Secure Storage Server Configuration Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual configuration of security settings for servers is time-consuming, error-prone, and introduces risks of data theft due to human involvement.

Innovation Solution

A management device with secure storage pre-loads security elements like passwords and certificates, which are used to automatically configure servers upon request, ensuring secure and error-free deployment while protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual configuration of security settings is performed, then flexibility and control are improved, but time consumption and error rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration controlVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Security elements (passwords, certificates, cryptographic keys) are pre-loaded into secure storage before server deployment. The configuration system automatically retrieves and applies these pre-prepared security elements during server provisioning, eliminating manual configuration steps while maintaining security control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Security configurations are standardized and replicated across multiple servers through automated provisioning. Template-based security element distributions ensure consistent security settings are copied to numerous servers simultaneously, reducing both time and potential human errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration of security settings is performed, then adaptability to specific needs is improved, but risk of data theft and security breaches increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoiddata theft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A configuration system acts as an intermediary between administrators and security elements. The system automatically manages the provisioning, distribution, and rotation of security elements without requiring human handlers to directly access sensitive data, thereby reducing data theft risk while maintaining configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Servers automatically provision themselves with security elements from secure storage without human intervention. The system self-manages cryptographic key generation, certificate distribution, and password management, eliminating human error and exposure risks while adapting to specific server requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated configuration using pre-loaded security elements is implemented, then productivity and consistency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidsecure storage management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual mechanical processes of security element distribution are replaced with automated digital provisioning systems. The configuration system automatically retrieves security elements from secure storage and applies them to servers through programmatic interfaces, significantly increasing productivity while managing complexity through automation rather than manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If security elements are stored in secure storage for automated provisioning, then security and consistency are improved, but access control and management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity consistencyVSAvoidaccess control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secure storage system is designed with universal access control mechanisms that serve multiple functions: authentication, authorization, encryption key management, and audit logging. This multi-functional approach maintains security consistency across different operations while managing access control complexity through a unified system rather than separate mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11544381B2Configuration of server using stored security elements

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

In one implementation, a computing device includes a secure storage to store a plurality of security elements, a processor, and a storage medium including instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor to: receive a configuration request for a first server, the configuration request including one or more logical references to security settings of the first server; retrieve, from the secure storage, one or more security elements corresponding to the one or more logical references in the configuration request; and configure an operating system volume for the first server based on the configuration request and the one or more security elements.