Transparent Data Tunnel via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network applications face difficulties in setting up secure connections across firewalls, requiring complex configurations that are challenging for non-technical users and increase security risks by potentially opening avenues for malicious access.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for creating a transparent data tunnel using a tunnel server that connects a network application on one processor to a target service on another processor, bypassing the need for firewall configuration by using a loopback adapter and control protocol packets to relay data through an unconfigured firewall, ensuring secure and user-friendly communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firewall configuration is required to establish network connections, then security protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tunnel server as an intermediary component that mediates between the network application and the target service. The tunnel server establishes a controlled data tunnel that bypasses the need for firewall configuration on client systems, while maintaining security through centralized authentication and connection management. This resolves the contradiction by preserving firewall security protection while eliminating complex firewall configuration requirements for users.
2Ease of operation
If firewall ports are opened to allow network access, then ease of operation is improved, but security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel server acts as a secure intermediary that eliminates the need to open firewall ports on client systems. All network traffic flows through the tunnel server's controlled connections, maintaining security while enabling network access. The server-side implementation ensures that only authenticated connections can establish data tunnels, preventing unauthorized access while keeping client firewalls in their default secure state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic authentication and connection establishment through the tunnel server, eliminating the need for manual firewall configuration. The tunnel server automatically manages connection security, authentication, and data tunnel establishment, providing self-service functionality that maintains security without requiring user intervention in firewall settings.
3Reliability
If complex firewall configuration procedures are required, then security protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel server serves as a centralized intermediary that handles all security and connection management functions. By moving the complexity of firewall configuration, authentication, and connection management to the server side, the client systems remain simple with no configuration required. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining security protection through sophisticated server-side mechanisms while keeping client devices simple and easy to use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic connection establishment and security management through the tunnel server, eliminating the need for users to perform complex firewall configuration procedures. The tunnel server automatically handles authentication, connection setup, and data tunnel management, making the system simple to use while maintaining robust security through automated server-side processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transparently transferring data between a network application running on a first processor and a target service running on a second processor through a tunnel server running on a third processor, the method comprising: connecting a target program running on the second processor to the tunnel server; connecting a client program running on the first processor to the tunnel server; connecting the network application to the client program through a network adapter running on the first processor; sending data from network application to the tunnel server through the client program; connecting the target program to the target service through a network adapter running on the second processor; and relaying data from the tunnel server to the target service through the target program.