Role-Based Permissions in Distributed Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed permissions networks in multiple node environments rely on a single point of trust, which can lead to inefficiencies and complexities in managing permissions and validating work requests.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a role-based permissions system that uses a chain of role-based certificates to validate work requests, allowing endpoint nodes to verify permissions by tracing the chain of certificates from the user node to the owner node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single point of trust is used for permission validation in distributed networks, then the validation process is simplified, but the system becomes less secure and more vulnerable to single points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single point of trust into multiple distributed trust anchors (owner nodes). Instead of relying on one centralized authority, the system distributes permission validation across multiple independent owner nodes, each issuing their own certificates. This segmentation both simplifies individual validation processes and improves overall system security through distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces role-based certificates as intermediaries between user nodes and owner nodes. These certificates act as mediators that carry permission information through the distributed network, enabling validation without direct trust relationships between all nodes. The certificates serve as portable trust intermediaries that simplify the validation process while maintaining security.
2Ease of operation
If permissions are tightly coupled with users in a traditional system, then access control is straightforward, but permission management becomes complex and inflexible when users join or leave groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coupling between users and permissions by introducing role-based groups as an intermediate layer. Users are assigned to groups rather than having permissions directly attached to their identities. This segmentation allows straightforward access control through group membership while simplifying permission management, as permissions are managed at the group level rather than individually for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal role-based groups that can be reused across multiple contexts and owner nodes. A single group definition can be instantiated across different owner nodes, providing universal permission templates that simplify management. When users join or leave groups, the same group membership changes automatically apply across all owner nodes that recognize that group, reducing management complexity.
3Reliability
If a distributed permissions network uses role-based certificates, then security and manageability are improved, but the certificate validation process requires tracing multiple certificates in a chain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing role-based group definitions and owner public keys before runtime validation. Owner nodes publish their public keys and group definitions in advance, creating a prepared validation framework. When work requests arrive, the validation process can efficiently trace certificate chains against these pre-established criteria, reducing the computational complexity of real-time validation while maintaining high security standards.
Data Source
AI summary
An endpoint node of a multiple node environment includes a storage and a processor. The storage stores an owner public key for an owner of the endpoint node. The processor receives a work request for a job to be performed in the endpoint. The work request is signed with a first private key for a first user node. The processor retrieves first and second certificates. The first certificate attests that the first user node is part of a first group of users. The second certificate attests that the first group of users has permissions to perform the job in the end point node. Based on the owner public key and the first and second certificates, the processor validates the work request. In response to the work request being validated, the processor performs the job within the endpoint node.