XML Proxies

Key Findings:

  • XML Proxies are hardware or software solutions that actively listen for XML traffic on the network and either pass it along unmodified or perform some action on the XML content. XML Proxies can operate transparently as an XML “gateway” or as auxiliary applications on the network.
  • ZapThink estimates that XML represents less than 2% of all traffic on the enterprise network in 2002; however, this percentage is expected to increase to almost 25% of all LAN network traffic by 2006.
  • Current firewall and proxy solutions are inadequate to handle XML traffic. Instead of being simply network protocol-aware, XML Proxies are XML-aware.
  • XML Proxies are capable of examining traffic at the content level, and can optionally handle other message types such as HTML or EDI.
  • XML Proxies will converge on a single set of functionality for handling corporate-wide XML security, management, routing, transformation, and performance enhancement.
  • As XML Proxy solutions become increasingly visible in the corporate IT environment, “established” Network Appliance vendors will enter the market.
  • XML Proxies can also allow users to implement XML and Web Services solutions without having to constantly modify those applications to comply with various corporate XML policies.
  • The increasing need to gain more value out of the XML documents and traffic on the network will drive adoption of XML Proxy solutions.

Table of Contents:

  • I. Report Scope
  • II. The Role of the XML Proxy
    • 2.1 The Evolution of Networking Devices and Applications
    • 2.2 Why Current Network Protocol-based Solutions Are Not Adequate to handle XML Traffic
    • 2.3 XML Proxies
    • 2.4 Use and Context of XML Proxies
  • III. XML Proxy Functionality
    • 3.1 Security
    • 3.2 Performance: Compression and Caching
    • 3.3 Monitoring and Management
    • 3.4 Routing
    • 3.5 Transformation
  • IV. XML Proxy Solutions
    • 4.1 Hardware XML Network Appliances
    • 4.2 Software XML Proxies
    • 4.3 “Cross-over” Software and Hardware Solutions
  • V Drivers for XML Proxy Adoption
    • 5.1 Managing increased volume of XML traffic on the network
    • 5.2 Enforcing corporate XML policies and normalizing XML implementations
    • 5.3 Simplifying external XML integration
    • 5.4 Providing Value-Added Services for XML
  • VI. Barriers to Adoption of XML Proxies
    • 6.1 XML and Web Services Standards and Markets in Flux
    • 6.2 Increased Competition through Product “Scope Creep”
    • 6.3 The Rack “Stack”
    • 6.4 Processing Overhead
  • VII. Future Trends
    • 7.1 Convergence on a set of functionality: the one-stop box
    • 7.2 Rapid growth of XML traffic on the network
    • 7.3 Entrance of the “Established” Network Appliance Vendors
    • 7.4 Further clarification of the role of SOAP Intermediaries
  • VIII. Conclusions
    • 8.1 Key Notes
    • 8.2 Decision Points
    • 8.3 Figures
    • 8.4 Tables
  • IX. Profiled Vendors
    • 9.1 XML-aware Network Appliances
    • 9.2 Software XML Firewalls and Proxies
  • A. Related Research
    • Reports
    • Briefing Notes
  • B. Copyright, Trademark Notice, and Statement of Opinion
  • About ZapThink, LLC