Network Appliance Identity Certificate Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional authentication mechanisms for network devices require significant user input and technical expertise, leading to potential errors during the generation and activation of identity certificates for network appliances.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically generate identity certificates for network appliances with minimal user input by using a unique network appliance identifier and transaction identifier, allowing the device to create a certificate signing request and receive a digitally signed identity certificate without manual entry of configuration or credential information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional authentication mechanisms are used for network devices, then security and authentication capability are improved, but user input requirements and technical expertise needs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoiduser input requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The network appliance automatically generates its own certificate signing request and completes the certificate acquisition process without requiring user input for configuration or credential information. The system uses the appliance's unique identifier and transaction identifier to self-configure the authentication credentials, eliminating the need for manual user input while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary activation process where the network appliance communicates with an activation server to automatically obtain the identity certificate. This intermediary mechanism facilitates the authentication process by handling the complex certificate generation and verification steps automatically, reducing direct user involvement while ensuring secure authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional certificate generation processes are used, then authentication security is improved, but process complexity and potential for user errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network appliance autonomously generates the certificate signing request using its unique identifier and automatically manages the certificate acquisition process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually configure complex authentication parameters, reducing process complexity while maintaining security through automated cryptographic operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating the certificate signing request and necessary cryptographic materials before actual authentication is needed. The appliance automatically prepares all authentication credentials in advance during the activation process, simplifying the subsequent authentication operations while ensuring security requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If manual entry of configuration information is required, then certificate accuracy can be verified, but time consumption and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecertificate accuracyVSAvoidactivation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network appliance automatically generates accurate certificate information using its unique identifier and transaction identifier without requiring manual user entry. The system self-verifies the accuracy of the generated credentials through automated cryptographic validation, eliminating time-consuming manual input while ensuring certificate accuracy through programmatic verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical entry processes with automated electronic generation and verification of certificate information. The system uses automated cryptographic algorithms to generate and validate certificate data, substituting manual user input with machine-based processes that are both faster and equally accurate in verifying certificate information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8769291B2Certificate generation for a network appliance

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 RED HAT INC

AI summary

A method and system for generating identity certificates. The method may include receiving a user request to activate a network appliance, and causing a network appliance identifier and a transaction identifier of an activation transaction associated with the user request to be transmitted to the network appliance. A certificate signing request (CSR) and the transaction identifier may be received from the network appliance, the CSR including the network appliance identifier. A certificate may be generated for the network appliance if the activation transaction is valid.