Performing message and transformation adapter functions in a network element on behalf of an application
First Claim
1. A method of performing transformation adapter functions in a network element, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- determining, at the network element, a first application layer message that is contained in one or more payload portions of one or more data packets, wherein the first application layer message conforms to a first application layer protocol;
determining the first application layer protocol;
selecting, based on the first application layer protocol, a first adapter from among a plurality of adapters that are accessible to the network element; and
providing the first application layer message as input to the first adapter, wherein the first adapter converts the first application layer message into a second message that does not conform to the first application layer protocol.
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for performing message and transformation adapter functions in a network element on behalf of an application. According to one aspect, the network element determines an application layer message that is collectively contained in payload portions of data packets. The application layer message conforms to an application layer protocol, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The network element determines the application layer protocol to which the application layer message conforms. Based on the application layer protocol, an adapter is selected from among a plurality of adapters that are accessible to the network element. The application layer message is provided to the selected adapter, which converts the application layer message into a “canonical” message that is not specific to any particular application layer protocol.
173 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of performing transformation adapter functions in a network element, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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determining, at the network element, a first application layer message that is contained in one or more payload portions of one or more data packets, wherein the first application layer message conforms to a first application layer protocol;
determining the first application layer protocol;
selecting, based on the first application layer protocol, a first adapter from among a plurality of adapters that are accessible to the network element; and
providing the first application layer message as input to the first adapter, wherein the first adapter converts the first application layer message into a second message that does not conform to the first application layer protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of transparently performing message payload processing functions in a network element on behalf of an application, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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intercepting, at the network element, one or more data packets that are destined for a device other than the network element;
determining, based on information contained in the one or more data packets, a particular message classification;
determining one or more actions with which the particular message classification is associated;
performing the one or more actions at the network element; and
sending, from the network element, one or more data packets that contain a modified message;
wherein at least one of the one or more actions comprises modifying a portion of an application layer message contained in one or more payload portions of the one or more data packets to produce the modified message.
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21. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for performing transformation adapter functions in a network element, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:
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determining, at the network element, a first application layer message that is contained in one or more payload portions of one or more data packets, wherein the first application layer message conforms to a first application layer protocol;
determining the first application layer protocol;
selecting, based on the first application layer protocol, a first adapter from among a plurality of adapters that are accessible to the network element; and
providing the first application layer message as input to the first adapter, wherein the first adapter converts the first application layer message into a second message that does not conform to the first application layer protocol.
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22. An apparatus for performing transformation adapter functions in a network element, comprising:
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means for determining, at the network element, a first application layer message that is contained in one or more payload portions of one or more data packets, wherein the first application layer message conforms to a first application layer protocol;
means for determining the first application layer protocol;
means for selecting, based on the first application layer protocol, a first adapter from among a plurality of adapters that are accessible to the network element; and
means for providing the first application layer message as input to the first adapter, wherein the first adapter converts the first application layer message into a second message that does not conform to the first application layer protocol.
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23. An apparatus for performing transformation adapter functions in a network element, comprising:
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a network interface that is coupled to a data network for receiving one or more packet flows therefrom;
a processor;
one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of;
determining, at the network element, a first application layer message that is contained in one or more payload portions of one or more data packets, wherein the first application layer message conforms to a first application layer protocol;
determining the first application layer protocol;
selecting, based on the first application layer protocol, a first adapter from among a plurality of adapters that are accessible to the network element; and
providing the first application layer message as input to the first adapter, wherein the first adapter converts the first application layer message into a second message that does not conform to the first application layer protocol.
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24. A system comprising:
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a client application that sends an application layer message using a first application layer protocol, wherein the message is contained in one or more data packets that are addressed to a server application;
a server application that receives the message using a second application layer protocol that differs from the first application layer protocol; and
a network element that intercepts the one or more data packets and modifies the message so that the message uses the second application layer protocol instead of the first application layer protocol.
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Specification