Per-Port PTP Security Bypass for Accurate Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices face challenges in efficiently bypassing data security operations for Precision Time Protocol (PTP) packets while maintaining high-accuracy clock synchronization, as existing systems often require unnecessary encryption that can hinder performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a per-port data security bypass mechanism in network devices, where packets are classified as PTP or non-PTP and configured to perform or bypass data security operations based on port profiles, allowing PTP packets to bypass encryption and maintain synchronization without additional processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data security operations (encryption) are performed on all packets including PTP packets, then network security is improved, but processing efficiency and clock synchronization accuracy deteriorate due to unnecessary encryption overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network packets into different types (PTP packets and non-PTP packets) using classification mechanisms. PTP packets are identified through specific classification rules and handled separately from regular data packets, allowing selective application of security operations only to non-PTP packets while PTP packets bypass encryption to maintain timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality treatments to different parts of network traffic. Specifically, PTP packets receive a special treatment (bypassing data security operations) while other packets receive standard security processing. This local differentiation ensures that time-sensitive PTP traffic maintains its precision without the overhead of encryption.
2Productivity
If data security operations are bypassed for PTP packets, then processing efficiency is improved, but network security may be compromised if not properly controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of packets to identify PTP packets before they reach the data security engine. By pre-marking or pre-identifying PTP packets through classification rules, the system prepares them for bypass treatment in advance, ensuring that only authorized PTP packets skip security operations while maintaining overall security integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary classification mechanism that sits between packet reception and security processing. This intermediary layer examines packet characteristics, determines whether packets are PTP type, and directs them to appropriate processing paths. This mediator ensures secure controlled bypass, preventing unauthorized packets from exploiting the bypass mechanism.
3Reliability
If encryption is applied to PTP packets, then security is maintained, but clock synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to additional processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts PTP packets from the general data stream and removes them from the encryption processing path. By taking out PTP packets and placing them in a separate processing channel that bypasses the data security engine, the system eliminates unnecessary encryption overhead while maintaining security for other traffic types.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying the standard security processing to all packets and then making exceptions, the patent inverts the approach by defaulting to bypass treatment for PTP packets and applying security operations only to non-PTP packets. This inversion ensures that time-sensitive PTP traffic automatically receives preferential treatment unless explicitly marked otherwise.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a method that receives a piece of network data. Based on a set of values in a set of headers of the piece of network data, the method determines whether the piece of network data is precision time protocol (PTP) network data and a particular port in the set of ports of the network device through which the piece of network data is to be forwarded. Based on the particular port, the method determines a port profile from a set of port profiles. Based on a value of the field in the port profile and the determination of whether the piece of network data is PTP network data, the method determines whether to bypass a set of data security operations on the piece of network data. The method transmits the piece of network data through the particular port of the network device.