Communications Bridge for Encrypted Closed-Port Server Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems, particularly highly active servers, are vulnerable to data infiltration and attacks due to open ports, making them susceptible to unauthorized access and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A bridge device mediates data communications between computer devices and servers, managing connections through closed inbound ports by initiating new connections from endpoints, using an index to determine appropriate bridge devices, and providing encrypted communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all inbound ports to the server are closed to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but the server cannot receive direct connection requests from computer devices
Solution Approach 1:
A bridge device is introduced as an intermediary between computer devices and the server. The bridge device receives connection requests from computer devices, establishes connections to the server on their behalf, and relays communications. This allows the server to maintain closed inbound ports for security while still enabling legitimate connections through the intermediary bridge device.
2Ease of operation
If the server maintains open ports for direct connections, then connection establishment is simplified, but the server becomes vulnerable to infiltration and attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge device serves as a protective intermediary that filters and manages all connection attempts to the server. It validates connection requests, establishes authorized connections, and blocks malicious traffic before it reaches the server. This maintains ease of operation for legitimate users while protecting against attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge device performs preliminary security checks and validation of connection requests before they reach the server. It proactively identifies and blocks potential threats, preventing infiltration attempts before they can compromise the server, rather than reacting to attacks after they occur.
3Productivity
If the bridge device maintains multiple open connections to handle concurrent requests, then productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge device segments connection management into separate functional components: one set of connections handles incoming requests from computer devices, another set handles outgoing connections to the server, and additional connections manage communications with other bridge devices. This segmentation allows concurrent handling of multiple requests while organizing complexity into manageable, independent connection pools.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge device is designed as a multi-functional system that can simultaneously perform multiple roles: acting as a client to the server, serving as a server to computer devices, routing requests between multiple bridge devices using an index, and providing security filtering. This universal design consolidates diverse functions into a single device, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a plurality of computer devices connected to a network. The computer devices are operable by a plurality of users. The system further includes a server connected to the network. The server is to communicate data with the plurality of computer devices. The system further includes a bridge device connected to the network. The bridge device is to receive connection requests from the plurality of computer devices via the network. The bridge device is further to receive connection requests from the server via the network. The bridge device is further to mediate data communications between the plurality of computer devices and the server by communicating data through open connections made based on connection requests received from the plurality of computer devices and the server.