Hierarchical Certifier Nodes for Ad-Hoc Network PKI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional public key infrastructure (PKI) systems struggle in ad-hoc networks due to node mobility, which disrupts connectivity and creates inefficiencies in certificate distribution, potentially leading to single points of failure and traffic bottlenecks, necessitating a decentralized and dynamic approach to certifier hierarchy management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating a hierarchical set of certifier nodes in an ad-hoc network, where eligible nodes are dynamically selected and configured to create parent-child relationships, allowing child certifiers to inherit and manage certification rights, thereby establishing a robust and adaptable PKI structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized certifier hierarchy is implemented in an ad-hoc network, then certificate distribution can be organized efficiently, but node mobility disrupts connectivity and creates single points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized certifier hierarchy into multiple distributed certifier nodes organized in a tree structure. Each certifier node can independently issue certificates to nodes within its jurisdiction, eliminating the single point of failure problem while maintaining organized certificate distribution through the hierarchical segmentation of certification authority.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic certifier selection where any node can become a certifier based on current network conditions and mobility patterns. The system dynamically adjusts which nodes serve as certifiers and how certificates are routed, allowing the certification infrastructure to adapt to changing network topology caused by node mobility.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual configuration of certificate authority knowledge is used, then initial PKI setup is straightforward, but it becomes inefficient and unreliable in mobile ad-hoc environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic certifier discovery and selection mechanisms where nodes autonomously identify and connect to appropriate certifier nodes without manual configuration. The system self-organizes the certification hierarchy through automated protocols that allow nodes to dynamically join the PKI infrastructure and obtain certificates based on current network conditions.
3Device complexity
If a single certifier is used to simplify the PKI structure, then the system is easier to manage, but it creates a single point of failure and traffic bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single certifier role into multiple distributed certifier nodes organized in a hierarchical tree structure. This segmentation distributes the certification workload across multiple nodes, eliminating the bottleneck and single point of failure while maintaining manageable complexity through the organized hierarchy where each certifier node operates semi-independently within its jurisdiction.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for generating a hierarchical set of certifiers nodes for a public key infrastructure within an ad-hoc network. The method includes determining at least one potential certifier node that is eligible to become certifier nodes from a set of nodes in an ad-hoc network, creating a new certifier node from the at least one potential certifier node based on a selection criteria, and creating a parent-child relationship with the new certifier node.