Relay Computing Element for Secure External Network Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Private networks face challenges in efficiently configuring and managing access to resources from external devices, requiring time-consuming updates to make files and web content available outside the network.
Innovation Solution
A relay computing element is configured to receive packets from external devices, determine permission from internal network elements, and encapsulate permitted packets with private IP addresses for secure transmission over the Internet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional private network configuration methods are used to make resources available to external devices, then external access is enabled, but configuration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A relay computing element is introduced as an intermediary between external devices and private network resources. The relay receives packets from external devices, determines permission status, and forwards permitted packets to the appropriate private network computing elements. This mediator approach enables external access without requiring direct configuration changes to the private network infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling external access and maintaining quick configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional private network configuration methods are used to make resources available to external devices, then external access is enabled, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay computing element serves as a configuration-simplifying intermediary that handles all external access logic centrally. Instead of configuring each private network resource for external access individually, the relay统一管理 (unifies management) of external connection requests, permission determination, and packet forwarding. This reduces configuration complexity from multiple distributed settings to a single centralized relay configuration.
3Productivity
If direct access is allowed from external devices to private network resources, then access efficiency improves, but network security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The relay computing element acts as a security-mediated intermediary that sits between external devices and private network resources. It performs permission determination for each incoming packet, allowing only authorized access while blocking unauthorized attempts. This enables efficient access for permitted connections without compromising security, as the relay enforces access control policies centrally without requiring direct exposure of private network resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The network architecture is segmented into three distinct zones: external devices, the relay computing element (intermediate zone), and private network resources. This segmentation allows the relay to handle all security-related operations in an intermediate position, enabling efficient permitted access while maintaining security boundaries. The segmentation prevents direct exposure of private resources to external devices, thus resolving the contradiction between access efficiency and security.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems, methods, and software that manage the communication between computing elements outside a private network and computing elements inside a private network. In one example, a relay computing element receives a first packet from a first computer outside a private network. The relay computing element determines whether the first packet is permitted for a second computer inside the private network. If the first packet is permitted, the relay computing element generates a second packet with the first packet in the payload and encapsulates the second packet in a third packet. Once encapsulated, the third packet is forwarded to the second computer.