SSL Certificate CN Field Server Migration Redirect
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Solution Overview
Problem
SSL-enabled clients face issues when migrating services to a new server due to mismatches in the common name (CN) element of SSL certificates, leading to errors and requiring manual configuration updates, which can be complex and disruptive, especially when old and new servers need to coexist.
Innovation Solution
Embedding a message in the CN of a new SSL certificate directing clients to the new server, allowing for transparent reconfiguration of SSL settings, ensuring seamless communication between old and new servers by signing the new certificate with the original server's key and using a certificate change configurator to update client configurations automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SSL certificate CN element is matched against requested server name, then authentication security is improved, but server migration flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the CN field in SSL certificate) that can hold alternative server names. When a client connects to a server, the server presents an SSL certificate with a CN field containing the new server name. The client's SSL library automatically updates its configuration to use this new name, serving as a mediator between the old and new server names during migration, thus maintaining security while enabling flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the new server name in the CN field of the SSL certificate before the migration is complete. This allows the client to be proactively reconfigured with the new server name in advance, rather than requiring manual intervention after migration. The automatic update mechanism is prepared and waiting to execute when the certificate is presented.
2Measurement precision
If manual configuration update is required for server migration, then authentication precision is improved, but operation complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the client's SSL library to automatically update its own configuration without human intervention. When the client receives an SSL certificate with a new server name in the CN field, the SSL library automatically parses this information and updates its internal configuration to use the new name. This eliminates the need for manual configuration updates while maintaining authentication precision through the structured CN field format.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If old server is kept operational during migration, then service continuity is improved, but configuration management complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by enabling clients to periodically retrieve updated SSL certificates from the server. During the migration period when both old and new servers are operational, clients continuously connect to the server, receive updated certificates with the new server name in the CN field, and automatically update their configuration. This periodic certificate renewal mechanism allows smooth transition between servers without requiring complex manual configuration management.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for authenticating a secure communication is described. A server receives a request from a client for an original SSL certificate. The server embeds a message in a common name (CN) of a new SSL certificate directing the client to another server. The client is transparently reconfigured and establishes a secure communication with the other server using the new SSL certificate.