TLS Session Ticket Hashing for Memory Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of transport layer security (TLS) session tickets in network environments is hindered by their variable size, which leads to resource constraints such as memory allocation issues and increased CPU utilization, affecting the scalability and performance of network security systems.
Innovation Solution
Transforming TLS session tickets into fixed-size session tokens using hashing algorithms like GOST, MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, RIPEMD-160, and WHIRLPOOL, allowing for optimized resource allocation and management of TLS sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TLS session tickets are managed in their original variable size form, then session security and completeness are maintained, but memory allocation becomes inefficient and CPU utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the variable-size session ticket into a fixed-size session token by applying a hashing algorithm. This parameter change from variable size to fixed size enables efficient memory allocation and reduced CPU utilization while maintaining session identification capability, directly resolving the contradiction between session security and memory allocation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy (hash representation) of the session ticket that retains the essential identifying characteristics while eliminating the burden of storing and processing the full variable-size ticket. This copy serves as a surrogate for session management purposes, improving productivity without compromising session security
2Reliability
If TLS session tickets are managed in their original variable size form, then complete session information is preserved, but system scalability is limited due to increased resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the size parameter from variable to fixed, the system can now handle a larger number of sessions with consistent resource requirements. This enables better scalability and adaptability while the hashing algorithm ensures that complete session information can still be retrieved when needed, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system scalability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the session management process into two parts: (1) using the fixed-size token for efficient storage, retrieval, and scalability, and (2) maintaining the ability to access complete session information through the server's session cache when needed. This segmentation allows the system to scale while preserving session information completeness
3Measurement precision
If variable size session tickets are used, then accurate session identification is maintained, but CPU utilization increases due to processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation from variable-size tickets to fixed-size tokens using hashing algorithms significantly reduces CPU utilization for session management operations. The hash function provides accurate session identification through its deterministic nature, while the fixed size eliminates the need for variable-length comparisons and processing, resolving the contradiction between identification accuracy and CPU utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of comparing variable-length session tickets with a more efficient hashing-based identification system. This substitution reduces the computational complexity from O(n) comparisons to O(1) hash lookups, dramatically lowering CPU utilization while maintaining precise session identification
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes identifying a transport layer security (TLS) session between a client and a server, parsing one or more TLS messages to identify a session ticket associated with the session, transforming the session ticket into a fixed size session token, and managing the session using the session token to identify the session. The transforming may include computing a hash value of the session ticket using a hashing algorithm. If any of the TLS messages is spread across more than one TLS protocol record, the method can include computing a hash value of a portion of the session ticket encountered in a TLS protocol record using a hashing algorithm, incrementally computing another hash value of another portion of the session ticket encountered in a subsequent TLS protocol record from the previously computed hash value, and repeating the incremental computing until portions of the session ticket have been processed.