Patent · US Active

Driver domain as security monitor in virtualization environment

US8707417B1 · kind B1 · utility

52Cited by
0References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 14, 2012
Grant dateApr 22, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 18, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L63/0263
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A virtualization platform includes a number of virtual machines, one of which is configured as a driver domain and includes the network service control for routing network traffic between the other virtual machines. The privileged domain does not include the network service control. The network service control includes network backend interfaces and a virtual switch or bridge. The driver domain includes a PCI driver for direct communication with a network interface card. The driver domain includes hooking software and an inspection agent. Packets passing between the other virtual machines pass through the driver domain, are hooked, and are inspected by inspection agent to determine if they are malicious or not. Malicious packets are blocked. The driver domain may also utilize a PCI driver of the privileged domain for access to the network interface card. Platforms with or without pass-through mode may be used.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.