Load Balancing Network Traffic Across Remote Inspection Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network security systems face inefficiencies in directing traffic for inspection across multiple intrusion detection and prevention systems, leading to suboptimal security checking efficiency due to uneven distribution of traffic based on capabilities and load.
Innovation Solution
A method where network devices select and tunnel packets to the most suitable checking functionality based on criteria such as security level, load, and capabilities, ensuring that traffic is directed to the appropriate device for processing, optimizing the use of resources and improving overall efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traffic is directed to intrusion detection systems without load balancing, then security checking is performed, but security checking efficiency deteriorates due to uneven distribution of traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the load status of multiple intrusion detection systems and uses this feedback information to dynamically select the most appropriate system for processing each packet. The load balancing module queries the status of available IDS devices and adjusts traffic distribution based on real-time conditions, ensuring optimal security checking efficiency while preventing any single system from becoming overloaded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic load balancing by continuously evaluating the load status of multiple intrusion detection systems and adapting traffic distribution in real-time. Instead of static assignment, the system dynamically selects target IDS devices based on current conditions, allowing the network to respond to changing traffic patterns and system capacities, thereby improving overall security checking efficiency.
2Reliability
If multiple intrusion detection systems are deployed, then robustness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a load balancing module as an intermediary component that manages multiple intrusion detection systems. This mediator handles the complexity of coordinating multiple IDS devices, selecting appropriate targets based on load status, and distributing traffic accordingly. By centralizing the management logic in the load balancing module, the system achieves improved robustness through multiple IDS while keeping the overall architecture manageable and not excessively complex.
3Reliability
If traffic is distributed based on minimum capabilities, then security level is maintained, but productivity decreases due to suboptimal device selection
Solution Approach 1:
The system selects intrusion detection systems based on multiple parameters including load status, capabilities, and security requirements. Rather than using a single criterion, the load balancing module evaluates multiple parameters simultaneously to identify the optimal IDS device for each packet. This multi-parameter approach ensures that security levels are maintained while maximizing checking efficiency by selecting the most suitable available system.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of balancing network packet traffic among multiple checking functionalities (CFs) are described. A network has at least one client operatively connected to at least one source switch and multiple available CFs operatively connected to at least one destination switch. Each available CF has predetermined, but possibly different inspection capabilities. A source switch receiving packets from a client inspects each packet and can optionally choose an available CF having at least the minimum necessary inspection capabilities to inspect the particular packet, and tunnel the packet to the chosen CF.