IPsec Security Association Graphing for Faster Cluster Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and troubleshooting IPsec implementations in large computing environments with numerous hardware components is challenging due to overwhelming log volumes and manual correlation requirements, leading to prolonged issue resolution times and potential workflow outages.
Innovation Solution
A security association (SA) plotting system and method that generates a visual graph of SAs using SA identifiers, correlating log records by IP address to identify issues in IPsec implementations, allowing for efficient root cause analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual correlation of log records is used to troubleshoot IPsec issues, then detailed analysis can be performed, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that automatically correlates log records from multiple nodes and generates visual SA state graphs. This intermediary processing layer transforms raw log data into meaningful visual representations, resolving the contradiction by providing both detailed analysis capability and rapid troubleshooting through automated graph generation and correlation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical correlation of log records with automated computational processing. The system automatically parses, correlates, and visualizes SA states across multiple nodes, substituting manual analysis with automated algorithms that generate visual graphs, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining or improving analysis precision.
2Productivity
If visual graph representation of SA states is generated, then troubleshooting efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that handles the complexity of generating visual graphs from raw log data. This intermediary layer automatically performs correlation, filtering, and visualization tasks, improving troubleshooting efficiency while containing system complexity within the automated processing module rather than requiring complex manual procedures throughout the system.
3Ease of operation
If automated log correlation is implemented, then operational complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual analysis operations with automated computational processing that maintains or improves precision. The automated system uses consistent algorithms for correlating log records and generating SA state graphs, eliminating human error while providing detailed visual analysis that preserves measurement precision despite reduced operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a security association (SA) plotting system and method that generates a graph of the SAs in a cluster for clearly indicating any issues in an IPsec implementation. According to one embodiment an Information Handling System (IHS) includes executable code to obtain log records associated with multiple Security Associations (SAs) that provide intercommunication among the nodes of the cluster, correlate the log records according to their IP address information, and generate a line graph that visually represents the SAs using a plurality of SA identifiers (SA IDs). Each log record includes information about an event associated with its associated SA. Additionally, the SAs conform to an IP Security (IPsec) protocol.