Endpoint Profiling via Packet Fingerprinting for Network Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Core networks have limited visibility into end user network endpoints, leading to inaccurate or tampered profiles, which hampers real-time identification, mitigation, and optimization of network events and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for detecting and profiling endpoints by receiving packets, determining device identity and behavior patterns, and generating synthetic profiles using fingerprinting and heuristic engines to enhance endpoint visibility and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If core networks rely on end user generated profiles, then profile creation is simplified, but profile accuracy and security are compromised due to potential tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a core network-based profile generation system as an intermediary between end users and the network. Instead of directly trusting user-generated profiles, the system intercepts packet data, analyzes behavior patterns, and generates verified synthetic profiles on the core network side. This mediator approach ensures profile accuracy while maintaining ease of profile creation for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates synthetic profiles that are copies or representations of actual device behavior patterns extracted from packet data. These synthetic profiles capture the essential behavior characteristics without requiring direct access to or trust in user-generated information, thereby ensuring accuracy while simplifying the user experience.
2Device complexity
If core networks have limited visibility into end user network endpoints, then network simplicity is maintained, but real-time identification and mitigation capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts critical visibility functions from the core network itself and places them at strategic points where packet data is naturally available. By taking out the profile generation and behavior analysis functions from deep core network elements and positioning them at packet inspection points, the system achieves enhanced visibility without significantly increasing overall network complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The core network elements perform self-service by generating their own profiles and behavior patterns from observed packet data. This self-service capability allows the network to maintain simplicity while achieving real-time identification, as the network uses its own existing processing resources to create the necessary intelligence without requiring external complex systems.
3Device complexity
If core networks do not generate synthetic profiles, then network operations remain simple, but endpoint behavior understanding and security management are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring packet data, analyzing behavior patterns, and generating synthetic profiles that feed back into network operations. This feedback loop enables the network to understand endpoint behavior in real-time and adjust security policies accordingly, maintaining operational simplicity while preventing information loss through automated profile generation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting and profiling endpoints of a computer network is provided. The system includes a first computing device including at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The first computing device is in communication with a computer network. The at least one memory device stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to receive a plurality of packets transmitted to the computer network, determine an identity of a first end point device associated with the plurality of packets, determine a behavior pattern for the first end point device based on the plurality of packets, and generate a synthetic profile for the first end point device based on the identity and the behavior pattern.