Private Alias Endpoints for Isolated Virtual Network Service Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers operating isolated virtual networks within provider networks face challenges in accessing publicly-accessible services without compromising security or incurring high costs, as existing methods like assigning public IP addresses or using VPNs are either insecure or inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The establishment of private alias endpoints (PAEs) within provider networks allows for routing network traffic between isolated virtual networks and publicly-accessible services without assigning public IP addresses, using a tunneling protocol to encapsulate packets and route them through the provider network, enabling secure and efficient access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If public IP addresses are assigned to resources in isolated virtual networks to access publicly-accessible services, then accessibility to services is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces private alias endpoints as intermediary resources that mediate between isolated virtual networks and publicly-accessible services. These endpoints have public IP addresses and are configured with route tables that direct traffic to specific services, allowing resources in isolated virtual networks to access services without direct public IP exposure. This resolves the contradiction by providing service accessibility while maintaining security through the intermediary endpoint layer.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If VPN connections are used to access publicly-accessible services from isolated virtual networks, then security is improved, but device complexity and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security and routing functionality from complex VPN configurations and consolidates it into managed private alias endpoints. Instead of requiring customers to configure and maintain VPN connections, the provider manages the endpoints and route tables, extracting the essential security function while eliminating the complexity of VPN setup and maintenance. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through provider-managed infrastructure while reducing device complexity for customers.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If private IP addresses are used in isolated virtual networks, then network isolation and security are improved, but accessibility to publicly-accessible services is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture into distinct layers: isolated virtual networks with private IP addresses for security, and private alias endpoints with public IP addresses for service access. Route tables segment the routing logic, directing traffic from private networks to specific services through the endpoints. This segmentation allows private IP addresses to maintain network isolation while still enabling service accessibility through the segmented endpoint layer.
4Ease of operation
If public IP addresses are assigned to resources, then accessibility to services is improved, but cost is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes private alias endpoints universal resources that can serve multiple functions and multiple clients. A single private alias endpoint can be configured with route tables to access multiple different services, and can serve multiple resources within isolated virtual networks. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of public IP addresses needed, as one endpoint replaces what would otherwise require multiple individual public IP assignments, thereby improving accessibility while reducing cost.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with a designation of a private alias endpoint as a routing target for traffic directed to a service from within an isolated virtual network of a provider network, a tunneling intermediary receives a baseline packet generated at a compute instance. The baseline packet indicates a public IP (Internet Protocol) address of the service as the destination, and a private IP address of the compute instance as the source. In accordance with a tunneling protocol, the tunneling intermediary generates an encapsulation packet comprising at least a portion of the baseline packet and a header indicating the isolated virtual network. The encapsulation packet is transmitted to a node of the service.