Kernel eBPF Transport Packet Processing for Transparent Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network transport layer encryption methods, such as IPSec and TLS, require invasive configuration changes to the system environment and upper layer applications, leading to additional deployment, configuration, operation-maintenance, and development burdens, and pose risks of data protection failure.
Innovation Solution
A network transport layer data processing method utilizing an extended Berkeley packet filter (eBPF) program running in the kernel, managed by a user plane management program, intercepts and processes data packets without requiring system or upper layer application changes, enabling transparent encryption and decryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional IPSec or TLS encryption methods are used, then data security protection is achieved, but system configuration complexity and deployment burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an eBPF program as an intermediary component running in the kernel space to handle encryption and decryption operations. This mediator intercepts network data packets at the kernel level, performs cryptographic operations without requiring application layer involvement, and returns processed packets to the original flow. This resolves the contradiction by providing security (improving_feature) while avoiding complex system configuration (mitigating worsening_feature) through the intermediary's transparent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The eBPF program implements self-service by autonomously performing encryption and decryption operations within the kernel space without requiring external configuration from system administrators or modifications to upper layer applications. The program loads cryptographic configurations through standard eBPF interfaces and automatically processes relevant data packets, enabling the system to serve its own security needs without external intervention (improving_feature while avoiding worsening_feature).
2Reliability
If traditional TLS mode is used, then data security is improved, but application program configuration burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eBPF program acts as an intermediary between the kernel network stack and upper layer applications, performing encryption/decryption operations transparently. Applications continue to send and receive data without modification, while the eBPF program intercepts packets, applies cryptographic processing based on predefined rules, and returns results to the original application flow. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining data security (improving_feature) while eliminating application configuration burden (mitigating worsening_feature) through transparent mediation.
3Reliability
If encryption processing is implemented in kernel, then data protection reliability is improved, but system environment adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The eBPF program leverages the universal eBPF infrastructure and virtual machine architecture that exists across modern Linux systems. By implementing encryption functionality within the standardized eBPF framework, the solution achieves kernel-level data protection (improving_feature) while maintaining broad system environment adaptability (mitigating worsening_feature) through compatibility with various Linux distributions and kernel versions. The eBPF universal platform allows the same program to adapt to different system environments without modification.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications. Disclosed are a network transport layer data processing method, and a device and a storage medium. The network transport layer data processing method in the present application is applied to an extended Berkeley packet filter (eBPF) program that runs in a kernel. The method comprises: acquiring a network transport layer data packet that needs to be distributed; parsing the network transport layer data packet, and determining a network transport layer data processing mode that needs to be performed on the network transport layer data packet; and processing the network transport layer data packet according to the network transport layer data processing mode.