Transparent proxying enhancement

• US 20020120782A1
• Filed: 02/25/2002
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Kelly, Frank, Dillon, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US10/084,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20020120782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/59 using proxies for addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/289 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context

Abstract

An approach for providing a proxy service is disclosed. A message from an application that supports browsing is received. The message is identified as invoking the proxy service. The message is selectively forwarded to a proxy agent (e.g., a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy or a Domain Name Service (DNS) proxy) that is configured to provide the proxy service. The forwarding of the message is transparent to the application. The present invention has particular applicability to a satellite network.

Claims

1. A method for providing a proxy service, the method comprising:

receiving a message from an application that supports browsing, the message being identified as invoking the proxy service; and

selectively forwarding the message to a proxy agent configured to provide the proxy service,

wherein the forwarding of the message is transparent to the application.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the proxy agent in the forwarding step includes at least one of a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy and a Domain Name Server (DNS) proxy.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the forwarding step is performed by a switching mechanism that is configured to switch the message according to a predetermined protocol that operates above a network layer.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism resides in a host that is loaded with the application.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism resides in a network element that is configured to perform routing of the message.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism resides in a modem that is configured to communicate over a satellite network.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the proxy agent resides in at least one of a host loaded with the application, a satellite modem, and a network element configured to perform routing of the message.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted over a wide area network (WAN) that includes a two-way satellite network.

9. A network apparatus for providing a proxy service, comprising:

switching logic configured to receive a message from an application that supports browsing and to identify the message as invoking the proxy service,

wherein the switching logic selectively forwards the message to a proxy agent configured to provide the proxy service, the forwarding of the message being transparent to the application.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the proxy agent includes at least one of a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy and a Domain Name Server (DNS) proxy.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the switching logic is configured to switch the message according to a predetermined protocol that operates above a network layer.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

a communication interface coupled to the switching logic and configured to communicate with a modem that is configured to communicate over a satellite network.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the proxy agent resides in at least one of the satellite modem, and a network element configured to perform routing of the message.

14. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the message is transmitted over a wide area network (WAN) that includes a two-way satellite network.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the proxy agent includes at least one of a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy and a Domain Name Server (DNS) proxy.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to switch the message according to a predetermined protocol that operates above a network layer.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein the message is transmitted over a wide area network (WAN) that includes a two-way satellite network.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the proxy agent includes at least one of a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy and a Domain Name Server (DNS) proxy.

21. A device according to claim 19, wherein the forwarding means includes a switching means for switching the message according to a predetermined protocol that operates above a network layer.

22. A device according to claim 19, wherein the message is transmitted over a wide area network (WAN) that includes a two-way satellite network.

24. A computer-readable medium according to claim 23, wherein the proxy agent in the forwarding step includes at least one of a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy and a Domain Name Server (DNS) proxy.

25. A computer-readable medium according to claim 23, wherein the forwarding step is performed by a switching mechanism that is configured to switch the message according to a predetermined protocol that operates above a network layer.

26. A computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the switching mechanism resides in a host that is loaded with the application.

27. A computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the switching mechanism resides in a network element that is configured to perform routing of the message.

28. A computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the switching mechanism resides in a modem that is configured to communicate over a satellite network.

29. A computer-readable medium according to claim 23, wherein the proxy agent resides in at least one of a host loaded with the application, a satellite modem, and a network element configured to perform routing of the message.

30. A computer-readable medium according to claim 23, wherein the message is transmitted over a wide area network (WAN) that includes a two-way satellite network.

15. A communication system for supporting a proxy service, the system comprising:

a host loaded with an application that supports browsing, the application outputting a message requesting information; and

a network element configured to receive the message from the host and to identify the message as invoking a proxy agent to perform the proxy service, the network element includes a switching mechanism to selectively forward the message to the proxy agent, the forwarding of the message being transparent to the application of the host.

19. A computing device for supporting a proxy service, comprising:

means for receiving a message identified as invoking the proxy service from an application that supports browsing; and

means for selectively forwarding the message to a proxy agent configured to provide the proxy service,

wherein the forwarding of the message is transparent to the application.

23. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions for providing a proxy service, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

receiving a message from an application that supports browsing, the message being identified as invoking the proxy service; and

selectively forwarding the message to a proxy agent configured to provide the proxy service,

wherein the forwarding of the message is transparent to the application.

31. A network apparatus for providing a proxy service, comprising:

switching logic configured to receive a message from an application that supports browsing and to identify the message as invoking the proxy service; and

a proxy agent configured to provide the proxy service,

wherein the switching logic selectively forwards the message to the proxy agent, the forwarding of the message being transparent to the application.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the proxy agent includes at least one of a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy and a Domain Name Server (DNS) proxy.

33. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the switching logic is configured to switch the message according to a predetermined protocol that operates above a network layer.

34. An apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising:

a communication interface coupled to the switching logic and configured to communicate with a modem that is configured to communicate over a satellite network.

35. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the message is transmitted over a wide area network (WAN) that includes a two-way satellite network.