Hierarchical Network Authentication via Location Management Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-station communication networks face challenges in efficiently authenticating new stations and managing connectivity, especially when they are not in proximity to authentication servers, which can lead to security issues and network resource misuse.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that allows stations to assist new stations in obtaining authentication certificates and keys from authentication servers through intermediate stations, using challenge and response algorithms and digital signatures, while maintaining network security and minimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If new stations authenticate directly with authentication servers, then authentication security is improved, but network resources are overloaded and authentication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces location management stations as intermediaries between user stations and authentication servers. These LMS act as local proxies that can authenticate stations without requiring direct communication with remote authentication servers, thereby distributing authentication load and improving efficiency while maintaining security through centralized credential verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication function is segmented into multiple components: authentication servers that maintain credentials, location management stations that perform local authentication, and user stations that present credentials. This segmentation allows authentication to occur at multiple levels, reducing the burden on central servers while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If authentication servers are centralized, then authentication security is improved, but network complexity and response time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the authentication architecture, organizing stations into multiple levels: user stations at the base, location management stations in the middle, and authentication servers at the top. This hierarchical structure simplifies local operations while maintaining centralized security control, reducing network complexity by localizing common authentication tasks.
3Ease of operation
If all stations maintain connectivity records, then connectivity management is improved, but memory usage and processing overhead worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different stations to maintain connectivity information at different levels of detail. User stations maintain local connectivity caches for frequently accessed stations, while location management stations maintain broader network topology information. This differentiated approach optimizes memory usage by storing detailed information only where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a network and to a method of operating a network. The network comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. The network further comprises a plurality of levels of stations including a first level comprising user and/or seed stations, a second level comprising auxiliary stations providing access to auxiliary networks, a third level comprising at least one location management station, and a fourth level comprising at least one authentication station. The method comprises transmitting, from or on behalf of a station on the first level requiring authentication, to an authentication station via one or more stations, an authentication request message. In response, the authentication station transmits authentication data to authenticate the station on the first level.