Virtual Machine Password Vaults for Path-Independent Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual machine security measures in desktop environments are inadequate, allowing unauthorized access and failing to ensure secure migration and configuration changes, leading to issues in BYOD scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A password vault integrated with the host operating system is used to store and manage virtual machine passwords, generating a unique identifier independent of the VM's file path, ensuring secure access and migration by decoupling the password from the storage location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If virtual machine state is saved to host operating system for later use, then accessibility and usability are improved, but security is worsened as the state becomes accessible to other users without appropriate credentials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a password vault as an intermediary mechanism between the virtual machine state and other users. The password vault acts as a mediator that controls access to the saved VM state, requiring authentication credentials before allowing access. This resolves the contradiction by enabling accessibility while preventing unauthorized access through the intermediary security layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the access control mechanism by separating the virtual machine state storage from the authentication mechanism. The password vault is a distinct component that manages credentials independently from the VM state files. This segmentation allows the system to provide both accessibility (through the vault's retrieval function) and security (through independent credential verification), resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If password is tied to virtual machine file path for storage, then storage organization is improved, but flexibility and migration capability are worsened when VM needs to be moved or reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the password storage dependency from the virtual machine file path. Instead of storing passwords within or alongside the VM files, the system extracts the password management function to a separate password vault mechanism. This extraction allows the VM to be migrated or reconfigured without requiring password relocation or reconfiguration, as the password vault operates independently of the VM's storage location, thus resolving the contradiction between storage organization and migration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to password storage by moving from path-based storage to a centralized vault-based storage model. Rather than organizing passwords by file path (two-dimensional: directory structure + filename), the system uses a dimensional shift to a credential management layer that is independent of file system organization. This dimensional change enables flexible VM migration while maintaining secure and organized password storage.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure are directed to password management of virtual machines in a virtual machine environment. A password can be obtained that corresponds to a virtual machine. The password can be associated with a password identifier that is generated independent of a storage location of the files associated with the virtual machine. An operating system password vault can be utilized that stores the password and password identifier.