Wireless Mesh Configuration Network for Secure Data Center Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network infrastructure faces challenges in secure configuration and management, particularly in data centers, where wired networks are vulnerable to security breaches and maintenance complexities due to the need for physical connections and shared communication media.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a short-range wireless mesh network, such as Bluetooth, to create a secure administrative network that allows devices to connect and configure securely before accessing the production network, using mesh nodes to relay communications and enable peer-to-peer connections, thereby reducing the reliance on physical wired connections and enhancing security and maintenance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired networks are used for network infrastructure connections, then reliable communication and stable connectivity are achieved, but security vulnerabilities increase and maintenance complexity increases due to physical connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wired-to-wireless bridge device as an intermediary component that physically connects to the wired network infrastructure but provides wireless communication interfaces for administrative devices. This bridge acts as a mediator that isolates administrative wireless traffic from the production wired network, allowing secure configuration and management without direct wired connections to production devices.
2Ease of operation
If wired connections are used for device configuration and management, then direct access to production network is achieved, but security risk increases and physical access requirements complicate maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into distinct functional zones: a production wired network for data traffic and an administrative wireless network for management traffic. Administrative devices connect wirelessly to configuration targets through the bridge, creating separate communication paths that prevent unauthorized access to production systems while maintaining ease of configuration and management operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If wireless mesh network is implemented for administrative access, then security is enhanced and physical connection requirements are reduced, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless mesh network is configured to operate autonomously for administrative purposes, with devices automatically discovering and connecting to the network through standard wireless protocols. The bridge device manages the connection between wired infrastructure and wireless administrative nodes without requiring manual configuration of each administrative device, reducing overall network complexity while maintaining security enhancements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to allow configuration of network devices via a Bluetooth® (or other short range wireless) configuration network using a mesh network implementation. This configuration mesh network may represent a mesh network independent of any active wired or production network within an enterprise computer system. For security of a network infrastructure for the enterprise computer system, wired ports on network infrastructure devices may be disabled prior to configuration via the configuration mesh network. New devices may be physically but not communicatively connected to the production network (e.g., cables may be connected to disabled ports) and then configuration may be performed via the configuration mesh network to allow the new devices to become active (e.g., join with production devices) within the network infrastructure. Run-time configurations for production devices may also be maintained using a separate configuration mesh network.