Container Network Access Control Using eBPF Endpoint Policies
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud network scenarios, security isolation of container networks is inefficient due to reliance on VPC security groups, which leads to high activation delays and quota limitations, especially in large-scale deployments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a container network access control method using an extended Berkeley packet filter (eBPF) to determine identity information of network endpoints and search for access actions based on network endpoint-level access control lists, allowing or denying access without relying on underlying infrastructure capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VPC security groups are used to achieve security isolation of container networks, then security isolation can be provided, but activation delay increases and scalability is limited due to quota constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the security control mechanism from the infrastructure level (VPC security groups) to the container level (eBPF programs attached to container network interfaces). Each container gets its own security policy enforced by dedicated eBPF programs, enabling independent activation without waiting for infrastructure-level security group propagation. This segmentation resolves the activation delay by making security controls container-specific rather than infrastructure-wide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces eBPF programs as an intermediary layer between the container application and the network infrastructure. These eBPF programs act as mediators that enforce security policies directly at the container network interface, bypassing the need for VPC security group operations. This intermediary approach maintains security isolation while eliminating the activation delay associated with infrastructure-level security group management.
2Reliability
If VPC security groups are used for security isolation, then security control can be implemented, but adaptability decreases due to quota limitations in large-scale deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service security control by attaching eBPF programs directly to each container's network interface. Each container's security policy is enforced independently by its own eBPF program, eliminating the need for centralized VPC security group management. This self-service approach allows unlimited scalability because each container manages its own security controls without consuming infrastructure-level security group quotas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of security control implementation from infrastructure-level (VPC security groups with fixed quotas) to container-level (eBPF programs with dynamic policy enforcement). This parameter change enables the system to scale indefinitely because security controls are now tied to individual containers rather than being constrained by infrastructure-level quotas. The adaptability improves as the system can now handle any number of containers without hitting security group limits.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a container network access control method and apparatus, a medium, a device, and a program product, and relates to the field of computer technologies. The method includes: determining, by a filter, identity information of a first network endpoint and identity information of a second network endpoint, searching for a target access action corresponding to the identity information of the first network endpoint and the identity information of the second network endpoint based on a network endpoint-level access control list preconfigured for the Pod, and performing the target access action, so that network access control for a container can be implemented without relying on a network access control capability provided by an underlying infrastructure, and the adaptability is stronger. In addition, network access control can be performed in the dimension of the network endpoint of the container, and in the scenario where the Pod has a plurality of network endpoints, network access control can be flexibly performed for different network endpoints according to requirements.