Guarded Mode Boot for Network Device Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network devices deployed in outdoor environments are vulnerable to physical threats such as theft and tampering, which can cause them to operate in unintended configurations, leading to errors and security breaches, without a method to quickly identify and recover from these issues.

Innovation Solution

A network device that determines a boot-up identifier based on its deployment parameters and compares it to a provisioned identifier to determine if it has been tampered with or moved to an unauthorized location, allowing it to boot up in a guarded mode for recovery and reconfiguration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network devices are deployed in outdoor environments, then device coverage and functionality are improved, but vulnerability to physical threats such as theft and tampering increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice coverageVSAvoidphysical threats

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating a boot up identifier before the device actually boots up, and comparing it with the provisioned identifier in advance. This preliminary verification allows the device to detect tampering or unauthorized movement before full operation begins, enabling preventive security measures to be taken.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The boot up identifier acts as an intermediary element between the device's physical state and its operational authorization. This identifier mediates the verification process by encoding deployment information that can be compared against expected values, providing a security checkpoint without requiring direct physical inspection of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If devices operate without deployment verification, then boot up speed is improved, but security breaches and unauthorized operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot up speedVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The security verification is performed as a preliminary action during the boot up process itself, rather than as a separate post-boot check. The boot up identifier is generated and compared before the device gains full operational access, ensuring security is built into the boot sequence rather than added afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs self-verification by generating its own boot up identifier based on its current deployment parameters and comparing it against the provisioned identifier stored within it. This self-service approach allows the device to autonomously determine whether it is operating in the authorized deployment environment without requiring external verification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If devices are stolen or tampered with, then physical loss occurs, but without quick identification methods recovery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice securityVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the boot up identifier against the provisioned identifier and using this comparison result to determine device status. When a mismatch is detected, the system provides immediate feedback about the unauthorized state, enabling rapid response and recovery actions to be initiated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or mechanical security verification methods with an automated electronic verification system. Instead of physically inspecting devices or manually checking deployment status, the system uses automated identifier generation and comparison, significantly reducing the time required to detect and respond to security incidents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If devices operate in unauthorized configurations, then device functionality is maintained, but network resource waste and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidnetwork resource waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the identifier comparison to determine whether the device is operating in its authorized configuration. This feedback mechanism allows the device to detect unauthorized operational states and trigger appropriate responses, preventing wasted network resources from devices operating in incorrect or unauthorized configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11016852B1Guarded mode boot up and/or recovery of a network device

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A device may determine a boot up identifier for the device using information related to a deployment of the device. The boot up identifier may identify the deployment of the device. The device may perform a comparison of the boot up identifier and a provisioned identifier to determine whether the deployment of the device and an intended deployment of the device match. The provisioned identifier may identify the intended deployment of the device. The device may perform a boot up of the device in a particular mode of operation based on a result of the comparison. The comparison may indicate whether the deployment of the device and the intended deployment of the device match. The particular mode of operation may cause the device to boot up to recover or reconfigure the device.