LS-ACP End-to-End Encryption for ACP Network Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomic Control Plane (ACP) networks face challenges in deploying hop-by-hop encryption due to hardware limitations and cost constraints, leading to security vulnerabilities and inefficient packet routing, especially when not all network devices are ACP compliant.
Innovation Solution
The Lightweight Secured Autonomic Control Plane (LS-ACP) network employs end-to-end encryption using TLS and dTLS protocols, automatically configuring and transparently encrypting packets without requiring additional hardware resources or modifying applications, and uses GRASP for authentication and address mapping to ensure secure communication even with non-ACP compliant devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hop-by-hop encryption is deployed in ACP networks, then security is improved, but hardware resources are overburdened and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the encryption function from intermediate network devices and concentrates it only at the source and destination endpoints. This eliminates the need for hardware encryption resources in intermediate ACP-compliant devices while maintaining end-to-end security, directly resolving the contradiction between security and hardware resource burden.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional approach where intermediate devices perform encryption/decryption at each hop, the patent inverts the model by using end-to-end encryption where only the source and destination devices perform encryption operations. This inversion eliminates the hardware resource burden on intermediate devices while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If end-to-end encryption is implemented, then security is maintained without overburdening devices, but compatibility with non-ACP compliant devices becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dual-mode operation where ACP-compliant devices can function as intermediaries that either terminate encryption (end-to-end mode) or relay encrypted traffic (transparent mode). This intermediary capability allows seamless communication with non-ACP compliant devices while maintaining security for ACP-compliant communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic encryption mode selection where devices can switch between end-to-end encryption mode and transparent relay mode based on the compliance status of communicating devices. This dynamic adaptability ensures security when possible while maintaining compatibility with non-ACP compliant devices.
3Ease of operation
If application layer encryption is used, then application control is maintained, but network layer security and routing efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the benefits of both application-layer and network-layer encryption by implementing end-to-end encryption at the network layer (TLS/dTLS). This unified approach provides network layer security and routing efficiency while maintaining application control, as applications can still choose whether to encrypt their data before passing it to the network layer.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network device includes a transmitter and a receiver to establish a secure connection with one or more network nodes as part of a Autonomic Control Plane (ACP) network. The network device also includes a processor coupled to the transmitter and receiver. The processor receives a request from an application to initiate a connection with a destination network node. The processor also receives packets from the application for transmission toward the destination network node. When the packets from the application are unencrypted, the processor end-to-end encrypts the unencrypted packets without notifying the application. The transmitter then transmits the encrypted packets towards the destination network node across the ACP network.