Check out the new USENIX Web site. Check out the new USENIX Web site.

USENIX Home . About USENIX . Events . membership . Publications . Students
USENIX 2004 Annual Technical Conference, FREENIX Track — Abstract

Pp. 231–236 of the Proceedings

A New Distributed Security Model for Linux Clusters

Makan Pourzandi, Open Systems Lab, Ericsson Research

Abstract

With the increasing use of clusters in different domains, efficient and flexible security has now become an essential requirement for clusters, though many security mechanisms exist, there is a need to develop more flexible and coherent security mechanisms for large distributed applications.

In this paper, we present the need for a unified cluster wide security space for large distributed applications. Based on these needs, we propose a new security model that implements security zones inside the cluster. The model is an extension to Mandatory Access Control (MAC) mechanisms used at node level to the whole cluster with processes as basic security entities.

We designed this model with clustered Linux servers running carrier-grade applications in mind but this model can be used in any domain that needs Linux clusters running large distributed applications continuously with no interruptions. We prove the feasibility of this approach through an open source implementation of the concept [1].

  • View the full text of this paper in PDF.
    The Proceedings are published as a collective work, © 2004 by the USENIX Association. All Rights Reserved. Rights to individual papers remain with the author or the author's employer. Permission is granted for the noncommercial reproduction of the complete work for educational or research purposes. USENIX acknowledges all trademarks within this paper.

  • If you need the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it from Adobe's site.
To become a USENIX Member, please see our Membership Information.

?Need help? Use our Contacts page.

Last changed: 3 June 2004 ch
Technical Program
USENIX '04 Home
USENIX home