US Patent 7398325 Header compression in messages

Compression of message headers. A message including an uncompressed header, a message including a compressed header or a request to support header compression is received. In response, a determination of the impact of header compression on performance is determined. If the determination is favorable, then header compression is supported for subsequent communications. However, if the determination is not favorable, then header compression is not supported for subsequent communications. If the impact of header compression on performance is determined to be favorable, then an identifier for a reference header is returned. The identifier is for use in a subsequent compressed header. The subsequent compressed header comprises the identifier and changes relative to the reference header. A server receives a message including a compressed header. The server determines whether it has sufficient memory or storage to support header compression. If so, the server handles the message, but if not, the server refuses to handle the message or notifies a sender of the message that it will not support header compression for subsequent messages.