Automated Network Element Authentication via Beacon Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network authentication methods require manual intervention for new network elements to obtain encryption keys or certificates, which is cumbersome, especially in dynamic environments with frequent additions or removals of virtualized computing systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that automatically authenticates new network elements by generating beacon data using seed data and current time, producing keying data and a one-time pad (OTP) to encrypt authentication requests, allowing decryption and authentication by provisioning network elements, thus eliminating the need for manual credential provision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual credential provision is used for new network elements, then security can be maintained through authorized key distribution, but the complexity and time consumption increase significantly in dynamic environments with frequent additions or removals of virtualized computing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The new network element automatically generates its own authentication credentials (beacon data, keying data, OTP) without requiring manual intervention from network administrators. The element uses its identification information and current time to self-generate encryption keys and authenticate itself to the provisioning network element, eliminating the need for manual credential distribution while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The new network element pre-generates beacon data using seed data and current time before actual authentication occurs. This preliminary generation of cryptographic materials (keying data, OTP) enables the element to be ready for immediate authentication without waiting for manual credential provision, reducing authentication time in dynamic environments
2Reliability
If manual credential provision is used for new network elements, then authorization can be controlled through administrative oversight, but the time consumption and operational efficiency decrease especially when many network elements are continually being added or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service authentication where new network elements automatically generate their own credentials and authenticate themselves without requiring network administrator intervention. This eliminates the bottleneck of manual credential distribution and enables rapid authentication of multiple elements simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication process uses periodic beacon data generation based on current time intervals. The new network element generates beacon data at specific time points, and the provisioning element validates these periodic beacons, enabling efficient batch authentication of multiple elements without sequential manual processing
3Reliability
If encryption keys or certificates are distributed manually to new network elements, then secure communication can be established, but the process becomes difficult and cumbersome in virtualized environments where elements are instantiated and taken down based on demand
Solution Approach 1:
New network elements automatically generate their own encryption credentials (beacon data, keying data, OTP) using their identification information and current time. This self-service credential generation eliminates the need for manual key distribution and makes the system adaptable to dynamic virtualized environments where elements are frequently instantiated and decommissioned
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system is designed to be dynamic, with credentials generated on-demand based on current time and element identification. This allows the system to adapt to frequent changes in the virtualized environment without requiring reconfiguration or manual intervention, supporting elastic scaling of network elements
4Productivity
If automatic authentication is implemented using generated credentials, then the ease of operation and scalability improve for dynamic environments, but the complexity of the authentication mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: beacon data generation using seed data and current time, keying data derivation from beacon data and identification information, OTP extraction from keying data, and encrypted authentication request transmission. This segmentation makes the complex automatic authentication process manageable and implementable through modular software components
Data Source
AI summary
The technology presented herein enables a new network element to be authenticated to other network elements automatically. In a particular embodiment, a method provides determining a current time relative to a first time. The first time is known to the new network element and a provisioning network element. The method further provides generating first beacon data using seed data stored on the new network element and the current time and generating keying data using the first beacon data and identification information associated with the new network element. The method also provides identifying a first one-time pad (OTP) from the keying data and using the first OTP to encrypt an authentication request for transfer from the new network element to the provisioning network element.