Compute Resource Configuration Verification via Hardware Baseline

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems fail to ensure tamper-proof and compliant configurations for compute resources, particularly in cloud environments, where run-time states may deviate from pre-defined profiles, leading to security and regulatory compliance issues.

Innovation Solution

A method that verifies the boot-time state of compute resources using hardware-based measurements, storing these in a signed datastore, and continuously checks run-time compliance against pre-defined profiles, including operating system, middleware, and computational assets, with automatic remediation and access control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If compute resources are configured with flexible run-time adjustments, then adaptability and ease of operation improve, but reliability and security compliance deteriorate due to potential configuration drift and tampering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverun-time configuration flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of the boot-time state by measuring hardware components and comparing them against expected values before the compute resource begins operation. This preliminary action establishes a trusted baseline that prevents configuration drift from occurring in the first place, resolving the contradiction by ensuring reliability before flexibility is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors run-time configuration states and compares them against the verified boot-time baseline, providing feedback when deviations occur. This feedback mechanism enables automatic detection and correction of configuration drift, allowing flexible run-time operations while maintaining compliance through continuous verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If comprehensive verification of boot-time and run-time states is implemented, then reliability and security improve, but device complexity and measurement precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration verificationVSAvoidverification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification process is segmented into distinct phases: boot-time verification that measures hardware components and establishes a baseline, and run-time verification that monitors configuration states. This segmentation reduces complexity by breaking down the comprehensive verification into manageable, specialized subsystems with clear responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification system that acts as a mediator between the compute resource and the management system. This intermediary handles the complex measurement and verification tasks, shielding the main system from complexity while providing simplified compliance assurance through standardized interfaces and protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If hardware-based measurements are stored in signed datastores, then tamper-proof reliability improves, but loss of time for verification operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper-proof verificationVSAvoidverification operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the time-consuming verification of hardware measurements against signed datastores as a preliminary action during the boot process, before the compute resource becomes fully operational. This approach consolidates verification time into an initial setup phase rather than requiring continuous verification during operation, reducing ongoing time loss while maintaining tamper-proof reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Once the boot-time verification establishes a trusted baseline, the system maintains continuous verification capability through lightweight run-time checks that monitor configuration states without requiring full re-verification of hardware measurements. This continuity approach minimizes repeated time-consuming operations while sustaining reliability through ongoing monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10412120B2Compute resource configuration and verification systems and methods

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 CLOUD RAXAK INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for compute resource configuration, verification, and remediation are provided herein. An example method includes verifying compliance of an operating system and compute assets provisioned configured within a middleware of a computing device using a pre-defined configuration profile, the compliance being determined by comparison of run-time hardware and software attributes of the compute assets to the pre-defined configuration profile comprising hardware and software requirements for the client.