Operating System Identity Conflict Resolution via Fingerprint Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication network management systems face challenges in accurately determining the operating system and service identities of hosts, as different fingerprinting methods provide conflicting results, and conventional systems can only use one fingerprint as the identity, leading to incomplete and inaccurate host software version and update information.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates the intersection of reported operating system identities, assigns weights based on fingerprint accuracy, and provides a confidence level for resolving identity conflicts, allowing for the combination of passive, active, and manual input reports, and pre-defines preferences to handle unresolvable conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple fingerprinting methods are used to determine operating system identity, then the quantity of identity information increases, but conflicts and inaccuracies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identity determination process into multiple independent fingerprinting methods (passive, active, manual) that operate separately and contribute their findings to a unified resolution process. Each fingerprinting method independently identifies operating system characteristics, and their results are then reconciled through the resolution mechanism rather than being combined in a way that creates conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively using only the necessary portion of available fingerprinting data. Rather than forcing all fingerprinting methods to converge on a single identity, the system uses the subset of methods that provide reliable, non-conflicting information to determine the operating system identity, avoiding the excessive action of forcing resolution of all conflicting data.
2Device complexity
If a single fingerprint is used for identity determination, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of operating system identity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary resolution process that mediates between multiple fingerprinting methods and the final identity determination. This intermediary layer analyzes the results from passive, active, and manual fingerprinting methods, resolves conflicts, and produces a unified operating system identity without requiring the system to manage the complexity of all individual methods simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If conventional fingerprinting methods are used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of detailed software version and update information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fingerprinting approaches (passive observation, active scanning, manual input) into a unified identity determination process. By combining the strengths of each method, the system maintains the operational simplicity of conventional approaches while recovering detailed software version and update information that any single method would miss or lose.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a processor device. The processor device is configured to receive reports of operating system identities for a single host; determine which of the operating system identities are an intersection of the reported operating system identities; and assign the intersection of the reported operating system identities as a resolved operating system identity.