Portable Computer Account System with Tamper Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable home directory systems do not allow users to transport a complete home directory and account between networked computers without performance degradation, such as synchronization delays.
Innovation Solution
A portable computer account system that stores user accounts, authentication information, and home directories on external storage media, enabling secure transfer and access between devices, with measures for detecting tampering and preventing conflicting information, using encryption and password protection, and synchronizing with network accounts when connectivity is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user accounts and home directories are stored on external storage media for portable access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential tampering and data integrity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication verification by checking against network account credentials before allowing access to portable account data. This preliminary action prevents unauthorized access and tampering, ensuring data integrity while maintaining portable access capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that mediates between the portable account storage and the user access. The authentication server acts as a trusted intermediary that verifies user credentials and authorizes access, preventing direct tampering with stored account data while enabling convenient portable access.
2Productivity
If complete home directory is cached locally for offline access, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication and account verification functions from the local device and places them on the network authentication server. This extraction allows the device to store complete home directories locally for offline productivity while relying on the server for complex authentication and synchronization management, reducing local device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service synchronization where the authentication server automatically manages account verification and data synchronization without requiring complex local synchronization software. The server handles authentication requests and maintains account state, simplifying the client device while enabling offline access capabilities.
3Speed
If authentication information is stored locally for fast access, then speed is improved, but security deteriorates due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by verifying user credentials against the network authentication server before granting access to locally cached account data. This preliminary verification ensures that only authenticated users can access local authentication information, maintaining security while enabling fast subsequent access.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system dynamically adjusts between online verification mode (when network is available) and offline access mode (when network is unavailable). During online mode, credentials are verified against the server for security. During offline mode, previously authenticated sessions are honored, providing fast access while maintaining security through the dynamic switching of authentication modes.
Data Source
AI summary
User accounts, authentication information and user home directories are stored on an external storage media that can be transferred from one device to another. Measures are included for detecting tampering of stored information and for preventing possibly conflicting or damaging account and file information from entering a host device.