On-Path Endpoint Policy Enforcement Using Local Traffic Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized policy enforcement models are inefficient and lack scalability due to their inability to handle endpoint-specific needs and local information, leading to suboptimal performance and decision-making in network environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing local policy enforcement through network devices that receive network-wide policies from a centralized controller, inject endpoint-specific metadata into data traffic, and apply endpoint-specific policies based on this metadata, while removing metadata from the traffic to maintain privacy and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centralized policy enforcement models are used, then policy management is simplified, but scalability and performance deteriorate due to inability to handle endpoint-specific needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments policy enforcement into two parts: centralized policy management (for simplified operation) and distributed endpoint-specific enforcement (for adaptability). Network devices receive general policies from centralized controllers and combine them with local endpoint metadata to enforce customized policies at each endpoint, resolving the contradiction between centralized simplicity and distributed adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling network devices to access and utilize local endpoint metadata (such as device type, location, user identity) to customize policy enforcement for each endpoint. This allows the system to maintain centralized policy management while adapting policies to local endpoint characteristics, thereby improving both ease of operation and adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If centralized policy enforcement models are used, then uniform policy application is achieved, but efficiency and real-time decision-making capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring network devices with general policies from centralized controllers and providing them with local endpoint metadata. This preparation enables network devices to make real-time policy decisions locally without requiring continuous centralized intervention, thus maintaining uniform policy application while dramatically improving real-time decision-making efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network devices as intermediaries between centralized policy controllers and endpoints. These intermediaries receive general policies from controllers, combine them with local endpoint metadata, and enforce customized policies in real-time. This intermediary role maintains policy uniformity from the centralized source while enabling efficient local decision-making.
3Adaptability or versatility
If local policy enforcement with endpoint metadata is implemented, then adaptability and performance improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing network devices to perform multiple functions: they act as policy recipients from centralized controllers, local metadata collectors, policy decision-makers, and enforcement points. This multi-functionality allows the same infrastructure components to handle both centralized and distributed policy enforcement tasks, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for locally applying endpoint-specific policies to an endpoint in a network environment. A network device local to one or more endpoints in a network environment can receive from a centralized network controller one or more network-wide endpoint policies. A first endpoint of the one or more endpoints can be configured to inject policy metadata into first data traffic. Policy metadata injected into the first traffic data can be received from the first endpoint. The network device can determine one or more first endpoint-specific polices for the first endpoint by evaluation the first policy metadata with respect to the one or more network-wide endpoint policies. As follows, the one or more first endpoint-specific policies can be applied to control data traffic associated with the first endpoint.