Method and apparatus for transparent negotiations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for negotiating network characteristics between first and second endpoints on a network connection, the method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting at least one negotiation request from the first endpoint to the second endpoint;
responding to the at least one negotiation request, if the second endpoint is aware of the at least one negotiation request; and
maintaining normal network operations, if the second endpoint is not aware of the negotiation request.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for transparent TCP negotiations. In one embodiment, endpoint machines (e.g., clients and servers) negotiate network characteristics through use of TCP header fields, which provide backward capability. Negotiations may be requested or initiated by either endpoint, and if the receiving endpoint is not capable of negotiating, the existing TCP connection will continue to operate as normal.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method for negotiating network characteristics between first and second endpoints on a network connection, the method comprising the steps of:
-
transmitting at least one negotiation request from the first endpoint to the second endpoint;
responding to the at least one negotiation request, if the second endpoint is aware of the at least one negotiation request; and
maintaining normal network operations, if the second endpoint is not aware of the negotiation request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A computer readable medium containing an executable program for negotiating network characteristics between first and second endpoints on a network connection, where the program performs the steps of:
-
transmitting at least one negotiation request from the first endpoint to the second endpoint;
responding to the at least one negotiation request, if the second endpoint is aware of the at least one negotiation request; and
maintaining normal network operations, if the second endpoint is not aware of the negotiation request. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. Apparatus for interfacing a network endpoint to a network, the apparatus comprising:
-
means for receiving a data packet; and
means for scanning TCP headers of incoming data packets for the inclusion of negotiation data, wherein the negotiation data pertains to a request for negotiation of a network characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
-
26. A method for negotiating network characteristics on a network connection, the method comprising the steps of:
-
transmitting a first data packet containing at least one negotiation request;
receiving a second data packet in response to the first data packet;
maintaining normal network operations, if the second data packet does not acknowledge the at least one negotiation request; and
modifying a network characteristic in accordance with the instructions in the second data packet, if the second data packet acknowledges the at least one negotiation request.
-
-
27. A method for negotiating network characteristics on a network connection, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a first data packet containing at least one negotiation request;
responding to the at least one negotiation request by sending a second data packet containing instructions in accordance with the at least one negotiation request, if the receiver is aware of the at least one negotiation request; and
maintaining normal network operations, if the receiver is not aware of the negotiation request.
-
Specification