Email-Based Management Interface for Virtualized Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing virtualized data centers from mobile devices is challenging due to the need for compatibility with various hardware and software platforms, and existing solutions lack a cross-platform method for remote management that ensures security and integrity.
Innovation Solution
A cross-platform mechanism that allows administrators to compose and send e-mail messages containing commands to a system configured to process and execute them, using authentication and authorization techniques to ensure security, enabling remote management of virtualized computing environments from mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a management terminal software application is developed for mobile devices, then administrators can remotely manage virtualized data centers, but compatibility across various hardware and software platforms becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an email server as an intermediary component that receives commands from administrators via email clients on any platform and translates them into management instructions. This intermediary layer decouples the platform-independent email interface from the platform-specific management terminal software, allowing administrators to use any email client while the system handles the complexity of platform compatibility internally through the email server mediation
2Reliability
If platform-specific management terminal software is used, then compatibility with certain devices is ensured, but the complexity of supporting multiple platforms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the email server universally compatible with all platforms by design, as email is a platform-independent protocol. The email server performs multiple functions: receiving commands, validating authentication, translating email content into management instructions, and sending responses. This single universal component replaces the need for multiple platform-specific management terminal applications, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad device compatibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If e-mail based command processing is implemented, then cross-platform remote management is enabled, but security and authorization mechanisms must be strengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The email server performs preliminary authentication and authorization validation before processing any management commands. The system pre-configures authentication mechanisms and authorization rules, validating the administrator's identity and permissions before executing any command. This preliminary security check ensures that only authorized users can issue commands, maintaining security and integrity while enabling cross-platform access through the email interface
Data Source
AI summary
A server system is configured to provide an e-mail based interface for executing management operations on a virtualized infrastructure which includes a plurality of virtual machines (VMs), underlying host computers, clusters, and/or data centers. Such an interface may be provided in a virtualized infrastructure to enable a system administrator to execute administrative operations remotely from a mobile device without requiring custom installation of an application on the mobile device or a secure connection to the server system. The server system receives e-mails at a pre-determined e-mail address, authenticates the sender of the e-mail, and extracts and executes commands from the e-mail. A number of techniques for validating the e-mail containing server commands may also be provided.