Kernel Mode Data Plane for Secure Network Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional VPN implementations in user space or kernel space face limitations in resource access, hindering efficient data processing and secure communication due to operating system restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a data plane operates in kernel space for efficient data encryption and transfer, coupled with a control plane in user space for control operations, utilizing an API to facilitate secure communication, allowing most data processing to occur in kernel space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VPN implementations reside in user space, then secure communications are easier to implement, but data processing efficiency deteriorates due to limited access to kernel space resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the VPN implementation into two separate components: a control plane residing in user space that handles secure communication protocols, and a data plane residing in kernel space that handles data processing. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal environment while maintaining secure communication and achieving high data processing efficiency.
2Productivity
If VPN implementations reside in kernel space, then data processing efficiency improves through direct resource access, but ease of implementation deteriorates due to operating system restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates control functions from data processing functions, placing control plane operations in user space where implementation is easier and more flexible, while placing data plane operations in kernel space where direct hardware access provides high performance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between ease of implementation and data processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane acts as an intermediary between user space applications and the kernel space data plane. It manages the complexity of kernel space operations while providing a simplified interface for secure communication implementation, thereby improving ease of implementation without sacrificing data processing efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If all data processing occurs in user space, then ease of operation improves, but resource access deteriorates due to operating system restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments operations so that control plane functions requiring ease of operation remain in user space, while data plane functions requiring direct resource access move to kernel space. This allows each segment to operate with the appropriate level of access and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane in user space maintains copies of necessary control information and coordinates with the kernel space data plane, allowing user space operations to remain simple while still accessing kernel resources through the copied control structures and inter-plane communication mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for disposing, in kernel space, a data plane having instructions operable to encrypt and transfer data over a network. The data plane is coupled to a control plane which resides in user space. The control plane has instructions operable to control the transfer of the encrypted data in kernel space. Certain embodiments include an application programming interface (API), which operates to expose a programming interface for encrypted communications which results in a more efficient data transfer because most of the data processing is done in kernel space.