Adaptive Token Cache Management for SSO
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face inefficiencies in managing single sign-on (SSO) access in virtualized environments, where multiple applications requesting secure services drain processing and communication resources, and token caches struggle with expired tokens leading to delayed renewals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a token with a configurable lifetime, where a token renewal request interval is scheduled based on the lifetime and acquisition duration, and tokens are renewed proactively before expiration, even in the absence of requests, to maintain token validity and reduce load on secure token services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a token cache is utilized to store tokens for multiple applications, then token delivery speed is improved, but tokens expire leading to renewed requests that delay fulfillment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively renewing tokens before they expire. The token renewal manager monitors token expiration times and initiates renewal requests in advance, ensuring continuous token validity without service interruption. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast token delivery while preventing expiration-related delays through anticipatory renewal actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the token renewal manager continuously monitors token status, expiration times, and renewal outcomes. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of renewal timing and cache management strategies, optimizing both token delivery speed and preventing expiration delays by learning from past renewal patterns and system response times.
2Reliability
If multiple applications simultaneously request tokens from the secure token service, then access control is maintained, but processing and communication resources are drained
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple token requests from different applications into a single centralized token cache management system. Instead of each application independently requesting tokens from the secure token service, the token renewal manager consolidates these requests, maintains a shared cache of valid tokens, and serves multiple applications from this centralized repository. This maintains access control reliability while dramatically reducing processing and communication resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The token renewal manager acts as an intermediary between applications and the secure token service. It receives token requests from multiple applications, manages the token cache, and only communicates with the secure token service when actual renewal is needed. This intermediary layer reduces the direct communication load on the secure token service while maintaining security and access control through centralized token validation.
3Reliability
If tokens are renewed frequently to prevent expiration, then token validity is maintained, but network traffic and load on secure services increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by renewing tokens only when necessary rather than on every request. The token renewal manager analyzes token expiration times, cache hit rates, and request patterns to determine optimal renewal timing. This prevents both under-renewal (which would compromise validity) and over-renewal (which would waste network bandwidth), achieving the right balance through selective, data-driven renewal decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments perform token cache management by renewing tokens heuristically. A token renewal request interval is defined based on a configurable lifetime of a token and an acquisition duration. Upon expiration of the token renewal request interval, and in the event that the token is requested by at least one client application, the authentication module renews the token with a secure token service. Renewal may also occur in the absence of a request for the token by any client application if the cached token has been kept valid for less than a threshold time. In some examples, the tokens are associated with credentials for single sign-on during site recovery management.