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`
`DEST lP
`
`ADDR
`
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`TCP/IP HEADER
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`903
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`
`fly. 9
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`Page 10 of 19
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 10 0f 10
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`
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`Internet
`
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`
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`Satellite
`
`
`transmission
`
`
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`1011
`
`Modem
`
`
`transmission
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` 1007
`1009
`
`
`
`1003fi---------------1,
`
`
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`1005
`
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`
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`Client Browser
`
`
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`1107
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`1105
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`1109
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`
` _______________ .l
`
`
`
`l
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`
`
`Extension to
`
`
`TCP/lP stack
`
`Network
`
`
`
`Application
`
`(Client Browser)
`
`
`
`
`1101
`
`
`Try. 1]
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`Page 11 of19
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`Page 11 of 19
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`DYNAMIC, SEAMLESS SWITCHING OF A
`
`
`
`NETWORK SESSION FROM ONE
`
`
`
`CONNECTION ROUTE TO ANOTHER
`
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The present invention is related to the subject matter of
`
`
`
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`
`
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`the following commonly assigned, co-pending US. patent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`application Ser. No. 09/584,808 entitled “Dynamically
`
`
`
`
`Affecting Browser Network Communications
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Performance”, still pending filed concurrently herewith.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
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`
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`1. Technical Field:
`
`
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`
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`to computer
`invention relates in general
`The present
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`
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`networks and in particular to communications within com-
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`
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`puter networks. Still more particularly, the present invention
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`relates to a method, system, and program for improving a
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`client’s communication performance within a network by
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`dynamically switching a session connection from a first
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`connection route to another route in response to an occur-
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`rence of specific pre-defined events.
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`2. Description of the Related Art:
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`Computer networks, such as the Internet, are typically
`based on Client/Server software architectures. These archi-
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`tectures provide a versatile infrastructure that supports
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`shared access to server resources. A client is typically a
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`requester of services, and a server is the provider of services.
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`Asingle machine can be both a client and a server depending
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`on the software configuration. A client machine is loaded
`with client software, while a server machine is loaded with
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`server software. Clients can be either stand-alone computer
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`systems (like personal computers) or “dumber” systems
`adapted for limited use with a network.
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`A generalized client-server computing network has sev-
`eral nodes or servers which are interconnected, either
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`directly to each other or indirectly through one of the other
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`servers. Based on network configuration, the connection by
`the client to the network may be via an ethernet connection
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`or token ring, etc. Other direct and/or indirect connection
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`methods (e.g.
`telephone connection via remote access
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`protocol) are also possible when a client is connected from
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`the user’s home, for example. In traditional networks, only
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`a single connecting medium to the network is possible for
`each client.
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`The network can be a localized network or geographically
`dispersed network and can be further connected to other
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`networks. Each server is essentially a stand-alone data
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`processing (computer) system, having one or more
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`processors, memory devices, and communications devices,
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`that has been adapted (programmed) for providing informa-
`tion and/or services to individual users at another set of
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`nodes or client workstations.
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`In a Local Area Network (LAN), for example, clients are
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`usually configured to communicate via a particular server.
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`For geographically dispersed networks, as in an intranet or
`Internet, a client’s network communication may occur via a
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`localized server or a server in another geographic location.
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`The use of auto-proxy servers in a LAN system helps to
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`improve network performance. However, only one connec-
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`tion route may be configured within the client at a particular
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`time and these servers can become congested during heavy
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`usage or traffic. Also, current client browsers (i.e., software
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`applications for accessing and communication with the
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`Internet) are typically configured to transmit network traffic
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`via a specific server and once configured, remain set in that
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`configuration until the user manually changes the settings to
`utilize another server. Thus,
`if the server connection is
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`congested, the user may either remain on the connection or
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`terminate the session and attempt to secure a faster connec-
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`tion by re-connecting to the same server. Also,
`if the
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`connection is lost during a session, and/or another connec-
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`tion is made to complete the session, the session information
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`is usually lost
`(or unrecoverable) and the user has to
`re-connect via the same server and start the session over.
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`Network input/output (I/O) performance is often a prob-
`lem when using a browser in an intranet to access the World
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`Wide Web or Internet. In most intranet cases, the client is
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`required to use a sock server or a proxy server before a
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`connection can be made to the Internet. In a typical intranet,
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`there are several sock or proxy severs that may be geo-
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`graphically dispersed within the network. The performance
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`of the servers varies throughout the day due to factors such
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`as location,
`time of day,
`loading, etc. Thus,
`in most
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`networks, auto-proxy servers, which filter the local intranet
`traffic from the external Internet
`traffic, are utilized to
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`improve performance of sock servers.
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`To address such performance concerns, special tools or
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`components have been developed to improve communica-
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`tion to servers connected to the Internet. For example,
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`various load balancing solutions have been implemented,
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`such as Local Director of Cisco Systems. Local Director
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`performs load balancing and interfaces with the Internet-
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`based client attempting to access the content servers. All
`traffic across the Internet to content servers is thus shielded
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`by Local Director. US. Pat. No. 5,774,660 discloses a load
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`balancer having a virtual address connected to a multi-node
`server. The load balancer receives all incoming Internet
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`requests for server access, and modifies the destination
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`address to reflect the correct server node that ultimately
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`services the request. These solutions are all server-based and
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`implemented on the back end of the network, i.e., the server
`connection to the Internet itself.
