Key Synchronization Controller for Asynchronous Application Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryptographic communication networks lack a method to synchronize and manage application keys effectively between nodes, especially when multiple applications are connected to a single node, with asynchronous start and end times, leading to difficulties in maintaining key synchronism.
Innovation Solution
A two-layer architecture is introduced for sharing and synchronizing application keys, where a node-based signaling process handles key exchange independent of cryptographic communication sessions, and a session-based signaling process assigns application keys to each session upon initiation or termination, ensuring synchronization across all applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-layer key management approach is used, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot effectively synchronize application keys when multiple applications are connected to a single node with asynchronous start and end times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the key management system into two distinct layers: a node-based signaling process layer and a session-based signaling process layer. The node-based layer handles key exchange between nodes independently of application sessions, while the session-based layer assigns application keys to specific sessions. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function, enabling reliable key synchronization across multiple asynchronous applications while maintaining clear separation of concerns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application keys are generated and managed for each application independently, then each application can have its own key, but synchronization between nodes becomes difficult when applications start and end asynchronously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to key management by implementing a session-based signaling process that operates alongside the node-based layer. This additional layer handles the assignment of application keys to specific sessions, allowing the system to track and synchronize keys across multiple applications with different lifecycles. The session-based layer adds the capability to manage key assignment dynamically without increasing the fundamental complexity of the node-based key exchange mechanism.
3Productivity
If a two-layer architecture is introduced for key synchronization, then key management efficiency is improved with reuse across sessions, but the system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The node-based signaling process performs preliminary key exchange and establishes shared secrets between nodes before any application sessions are created. This preliminary action creates a foundation of synchronized keys at the node level, which the session-based layer can then distribute to multiple applications. By performing the complex key exchange operation once at the node level rather than repeatedly for each application, the system achieves high key management efficiency while keeping the session-based layer relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, according to one embodiment, a communication node includes a key synchronization controller and an application communicator. The key synchronization controller controls synchronization of an application key on the basis of a node-based signaling process and a session-based signaling process, where the former process is for starting or ending exchanging of an application key between a correspondent node and the communication node and the latter process is for synchronizing a rule for assignment of the application key to a session with the correspondent node, the session shared with the correspondent node. The application communicator provides the application key in accordance with the rule, the key for use by an application having the session.