Secure Multicast Tunneling via IPsec Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network communication methods, such as unicast and broadcast, are inefficient and insecure, especially when transmitting data to multiple recipients, as they require extensive bandwidth and can expose destination addresses, while multicast systems depend on network enablement and lack security.
Innovation Solution
A method for secure multicast transmission is implemented by establishing tunnels between routers, where group keys are generated and used to encrypt and encapsulate packets, allowing secure transmission over non-multicast enabled networks using unicast tunnels with IPsec and IKE protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unicast transmission is used to send data to multiple recipients, then each recipient receives the data, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly and transmission delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast transmission paths into a single multicast transmission path. Instead of sending separate copies of data packets to each recipient through individual unicast connections, the system combines these into one multicast stream that is forwarded by network routers to all intended recipients simultaneously, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while ensuring reliable delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the transmission process into two distinct phases: a secure unicast phase for establishing tunnels and exchanging group keys between the source and downstream routers, and an efficient multicast phase for actual data transmission. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from the security of unicast while achieving the bandwidth efficiency of multicast.
2Loss of energy
If multicast transmission is used to send data to multiple recipients, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but security is compromised as destination addresses become visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested tunnel structure where multicast data packets are encapsulated within unicast tunnels. The inner layer contains the secure multicast traffic with encrypted payloads, while the outer layer provides the unicast tunnel protection. This nesting allows the system to maintain the bandwidth efficiency of multicast while inheriting the security properties of unicast tunnels, as the destination addresses remain hidden within the encapsulated packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tunnel gateways as intermediary devices that facilitate secure multicast transmission. These gateways establish unicast tunnels with downstream routers, exchange group keys through the secure tunnel, and then forward encapsulated multicast packets. The intermediaries enable the system to benefit from both unicast security and multicast efficiency by mediating between the two transmission modes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional encryption is used in multicast, then data confidentiality is improved, but the system remains dependent on multicast-enabled networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using unicast tunnels (typically associated with point-to-point communication) to carry multicast traffic. Instead of requiring the network infrastructure to support multicast for secure transmission, the system uses unicast tunneling technology to create secure paths that can transport multicast packets, thereby enabling secure multicast over networks that would traditionally not support it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the unicast tunnel infrastructure multi-functional by enabling it to carry both unicast and multicast traffic. The tunnel gateway can establish unicast tunnels for key exchange and then use the same tunnel infrastructure to forward encapsulated multicast packets to multiple recipients. This universality allows a single tunnel mechanism to serve multiple communication modes, enhancing network compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Secure tunneled multicast transmission and reception through a network is provided. A join request may be received from a second tunnel endpoint, the join request indicating a multicast group to be joined. Group keys may be transmitted to the second tunnel endpoint, where the group keys are based at least on the multicast group. A packet received at the first tunnel endpoint may be cryptographically processed to generate an encapsulated payload. A header may be appended to the encapsulated payload to form an encapsulated packet, wherein the header includes information associated with the second tunnel endpoint. A tunnel may be established between the first tunnel endpoint and the second tunnel endpoint based on the appended header. The encapsulated packet may be transmitted through the tunnel to the second tunnel endpoint. The second tunnel endpoint may receive the encapsulated packet. Cryptographic processing of the encapsulated packet may reveal the packet having a second header. The packet may then be forwarded on an interface toward at least one multicast recipient identified in the second header.