Apparatus and methods relating to web browser redirection

• US 7,493,414 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2005
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Tazuma, Stanley K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng; David Y
• Application Number:
  US11/109,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20050235044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 Days
• Field of Search: 709/239, 709/223, 709/230, 709/238
• US Class Current: 709/239
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9566 URL specific, e.g. using aliases, detecting broken or misspelled links
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9574 of access to content, e.g. by caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• 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 63/00 Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00; network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00; security arrangements for protecting computers or computer systems against unauthorised activity G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/30 for supporting lawful interception, monitoring or retaining of communications or communication related information circuit switched telephony call monitoring H04M3/2281
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams

Abstract

A method of redirecting a browser in a network. A fake IP address is provided to the browser in response to an attempt to resolve a non-resolvable DNS query by the browser for a destination address. The method also includes detecting a web request by the browser sent to the fake IP address, and redirecting the browser to a redirect address based on the detecting. Web requests sent to valid IP addresses may also be detected and redirected.

Claims

1. A method of redirecting a browser in a network, the method comprising:

providing a fake IP address to the browser in response to an attempt to resolve a non-resolvable DNS query by the browser for a destination address;

detecting a web request by the browser sent to the fake IP address; and

redirecting the browser to a redirect address based on the detecting.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein redirecting the browser to a redirect address comprises redirecting the browser to one of the following:

the destination address, a network portal, and a login page.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fake IP address is provided using a name server.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fake IP address is provided in a pre-login phase of the browser and the redirecting is performed in a post-login phase of the browser.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting a web request by the browser comprises forwarding the web request to a web request handler.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said forwarding is performed using a packet filter and said redirecting is performed using the web request handler.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a web request by the browser sent to a valid IP address; and

redirecting the browser to a redirect address based on the detecting.

8. A method of redirecting a browser in a network, the method comprising:

providing a fake IP address to the browser in response to an attempt to resolve a DNS query by the browser for a destination address;

responding to one or more mapped drive mounting procedure requests associated with the fake IP address; and

redirecting the browser to a redirect address based on the fake IP address.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein responding to one or more mapped drive mounting procedure requests comprises at least one of the following:

sending a reject message in response to an echo request associated with a fake IP address; and

spoofing a server management block request associated with the fake IP address.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein responding to one or more mapped drive mounting procedure requests comprises using packet filter rules.

11. The method of claim 8, performed during proxy discovery.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the fake IP address is provided in a pre-login phase of the browser, and said redirecting step is performed in a post-login phase.

13. A method of redirecting a browser in a network, the method comprising:

detecting when the browser makes an access request for a URL;

determining whether the domain name in the URL is resolvable;

determining whether a server represented by the domain name is reachable;

defining a first parameter to indicate whether the domain name in the URL is resolvable;

defining a second parameter to indicate whether the server represented by the domain name is reachable; and

using at least one of the parameters in connection with redirecting the browser.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said determining steps comprise parsing the address into at least a protocol name and a server name.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising making the parameters available to at least one of the following:

the browser, a web portal, and an authentication/authorization/accounting component of the network.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

including the parameters in the URL; and

displaying the URL in a URL display area of the browser.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein using at least one of the parameters comprises selecting a redirect address for the browser based on the parameters.