Dynamic IPsec Address Mapping for Adaptive Security Associations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional IPsec implementations face challenges in dynamic or tactical networks due to reliance on preconfigured Security Associations and centralized key management, leading to high overhead, complexity, and inflexibility, especially in mobile ad-hoc networks where nodes join and leave frequently.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic IPsec system and method that includes a network architecture with plaintext and ciphertext overlay networks, utilizing an IP encryption device to associate network addresses with logical security associations, and employing convergence modules for address translation and encryption, enabling flexible and secure communication in dynamic environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If preconfigured Security Associations and manual key management are used in traditional IPsec, then security is established, but device complexity and overhead increase significantly in dynamic networks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables nodes to automatically discover and establish Security Associations with each other without requiring centralized key management servers. Each node independently performs discovery protocols and negotiates SAs with its neighbors, making the system self-organizing and eliminating the need for complex centralized configuration management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic Security Association establishment where SAs are created on-demand when nodes need to communicate, rather than being preconfigured. The system continuously discovers new nodes and automatically establishes SAs as needed, allowing the network to adapt dynamically to node加入 and departure without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If centralized or hierarchical servers are used for key management, then security coordination is achieved, but overhead and complexity increase in networks with frequent node movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity coordinationVSAvoidnetwork overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the key management function from centralized servers and distributes it to individual nodes. Each node independently manages its own Security Associations and performs discovery protocols with its neighbors, eliminating the need for centralized key management infrastructure and reducing network overhead associated with communicating with central servers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The discovery protocol acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables direct peer-to-peer Security Association establishment between nodes without requiring centralized coordination. Nodes use the discovery protocol to find each other and negotiate SAs autonomously, reducing overhead by eliminating multiple rounds of communication with central servers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If preconfigured Security Associations are used, then security is established, but adaptability to dynamic node participation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddynamic node integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic Security Association establishment where SAs are created on-demand when nodes need to communicate, rather than being preconfigured. The system continuously discovers new nodes and automatically establishes SAs as needed, allowing the network to adapt dynamically to node加入 and departure without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Nodes perform discovery protocols and prepare Security Associations in advance of actual data transmission when possible. The system proactively discovers new nodes and establishes SAs before communication is needed, enabling rapid integration of new nodes without delaying actual data transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If manual key management is used, then security control is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates in large dynamic networks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidnetwork operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12518027B1Dynamic IPsec system and method

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A network architecture includes a plurality of networks nodes, where two of more of the network nodes communicate with one another. The network architecture includes a plaintext overlay network situated atop a plaintext underlay network, facilitating communication among the plurality of network nodes via one or more plaintext addresses associated with one or more of the plurality of network nodes. The network architecture further includes a ciphertext overlay network situated atop a cipher text underlay network, facilitating communication among the plurality of network nodes via one or more ciphertext addresses. The network architecture further includes an IP encryption device positioned between the plaintext and ciphertext overlay networks. The IP encryption device associates network addresses with corresponding logical security associations within the plaintext underlay networks and ciphertext overlay networks. The logical security associations are associated with one or more network nodes of the plurality of network nodes.