Abstract: In a client/server environment wherein resources are returned in response to client requests, a resource can be in-lined the first time it is requested, and then cached locally for use in connection with subsequent requests. When a user returns to the page for a subsequent visit, the resource requests are served from the local cache, thus avoiding the need for re-transmission with each response. According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention can be implemented in connection with delivery of any content in a client/server system, including for example HTML responses to requests for web pages. In at least one embodiment, the techniques described herein are tailored to mobile data network constraints; however, these techniques can be applied to any data network.

Abstract: In a client/server environment, rendering of web-based content is separated into two phases, so as to improve the applicability of HTML response caching. Static portion(s) of a web page are cached and delivered immediately in response to an HTTP request, concurrently with sending a request for a full page and extracting dynamic portion(s) therefrom. Dynamic portion(s) are filled in at the client as they become available. The system and method of the present invention enable optimization of the user experience to occur without requiring any recoding of the original page content.

Abstract: A network device located in the data path between a user computer and a server stores application data, processing instructions, and/or rule sets. By storing user computer-specific application data, processing instructions, and/or rule sets in the data path between the user computer and the server, the invention reduces the complexity of the web server, improves the handling of server failure, and increases the overall scalability and performance of the system.

Abstract: Viewing of web pages is improved by prioritizing image rendering based on positioning of images within a web page. For example, for images that are likely to be initially viewable upon presentation of the web page (i.e., prior to scrolling), compressed proxy versions are made available so that the images can be transferred and rendered more quickly. These compressed proxy images are later replaced with better quality renderings of the same images. Fetching of images that are not initially visible can be deferred until after other, more important page resources are loaded. Prioritization of page loading in this manner helps to ensure that the page becomes operational earlier, resulting in improved perceived speed and responsiveness, and greater ease of navigation.

Abstract: An acceleration engine that stores context data is operatively disposed between a network and at least one web server. Incoming requests from the network are inspected by the acceleration engine and passed on to the web server. If the inspection reveals a reference to context data, the acceleration engine retrieves the context data and asynchronously sends the context data to the web server. The web server synchronizes that request and context data and generates a response message accordingly. The response message is forwarded back to the initiator of the request with or without interception by the acceleration engine. Should context data be generated during processing of the request, such context data is sent to the acceleration engine for updating purposes.

Abstract: An acceleration engine that stores context data is operatively disposed between a network and at least one web server. Incoming requests from the network are inspected by the acceleration engine and passed on to the web server. If the inspection reveals a reference to context data, the acceleration engine retrieves the context data and asynchronously sends the context data to the web server. The web server synchronizes that request and context data and generates a response message accordingly. The response message is forwarded back to the initiator of the request with or without interception by the acceleration engine. Should context data be generated during processing of the request, such context data is sent to the acceleration engine for updating purposes.

Abstract: HTTP responses are accelerated to optimize performance and response time when presenting content in a client/server environment. An optimization technique allows a client to begin requesting additional resources and/or rendering content before the entire response is completed on the server. When a request is received at a proxy device, the proxy device transmits, to the client, links to external resources that will be needed to render the page. This allows the client to begin obtaining external resources before the remaining content is sent to the client, and even before the content has been fully composed by the server, thus improving response time and overall performance.

Abstract: A network device located in the data path between a user computer and a server stores application data, processing instructions, and/or rule sets. By storing user computer-specific application data, processing instructions, and/or rule sets in the data path between the user computer and the server, the invention reduces the complexity of the web server, improves the handling of server failure, and increases the overall scalability and performance of the system.

Abstract: Response time improvement methods are optimized by enabling an optimizer to determine the probable state of a client's local cache. Knowledge of the client's local cache can be used for determining which type of optimization techniques, if any, should be applied. In one embodiment, the system distinguishes between at least two user scenarios that may benefit from different types of optimization, such as for example a first-time user and a returning user. Different types of optimization can be performed depending on the identified scenario. For example, for a first-time user of a website, a server can bundle external resources with the initial response. Such an optimization reduces or eliminates the need for additional client requests to render the page. In returning user view scenarios where external resources may have already been cached, redundant retransmission of such information can be avoided.

Abstract: A system and method for storing context data in a network device that is in the data path between a user computer and a server, thereby allowing for the secure and ongoing storage of user computer-specific context data without adding unnecessary complexity to existing web server methods, while at the same time supporting redundancy and facilitating effective load-balancing. By storing user computer-specific context data in the data path between the user computer and the server, the invention reduces the complexity of the web server, improves the handling of server failure, and increases the overall scalability of the system.

Abstract: An optimizer for messaging systems learns the purpose and context of each message and combines that information with knowledge of the specific client that will be rendering the response, such as a specific HTML browser. Any of a number of optimization factors can be applied, singly or in any combination. Messages are analyzed offline until a configurable threshold is reached, indicating that enough data has been sampled to develop a valid instruction set, to be applied to the responses that a server generates for a particular request. Responses are parsed into tokens and instructions for each type of token are compiled into instruction sets that are stored. These instructions sets continue to be iteratively improved as more data is collected, until the configurable sampling threshold is reached.

Abstract: A network device, known as an appliance, is located in the data path between a client and a server. The appliance includes a cache that is used to cache static and near-static cacheable content items. When a request is received, the appliance determines whether any portion of the requested data is available in its cache; if so, that portion can be serviced by the appliance. If any portion of the requested content is dynamic and cannot be serviced by the cache, the dynamic portion is generated by the appliance or obtained from another source such as an application server. The appliance integrates the content retrieved from the cache, the dynamically generated content, and the content received from other sources to generate a response to the original content request. The present invention thus implements partial content caching for content that has a cached portion and a portion to be dynamically generated.

Abstract: In a multiple-server or multiple-process environment where each server has a local cache, data in one cache may become obsolete because of changes to a data store performed by another server or entity. The present invention provides techniques for efficiently notifying servers as to cache expiry indications that indicate that their local cache data is out of date and should not be used. A cache expiry manager receives cache expiry indications from servers, and sends cache expiry indications to servers in conjunction with client requests or in response to certain trigger events. The need for broadcasting cache expiry notifications to all servers is eliminated, as servers can be informed of cache expiry indications the next time a server is being given a client request that relates to the cache in question. Extraneous and duplicative cache expiry notifications are reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A network device located in the data path between a user computer and a server stores application data, processing instructions, and/or rule sets. By storing user computer-specific application data, processing instructions, and/or rule sets in the data path between the user computer and the server, the invention reduces the complexity of the web server, improves the handling of server failure, and increases the overall scalability and performance of the system.