Resource Access System Impersonation Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions for cloud services require dedicated hardware, are cumbersome for dynamic connections, and often necessitate specialized software, leading to infrastructure inefficiencies and security concerns when accessing internal enterprise resources from external networks.
Innovation Solution
A Resource Access System (RAS) that enables external network access to internal computing resources through a gatekeeper and resource gateway, facilitating pass-through authentication and impersonation, allowing external devices to access internal resources via API calls, and managing access controls through a user administration system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VPN setup is used for cloud services to access internal network, then secure connection is established, but dedicated hardware and specialized software are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud service gateway as an intermediary component that enables secure communication between cloud services and internal network resources. The gateway acts as a mediator that handles authentication, authorization, and protocol translation, eliminating the need for complex VPN hardware and specialized software while maintaining secure connections. The gateway is deployed as a simpler service-oriented component rather than requiring dedicated hardware infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical VPN infrastructure with a service-oriented architecture using web services and standard protocols. Instead of relying on dedicated hardware VPN clients and complex network tunneling mechanisms, the system uses HTTP/HTTPS-based communication, JSON/XML data formats, and standard authentication protocols to achieve secure access. This substitution of mechanical/network infrastructure with software-based services reduces device complexity significantly.
2Reliability
If VPN is used for accessing internal resources, then secure access is provided, but infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud service gateway is designed as a universal component that handles multiple functions including authentication, authorization, resource discovery, and protocol translation through a single unified interface. Rather than requiring separate infrastructure components for each function, the gateway consolidates these operations into a multi-functional service that can be accessed through standard web protocols, thereby reducing overall infrastructure requirements while maintaining secure access capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of network communication by transitioning from traditional VPN tunneling mechanisms to web-service-based communication. This involves changing data formats to JSON/XML, using HTTP/HTTPS protocols instead of custom VPN protocols, and implementing authentication through standard web authentication mechanisms. These parameter changes enable secure access while reducing infrastructure complexity by leveraging existing, simpler technologies.
3Reliability
If traditional VPN solutions are implemented, then access control is maintained, but adaptability to dynamic connections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control through the cloud service gateway that can adapt to different connection scenarios, authentication methods, and resource requests in real-time. The gateway dynamically evaluates authentication tokens, authorizes requests based on current user contexts, and routes traffic to appropriate internal resources as needed. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt to changing connection requirements while maintaining robust access control policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control functionality is segmented into discrete, independent components within the gateway architecture, including separate authentication modules, authorization modules, and resource routing modules. This segmentation allows each component to independently adapt to different connection scenarios and resource requests, enhancing the overall system's adaptability to dynamic connections while maintaining centralized access control through the gateway.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor is configured to receive a resource request message from an endpoint associated with a user, the resource request message including an external token, a resource operation, and a resource identifier. The processor is also configured to retrieve, from the memory, an authentication identifier associated with one of the endpoint and the user based on the external token and authorize the resource operation with a directory service using the authentication identifier. The processor is further configured to receive an authorization token from the directory service and initiate the resource operation with an internal resource using the authorization token.