Platform Framework Authentication Provider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Information Handling Systems (IHSs) face inefficiencies in managing user credentials and secure communication between applications, leading to redundant code and overlapping execution paths, which burdens software developers and results in inefficiencies due to parallel and overlapping code and execution paths used by applications to communicate with hardware endpoints.
Innovation Solution
A platform framework that enables comprehensive system management by allowing multiple applications to request direct hardware endpoint access, providing performance optimizations and increased operational stability, and manages user credentials through an authentication provider within the platform framework, using context information such as location, user proximity, and device state to determine authentication credential availability and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If applications directly access hardware endpoints to manage credentials, then communication speed improves, but device complexity and code redundancy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication provider as an intermediary component within the platform framework. This authentication provider manages credential storage, retrieval, and distribution between applications and hardware endpoints. By using this intermediary, applications avoid direct complex hardware interactions and redundant credential management code, while maintaining efficient communication through the standardized API interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications access credentials through separate authentication paths, then application independence improves, but execution efficiency decreases due to parallel and overlapping code paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal authentication provider that serves multiple applications through a single standardized interface. This authentication provider can handle credential requests from any registered application uniformly, eliminating the need for each application to implement its own authentication logic. The platform framework's registration mechanism allows dynamic application addition without creating new code paths, maintaining both application independence and execution efficiency.
3Reliability
If applications store and manage their own authentication credentials, then security control improves, but system complexity and development burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts credential management functionality from individual applications and centralizes it in a dedicated authentication provider component. The authentication provider securely stores credentials in its credential store and manages the authentication process. Applications only need to register with the platform framework and request credentials through the standardized API, significantly reducing system complexity and development burden while maintaining strong security controls through the centralized authentication mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods for platform framework authentication are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the IHS to: receive, via an authentication provider registered with a platform framework via an Application Programming Interface (API), an authentication credential; and send the authentication credential to a plurality of applications registered with the platform framework.