Geolocation Verification for Virtual Machine Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geolocation verification methods in cloud-based IT services lack precision in determining the geographic location of computer objects and virtual machines, leading to potential unauthorized deployment and operation outside designated regions, which can violate data sovereignty and security regulations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing GPS signals to determine the geographic location of physical servers and virtual machines, where a domain controller arbitrates the deployment of virtual hard disks by verifying if the server's location is within authorized geographic boundaries, ensuring compliance with data storage regulations through geolocation verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional geolocation methods (IP address, cell towers) are used to determine the location of virtual machines, then the system is simple to implement, but the measurement precision of geographic location is insufficient leading to potential unauthorized deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces GPS receivers as intermediary devices that provide precise location data for physical servers hosting virtual machines. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between the need for simple virtualized management and the requirement for accurate geographic location verification, allowing the domain controller to make informed authorization decisions based on reliable GPS coordinates rather than imprecise IP-based location estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional network-based geolocation methods (IP address geolocation, cell tower triangulation) with GPS satellite-based positioning. This substitution transitions from indirect mechanical/network inference to direct satellite-based measurement, dramatically improving location precision from kilometers to meters while integrating seamlessly into the virtualization management architecture.
2Reliability
If GPS verification is implemented for all virtual machine deployments, then data sovereignty compliance is improved, but the ease of operation and deployment speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary GPS-based geolocation verification before authorizing virtual machine deployment. The domain controller checks the physical server's location against authorized geographic regions prior to allowing the deployment to proceed. This preliminary action ensures data sovereignty compliance is verified upfront, preventing non-compliant deployments rather than requiring post-deployment verification or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs GPS coordinate verification and authorization decisions without requiring manual intervention from operators. The domain controller autonomously compares the physical server's GPS location with the authorized geographic regions stored in the database, making compliance verification a self-service process that maintains deployment speed while ensuring reliability.
3Productivity
If manual verification of geographic location is performed, then system complexity is low, but productivity and verification accuracy decrease leading to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual geographic verification processes with automated GPS-based electronic verification. Instead of operators manually checking locations against maps or documents, the system automatically retrieves GPS coordinates, queries the domain controller database for authorized regions, and makes authorization decisions programmatically. This substitution dramatically increases verification efficiency while managing complexity through standardized protocols and database queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where the domain controller continuously receives GPS location data from physical servers, verifies it against authorized regions in the database, and provides immediate authorization feedback. This automated feedback mechanism enables high-speed verification of multiple virtual machine deployments simultaneously, significantly improving productivity compared to manual processes while maintaining systematic control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures secure and compliant deployment of virtual machines by preventing operation outside authorized regions, enhancing data sovereignty and security by providing precise geolocation verification and authorization, thereby protecting against unauthorized access and data breaches.
Implementation Method 1
a GPS antenna to receive satellite signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
A method of geolocation verification, including obtaining the geolocation of an operating system, generating a unique system ID for an installed operating system, and transmitting the geolocation of the operating system and a system ID to a data repository. The method further includes receiving a request to either initiate deployment of, or grant access to, a computer object associated with the operating system, identifying if the computer object requires geolocation verification, then identifying an object ID associated with the computer object and communicating each of the object ID, the geolocation of the operating system, and the system ID, to a domain controller for assessment. The method also includes searching the data repository to identify one or more geolocation object resource claims associated with the object ID, and comparing the geolocation resource claims with the communicated geolocation of the operating system.