Kubernetes Connectivity Graphs for Minimal Firewall Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container orchestration systems like Kubernetes face challenges in providing a clear, cluster-wide view of network connectivity due to the distributive nature of network policies, making it difficult to manage and verify allowed connections within and outside the cluster.
Innovation Solution
A method to generate a minimal list of firewall rules from a connectivity graph by iteratively merging rules with commonality, providing a textual representation of allowed connections that simplifies understanding and reduces errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network policies are implemented in a distributed manner across Kubernetes nodes, then scalability and flexibility are improved, but the complexity of managing and verifying cluster-wide connectivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the network connectivity information from the distributed network policies and consolidates it into a centralized connectivity graph data structure. This allows the complex distributed connectivity state to be represented as a single manageable object that can be processed and verified centrally, resolving the contradiction between distributed scalability and centralized manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The connectivity graph serves as an intermediary representation between the distributed network policies and the desired cluster-wide connectivity view. It translates the distributed policy statements into a unified graph structure that can be easily processed to generate firewall rules, bridging the gap between distributed implementation and centralized verification
2Reliability
If detailed network connectivity tracking is implemented, then security and connectivity verification are improved, but the amount of information to process and manage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple network policy statements into a unified connectivity graph structure. Instead of processing individual distributed policy entries separately, the graph consolidates connectivity information into a compact representation where nodes and edges capture the essential connectivity relationships, reducing information volume while maintaining verification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The connectivity graph serves multiple functions simultaneously: it represents the current network connectivity state, enables verification of connectivity policies, generates firewall rules, and provides a basis for troubleshooting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate processing systems and minimizes overall information handling requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer system, and a computer program product for determining a cluster connectivity is provided. The present invention may first include receiving as input a connectivity graph. The present invention may then include generating a minimal list of firewall rules from the received connectivity graph by iteratively merging firewall rules with commonality of connectivity attribute.