Method and apparatus for application or protocol version negotiation
First Claim
1. A method for negotiating communication protocol versions between two entities, the method comprising:
- proposing an initial communication protocol version from an initiating entity to a receiving entity;
accepting the initial communication protocol version at the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication protocol version is supported by the receiving entity;
proposing an alternative communication protocol version from the receiving entity to the initiating entity if the receiving entity does not support the proposed initial communication protocol version, wherein the alternative communication protocol version comprises;
a highest communication protocol version supported by the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication protocol version is higher than the highest supported communication protocol version; and
a lowest communication protocol version supported by the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication version is lower than the lowest supported communication protocol version; and
accepting the alternative communication protocol version at the initiating entity if the proposed alternative communication protocol version is supported by the initiating entity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for version negotiation between two entities is provided. Described in the context of communication protocol negotiation, an initiating entity proposes an initial communication protocol version to a receiving entity. In response, the receiving entity accepts the protocol version if it is within the range of its supported versions or proposes an alternative protocol version selecting to be either the highest or lowest protocol version supported by the receiving entity. This allows the receiving entity to successfully limit the number of protocol versions it supports and to communicate this restriction in any protocol setting to the initiating entity. The initiating entity then accepts the proposed alternative protocol version. If version negotiation is successful, either the accepted initial version or the accepted alternative version of the communication protocol is used for the duration of the communication session between the initiating entity and the receiving entity.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for negotiating communication protocol versions between two entities, the method comprising:
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proposing an initial communication protocol version from an initiating entity to a receiving entity;
accepting the initial communication protocol version at the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication protocol version is supported by the receiving entity;
proposing an alternative communication protocol version from the receiving entity to the initiating entity if the receiving entity does not support the proposed initial communication protocol version, wherein the alternative communication protocol version comprises;
a highest communication protocol version supported by the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication protocol version is higher than the highest supported communication protocol version; and
a lowest communication protocol version supported by the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication version is lower than the lowest supported communication protocol version; and
accepting the alternative communication protocol version at the initiating entity if the proposed alternative communication protocol version is supported by the initiating entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer readable medium containing a computer executable code that when read by a computer causes the computer to perform a method for negotiating communication protocol versions between two entities, the method comprising:
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proposing an initial communication protocol version from an initiating entity to a receiving entity;
accepting the initial communication protocol version at the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication protocol version is supported by the receiving entity;
proposing an alternative communication protocol version from the receiving entity to the initiating entity if the receiving entity does not support the proposed initial communication protocol version, wherein the alternative communication protocol version comprises;
a highest communication protocol version supported by the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication protocol version is higher than the highest supported communication protocol version; and
a lowest communication protocol version supported by the receiving entity if the proposed initial communication protocol version is lower than the lowest supported communication protocol version; and
accepting the alternative communication protocol version at the initiating entity if the proposed alternative communication protocol version is supported by the initiating entity. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification