Server-Side Connection Classification for Secure Domain Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in securely connecting remote clients to servers over insecure networks, particularly in determining the origin of connection requests and configuring secure connections for elevated services access.

Innovation Solution

A method where a server classifies connection requests, creates a customized installation file, and downloads it to the client to establish a secure connection, allowing the client to join the server's domain and access secure services, using classification to determine if the request originated off-premises and configuring the client for specific secure connection mechanisms based on its parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a client connects to a server over an insecure network, then the connection can be established, but security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidsecurity risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary classification of the connection request to determine whether it originates from inside or outside the domain network. Based on this classification, the server prepares and transmits an installation file to the client before the actual secure connection is needed. This preliminary action enables the client to be pre-configured with the appropriate secure connection mechanism, resolving the contradiction by establishing security before the harmful exposure occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The installation file acts as an intermediary between the server and client. It contains the secure connection mechanism that the client must install before establishing a secure connection to the server. This intermediary component enables secure communication over insecure networks by mediating the trust relationship between client and server, allowing connection establishment while preventing security compromises.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the server sends a configuration mechanism to the client, then secure connection can be established, but the process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure connectionVSAvoidconnection process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection process is segmented into distinct phases: (1) initial connection request, (2) classification of request origin, (3) transmission of installation file, (4) installation of secure connection mechanism, and (5) establishment of secure connection. This segmentation reduces complexity by breaking down the overall process into manageable steps, each with clear objectives and outcomes, making the secure connection establishment more reliable while reducing the complexity burden on any single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server changes parameters based on the classification result. When the request is classified as originating from outside the domain network, the server transmits a specific installation file containing the appropriate secure connection mechanism. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt the connection process to different scenarios, improving reliability for secure connections while managing complexity by only activating additional steps when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the server classifies connection requests to determine origin, then security control is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoidconnection processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The classification of connection requests is performed as a preliminary action during the initial connection phase. By determining the origin of the request early in the process, the server can efficiently decide whether to transmit an installation file or proceed directly to secure connection establishment. This preliminary classification improves access control reliability while minimizing time loss by making quick decisions about the connection path without requiring extensive processing at later stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10009318B2Connecting to a cloud service for secure access
Publication Date: 2018.06.26 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US10009318B2 patent drawing
  • US10009318B2 patent drawing
  • US10009318B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A client may connect to a server over an insecure network by downloading and configuring a secure connection mechanism to the server. The secure connection mechanism may allow the client to join a domain when connected to the server and access domain level services. The server may receive a request from the client, classify the connection type, and used the classification to determine whether the request originated off premises. If so, the server may send a configuration mechanism to the client, which may then establish a secure connection to the server. Once the secure connection is established, the server may join the client to the server's domain and begin secure operations.