LDAP Remote Access Control via Segmented Attributes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering LDAP client access rights are cumbersome and prone to errors, leading to privacy and security risks, as they require labor-intensive processes like netgroups to manage access for large user groups.
Innovation Solution
Introducing the 'remote_allowed' attribute for user groups, which enables or disables remote access, and the 'hosts' attribute to specify allowed clients, allowing administrators to configure remote access rights efficiently without relying on netgroups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional netgroup methods are used to manage LDAP client access rights, then access control can be implemented, but the administration process becomes cumbersome and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control configuration into two distinct attributes: 'remote_allowed' for boolean access permission and 'hosts' for specific client identification. This segmentation simplifies the administration process by separating the permission decision from the client specification, making it more manageable than traditional netgroup methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter structure from complex netgroup configurations to simple key-value attributes. The 'remote_allowed' attribute provides a clear boolean parameter, and the 'hosts' attribute provides a straightforward list parameter, replacing the cumbersome netgroup syntax and logic with simpler, more intuitive parameters.
2Reliability
If traditional netgroup methods are used to manage LDAP client access rights, then access control can be implemented, but the complexity of configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the access control configuration into two separate, simple attributes rather than using a single complex netgroup structure. The 'remote_allowed' attribute handles the permission logic separately from the 'hosts' attribute that handles client identification, reducing overall configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the complex netgroup configuration parameters into simple, well-defined attributes with clear data types. The boolean 'remote_allowed' and the list-based 'hosts' attribute provide a simpler parameter structure that reduces configuration complexity while maintaining access control functionality.
3Reliability
If traditional netgroup methods are used to manage access for large user groups, then access control can be implemented, but the time required for administration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access control into independent attributes that can be configured and modified separately, allowing administrators to make quick changes to permissions or client lists without reconfiguring entire netgroup structures. This segmentation enables faster administration for large user groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple parameter structures with clear data types that can be quickly configured and modified. The boolean 'remote_allowed' and list-based 'hosts' attribute allow for rapid configuration changes compared to complex netgroup syntax, reducing administration time for large user groups.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for restricting remote access by users of directory access protocol client systems without using an directory access protocol “netgroup” option by defining a “remote_allowed” attribute for a entire user group, which, if enabled, allows granting of all remote access requests to all clients, but which, if disabled, allows granting of remote access requests to client systems specifically listed in a “hosts” attribute. In this manner, directory administrators may configure remote access rights for groups of users without having to perform cumbersome and tedious “netgroup”. Subsequent to granting access, the authentication, such as a log in, may be performed on the user. The invention is particularly useful for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) systems, where the “hosts” attribute can list client systems by Internet Protocol address, by hostname, or a by combination of address and hostname.