Virtual Network Segments for Secure VM Lifecycle Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional platforms for managing application lifecycle in distributed computing environments face challenges such as security violations, inconsistent operations, and scalability issues due to multiple firewall openings and IP address management across virtual machines (VMs), lacking support for secure and automated deployment and lifecycle management (LCM) operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtual network segments that control traffic flow between entities, using a virtual infrastructure segment architecture to manage traffic from edge computing devices to VMs while blocking traffic in the opposite direction, and utilizing DHCP for automated IP address assignment, ensuring secure and consistent LCM operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple firewall openings are configured to allow communications between centralized orchestrator and VMs, then connectivity and manageability are improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual network segment as an intermediary component between the centralized orchestrator and VMs. This virtual network segment acts as a mediator that manages communications, allowing the orchestrator to reach VMs without requiring direct firewall openings on the host system. The virtual network segment handles the routing and security policies, thereby maintaining security while enabling connectivity and manageability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If individual firewall configurations are performed for each VM, then security control is improved, but device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the security management function into the virtual network segment, which is a shared component used by multiple VMs. Instead of configuring firewalls individually for each VM, the virtual network segment provides unified security control and routing policies that apply to all VMs. This consolidation reduces operational overhead and simplifies management while maintaining strong security control.
3Measurement precision
If manual IP address assignment is used across VMs, then control precision is improved, but productivity and scalability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements DHCP within the virtual network segment to enable automated IP address assignment. The virtual network segment itself provides IP addresses to VMs as they are deployed, eliminating the need for manual configuration. This self-service approach maintains precise IP address control through centralized DHCP management while significantly improving deployment speed and scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus and processor-readable storage media for secure application management using virtual network segments are provided herein. An example computer-implemented method includes establishing at least one bi-directional connection between a centralized orchestrator and at least one computing endpoint, and creating at least one virtual network segment on the computing endpoint, where the at least one virtual network segment controls routing of communications, tunneled over the established at least one bi-directional connection, between the centralized orchestrator and one or more software components hosted on the at least one computing endpoint. The method further includes routing at least one communication from the centralized orchestrator to a given one of the one or more software components using the at least one virtual network segment.