Dual Bypass Module Automatic Failover for Network Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network security systems are costly and inefficient, as they require redundant infrastructure and manual activation of secondary monitoring systems, leading to unsecured periods when primary systems fail, exposing data to external attacks.
Innovation Solution
A dual bypass module with a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) manages data traffic, performs sequential heartbeat diagnostic tests to assess monitoring system conditions, and automatically switches between primary and secondary systems, providing secured alternative paths and resource sharing across network arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two independent network arrangements are implemented to ensure network availability and security, then network reliability is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines primary and secondary network arrangements into a single integrated network device with a unified control plane. The device includes a processor that manages both network arrangements and a single monitoring system, eliminating the need for separate independent arrangements while maintaining high availability and security functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single network device performs multiple functions including primary network routing, secondary network routing, and security monitoring all through one integrated system. The device can operate in different modes (first mode for primary arrangement, second mode for secondary arrangement) providing versatile functionality that replaces multiple dedicated devices.
2Device complexity
If a single inline network tap arrangement is used to reduce cost, then system cost decreases, but network reliability deteriorates when the primary system fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary diagnostic tests on the monitoring system before actual network failures occur. The processor sends diagnostic test packets to assess the monitoring system's operational status, enabling proactive detection and preparation for failover conditions, ensuring reliability is maintained even with a single network arrangement.
3Device complexity
If manual activation of secondary monitoring systems is implemented, then system cost is reduced, but response time worsens during failures exposing data to attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The network device automatically monitors its own operational status and the monitoring system's health through integrated diagnostic tests. When failures are detected, the processor autonomously determines when to activate the secondary network arrangement without requiring manual intervention, enabling immediate response to security threats while maintaining cost efficiency.
4Reliability
If redundant infrastructure is deployed to ensure continuous security monitoring, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges redundant monitoring capabilities into a single integrated device rather than deploying separate redundant monitoring infrastructure. The unified control plane manages both network arrangements and security monitoring through one device, reducing infrastructure redundancy while maintaining continuous security monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary diagnostic tests to assess monitoring system conditions before failures occur. By proactively identifying potential issues through continuous health checks and sending diagnostic packets, the system can prepare for failover scenarios, ensuring continuous security monitoring without requiring fully redundant infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual bypass module for managing an integrated secured network environment is provided. The module includes network ports that receive and transmit data traffic flowing through the network. The module also includes a set of monitoring ports that is configured for transmitting the data traffic between the dual bypass module and a set of monitoring systems. The module further includes a set of relays configured for controlling the flow of data through the dual bypass module. The module yet also includes a configurable integrated circuit. The configurable integrated circuit includes at least one of a first logic arrangement for determining conditions of the set of monitoring systems, a second logic arrangement for redirecting the data traffic through a secured alternate path when a monitoring system is unavailable, and a third logic arrangement for redirecting the data traffic through a secured alternate path when a communication path becomes unavailable.