Certificate Bundle Distribution by Fault Domain Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud computing environments, distributing certificate bundles to network entities is challenging due to the risk of unsuccessful distribution affecting a large number of entities, leading to potential security vulnerabilities and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Distributing certificate bundles to network entities based on fault domains and resource groups, ensuring successful distribution to one group before proceeding to the next, thereby isolating unsuccessful distributions to a subset of entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If certificate bundles are distributed to all network entities simultaneously, then distribution speed is improved, but the impact of unsuccessful distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network entities into multiple fault domain groups based on their fault domain attributes. Certificate distribution is then performed sequentially to each group rather than simultaneously to all entities. This segmentation limits the scope of unsuccessful distribution to only entities within a specific fault domain group, preventing widespread security vulnerabilities while maintaining efficient distribution progress.
2Productivity
If certificate bundles are distributed to all network entities simultaneously, then distribution efficiency is improved, but network security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing network entities into fault domain groups, the system maintains distribution efficiency through sequential processing while enhancing security. Each group's successful certificate installation is verified before proceeding to the next group, ensuring that security vulnerabilities are contained within specific fault domains rather than affecting the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by first determining fault domain groupings and preparing distribution schedules before actual certificate distribution. This preliminary organization enables controlled sequential distribution that balances efficiency with security verification at each stage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If certificate bundles are distributed using fault domain grouping, then the impact of distribution failures is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution system leverages existing multi-functional attributes of network entities, specifically their fault domain characteristics that are already used for other network management functions. By utilizing these pre-existing attributes for certificate distribution grouping, the system minimizes additional complexity while achieving failure isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
Operations of a certificate bundle distribution service may include: detecting a trigger condition to distribute a certificate bundle that includes a set of certificate authority certificates; determining, for each of a plurality of network entities associated with a computer network, a fault domain representing at least one single point of failure; partitioning the plurality of network entities into a plurality of certificate distribution groups, based on a set of partitioning criteria that includes a fault domain of each particular network entity, in which each particular certificate distribution group includes a particular subset of network entities, and the particular subset of network entities are associated with a particular fault domain; selecting a particular certificate distribution group, of the plurality of certificate distribution groups, for distribution of the certificate bundle; and transmitting the certificate bundle to the particular subset of network entities in the particular certificate distribution group.