Web-Proxy Tunnel Gateway for Firewall Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inter-domain communication across firewalls is complex due to the need for multiple tunnels, which can compromise firewall integrity and expose protected domains to external threats, especially when managing many applications or domains.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a web-proxy system in the second domain that acts as a tunnel gateway, reducing the number of tunnels required by establishing a single tunnel from the first domain through the firewall to the web-proxy system, which then routes signals to multiple applications, thereby minimizing the number of holes needed in the firewall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tunnels are established to access multiple applications through a firewall, then inter-domain communication capability is improved, but device complexity and security risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple client systems and the firewall. This gateway server consolidates multiple tunnel connections into a single connection point, allowing multiple applications to communicate through the firewall without requiring separate tunnels for each application. The gateway server acts as a central hub that manages and routes communications, thereby reducing the overall complexity of tunnel management while maintaining versatile inter-domain communication capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If multiple holes are poked in the firewall to enable application communication, then communication accessibility is improved, but security and firewall integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication channels into a single consolidated tunnel connection. Instead of creating separate holes in the firewall for each application, the system combines all application communications through one unified tunnel established to the gateway server. This approach maintains ease of operation by allowing multiple applications to communicate effectively while preserving firewall integrity by minimizing the number of exposed holes in the firewall perimeter.
3Reliability
If a tunnel gateway is implemented to route signals through a single tunnel, then the number of firewall holes is reduced, but signal routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway server is designed with multi-functionality to handle various signal routing requirements through a single tunnel connection. It can identify, route, and manage communications for multiple different applications and client systems simultaneously. This universal design reduces the need for complex specialized routing configurations for each individual application, as the gateway server provides centralized intelligence for managing all communications through the single tunnel, thereby maintaining firewall integrity without proportionally increasing routing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for enabling communication between a first domain and a second domain is disclosed. At least the first domain is protected by a firewall. A first data-processing system is provided in the first domain and a second data-processing system provided in second domain. The second domain hosts an application that the first domain desires to access. To enable the communication between the two domains a tunnel is established through the firewall. The tunnel runs from the first data-processing system to the second data-processing system. The second data-processing system provides a web-proxy interface to interface to the application and also acts as a tunnel gateway.