Wireless Mesh Service Access Using Role-Based Certificate Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional authentication and access control techniques in wireless mesh networks do not differentiate between different certificates, allowing unrestricted access to services, potentially compromising sensitive information and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing role-based authorization by assigning roles to network elements and associating services with specific access permissions, using cryptographic certificates to authenticate and authorize access based on defined roles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional authentication techniques are used that do not differentiate between certificates, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates due to unrestricted access to services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different authorization levels to different services within the wireless mesh network. Each service is configured with specific authorization parameters that define which certificate types can access it, creating localized security policies rather than a uniform access control mechanism. This allows sensitive services to have restricted access while less sensitive services remain more accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the authorization parameter from a binary authenticated/not authenticated state to a multi-level authorization structure. By introducing authorization levels (e.g., administrator, user, guest) associated with different certificate types, the system transforms the access control parameter to enable fine-grained security without fundamentally changing the underlying authentication mechanism.
2Reliability
If role-based authorization is implemented to differentiate access permissions, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional authorization management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring authorization levels and service-specific access policies during network setup or service deployment. The authorization framework is established in advance, with each service tagged with the certificate types permitted to access it. This eliminates the need for complex real-time authorization decisions, as the access rules are predetermined and stored in the network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal authorization framework that can be applied across multiple services and certificate types without requiring service-specific customization. The same authorization level definitions and access control logic are reused throughout the network, reducing overall complexity despite the enhanced security capabilities.
3Reliability
If granular access controls are implemented for different services, then security is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing granular access control only where necessary - specifically at the service level rather than across the entire network uniformly. Services can be selectively configured with authorization requirements, allowing the system to achieve enhanced security for sensitive services while maintaining simple access for less sensitive services, thus avoiding unnecessary configuration complexity throughout the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for mesh network management including role-based authorization for wireless network management services is described. In one embodiment, a wireless mesh device receives, from a requesting device, a request to establish a secure communication session, authenticates the client certificate and establishes the secure communication session. The wireless mesh device further receives, from the requesting device via the secure communication session, a request directed to a service of a plurality of services provided by the wireless mesh device, where the request comprises the client certificate associated with the requesting device, identifies a root certificate used to cryptographically sign the client certificate, wherein the root certificate is associated with a role assigned to the requesting device, identifies role information associated with the requesting device and the client certificate, and responsive to determining that the role information indicates that the requesting device has permission to access the service, forwards the request to the service.