Performing message payload processing functions in a network element on behalf of an application
First Claim
1. A method of performing message payload processing functions in a network element on behalf of an application, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- receiving user-specified input at the network element;
intercepting, at the network element, one or more data packets comprising network layer or transport layer headers having an address of a destination which destination differs from the network element;
determining, based on the one or more data packets, whether an application layer message, collectively contained in one or more payloads of the one or more data packets, matches a message classification;
in response to determining that the application layer message does not match a message classification, forwarding the data packets to the destination address without performing any user-specified actions;
in response to determining that the application layer message matches a particular message classification, processing at least a portion of the application layer message by performing, relative to the portion of the message, one or more actions that are (a) specified in the user-specified input and (b) associated with the particular message classification;
wherein the application layer message comprises a multi-part MIME message, and wherein processing at least a portion of the application layer message includes handling each part of the multi-part MIME message separately from each other part;
wherein the message is directed to the application, and wherein the actions are performed on behalf of the application;
wherein at least one of the one or more actions comprises modifying the portion of the message to produce a modified message;
forwarding the modified message in new data packets to the destination;
wherein the one or more data packets are destined for a first destination, and wherein the new data packets are destined for one or more destinations that include a second destination that differs from the first destination;
wherein the method is performed by one or more computer devices.
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for performing message payload processing functions in a network element on behalf of an application. According to one aspect, a network element receives user-specified input that indicates a particular message classification. The network element also receives one or more data packets. Based on the data packets, the network element determines that an application layer message, which is collectively contained in payload portions of the data packets, matches the particular message classification. The network element processes at least a portion of the message by performing, on behalf of the application to which the message is directed, and relative to at least the portion of the message, one or more actions that are (a) specified in the user-specified input and (b) associated with the particular message classification.
251 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method of 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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receiving user-specified input at the network element; intercepting, at the network element, one or more data packets comprising network layer or transport layer headers having an address of a destination which destination differs from the network element; determining, based on the one or more data packets, whether an application layer message, collectively contained in one or more payloads of the one or more data packets, matches a message classification; in response to determining that the application layer message does not match a message classification, forwarding the data packets to the destination address without performing any user-specified actions; in response to determining that the application layer message matches a particular message classification, processing at least a portion of the application layer message by performing, relative to the portion of the message, one or more actions that are (a) specified in the user-specified input and (b) associated with the particular message classification; wherein the application layer message comprises a multi-part MIME message, and wherein processing at least a portion of the application layer message includes handling each part of the multi-part MIME message separately from each other part; wherein the message is directed to the application, and wherein the actions are performed on behalf of the application; wherein at least one of the one or more actions comprises modifying the portion of the message to produce a modified message; forwarding the modified message in new data packets to the destination; wherein the one or more data packets are destined for a first destination, and wherein the new data packets are destined for one or more destinations that include a second destination that differs from the first destination; wherein the method is performed by one or more computer devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transitory volatile or non-volatile computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for performing message payload processing functions in a network element on behalf of an application, 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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receiving user-specified input at the network element; intercepting, at the network element, one or more data packets comprising network layer or transport layer headers having an address of a destination which destination differs from the network element; determining, based on the one or more data packets, whether an application layer message, collectively contained in one or more payloads of the one or more data packets, matches a message classification; in response to determining that the application layer message does not match a message classification, forwarding the data packets to the destination address without performing any user-specified actions; in response to determining that the application layer message matches a particular message classification, processing at least a portion of the application layer message by performing, relative to the portion of the message, one or more actions that are (a) specified in the user-specified input and (b) associated with the particular message classification; wherein the application layer message comprises a multi-part MIME message, and wherein processing at least a portion of the application layer message includes handling each part of the multi-part MIME message separately from each other part; wherein the message is directed to the application, and wherein the actions are performed on behalf of the application; wherein at least one of the one or more actions comprises modifying the portion of the message to produce a modified message; forwarding the modified message in new data packets to the destination; wherein the one or more data packets are destined for a first destination, and wherein the new data packets are destined for one or more destinations that include a second destination that differs from the first destination. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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18. An apparatus for performing message payload processing functions in a network element on behalf of an application, 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; receiving user-specified input at the network element; intercepting, at the network element, one or more data packets comprising network layer or transport layer headers having an address of a destination which destination differs from the network element; determining, based on the one or more data packets, whether an application layer message, collectively contained in one or more payloads of the one or more data packets, matches a message classification; in response to determining that the application layer message does not match a message classification, forwarding the data packets to the destination address without performing any user-specified actions; and in response to determining that the application layer message matches a particular message classification, processing at least a portion of the application layer message by performing, relative to the portion of the message, one or more actions that are (a) specified in the user-specified input and (b) associated with the particular message classification; wherein the application layer message comprises a multi-part MIME message, and wherein processing at least a portion of the application layer message includes handling each part of the multi-part MIME message separately from each other part; wherein the message is directed to the application, and wherein the actions are performed on behalf of the application; wherein at least one of the one or more actions comprises modifying the portion of the message to produce a modified message; forwarding the modified message in new data packets to the destination; wherein the one or more data packets are destined for a first destination, and wherein the new data packets are destined for one or more destinations that include a second destination that differs from the first destination. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification