Peer-to-Peer Data Transfer Event Logging Without Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peer-to-peer communication in information handling systems often occurs without network links, making it difficult to record and report sensitive data transfers, which exacerbates audit compliance and security concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect recordable transfer events in peer-to-peer networks, generate logs on the source device, and transmit them to destination devices or reporting nodes, even when there is no infrastructure network connection, ensuring that the logs can be reported to a central node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If peer-to-peer communication is enabled without network links, then communication flexibility and ease of use are improved, but audit compliance and security monitoring deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having destination devices pre-ready to receive and store logs from source devices. When a transfer event occurs, the log is immediately transmitted to the destination device which is already positioned to receive it, eliminating the need for complex real-time network routing decisions and ensuring audit capability is built into the communication flow itself
Solution Approach 2:
The destination device acts as an intermediary between the source device and the ultimate reporting node. It receives logs from source devices that may not have direct network access, stores them locally, and then transmits them to reporting nodes when connectivity is available. This intermediary role bridges the gap between isolated P2P transfers and centralized audit reporting
2Reliability
If logs are transmitted directly to reporting nodes, then audit reporting reliability is improved, but network infrastructure dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Destination devices perform preliminary actions by pre-positioning themselves as log collection points and maintaining readiness to receive logs. This preliminary setup allows the system to handle offline source devices without requiring real-time network infrastructure, as the destination device is already in place to intercept and hold logs locally
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension to the log transmission architecture by introducing an intermediate storage layer at destination devices. Instead of a direct single-dimension path from source to reporting node, logs can now traverse through destination devices which provide an alternative transmission path, enabling offline sources to connect through online destinations
3Loss of information
If all devices maintain constant network connectivity for logging, then audit coverage is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The destination device serves itself by maintaining local log storage capability and autonomously managing its own role in the audit chain. It can receive logs when needed, store them locally without immediate network dependency, and independently transmit to reporting nodes when connectivity becomes available, eliminating the need for constant network monitoring and complex connectivity management
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a recordable transfer event on a source device. The recordable transfer event comprises a transfer of data between the source device and one or more destination devices in a peer-to-peer network. The method further includes generating, on the source device, a log of the recordable transfer event. In addition, the method includes, responsive to a determination that the source device lacks an infrastructure network connection, transmitting the log to at least one destination device so that the at least one destination device can report the log to a reporting node.