VRF Encryption Management via Unique Identifier Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing policy configurations and encryption for virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) in computing environments is challenging due to difficulties in allocating and maintaining rules across routing gateways, particularly in determining the need for intra-VRF or inter-VRF encryption.
Innovation Solution
A management service identifies unique VRF identifiers and route targets to determine whether communications require intra-VRF or inter-VRF encryption, generating and distributing corresponding encryption keys to edge gateways for secure communication between computing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If static modification or deletion of rules is used to manage VRF policies, then policy management is achieved, but the complexity and difficulty of configuring and maintaining VRFs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines whether intra-VRF or inter-VRF encryption is required by comparing unique identifiers, and automatically allocates appropriate encryption keys to edge gateways without requiring manual static modification of rules. This self-service approach eliminates manual policy management while maintaining security requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A management service acts as an intermediary between VRFs and edge gateways, handling the complex tasks of identifier comparison, encryption type determination, and key allocation. This intermediary simplifies the operation for network administrators while managing the underlying complexity automatically.
2Reliability
If manual determination of encryption requirements is used for VRF communications, then encryption policies can be enforced, but the time and effort required for configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each VRF is pre-assigned a unique identifier and each route target is pre-registered with its associated VRF identifier. When communications are initiated, the management service automatically compares these pre-configured identifiers to determine the required encryption type, eliminating the need for manual determination at configuration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The management service continuously monitors VRF communications, compares unique identifiers in real-time, and dynamically allocates encryption keys based on the determined encryption requirements. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable encryption enforcement while automating the entire process.
3Reliability
If multiple encryption key types are maintained for different VRF communications, then security is improved, but the complexity of managing different key types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different encryption key types (intra-VRF or inter-VRF) locally based on the specific communication requirements determined by comparing unique identifiers. Each communication flow receives the appropriate encryption type without requiring manual configuration, and edge gateways receive only the specific key type they need for their particular VRF communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The management service dynamically changes the encryption key parameter being allocated based on the comparison of unique identifiers. When intra-VRF communication is detected, intra-VRF encryption keys are allocated; when inter-VRF communication is detected, inter-VRF encryption keys are allocated. This automatic parameter adjustment simplifies key management while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems, methods, and software to manage virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) in a computing environments. In one example, a management service identifies a registration or import of a route target (RT) to communicate in a VRF and identifies a first unique identifier associated with the RT. The management service further identifies a second unique identifier associated with the VRF and compares the first unique identifier to the second unique identifier. When the unique identifiers match, the management service determines that intra-VRF encryption is required for the communication. In contrast, when the unique identifiers do not match, then the management service determine that inter-VRF encryption is required for the communication.