Per-User Content Filtering in CCN Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content filtering in Content Centric Networking (CCN) networks faces challenges due to the lack of a distributed approach that can effectively manage caching and differentiate user access permissions, leading to inefficiencies in filtering and caching capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that uses CCN marking nodes to categorize content objects and CCN gateways to enforce per-user content filtering, allowing for the reuse of existing infrastructure and maintaining caching benefits by filtering at the edge of the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content filtering is implemented in CCN networks using traditional approaches, then content access control can be achieved, but caching capabilities are compromised and network efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content filtering function into two independent components: (1) CCN marking nodes that categorize content objects with category information, and (2) CCN gateways that enforce per-user filtering policies. This segmentation allows caching to occur at marking nodes without filtering overhead, while gateways handle only the filtering decision based on user permissions and content categories, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces category information as an intermediary element between content objects and filtering policies. Instead of directly filtering content based on complex user permissions, the system uses category tags as a mediator that simplifies the filtering process. The gateway compares user allowed categories with content object categories, enabling efficient filtering while preserving caching capabilities at intermediate nodes.
2Reliability
If per-user content filtering is implemented, then user-specific access control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from complex user-permission matrices to simple category labels. Each content object is tagged with categories, and each user is assigned allowed categories. This parameter transformation simplifies the filtering logic at gateways, which only need to compare category sets rather than evaluate complex permission rules, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining user-specific access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables content objects to self-identify their categories through marking nodes that automatically categorize and tag content as it enters the network. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual content classification and reduces the complexity of the filtering system, as content carries its own classification information that gateways can use directly for permission checking.
3Reliability
If content filtering is performed at network core, then centralized control is achieved, but latency increases and caching benefits are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary categorization of content objects at marking nodes before the content reaches the gateway. Content objects are tagged with category information in advance, so when they arrive at the gateway, the filtering decision can be made quickly by simply comparing the pre-assigned categories with user permissions. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time content analysis at the gateway, reducing latency while maintaining centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the CCN architecture by introducing category information as a separate attribute layer. Instead of filtering based solely on content identity, the system operates in an expanded dimension that includes category tags. This dimensional addition enables parallel processing where marking nodes handle categorization independently from gateways that handle filtering, thereby reducing latency while preserving centralized policy enforcement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method provides filtering of content objects on a per user basis at a gateway node in a content centric networking (CCN) network. The gateway node has a network interface with a network of a user device originating a CCN interest packet. The method includes receiving a CCN interest packet including a CCN name and a user identity, retrieving a content object identified by the CCN name, and retrieving allowed categories of the user. The method further includes retrieving categories of the content object, checking whether allowed categories of the user enable retrieval of the content object based on comparison with the categories of the content object, and forwarding the content object to user in response to the allowed categories enabling retrieval of the content object for the user.