Authenticated Modem Channel Reauthentication for CP Hot-Swap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network communication systems face disruptions when control processors managing encryption modems become unavailable, leading to unmanaged states that can cause encrypted communication failures.

Innovation Solution

A local modem detects the unavailability of a control processor and initiates a reauthentication protocol to establish a new authenticated channel with a second control processor using alarm messages and reauthentication commands, ensuring minimal disruption to encrypted traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a control processor manages encryption modems in a network, then encryption parameters can be provided and managed securely, but the system becomes vulnerable to disruptions when the control processor becomes unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencrypted communication continuityVSAvoidauthentication channel management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The modem establishes a local authenticated channel with the control processor before the control processor becomes unavailable. This preliminary authentication ensures that when the control processor is replaced or becomes unavailable, the modem already has the necessary security context and authentication credentials to quickly reauthenticate with a new control processor, minimizing disruption to encrypted communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a trusted channel as an intermediary communication path between the modem and control processor. This trusted channel serves as a reliable medium for exchanging authentication commands and parameters even when the primary management interface becomes unavailable, ensuring continuous secure operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the control processor is replaced or becomes unavailable, then system maintenance and updates can be performed, but the authenticated channel becomes unavailable causing the modem to enter an unmanaged state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol processor hot-swappingVSAvoidauthenticated channel availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The modem maintains a local authenticated channel with the control processor that includes pre-established security context. This preliminary authentication allows the modem to quickly reauthenticate with a new control processor when hot-swapping occurs, preventing the modem from entering an unmanaged state and ensuring continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements error handling and alarm message mechanisms that prepare the modem for control processor unavailability beforehand. When the control processor becomes unavailable, the modem can immediately send alarm messages through the trusted channel and initiate reauthentication, cushioning against the disruption rather than allowing the authenticated channel to simply fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If the modem remains in an unmanaged state, then the system can avoid complex reauthentication procedures, but the modem becomes unable to perform cryptographic functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereauthentication procedure simplicityVSAvoidcryptographic function availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The modem establishes and maintains a local authenticated channel with the control processor before any unavailability occurs. This preliminary authentication ensures that when the control processor becomes unavailable, the modem already has the necessary security context and credentials to quickly reauthenticate, avoiding the need to perform complex reauthentication procedures from an unmanaged state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements alarm messages that provide feedback when the control processor becomes unavailable. This feedback mechanism triggers automated reauthentication procedures, ensuring that the modem quickly transitions back to a managed state and can resume cryptographic functions without manual intervention or complex procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12500965B2Authenticated channel for encryption management

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 CIENA CORP

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatuses for managing encryption in a network. A local modem is managed by a local control processor (CP) via a local authenticated channel. The local authenticated channel is established between the local modem and a first CP (as the local CP) using runtime authentication material. When the first CP is removed or becomes inoperative, the local modem detects an authentication failure associated with the local authenticated channel. The local modem can communicate an alarm message via a trusted channel to a remote modem. In response to the alarm message, the local modem can receive a reauthentication command via the trusted channel. The reauthentication command is configured to cause the local modem to establish a new local authenticated channel with a second CP (such as a new local CP to replace the first CP).