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`The present invention recognizes that it would therefore
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`be desirable to have a method, system, and program product
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`for dynamically improving a client-to-network session con-
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`nection and performance. A method, system, and program
`product, which allows a client browser to switch from one
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`connection route to another route during a network session
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`without losing session information would be a welcomed
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`improvement. These and other benefits are provided in the
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`present invention.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`A system is disclosed for providing continuous connec-
`tion between a client and a network during a session. The
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`system comprises of a connection utility, which monitors a
`network session for an occurrence of a pre-defined event
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`such as a connection break, a slow or congested connection,
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`or a change in the type of data being transmitted. The system
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`is particularly advantageous in scenarios where a session’s
`connection is lost and the session has to be reconnected to
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`the network. When any one of the pre-defined conditions
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`occur, the session is automatically routed from the present
`connection route to another connection route. The session is
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`then completed on the other connection route. In order to
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`complete the re-routing of the sessions, session information
`is cached on the client and the server. The session data is
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`tagged with the original session ID. On the server, a special
`Client Key is stored for later retrieval, and on the client a
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`special Server Key is stored. During the reconnect,
`the
`server uses its previously stored session data associated with
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`10
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`Page 12 of 19
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`Page 12 of 19
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`the client key and previous session ID to regain a new
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`session connection. The client uses its previously stored
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`session data to regain its side of the connection and to pass
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`the proper request over the wire to the server. This special
`“handshake” occurs at session reconnect time and allows the
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`special session re-connection to occur. The re-routing of the
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`session is completed with no noticeable loss in connection or
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`session information. Thus, a substantially seamless switch-
`ing of the session from the first connection route to the
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`second connection route is implemented.
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`The above as well as additional objectives, features, and
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`advantages of the present invention will become apparent in
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`the following detailed written description.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
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`are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
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`however, as well as a preferred mode of use,
`further
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`objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood
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`by reference to the following detailed description of an
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`illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the
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`accompanying drawings, wherein:
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`FIG. 1 depicts a data processing system,
`in which a
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`preferred embodiment of the present
`invention may be
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`implemented;
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`FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of a client browser
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`within an intranet configuration in accordance with one
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`embodiment of the present invention;
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`FIG. 3 illustrates a browser-network configuration with
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`multiple selectable server-connecting media and/or routes in
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`accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention;
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`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a modified browser appli-
`cation with a selectable connection button for opening a
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`connection settings window in accordance with a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention;
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`FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a server-connections GUI
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`utilized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
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`present invention;
`FIG. 5B is a block diagram of an in-session connection
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`modification window utilized in accordance with a preferred
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`embodiment of the present invention;
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`FIG. 6A is a block diagram of a table of connection
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`attributes utilized in accordance with a preferred embodi-
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`ment of the present invention;
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`FIG. 6B is a flow chart of the process of determining a
`best connection route in accordance with a preferred
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`embodiment of the present invention;
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`FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the process of completing a
`network connection in accordance with a preferred embodi-
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`ment of the present invention;
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`FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the process of switching a session
`from one connection route to another in accordance with
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`another preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the TCP/IP header with an
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`encoded call-back component for directing client call-backs
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`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention; and
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`FIGS. 10 and 11 are block diagrams of specific examples
`of a client connected to a network via two possible routes to
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`enable the switching of a session from one connection route
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`to another in accordance with another preferred embodiment
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`of the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE
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`EMBODIMENT
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`The present invention is directed to a method, system, and
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`program product implemented within a client system, which
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`Page 13 of 19
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`4
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`allows a browser application to automatically select an
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`effective network route from the client system to a network
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`during network communication. As utilized within the
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`invention, the term “effective” refers to a better performing
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`the best performing or optimal) route, based on
`(if not
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`known or available criteria and present network conditions.
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`The preferred embodiment is described with reference to
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`optimal routes, but is done so merely for illustrative pur-
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`poses. In particular, a software implemented application of
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`the present invention expands the functionality of a tradi-
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`tional browser to permit a multiple-route connection setting
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`(or configuration), by which the browser is not restricted to
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`a connection via a single specific server and connection
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`medium, but is permitted to select from among multiple
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`servers and multiple connection media. The software imple-
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`mented application is referred to herein as a connection
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`utility. In a preferred embodiment, the invention reduces the
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`need to manually change a network communication con-
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`figuration from a particular server to another and enables the
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`browser to have flexibility to ensure the best or most efficient
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`connection routes possible under current loading conditions.
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`The invention is implemented in the data processing
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`system and network environment as illustrated in FIGS. 1
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`and 2 and 3, respectively. The invention may, however, be
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`implemented in other types of data processing systems and
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`networks, so, while the present invention may be described
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`with references to these figures, these references should not
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`be construed in a limiting sense.
