On-Demand Virtual Private Network Environments for Serverless Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
The creation and configuration of virtual private networks (VPNs) for secure code execution in data centers require significant expertise and can lead to security vulnerabilities due to misconfiguration, and the continuous maintenance of VPNs results in inefficient use of computing resources.
Innovation Solution
A programmatically configured on-demand code execution system that creates and manages virtual private network environments on demand, deriving network permissions from existing task permissions to simplify configuration and enforce security policies, thereby reducing the need for manual intervention and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtual private networks are manually configured for code execution, then security is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically configures virtual private networks and derives network permissions from task permissions without requiring manual intervention. The code execution service autonomously creates VPEs, configures network access policies, and manages resource allocation based on task requirements, eliminating the need for experts to manually configure VPNs while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures virtual private network environments before code execution begins. By deriving network permissions from task permissions in advance and setting up isolated network environments beforehand, the system ensures security is built-in from the start rather than requiring complex post-configuration adjustments.
2Reliability
If virtual private networks are continuously maintained, then security is improved, but productivity decreases due to inefficient resource usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically creates and destroys virtual private network environments based on real-time task execution needs. VPEs are provisioned when tasks require network access and automatically torn down when no longer needed, allowing the system to maintain security during execution while optimizing resource utilization by eliminating idle network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic provisioning and deprovisioning of virtual private network environments synchronized with task execution cycles. Network resources are activated periodically when tasks are submitted and deactivated periodically when tasks complete, creating a rhythm of resource allocation that balances security requirements with resource efficiency.
3Reliability
If manual configuration of virtual networks is required, then security control is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically derives network permissions from task permissions and configures virtual private network access without requiring user intervention. Users simply submit tasks with their required network access specifications, and the system autonomously translates these into appropriate VPE configurations, maintaining security control while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer that automatically translates high-level task permissions into detailed network configuration parameters. This intermediary service acts as a mediator between user intent and complex network infrastructure, deriving appropriate network access policies from task requirements and handling all configuration details without user involvement.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for providing on-demand virtual private environments (VPEs) to serverless code executions. Each VPE can represent a logical isolated network environment. On receiving a request to execute code, an on-demand code execution system can generate a VPE for the code and provision the VPE with network endpoints and gateways that provide access to network services and locations that the code is permitted to access, which services and locations can be identified based on permissions for the code. The on-demand code execution system can then execute the code within an execution environment attached to the VPE, such that network transmissions caused by the code are subject to network-level enforcement of the permissions for the code.