{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853942","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853942","title":"Load balancing among a cluster of firewall security devices","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-08-09T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","G06F","G06F","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"A method for balancing load among firewall security devices (FSDs) is provided. According to one embodiment, imminent shutdown of a first cluster unit of an HA cluster of FSDs is gracefully handled by a switching device. A load balancing (LB) table, forming associations between hash values output by the LB function and corresponding ports of the switching device to which the cluster units are coupled, is maintained. The first cluster unit is coupled to a first port. Responsive to imminent shutdown of the first cluster unit: (i) a second cluster unit, coupled to a second port, is selected to perform security services on traffic sessions handled by the first cluster unit; and (ii) the LB table is updated by replacing reference(s) to the first port with reference(s) to the second port. Security services for subsequently received network traffic associated with the traffic sessions is performed by the second cluster unit."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Load Balancing Among a Cluster of Firewall Security Devices patent describes a method for efficiently distributing network traffic across multiple firewall security devices (FSDs) to enhance network security and availability. The core innovation involves a switching device that maintains a load balancing (LB) table, which maps hash values to specific ports connected to the FSDs. This system addresses the problem of single points of failure in traditional firewall architectures by enabling graceful handling of FSD shutdowns. When an FSD is scheduled for shutdown, the LB table is dynamically updated to redirect traffic to another available FSD, ensuring seamless failover. The key technical approach involves selecting a second cluster unit to perform security services on traffic sessions previously handled by the shutting-down unit and updating the LB table accordingly. This technology offers significant business value by reducing network downtime, improving performance, and enhancing security posture. It has applications in various industries, including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, where network security is critical. The market opportunity for this technology is substantial, as organizations increasingly rely on robust and resilient firewall systems to protect their critical network infrastructure. The Load Balancing Among a Cluster of Firewall Security Devices patent represents a valuable solution for organizations seeking to enhance their security posture and ensure business continuity.","layman_explanation":"1. What Problem Does This Solve?\nIn simple terms, this patent addresses the problem of network downtime caused by firewall failures. Firewalls are essential for protecting networks from cyber threats, but traditional setups often rely on a single firewall device. If that device fails, the entire network can go down, leading to lost productivity, revenue, and potential security breaches. Existing solutions often lack the ability to seamlessly switch to a backup firewall, resulting in service interruptions.\n\n2. How Does It Work?\nThis patent describes a system that uses a cluster of firewalls working together. Imagine a team of security guards instead of just one. A smart 'traffic cop' (load balancer) distributes network traffic among these firewalls. If one firewall needs to be taken offline for maintenance or experiences a failure, the traffic cop automatically reroutes the traffic to the other firewalls. This happens without any interruption to the network. It's like a relay race where the baton is passed smoothly from one runner to the next.\n\n3. Why Does This Matter?\nThis technology matters because it ensures that networks remain online and protected even when a firewall fails. This is especially important for businesses that rely on their networks for critical operations, such as e-commerce, online banking, and healthcare. By preventing downtime, this patent can save businesses significant amounts of money and improve customer satisfaction. It also enhances security by ensuring that the network is always protected by a working firewall.\n\n4. What's Next?\nFuture applications of this technology could include integration with cloud-based security services and the development of even more intelligent load balancing algorithms. Market adoption is expected to increase as businesses become more aware of the risks associated with single-point-of-failure firewall systems. Investment implications are positive, as this technology offers a compelling solution to a growing problem in the cybersecurity landscape.","technical_analysis":"The Load Balancing Among a Cluster of Firewall Security Devices patent presents a sophisticated approach to enhancing network security through intelligent traffic distribution across a cluster of firewall security devices (FSDs). The technical architecture centers around a switching device that maintains a load balancing (LB) table. This table is crucial for mapping hash values, derived from network traffic sessions, to specific ports on the switching device, each connected to an FSD. The LB function generates these hash values, ensuring consistent routing of traffic to the same FSD for a given session. Implementation details involve a mechanism for dynamically updating the LB table when an FSD is scheduled for shutdown or experiences a failure. This update process selects a second FSD to take over the traffic sessions previously handled by the affected unit. The selection algorithm can consider various factors, such as the current load on each FSD, resource availability, and priority settings. The LB table is then modified to replace references to the port of the affected FSD with references to the port of the new FSD. This ensures that subsequent traffic associated with those sessions is routed to the new FSD. The integration patterns for this technology involve seamless integration with existing network infrastructure. The switching device can be implemented as a standalone appliance or integrated into existing network switches. The performance characteristics of this system are significantly enhanced compared to traditional single-firewall architectures. By distributing traffic across multiple FSDs, the system can handle higher traffic loads and provide better response times. The code-level implications of this technology involve implementing the LB function, the LB table update mechanism, and the FSD selection algorithm. These components must be carefully designed and implemented to ensure optimal performance and reliability. The Load Balancing Among a Cluster of Firewall Security Devices patent provides a valuable foundation for building highly resilient and scalable firewall systems.","business_analysis":"The Load Balancing Among a Cluster of Firewall Security Devices patent offers a compelling business proposition in the realm of network security. The market opportunity is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on robust and resilient firewall systems to protect critical network infrastructure. The size of the network security market is estimated to be billions of dollars annually, with a significant portion dedicated to firewall solutions. This patent provides a competitive advantage by offering a more reliable and scalable firewall architecture compared to traditional single-firewall systems. The key competitive advantages include reduced network downtime, improved performance, and enhanced security posture. These advantages translate into tangible business benefits, such as increased revenue, reduced operating costs, and improved customer satisfaction. The revenue potential for this technology is significant. It can be monetized through various business models, such as licensing, subscription services, and hardware sales. The strategic positioning of this technology is strong. It addresses a critical need for high availability and fault tolerance in firewall systems, which is increasingly important in today's interconnected world. The ROI projections for implementing this technology are favorable. The reduction in network downtime alone can justify the investment, as downtime can cost businesses thousands or even millions of dollars per hour. The Load Balancing Among a Cluster of Firewall Security Devices patent represents a valuable investment opportunity for organizations seeking to enhance their network security and ensure business continuity. Its innovative approach to load balancing and failover provides a robust and scalable solution for protecting critical network infrastructure.","faqs":null,"topics":["load balancing","firewall security","network security","high availability","cybersecurity","balancing","among","cluster"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Load Balancing Among Firewalls - Patent US-9853942","description":"Discover how Load Balancing Among a Cluster of Firewall Security Devices improves network security and availability. Full patent analysis and technical details.","keywords":["load balancing","firewall security","network security","high availability","cybersecurity","patent","patent US-9853942"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853942","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853942","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Load balancing among a cluster of firewall security devices\" (US-9853942). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853942","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853942","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853942","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T16:37:59.982Z"}