Network Role Grouping via Bi-Connected Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing large enterprise networks is challenging due to the complexity of network topology and the need for early detection of security violations, as existing methods rely on ad hoc human guesses and lack efficient techniques for grouping nodes based on connection patterns.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that groups nodes in a network by identifying bi-connected components in host connection set data and merging groups with similar connection habits, using connectivity graphs and k-neighborhood graphs to assign unique identifiers and form larger groups based on observed connection patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network management is conducted on a host-by-host basis, then detailed monitoring and control are achieved, but the complexity and cost increase significantly for large networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments hosts into groups based on their connection patterns and roles within the network. By dividing the network into logical groups (such as servers, clients, workstations), the system reduces management complexity while maintaining detailed monitoring capabilities at the group level rather than treating each host individually
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network roles as an intermediary concept between individual hosts and network policies. Roles serve as mediators that aggregate host characteristics and connection patterns, allowing administrators to manage networks through role-based policies rather than host-by-host configurations
2Ease of operation
If ad hoc human guesses are used to determine logical relationships, then network topology can be understood, but accuracy and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network to self-classify hosts into roles based on their actual connection patterns and communication behavior. Rather than relying on manual configuration or human interpretation, the system automatically detects and assigns roles based on observed network traffic, improving both accuracy and consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual human analysis of network topology with automated computational algorithms that process connection data to identify roles and relationships. This substitution of mechanical human judgment with automated systems improves precision while maintaining ease of operation
3Reliability
If network segmentation is implemented to provide fault isolation and mitigate worm spread, then security improves, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic role-based segmentation where network groups are automatically formed and adjusted based on real-time connection patterns. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt its segmentation structure in response to changing conditions, providing effective fault isolation while reducing manual configuration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters for network segmentation from static, manually-defined segments to dynamic, data-driven groups based on connection patterns. By using connection habit data and bi-connected components as segmentation parameters, the system achieves effective isolation while simplifying deployment and maintenance
4Adaptability or versatility
If the number of policies is made open ended to accommodate different user privileges, then flexibility improves, but management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal role-based policy framework that can accommodate multiple access control scenarios through a single mechanism. Roles serve as multi-functional units that can be assigned different policy sets, allowing the system to handle diverse user privileges without requiring separate policy management for each user type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges individual host policies into unified role-based policies. By combining the access control requirements of multiple hosts into their respective roles, the system reduces the total number of policies that need to be managed while maintaining the flexibility to address different user privileges through role assignments
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques to assign nodes in a network to groups of nodes includes grouping nodes on a network into groups based on host connection set data by identifying bi-connected components in the host connection set data; and merging groups with similar connection habits as determined by examining the host connection set data into larger groups.