Secure Shell Tunnel for Cross-Network Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing a direct, cross-network, and secure communication connection between two private communication networks that are topologically separate while maintaining strict security regulations is challenging due to conventional firewall concepts, which often require modifications and increased administration efforts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the setup of a secure shell tunnel connection through a network-internal switching unit and an application-level firewall unit, using a bootable Secure Shell client application and configuration data, to establish a direct, cross-network, and tap-proof communication connection without modifying the security settings of the second communication network, utilizing a symbolic address indicator as a 'connection ticket' to facilitate access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a direct communication connection is established between two private communication networks via a public communication network, then cross-network communication capability is improved, but security regulations and firewall protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A symbolic address indicator acts as an intermediary between the first communication device in the first private network and the second communication device in the second private network. This intermediary enables indirect addressing and connection establishment without direct exposure between the private networks, thereby maintaining security regulations while achieving cross-network communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection establishment process is segmented into multiple independent steps: first establishing a secure shell tunnel connection from the network-internal switching unit to the application-level firewall unit, then using the symbolic address indicator to facilitate the actual communication connection. This segmentation allows security mechanisms to be maintained at each stage while enabling overall cross-network communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional firewall concepts are modified to allow direct cross-network connections, then communication flexibility is improved, but administration efforts and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service communication establishment where the symbolic address indicator contains all necessary connection information, allowing communication devices to autonomously establish connections without requiring complex firewall configuration or administrative intervention. The firewall administration remains simple while communication flexibility is enhanced through the symbolic addressing mechanism.
3Reliability
If a secure shell tunnel connection is established before the direct communication connection, then security is improved, but connection establishment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A secure shell tunnel connection is established in advance as a preliminary action before the actual direct communication connection is needed. This pre-established tunnel provides a secure foundation that simplifies subsequent connection establishment, as the symbolic address indicator can leverage the already-secured tunnel rather than requiring security negotiations at the moment of connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages the lifecycle of the secure shell tunnel connection, establishing it when needed for cross-network communication and maintaining it as a reusable secure channel. This dynamic approach allows the tunnel to be created beforehand for security purposes while being actively managed to minimize unnecessary establishment time when actual communication is required.
Data Source
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AI summary
Before making the connection (8) to the internal communications unit (3.2star) of the second communications network (2.2), a secure shell tunnel connection (11) is formed to the second communication unit (3.2). Starting from the first communications unit (5.11) a direct, tap-proof network communications connection (8) is formed to the second communications unit (5.22), via the first and second intermediate unit (3.1, 3.2), the secure shell tunnel connection (11) and the communications unit (3.2star) internal to the network. At least one communications unit (5.21-5.24) provided in the second communications network is configured as a communications unit internal to the network (3.2star). The at least one communications unit (5.24) is initialized with a help of a bootable secure shell client application (15) (BSSCA) as a connection unit (3.21) internal to the network. For this purpose, the necessary communications data (18) is read out from memory (17) by the application, to make the BSSCA. The procedure is further detailed.