SED Infrastructure Orchestration With Centralized Key Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing on-premise computing infrastructure is challenging due to its complexity, inefficiencies, and the need for efficient resource utilization, particularly in handling self-encrypting disks (SEDs) within OpenStack deployments.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that includes an orchestrator module, server management module with encryption and decryption functions, key management module, file transfer module, and Intelligent Platform Management Interface module to automate the management of self-encrypting disks, ensuring secure and efficient resource orchestration and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual processes are used to manage on-premise computing infrastructure, then flexibility and control are maintained, but efficiency and error-proneness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service management of computing infrastructure through the orchestrator module that automatically provisions, configures, and manages computing resources without manual intervention. The server management module autonomously handles server lifecycle events including detection, provisioning, configuration, and decommissioning, eliminating manual processes while maintaining control through automated decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical processes of infrastructure management are replaced with automated software-based systems. The orchestrator module substitutes human operators with automated orchestration logic, while the server management module replaces manual server administration with automated agent-based management, thereby improving efficiency while reducing operational complexity through standardized automated procedures.
2Reliability
If self-encrypting disks are integrated into OpenStack deployments, then data security is improved, but management complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring disk states worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The server management module acts as an intermediary between the OpenStack orchestrator and self-encrypting disks, providing a standardized interface for encryption management. The module includes dedicated components for detecting encryption states, managing encryption keys, and controlling disk encryption/decryption operations, thereby simplifying the detection and measurement of disk states while maintaining security through centralized key management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server management module continuously monitors the encryption states of self-encrypting disks and reports status to the orchestrator. Automated feedback loops detect encryption state changes, key management events, and disk status, enabling the system to automatically respond to security events and maintain accurate tracking of encryption states without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If automated management systems are implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but system complexity and security vulnerability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated management system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the orchestrator module for high-level resource coordination, the server management module for server-specific operations, and embedded agents for hardware-level control. This segmentation isolates complexity within discrete components, making the system more manageable and secure by limiting the attack surface of each module while maintaining overall operational efficiency through modular communication protocols.
4Ease of operation
If traditional disparate tools are used for managing computing infrastructure, then ease of operation is maintained for individual tasks, but overall system integration and error-proneness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges previously disparate management tools into a unified orchestrator module that coordinates all computing infrastructure operations through a single standardized interface. The server management module combines provisioning, configuration, monitoring, and decommissioning functions into an integrated workflow, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools while maintaining ease of operation through a consistent user interface and automated coordination across all management tasks.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for managing a computing infrastructure with at least one self-encrypting disk connected to a customer network, involves accessing instructions that orchestrate compute resources and include modules for server management, key management, file transfer, and IPMI. The server management module receives requests from the orchestrator to start nodes and reconfigure hosts, boots hosts over provisioning networks, downloads images, and unlocks self-encrypting disks using passwords stored in the key management system. The method also includes soft rebooting hosts and removing their configuration to switch them back to customer networks.