Pluggable Login Framework for Dynamic Resource Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage area network management systems require separate login procedures for each computer resource and cannot dynamically recognize or log into unsupported resources, necessitating a method for efficient multi-resource authentication and dynamic resource discovery.
Innovation Solution
A software framework with plugins that allows for pluggable and dynamic recognition and login into various computer resources by storing and reusing login credentials across multiple resources, enabling automatic detection and authentication of resource types without requiring specific addresses or types to be known.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate login procedures are used for each computer resource, then authentication security is maintained, but user operation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by obtaining login credentials from the user once, then automatically reuses these credentials across multiple computer resources without requiring repeated user input. This preliminary action stores the authentication information for subsequent automatic use, reducing operational time while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service authentication by automatically managing the login process across multiple resources. Once credentials are obtained, the system autonomously handles the authentication to multiple computer resources without requiring continuous user intervention, allowing the user to benefit from automated credential management.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed login methods are used for supported resources, then system stability is maintained, but adaptability to new or unsupported resources is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its authentication approach based on the type of computer resource being accessed. It can switch between different authentication methods (first type for supported resources, second type for unsupported resources) depending on the resource characteristics, maintaining stability for known resources while enabling adaptability to new resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides universal authentication capability by supporting multiple authentication methods. It can authenticate to both supported resources using standard procedures and unsupported resources using alternative procedures, making the system versatile across different resource types while maintaining core stability.
3Device complexity
If manual resource address entry is required, then system simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation and resource discovery capability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to dynamically discover and identify computer resources. It receives feedback from the environment about available resources and automatically processes this information to enable access, eliminating the need for manual address entry while maintaining system simplicity through automated resource identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication module that acts as a mediator between the user and computer resources. This intermediary automatically handles resource discovery, identification, and authentication processes, simplifying user interaction while maintaining overall system architecture simplicity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple authentication methods are supported, then versatility across resource types is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of implementation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the authentication functionality into distinct modules: a first authentication method for supported resources and a second authentication method for unsupported resources. This segmentation allows each authentication type to be independently managed and implemented, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary authentication module that mediates between different authentication methods and resource types. This intermediary handles the complexity of supporting multiple authentication approaches while presenting a unified interface, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing implementation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed that generally involve handling logins for a user accessing a plurality of computer resources. In one embodiment, once a user enters login information for a first computer resource, the login information can be stored and/or re-used to access a plurality of other computer resources without the user having to re-enter the login information for each resource. The methods and systems can involve a software framework in communication with various plugins, each plugin including one or more login candidates representing a type of a computer resource. The plugins and/or login candidates can allow the framework to pluggably and dynamically recognize and log into various types of computer resources.