Caching Encrypted Data Streams via TLS Header Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caching technologies are unable to cache encrypted data streams, such as those using Transport Layer Security (TLS), leading to increased network load and reduced optimization capabilities for operators, as they cannot differentiate between cached and uncached data objects within encrypted traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that monitor secure data streams for previously cached data objects, sending a notification signal to the server node to cease streaming remaining data chunks and send encryption header portions, allowing the cache node to insert cached data chunks into the data stream, thereby enabling caching of encrypted data while maintaining control for the origin site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TLS encryption is implemented for secure data streaming, then security and control for origin sites are improved, but caching capability is lost and network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encrypted data stream into individual data chunks, allowing the cache node to process and cache specific portions of the stream independently. This segmentation enables the cache to operate on encrypted data without needing to decrypt it, maintaining security while restoring caching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a notification signal as an intermediary mechanism between the cache node and server node. This notification signal allows the cache node to communicate cached data object information to the server without breaking the TLS encryption, enabling coordination for optimized data delivery while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If TLS encryption is used for all data streams, then traffic control and security are improved, but network optimization and caching become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing caching only for data objects that are identified as cacheable through the notification signal mechanism, rather than attempting to cache all encrypted traffic. This selective approach maintains security while restoring optimization capabilities where applicable.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification signal creates a feedback loop between the cache node and server node, allowing the system to adaptively optimize data delivery based on cached content information. This feedback mechanism enables network optimization while maintaining TLS encryption for all traffic.
3Productivity
If encrypted data streams are cached without notification signals, then network load is reduced, but security control and data integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cache node performs preliminary action by identifying and caching data objects before the server needs to retransmit them. The notification signal enables this preliminary caching action while maintaining security, as the cache operates on encrypted data and communicates only metadata about cached objects.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a cache node (30) of a network comprises monitoring a secure data stream being received at the cache node from a server node, and detecting from one or more data chunks of the secure data stream that the secure data stream contains a data object that has been previously received and cached at the cache node, and sending a notification signal to the server node that the data object has been previously cached. The method may further comprise receiving one or more encryption header portions (e.g. TLS headers) from the server node, inserting a previously cached data chunk corresponding to each of the one or more encryption header portions into the data stream, and sending the data stream to a client device.