Multi-Forest Manager Proxy Generation for Cross-Forest Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current implementations for managing user accounts and groups across multiple computer networks, or forests, are complex due to the rules governing security proxies and contact proxies, which complicate access and membership between different network forests.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating contact objects and security proxy objects to represent user accounts and groups in other forests, allowing for cross-forest access and membership, with a multi-forest manager system determining the appropriate representation based on forest trust relationships and group types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If security proxies and contact proxies are generated to enable cross-forest access and membership, then interoperability between forests is improved, but system complexity increases due to complex rules for determining and managing proxies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a forest trust relationship as an intermediary mechanism that mediates cross-forest access. Instead of complex direct proxy management between all forest pairs, the trust relationship acts as a mediator that simplifies the interaction model. When Forest A trusts Forest B, users and groups from Forest B can access resources in Forest A through this trusted relationship, reducing the need for intricate proxy generation rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex cross-forest access problem into manageable parts by introducing hierarchical levels: forest level (with trust relationships), domain level (with users and groups), and object level (with proxies). This segmentation allows each level to handle specific aspects of access management independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining interoperability.
2Ease of operation
If multiple forests share user accounts and groups through proxies, then resource accessibility is improved, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing forest trust relationships in advance before configuring cross-forest access. Administrators first define which forests trust each other, creating a pre-configured access framework. Then, when users or groups need cross-forest access, the system automatically leverages these pre-established trust relationships to generate appropriate proxies, significantly reducing configuration complexity compared to setting up each access relationship individually.
3Reliability
If security proxies are generated for group members in cross-forest groups, then cross-forest security is improved, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically generate and manage security proxies for group members in cross-forest scenarios. When a user from a trusted forest is added to a security group, the system automatically determines the appropriate forest trust relationship and generates the necessary security proxy without manual intervention. This automation maintains security reliability while reducing management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for managing contact proxies and security proxies in networks that are organized as forests. For instance, contact proxies may be generated to represent user accounts and groups in forests other than the home forests of the user accounts and groups. Security proxy objects may be generated to represent group members (e.g., security principals and groups) in groups in forests other than the home forests of the group members. Furthermore, when both a contact object and a security proxy object exist for a member added to a group, one of the contact object or the security proxy object may be selected to represent the member in the group.