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`the term client is
`For the purposes of this invention,
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`utilized to refer to both the hardware component which is
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`connected to a network server and the software applications
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`stored in memory and being run on the hardware component.
`the term client is utilized to mean both a directly
`Also,
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`connected network computer system and a stand-alone com-
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`puter system, such as a user’s home-based computer system.
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`In the preferred embodiment, a client
`is provided with
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`browser application and connection utility for accessing the
`Internet via several possible connection routes. User refers
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`primarily to an individual who utilizes the client. Further, the
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`invention applies to connections to servers of both an
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`intranet and Internet via the browser application running on
`the client.
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`The servers of the network are typically data processing
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`systems having a database, operating system (OS), and
`server software. The server software operates within a
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`network server and provides the support for Internet access
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`by clients.
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`With reference now to the figures and in particular with
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`reference to FIG. 1, a computer system that may be utilized
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`as a standalone computer system or one of the client or
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`servers on a network is presented. Computer system 20
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`comprises a Central Processing Unit (CPU) housed in a
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`system unit 22. System unit 22 also provides connections for
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`various hardware components including disk drives 40 and
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`memory devices (not shown). Several Peripheral
`input/
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`output devices are connected to the CPU. These input/output
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`devices include keyboard 82, mouse 84, printer 94, CD
`ROM 78, and display monitor 30.
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`Also coupled to CPU are various external devices, includ-
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`ing modem 92, and network adapter 90, utilized for con-
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`necting data processing system 20 to other systems and/or
`networks, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. CD rom 78,
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`modem 92, and network adapter 90 are depicted as external
`components; however those skilled in the arts are familiar
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`with the various architectures of data processing systems
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`and understand that these components may be housed inside
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`of system unit 22.
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`5
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`Modem 92 is a communication device that enables com-
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`puter system 20 to transmit information over standard tele-
`phone lines or wireless connections such as cellular. Modem
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`92 converts digital computer signals to interlock signals
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`suitable for communications over these telephone media.
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`Modem 92 can be utilized to connect data processing system
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`20 to a server via remote access protocols. Modem 92 may
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`also provide a connection to other sources, such as an
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`electronic bulletin board (BBS) or the World Wide Web
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`(Internet). Network adapter 90 may be used to connect data
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`processing system 20 to a network such as an intranet as
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`depicted in FIG. 2.
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`Computer system 20 also preferably includes an interface
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`such as a graphical user interface (GUI) provided by an
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`operating system (OS) 24 that resides within machine read-
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`able media to direct the operation of computer system 20.
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`Any suitable machine-readable media may retain the OS,
`such as RAM, ROM, SCSI disk drive, and other disk and/or
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`tape drive(e.g. magnetic diskette, magnetic tape, CD-ROM,
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`optical disk, or other suitable storage media). Also, any
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`suitable OS 24 may direct the CPU of the data processing
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`system 20.
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`Further, computer system 20 preferably includes at least
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`one software application (program product) 26 that resides
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`within machine readable media. The software application
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`may be accessible by OS 24, or may be incorporated into an
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`OS control program. Preferably, software application 26
`contains instructions that when executed on the CPU carry
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`out the particular operations of the present invention as
`described herein.
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`SELECTING BROWSER-NETWORK
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`CONNECTION
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`Referring now to FIG. 2, a high-level block diagram of an
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`intranet with multiple server connections for a single client
`is illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
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`the present invention. Intranet 200 comprises a plurality of
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`servers that are at different geographical locations. These
`servers include Chicago servers 203A, New York servers
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`203B, California servers 203C, and Texas servers 203D.
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`Client browser 201 connects to each server via a different
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`connection medium. Thus, client browser 201 is connected
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`via ethernet 205 to Chicago servers 203A, via Token Ring
`209 to New York servers 203B, via an internet Service
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`Provider (ISP) to California servers 203C, and via Satellite
`211 to Texas servers 203D. In a preferred embodiment, the
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`ability of a client
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`to different servers using
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`different connecting medium is a major consideration uti-
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`lized in selecting optimal routes as will be described below.
`The invention, however also finds applicability in a network
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`in which each server is connected to the client via the same
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`connecting medium. Intranet 200 connects to Internet (not
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`shown) via network Internet connectors 215. Client browser
`access to the Internet is routed through the Intranet servers
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`203A—203D, which in effect serve as proxy servers.
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`The preferred embodiment of the present invention places
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`the capability to choose the best performing network route
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`in the client (i.e., away from the server) and specifically
`within the browser or other network access application
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`running on the client. The invention assists in solving the
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`congestion problems within an Intranet and/or the Internet.
`The invention also involves the encoding of software call-
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`backs into the protocol stack and executing of a software
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`application that utilizes the call-back utility to assist
`in
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`choosing a better performing network route. The invention
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`has greatest applicability in an intranet and/or Internet
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`Page 14 of 19
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`US 6,766,373 B1
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`6
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`environment, but may also apply to basic LANs or other
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`types of multiple-server networks.
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`For the purposes of the invention, use of the term network
`is understood to refer to both Wide Ar