Centralized Coordinator for Distributed Vulnerability Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed vulnerability scans in networking environments face challenges such as congestion, redundant scanning, unpredictable resource utilization, and inefficient coordination, leading to overburdened resources and unpredictable scan timing.
Innovation Solution
A centralized scanning coordinator determines parameters for distributed scans, assigning scanning targets and timing to scanning nodes based on their attributes, dividing them into groups for coordinated and efficient resource utilization, thereby preventing simultaneous scans and optimizing resource use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If distributed scanning nodes perform scans independently and simultaneously, then scan speed increases, but network congestion occurs and resource utilization becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized scanning coordinator is introduced as an intermediary between scanning nodes and network resources. The coordinator receives scan requests, assigns targets to specific nodes, and schedules scan timing to prevent simultaneous scans. This mediator manages the complexity of coordination while allowing distributed nodes to maintain their scanning capabilities, thus improving scan speed without causing network congestion or unpredictable resource utilization.
2Ease of operation
If scanning nodes operate autonomously without coordination, then ease of operation improves, but redundant scanning and lack of high-level analysis occur
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system is segmented into two functional layers: autonomous scanning nodes that perform actual vulnerability scanning, and a centralized coordinator that manages target assignment and result aggregation. This segmentation allows nodes to operate independently (maintaining ease of operation) while the coordinator ensures no redundant scanning occurs by tracking which nodes scan which targets, and provides high-level analysis by collecting and processing results from all nodes.
3Reliability
If a centralized coordinator manages distributed scans, then resource utilization predictability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized scanning coordinator performs multiple functions within a single system component: it assigns scanning targets to nodes, schedules scan timing to prevent congestion, tracks which nodes have scanned which targets to eliminate redundancy, and aggregates results for high-level analysis. By consolidating these diverse functions into one universal coordinator, the system achieves predictable resource utilization without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an approach for coordinating a distributed vulnerability network scan. Embodiments include sending, by a computing node, a check-in message to a scanning coordinator, the check-in message indicating attributes of the computing node. Embodiments include receiving, by the computing node, a scan configuration message from the scanning coordinator, the scan configuration message comprising: scan timing information for the computing node; and a list of scanning targets for the computing node. Embodiments include determining, by the computing node, a scanning time window based on the scan timing information for the computing node. Embodiments include scanning, by the computing node, one or more scanning targets in the list of scanning targets for the computing node during the scanning time window.