Encrypted Traffic Decryption via Intermediary Key Management

The patent introduces a key management function as an intermediary between endpoints and network management nodes. This function enables controlled decryption of encrypted traffic at specific network points, allowing management operations to be performed on decrypted traffic while the original encrypted traffic continues to flow between endpoints. The intermediary maintains the security benefits of encryption while enabling necessary visibility for traffic management.

The patent implements local quality by enabling decryption only at specific network nodes where management operations are required, rather than system-wide decryption. The key management function distributes decryption capabilities selectively to authorized nodes, allowing each node to decrypt traffic only when and where management operations are needed, while other portions of the network maintain encrypted traffic flow for security.

The key management function serves as an intermediary layer between modern encrypted traffic and legacy traffic management systems. It receives encrypted traffic, decrypts it using keys obtained from the key management function, allows management operations to be performed on the decrypted traffic, and then re-encrypts it before forwarding. This intermediary approach maintains compatibility with existing traffic management infrastructure while preserving end-to-end encryption benefits.