Header Compression in Messages

• US 20090319630A1
• Filed: 08/05/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Weller, Scott W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,966,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC

Abstract

Compression of message headers. A message including an uncompressed header, a message including a compressed header or a request to support header compression is received. In response, a determination of the impact of header compression on performance is determined. If the determination is favorable, then header compression is supported for subsequent communications. However, if the determination is not favorable, then header compression is not supported for subsequent communications. If the impact of header compression on performance is determined to be favorable, then an identifier for a reference header is returned. The identifier is for use in a subsequent compressed header. The subsequent compressed header comprises the identifier and changes relative to the reference header. A server receives a message including a compressed header. The server determines whether it has sufficient memory or storage to support header compression. If so, the server handles the message, but if not, the server refuses to handle the message or notifies a sender of the message that it will not support header compression for subsequent messages.

Claims

1. A method for processing message headers by a data processing system, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by the data processing system, a message from a second data processing system, the message including an uncompressed header, a compressed header or a request to support header compression, and in response,

determining, by the data processing system, impact of header compression on performance of the data processing system, and

if the impact is favorable, enabling header compression for subsequent communications and returning an identifier to the second data processing system by the data processing system, wherein the receiving step comprises the step of receiving the message including the uncompressed header, wherein said identifier that is returned to the second data processing system identifies a reference header maintained by the data processing system.

2. (canceled)

3. A method for processing message headers by a data processing system, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by the data processing system, a message from a second data processing system, the message including an uncompressed header, a compressed header or a request to support header compression, and in response,

determining, by the data processing system, impact of header compression on performance of the data processing system, and

if the impact is favorable, enabling header compression for subsequent communications and returning an identifier to the second data processing system by the data processing system, wherein the receiving step comprises the step of receiving the message including the compressed header comprising (i) the identifier previously returned to the second data processing system by the data processing system which identifies a referenced, uncompressed header maintained by the data processing system and (ii) changes from said referenced header.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein if the impact of header compression on performance is determined to be favorable, then forming another uncompressed header based on said reference header and said changes.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein if the impact of header compression on performance is determined to be favorable, then handling said message and returning another identifier for said other uncompressed header, said other identifier for use in another compressed header.

6. A computer program product recorded on a computer readable storage medium for processing message headers, said computer program product comprising:

first program instructions operable by a data processing system to receive a message from a second data processing system, the message including an uncompressed header, a compressed header or a request to support header compression, and in response,

second program instructions operable by the data processing system to determine impact of header compression on performance of the data processing system, and

if the impact is favorable, enabling header compression for subsequent communications and returning an identifier to the second data processing system by the data processing system, wherein the message includes the uncompressed header, wherein said identifier that is returned to the second data processing system identifies a reference header maintained by the data processing system;

and wherein said first and second program instructions are recorded on said computer readable storage medium.

7. A computer program product as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first program instructions receive a message including an uncompressed header, wherein said identifier identifies a reference header maintained by the data processing system.

8. A computer program product as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first program instructions receive a message including a compressed header comprising (i) the identifier previously returned to the second data processing system by the data processing system which identifies a referenced, uncompressed header maintained by the data processing system and (ii) changes from said referenced header.

9. A computer program product as set forth in claim 8 wherein if the impact of header compression on performance is determined to be favorable, then further comprising third program instructions to form another uncompressed header based on said reference header and said changes;

and wherein said third program instructions are recorded on said medium.

10-19. -19. (canceled)