Virtual Cluster Manager Node Encryption During Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods lack an integrated mechanism for encrypting a virtual cluster manager node and associated disks during deployment in a computing environment, posing security risks and increasing the risk of data loss.
Innovation Solution
A management node with a cluster deployment unit that retrieves resource information from a blueprint, creates a clustered datastore, deploys the virtual cluster manager node, and encrypts it along with associated disks using encryption information from a key provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption is not applied during deployment of virtual cluster manager node, then deployment process is simple and fast, but data center security is compromised and risk of data loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by integrating encryption operations into the deployment process itself. The key provider is configured before the virtual cluster manager node is deployed, and encryption is applied during the deployment process rather than as a separate post-deployment step. This ensures security is built-in from the beginning while maintaining process efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a key provider as an intermediary component that manages encryption keys and facilitates secure encryption operations. The key provider acts as a mediator between the deployment process and the encryption mechanism, handling key generation, storage, and application automatically. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall deployment process by abstracting the complexity of encryption management while ensuring security requirements are met.
2Reliability
If encryption is applied during deployment of virtual cluster manager node, then data center security is enhanced, but deployment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the deployment process to automatically configure and apply encryption without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically retrieves encryption settings from the blueprint, configures the key provider, and applies encryption to the virtual cluster manager node and associated disks during deployment. This automated self-service approach maintains ease of operation while ensuring security requirements are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by creating a blueprint-based configuration system that handles multiple deployment scenarios with a single unified approach. The blueprint contains encryption settings that can be applied across different deployment contexts, and the key provider serves multiple functions including key generation, key storage, and key management. This universal approach simplifies operations by providing a consistent encryption mechanism across various deployment situations.
3Reliability
If manual encryption configuration is performed after deployment, then security can be implemented, but deployment time increases and security gaps may exist during the unprotected period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the security gap by performing encryption configuration as a preliminary action during the deployment process itself. The encryption settings are retrieved from the blueprint before deployment begins, and the key provider is configured and ready before the virtual cluster manager node is deployed. This ensures data is protected from the moment of deployment rather than requiring post-deployment configuration, thereby maintaining security without extending deployment time.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An example method for encrypting clusters during deployment may include retrieving, from a blueprint, resource information required to deploy a cluster including a host computing system and a virtual cluster manager node to manage the host computing system. The resource information may include host information and disk information required to deploy the virtual cluster manager node, and encryption information associated with a key provider. Based on the host information and the disk information, a clustered datastore may be created on the host computing system. Further, the virtual cluster manager node may be deployed on the clustered datastore. Based on the encryption information associated with the key provider, the virtual cluster manager node and associated disks may be encrypted. Upon encrypting the virtual cluster manager node, a cluster may be created and the host computing system may be added to the cluster.