Permission Bitmap Mapping for Low-Latency Distributed Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed computing systems face challenges in managing and encoding permissions efficiently, leading to increased network utilization, latency, and storage requirements due to the large number of permissions required for service-to-service interactions, which are further complicated by continuous development and permission drift.
Innovation Solution
A permission bitmap log system with versioning and compaction is employed to manage permissions, ensuring efficient encoding and decoding of permissions in service-to-service messaging, minimizing bandwidth usage and preventing privilege escalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permissions are encoded within service-to-service messages in a distributed computing system, then permission enforcement is enabled, but network utilization increases and latency in processing service requests increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-computes and caches permission evaluations before service requests are processed. Permission bitmaps are generated in advance and stored, so when a service request arrives, the permission check can be performed quickly using the pre-computed cache rather than evaluating permissions from scratch, thus reducing latency while maintaining enforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms permission data into a compact bitmap format, changing the parameter representation from detailed permission sets to compressed bit sequences. This parameter transformation reduces the size of permission data transmitted in messages and accelerates processing speed while preserving the ability to enforce permissions
2Reliability
If permissions are encoded within service-to-service messages, then permission enforcement is enabled, but network bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter representation of permissions from verbose text-based or object-based formats to compact binary bitmap sequences. This transformation dramatically reduces the size of permission data that must be transmitted over the network while maintaining the full capability to enforce permissions, thus reducing network bandwidth consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and transmits compact bitmap copies of permission data instead of transmitting full permission objects or detailed permission sets. These bitmap copies contain all necessary permission information in a compressed form, enabling enforcement while minimizing network bandwidth usage
3Reliability
If the distributed computing system manages hundreds or thousands of permissions across multiple services, then comprehensive permission control is achieved, but storage requirements at each service system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms extensive permission sets containing hundreds or thousands of individual permissions into compact bitmap representations. This parameter transformation compresses the storage requirement from potentially megabytes or gigabytes of detailed permission data to kilobytes or smaller bitmap structures, while maintaining comprehensive permission control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the large permission management task into distributed components where each service maintains only the permission bitmaps relevant to its operations. Rather than every service storing all permissions system-wide, permissions are segmented and distributed across services, reducing storage requirements at each individual service system while maintaining overall comprehensive control
4Adaptability or versatility
If permission drift occurs due to continuous development and new services being added, then system adaptability is improved, but permission management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization of permission bitmaps to all services before permission drift issues can arise. By proactively distributing updated permission bitmaps in advance, the system maintains consistency across all services without requiring complex real-time coordination mechanisms, thus managing complexity while supporting adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where services report their permission bitmap versions and the central permission management system detects drift. This feedback loop enables automatic detection and correction of permission inconsistencies, maintaining system adaptability while managing complexity through automated monitoring rather than manual management
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing and using permissions in a distributed services system is described. The method may include receiving, by a service system of the distributed services system, a definition of a permissions data structure and a mapping of permission positions from a permissions bitmap log to permissions in the permissions data structure. The method may also include receiving, by the service system, a service-to-service message that comprises a request of the service system and an access token having one or more permissions bitmap logs associated with the message. Furthermore, the method may include determining, by the service system, a set of permissions that are within an intersection of permissions between the one or more permissions bitmap logs associated with the message and the definition of the permissions data structure, and then processing the request based on the determined set of permissions.