Secure Access Management in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environments, establishing secure access control is challenging due to dynamically changing IP addresses and the need for role-based policies, especially when virtual machines (VMs) are instantiated on demand, as existing solutions struggle to enforce policies effectively in such dynamic scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a virtual machine request is processed through a portal, resulting in a dynamically created IP address and port number, accompanied by a secure token, which is then authenticated and managed by an identity service to enforce policies during communication sessions via an SSL VPN server, ensuring only authorized access to the VM.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VMs are dynamically instantiated with changing IP addresses, then flexibility and resource sharing are improved, but access control and policy enforcement become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic IP address assignment to VMs, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions and resource availability. The IP address is dynamically allocated when a VM is instantiated and can change over time, providing flexibility in resource sharing while maintaining access control through dynamic policy updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the access control server receives updates about VM IP address changes and dynamically adjusts access policies accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that access control remains effective despite dynamic IP assignments by continuously monitoring and updating the access control lists (ACLs) on network devices.
2Reliability
If role-based policies are enforced dynamically, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access control server as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of role-based policy enforcement. This server receives VM instantiation requests, determines appropriate access policies based on user roles, and automatically configures network devices without requiring complex manual intervention. The intermediary absorbs the complexity while maintaining strong security.
Solution Approach 2:
Access control policies are established in advance through role-based configurations before VMs are instantiated. The system pre-defines which users can access which VMs based on their roles, and this preliminary policy framework is automatically applied when VMs are created, reducing the complexity of real-time policy enforcement.
3Productivity
If IP addresses are dynamically assigned, then resource efficiency is improved, but trust establishment becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the access control server continuously monitors VM instantiation events and IP address assignments. This feedback allows the system to verify that VMs are created according to authorized patterns and that access requests conform to established policies, thereby maintaining customer trust despite dynamic IP assignments.
Solution Approach 2:
Access control policies are pre-configured based on customer roles and requirements before VMs are instantiated. This preliminary establishment of authorized access patterns creates a framework of trust that automatically validates each VM creation and access request, ensuring that dynamic resource allocation does not compromise security or customer confidence.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for secure access management to virtual environments are provided. A user authenticates to a portal for purposes of establishing a virtual machine (VM). The portal interacts with a cloud server and an identity server to authenticate the user, to acquire an Internet Protocol (IP) address and port number for the VM, and to obtain a secure token. The user then interacts with a secure socket layer virtual private network (SSL VPN) server to establish a SSL VPN session with the VM. The SSL VPN server also authenticates the token through the identity server and acquires dynamic policies to enforce during the SSL VPN session between the user and the VM (the VM managed by the cloud server).