Network Device Authentication Extension Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches for authentication and authorization in network environments are inefficient, requiring significant resource allocation and labor for changes in authentication methods and message formats, leading to fragmented processing and potential inconsistencies, with limited support for application program extensibility in network elements like routers and switches.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a data processing apparatus with a network interface, processors, and a switching system that performs authentication and authorization using a user-defined security policy, allowing dynamic management of user extension security permissions and integration with standard security mechanisms like Java sandbox permissions, enabling extensible authentication and authorization in network devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If application end points perform authentication and authorization operations, then authentication and authorization can be performed, but resource allocation and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts authentication and authorization logic from application end points and relocates it to a dedicated security appliance. This separation removes the burden of authentication processing from applications, reducing their resource consumption while maintaining security functionality. The security appliance independently handles credential verification, allowing applications to focus on their core functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a security appliance as an intermediary component between applications and users. This mediator handles all authentication and authorization operations, acting as a buffer that protects applications from direct involvement in security-critical tasks. The appliance communicates with applications through standardized interfaces, simplifying integration while centralizing security management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If authentication methods and message formats change, then security can be updated, but significant labor and resources are required for implementation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a parameter-driven architecture where authentication methods are configured through adjustable parameters rather than hard-coded logic. The security appliance allows administrators to modify authentication methods, message formats, and security policies by changing configuration parameters without requiring code changes or recompilation. This enables flexible adaptation to new security requirements while maintaining implementation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the security appliance with universal functionality to handle multiple authentication methods and message formats through a single platform. The system can authenticate various credential types (passwords, certificates, tokens) and process different message formats using common underlying mechanisms, reducing the need for separate implementation efforts for each authentication scenario.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network elements support application program extensibility, then custom functionality can be added, but security control and consistency become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary security validation of custom program extensions before they are allowed to execute. The security appliance verifies the integrity, authenticity, and security compliance of extension code against predefined policies before loading it into the network element. This preliminary check ensures that only trusted and validated extensions can be deployed, maintaining security consistency while allowing extensibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network element architecture into distinct components: core trusted functionality, extension loading mechanism, and security validation layer. This segmentation isolates the security-critical core from user-provided extensions, allowing custom code to be loaded and executed without compromising the integrity of the core system. Each segment operates with defined boundaries and access controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A network infrastructure element such as a packet data router or switch hosts an application program and one or more user program extensions to the application program. Logic in the network element is configured to perform creating and storing one or more default program security permissions; receiving a user-defined security policy that defines one or more user extension security permissions for the one or more user program extensions; creating and storing only each of the one or more user extension security permissions that do not conflict with the default program security permissions; receiving a request from one of the user program extensions to access a resource of the apparatus or the network; permitting the request to access the resource or the network only when the access does not violate the user extension security permissions and the default program security permissions.