Configurable connector

• US 7,596,623 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Beisiegel, Michael, Delfino, Jean-Sebastien, Przybylski, Piotr
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar; Saleh
• Assistant Examiner(s): HENRY, MARIEGEORGES A
• Application Number:
  US11/948,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20080091832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/223, 709/224, 709/228, 709/230, 709/246, 709/249
• US Class Current: 709/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a connector adapted to convey data between a first application and a second application (or application components). The applications may be hosted by different computer systems interconnected by a communications link or network. The connector in addition to being interposed between the first and second application is adapted to communicate with one or more protocol handlers (wherein a protocol handler provides the formatting of data to conform with a specific protocol—e.g., HTTP, SOAP, etc.). The protocol handlers configure the connector thus allowing data received by the connector from the first application to be serviced (e.g., formatted) to conform to the protocol provided by the protocol handler which has been “plugged” into the connector.

Claims

1. A method of sending data from a component operating in a data processing system to a target system across a communication line, comprising:

configuring a connector in said data processing system using a protocol handler to convert incoming and outgoing data into messages that conform to a protocol used for communication between said component in said data processing system and said target system, wherein said protocol handler is one of a plurality of protocol handlers that are removably plugged into said connector to provide protocol conversion services for maintaining said communication between said component in said data processing system and said target system, and wherein each of said plurality of protocol handlers supports a different protocol so that in response to said protocol being changed to a different protocol said connector is reconfigured by unplugging said protocol handler and plugging in a new protocol handler from said plurality of protocol handlers that supports said different protocol to maintain said communication between said component in said data processing system and said target system, and wherein said target system does not include a second connector as a result of said connector in said data processing system providing said protocol conversion services to maintain said communication;

establishing a connection between said data processing system and said communication line;

receiving an output record containing said outgoing data from said component in said data processing system; and

transmitting said outgoing data formatted into said different protocol on said communication line to said target system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a data protocol, wherein said new protocol handler is configured to format said messages according to said selected data protocol.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

selecting a transport protocol, wherein said new protocol handler is configured to format said messages according to said selected transport protocol.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving an output record comprises:

creating an output protocol record object;

specifying said output record in said output protocol record object; and

specifying a quality of service object in said output protocol record object.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein receiving said output record further comprises:

specifying said protocol handler in said output protocol record object.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving said output record further comprises:

specifying a send transaction between said component operating in said data processing system and said target system in said output protocol record object.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving said output record further comprises:

specifying a send and receive transaction between said component operating in said data processing system and said target system in said output protocol record object.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting said outgoing data on said communication line comprises invoking said new protocol handler.

9. A method for facilitating data transfer between a first application and a second application, said method comprising:

configuring a connector in a data processing system using a protocol handler to convert incoming and outgoing data into messages that conform to a protocol used for communication between said first application in said data processing system and said second application in a target system, wherein said protocol handler is one of a plurality of protocol handlers that are removably plugged into said connector to provide protocol conversion services for maintaining said communication between said first application in said data processing system and said second application in said target system, and wherein each of said plurality of protocol handlers supports a different protocol, and wherein said target system does not include a second connector as a result of said connector in said data processing system providing said protocol conversion services to maintain said communication;

transmitting data to and receiving data from said first application in said data processing system through a first interface;

forwarding data received from said first application in said data processing system to said protocol handler through a second interface;

forwarding formatted data received from said protocol handler through said second interface to said second application in said target system through a third interface;

forwarding data received from said protocol handler through said second interface to said first application in said data processing system through said first interface; and

forwarding formatted data received from said second application in said target system through said third interface to said protocol handler through said second interface.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

responsive to a format of said formatted data being modified to form a modified format, replacing said protocol handler with another protocol handler from said plurality of protocol handlers that supports said modified format.

11. A method of communication between a first application and a second application, said method comprising:

presenting a first interface for communicating with said first application in a data processing system;

presenting a second interface for communicating with said second application in a target system;

presenting a configuration interface adapted to removably receive a selected protocol handler from a plurality of protocol handlers, wherein each of the plurality of protocol handlers supports a different protocol, and wherein a connector in said data processing system is configured using said selected protocol handler to provide data conversion services to a protocol used for communication between said first application in said data processing system and said second application in said target system, and wherein said data conversion services are determined by said selected protocol handler removably received by said configuration interface, and wherein said target system does not include a second connector as a result of said connector in said data processing system providing said protocol conversion services to maintain said communication;

passing first data received from said first application in said data processing system destined for said second application in said target system to said selected protocol handler for data conversion;

passing converted first data received from said selected protocol handler to said second application in said target system;

passing second data received from said second application in said target system to said selected protocol handler for data conversion; and

passing converted second data to said first application in said data processing system.