Cloud On-Premise Tunnel Management via Dynamic Passport Tokens

The patent segments the connection management into discrete passport tokens, each representing a specific access credential with defined connectivity properties. Instead of treating connections as monolithic VPN tunnels, the system divides access control into granular token units that can be individually managed, bound to specific applications, and revoked independently, enabling fine-grained access control while maintaining ease of connection establishment.

The patent implements dynamic passport token generation and binding mechanisms that adapt to different cloud applications and on-premise resources. The system dynamically creates passport tokens with specific connectivity properties, binds them to particular applications, and manages their lifecycle automatically, providing both ease of operation and adaptability through dynamic rather than static connection management.

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the passport service automatically generates passport tokens, manages their lifecycle, and handles binding to cloud applications without requiring manual DMZ port configuration or credential setup. The system autonomously manages the security credentials and connection parameters, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining secure access through automated security policies and token-based authentication.

The patent introduces a passport service as an intermediary between cloud applications and on-premise resources, which mediates the authentication and connection establishment processes. This intermediary automatically manages credentials and generates passport tokens, eliminating the need for manual DMZ port openings and complex credential setup while ensuring secure access through centralized security management.

The patent extracts the security vulnerability of DMZ port opening by replacing it with a token-based authentication system. Instead of requiring open network ports that expose the on-premise network to potential attacks, the system uses passport tokens that provide authenticated access without requiring DMZ infrastructure, thereby maintaining network accessibility while eliminating the security risks associated with DMZ port openings.

The patent uses short-lived passport tokens as disposable credentials that provide temporary, limited-access authentication. These tokens are generated on-demand, used for specific connection purposes, and then revoked or expire automatically. This approach provides the necessary network accessibility for cloud connections while minimizing security risks through ephemeral, purpose-limited credentials rather than permanent open ports.