SDN Controller Security Zone Allocation for Data Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communications systems based on software-defined networking (SDN) face challenges in securely controlling and managing data exchange across different security zones, particularly in ensuring that data are forwarded only within designated security zones and preventing unauthorized data transmission across subnets.
Innovation Solution
The method involves allocating communications devices and data to specific security zones and specifying forwarding rules that are dynamically defined and distributed across network infrastructure components, ensuring that data are forwarded only within their allocated security zones, with a 'secure by default' approach where data are not forwarded unless explicitly permitted by a forwarding rule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data are allowed to be forwarded across subnets without strict control, then network flexibility and data exchange capability are improved, but security compliance deteriorates as data may leave designated security zones
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple security zones with distinct security requirements. Each security zone is isolated from others, and data are allocated to specific security zones based on their security requirements. This segmentation ensures that data cannot leave their designated security zones unless explicitly permitted by forwarding rules, thereby maintaining security compliance while allowing flexible data exchange within zones.
Solution Approach 2:
A logically centralized control instance (SDN controller) acts as an intermediary between communications devices and network infrastructure components. The controller centrally manages forwarding rules, allocates data to security zones, and distributes forwarding rules to network infrastructure components. This intermediary ensures secure data exchange by enforcing security policies while maintaining network flexibility through centralized control.
2Reliability
If strict forwarding rules are enforced to prevent data from leaving security zones, then security compliance is improved, but network flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The forwarding rules are dynamically managed by a centralized control instance that can adapt to changing network conditions and security requirements. The control instance receives allocation requests, determines appropriate security zones, and dynamically distributes forwarding rules to network infrastructure components. This dynamic approach maintains security compliance while allowing network flexibility through adaptive rule management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of forwarding rules based on security zone allocations and data characteristics. Forwarding rules are configured with specific parameters such as permitted destination security zones, data types, and communication patterns. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system enforces security compliance while maintaining necessary network flexibility for legitimate data exchange.
3Reliability
If a centralized control instance manages all forwarding rules, then security control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex security control logic is extracted from individual network infrastructure components and concentrated in a single logically centralized control instance. This extraction allows security policies to be managed centrally without burdening individual switches or routers with complex decision-making logic. The control instance handles security zone allocation, forwarding rule generation, and distribution, thereby improving security control while keeping individual network components relatively simple.
4Ease of operation
If forwarding rules are predefined and distributed to network components, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to changing security requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control instance implements a feedback mechanism where it continuously monitors network conditions, security zone allocations, and data exchange patterns. Based on this feedback, the control instance dynamically adjusts forwarding rules and redistributes them to network infrastructure components. This feedback loop ensures ease of operation through automated rule management while maintaining high adaptability to changing security requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a communications system, in particular a communications system based on software-defined networking, which has at least one network infrastructure component, in particular an SDN switch, and at least one communications device, the network infrastructure component being developed for forwarding data to and/or from the at least one communications device. The method includes the following steps: allocating the communications device to at least one security zone; specifying at least one forwarding rule for forwarding data by the network infrastructure component to and/or from the communications device, the specification of the forwarding rule taking place under consideration of the security zone.