HTTP X11 Connection Manager for Remote Session Resilience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for connecting to X-windows applications are limited by requiring pre-installed software, direct connections, and lack of platform independence, making it difficult to access and manage remote X-windows applications across different operating systems and devices, especially with intermittent network connections.

Innovation Solution

A HTTP-based connection manager system that uses a web server pool, database tables, and agent servers to establish and maintain persistent connections to X-windows applications, allowing connections through any HTTP client device without pre-installed X-windows software, and providing secure, re-connection capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a persistent remote connection is required for X-windows, then the connection stability is improved, but the system cannot handle intermittent network connections or device disconnects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidhandling intermittent connections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically manages connection states by introducing suspended and resuming capabilities. When a client disconnects, the X-windows session is suspended rather than terminated. Upon reconnection, the system can resume the previous session state, allowing the connection to adapt between active and inactive states while maintaining the underlying session integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential disconnections by implementing a session suspension mechanism before actual disconnect occurs. The connection manager maintains session metadata and state information in advance, so when disconnection happens, the session can be preserved and restored rather than lost, cushioning against the harmful effect of intermittent connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If X-windows software is pre-installed on client devices, then connection compatibility is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware installation requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an intermediary connection manager system that mediates between the HTTP client and the X-windows server. This intermediary handles the complexity of X-windows protocol translation and session management, allowing standard HTTP clients to access X-windows applications without requiring X-windows client software installation on the end device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection manager provides universal access to X-windows applications through a standardized HTTP interface that works across multiple platforms and devices. Instead of requiring each client device to have platform-specific X-windows software, the system offers a single universal access point that adapts to different client types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If direct connection to X-windows server is used, then connection speed is improved, but security and connection management become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection speedVSAvoidsecurity and connection management

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection manager acts as a secure intermediary between clients and X-windows servers, implementing authentication, authorization, and session management policies. This intermediary layer maintains security controls while enabling efficient connections, preventing direct unmanaged access to the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms through session metadata tracking and connection state monitoring. The connection manager receives feedback about connection status, session activity, and client authentication, allowing it to dynamically manage connections, enforce security policies, and maintain reliable access control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9635015B1Method to securely connect to and manage X11 applications on a remote system through an HTTP client

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 STARNET COMMUNICATIONS CORP

AI summary

A web server authenticates a user with a web client using a database user table and provides a list of new applications, suspended application sessions, and running application sessions. In response to a request for a new application session, a connection is made from an agent server to an application server hosting the requested application, and connection information including a unique session_ID is added to a database session table such that the client can send a user selection for a session_ID to the web server, which associates the requested session_ID to an existing suspended or running application session using the connection database. For additional security, the client is determined to be trusted or untrusted, and if untrusted, connections to the client are made through a forwarding host, which makes connections to the agent server, and the agent server maintains persistent connections from the agent server to the application server.