IP-Free Mini-Box Appliance for OS-Independent Network Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network security solutions face challenges such as operating system dependency, susceptibility to malware, resource consumption, and manual stoppage of software agents, as well as the need for additional IP addresses for hardware security devices.
Innovation Solution
An IP-free management module in a small appliance, called the mini-box, which receives management commands by checking packets for specific identifiers, allowing configuration of network security policies without requiring an additional IP address and operating system dependency, and offloads intrusion prevention system functions to block malicious traffic at its source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a software agent is installed at the end-point to provide network security policy, then the network security protection can be provided, but the system becomes operating system-dependent and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the software-based agent installation mechanism with a hardware-based appliance that directly enforces security policies. Instead of installing OS-dependent software agents on end-points, the invention uses a hardware appliance that can be physically connected and immediately provides security protection without installation steps, eliminating the mechanical complexity of software deployment while maintaining security functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hardware security protection device is used instead of software agent, then the operating system dependency is eliminated, but an additional IP address is required for device management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the management interface functionality from the hardware appliance and relocates it to the existing network management infrastructure. Instead of requiring a separate management IP address for the appliance, the invention allows the appliance to be managed through the existing network management system that already has access to the end-point device, thereby removing the additional configuration complexity while maintaining hardware-based security advantages.
3Reliability
If multiple security devices are deployed to protect intranet resources, then the security coverage is improved, but the device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the security enforcement functionality with the existing end-point network device. Instead of deploying separate security appliances for each end-point, the invention integrates security capabilities directly into the network device that is already present at each location, allowing multiple end-points to be protected without proportionally increasing the number of security devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive security coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect includes a method of receiving a management command in an appliance to configure a network security policy, where the appliance is connected to a network end-point device. The method includes receiving a packet from a security device. Checking is performed to determine whether the packet includes a specific identifier. Upon a determination that the packet received includes a specific identifier, the management command is retrieved from a payload of the packet to configure the appliance.