Database Object Privilege Segmentation for Efficient Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing database user permissions efficiently in large and complex database systems is resource-intensive and time-consuming, particularly when updating system privileges and adding new objects, as existing methods require extensive updates to system privilege tables.
Innovation Solution
Transforming system privileges into object privileges by creating a protocol class that encapsulates generic operations and applying it to specific objects, allowing for consolidated privilege management in an object privilege table, reducing the need to access multiple entries in the system privilege table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If system privileges are managed using traditional system privilege tables with separate rows for each user and columns for each privilege, then comprehensive privilege control can be achieved, but updating privileges and adding new objects becomes resource-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic system privilege table into multiple object-specific privilege tables. Each table stores privileges for a specific database object (e.g., table, view, procedure) with users as rows and privileges as columns. This segmentation allows updates to be localized to individual object tables rather than requiring comprehensive updates across a single large system privilege table, thereby improving privilege management efficiency and reducing time losses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If system privileges are stored in a centralized system privilege table, then centralized control is maintained, but adding new objects requires extensive updates across the system
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the centralized system privilege table into multiple object-specific privilege tables, the system gains adaptability to add new objects simply by creating a new object privilege table rather than modifying the entire system privilege structure. This segmentation reduces the complexity of updates when new objects are introduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal object privilege table structure that can accommodate multiple types of database objects (tables, views, procedures, etc.) using the same schema format. This universal structure allows the system to handle different object types consistently, improving versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized table designs.
3Ease of operation
If traditional system privilege management methods are used, then existing privilege structures are maintained, but the system lacks flexibility for fine-grained control and extensibility
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting privileges into object-specific tables makes the system easier to operate by allowing database administrators to manage privileges for individual objects independently. This localized management approach improves ease of operation while the modular structure simultaneously enhances extensibility, as new object types can be added by creating new privilege tables following the established pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to privilege management by organizing data along object-type dimensions rather than just user-dimension. This dimensional reorganization allows for fine-grained control across multiple object types while maintaining a consistent management approach, thereby improving both ease of operation and extensibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Coarse-grained system-wide database privileges are transformed into new finer-grained database object privileges that are user-centric and specific to particular objects by creating an object class defining certain generic operations on objects, and defining within the object class a new object that embodies permissible actions on a particular database object. The new object is stored in a catalog table that comprises an object privilege table and is associated in the object privilege table with a consolidated grouping of object privileges of users relative to the new object.