Client Initiated Restore via Application Server Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
System administrators often become bottlenecks in running applications that require access to user data for comprehensive services, such as backup applications, limiting user autonomy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows clients to restore their own data from backup data sets by authenticating user requests and managing access to backup operations through an application server, enabling multiple simultaneous restore operations while preserving access limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If system administrator runs backup application, then comprehensive access to all user data is achieved, but system administrator becomes a bottleneck and user autonomy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup application's functionality by creating separate restore operations for different user accounts. Each user can independently restore their own files without requiring system administrator intervention, dividing the monolithic administrative control into distributed user-level operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables users to perform self-service restore operations by allowing them to authenticate and restore their own files directly through the backup application. This eliminates the need for users to request assistance from system administrators, empowering them to independently manage their data restoration needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If system administrator is the only one able to run backup application, then access control is maintained, but user independence is reduced and administrative workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that verifies user identities and authorizes restore operations without requiring system administrator involvement. The application server acts as a mediator, validating user credentials and granting appropriate access rights automatically, thus simplifying the access control process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup application is designed to serve multiple user accounts simultaneously, with each user able to perform restore operations independently. The system universally supports multiple users with different access levels, allowing the same application to function for both system administrator and individual user contexts.
3Productivity
If multiple users can restore data simultaneously, then system efficiency is improved, but access control and data security become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control that adjusts permissions based on the requesting user's identity and the specific restore operation. The system dynamically evaluates authentication credentials and grants or denies access in real-time, allowing multiple simultaneous restore operations while maintaining security through context-aware authorization decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Client initiated restore is disclosed. An indication is received from a client computer that a restore operation is desired. Access to a backup data associated with the client computer is provided to the client computer. The backup data associated with the client computer comprises a subset of a backup data set that includes both backup data associated with the client computer and backup data not associated with the client computer.