Mesh Dictionary Service for Secure Node Access Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In mesh networks, ensuring secure communication and access control between nodes is challenging, particularly when a malicious node gains unauthorized access, as existing technologies lack effective mechanisms for interpreting private messages and executing commands within the network.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Mesh Dictionary Service (MDS) agent on a control mesh node that validates nodes' permissions and shares a dictionary object, allowing only authorized nodes to interpret and act upon encrypted instructions, using a Domain Specific Language (DSL) for secure communication and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mesh network allows nodes to join freely for network flexibility and ease of operation, then the network can adapt dynamically to changing conditions, but security is compromised as malicious nodes can gain unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control mesh node as an intermediary that mediates between joining nodes and the network. This control node validates permissions, shares dictionary objects, and manages access rights, preventing malicious nodes from directly accessing the network while maintaining flexibility for legitimate nodes to join dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation of node permissions before allowing network access. The control mesh node verifies credentials and distributes dictionary objects in advance, ensuring that only authorized nodes can interpret and execute commands, thereby preventing security breaches before they occur
2Reliability
If the network encrypts communication to enhance security, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the complexity of interpreting and executing commands increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by distributing specialized dictionary objects to individual nodes based on their specific permissions and roles. Each node receives customized translation dictionaries that contain only the commands and messages it is authorized to interpret, reducing complexity while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The control mesh node acts as an intermediary that manages the encryption and decryption process. It distributes dictionary objects that enable nodes to decrypt and interpret only their authorized communications, thereby maintaining security without requiring each node to handle the full complexity of network-wide encryption
3Reliability
If the network implements strict access control to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as nodes face stricter validation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling nodes to autonomously validate their own permissions using distributed dictionary objects. Nodes can independently determine their authorized commands and messages without requiring manual intervention, maintaining strict access control while simplifying the joining process
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of protecting communication in a mesh network of nodes. The method including receiving a request from a joiner node of the mesh network to join the mesh network. The method including validating permissions for the joiner node responsive to receiving the request. The method including acquiring one or more dictionary objects based on the permissions. The method including granting, by a control node of a mesh network, access rights for the joiner node to join the mesh network by transmitting an access rights message comprising the one or more dictionary objects to the joiner node, wherein the access rights message causes the joiner node to locally store the one or more dictionary objects and use the one or more dictionary objects when communicating with one or more nodes of the mesh network.