Cluster Node Identity Generation via Root Secret Chaining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Provisioning nodes in a cluster is tedious and time-consuming, often requiring repeated installation of operating systems and security configurations, which can lead to less secure configurations due to time constraints.
Innovation Solution
Creating an image that installs software on cluster nodes, injecting a root secret to enable secure node individualization and authentication, and securely erasing the secret to prevent compromise, allowing a single image to be used across all nodes without compromising the entire cluster.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single image is used to install software on all nodes of the cluster, then provisioning time is reduced and administrative burden is decreased, but security is compromised because a single node compromise could affect the entire cluster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the secret key material by providing each node with a unique individualized secret (node secret) rather than a shared secret. This is achieved by injecting a cluster secret into the image, then having each node generate its own secret and chain it to the cluster secret through cryptographic operations. This segmentation ensures that compromise of one node's secret does not affect other nodes, while still allowing efficient provisioning from a single image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary security configuration by injecting the cluster secret into the image during image creation, before deployment. This preliminary action enables each node to autonomously generate its individualized secret and establish cryptographic chains to the cluster secret during first boot, without requiring administrator intervention. This resolves the contradiction by automating the security setup that would otherwise require manual configuration for each node.
2Reliability
If manual security configuration is performed on each node, then cluster security is maintained, but provisioning becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling nodes to autonomously perform security configuration during first boot. Each node automatically detects the presence of the cluster secret in the image, generates its own individualized secret, chains it to the cluster secret through cryptographic operations, and joins the cluster without administrator intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the tedious manual configuration process while maintaining strong security, directly resolving the time versus security contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cluster secret is injected into the image in advance, enabling nodes to perform automatic security configuration during first boot. This preliminary preparation allows the node to self-configure security credentials without administrator involvement, resolving the contradiction between automated provisioning and secure configuration by pre-positioning the necessary secret material.
3Reliability
If secure mode is enabled during first boot to prevent network traffic, then node security is improved during individualization, but operational time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs security-critical operations (secret generation, chaining to cluster secret, secure erasure) during first boot in secure mode before the node joins the cluster. By completing all individualization and security setup operations preliminarily during secure mode, the node can then transition to normal operational mode immediately, minimizing the duration of secure mode while ensuring security. This resolves the contradiction by concentrating security operations in a brief preliminary phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent rushes through the secure mode phase by automating all necessary security operations (detecting cluster secret, generating node secret, chaining to cluster secret, erasing cluster secret) during first boot. This automated rapid execution minimizes the time the node spends in secure mode, reducing operational delay while maintaining security. The node quickly completes individualization and transitions to normal operation, resolving the time versus security contradiction.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to clusters. In aspects, an image is created to install software onto nodes of the cluster. A root secret of the cluster is injected into the image. After installing the software of the image onto a node of the cluster, the node may boot into a secure mode, detect that individualization is needed for the node to join a cluster, create an identity for authenticating with other nodes of the cluster, chain the identity via the root secret, and then securely erase the root secret from the node prior to assuming node duties. Among other things, this allows a single image to be used for installing software on all nodes of a cluster without the compromise of a single node compromising the entire cluster.