Proxy Agent for Virtualized Application Plug-in Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtualized applications cannot access or utilize plug-ins that reside in the physical environment, limiting their functionality, such as data loss prevention features.
Innovation Solution
A proxy agent is invoked in the virtual environment to obtain configuration change data from a physical environment agent, allowing the virtualized application to load and utilize plug-ins within the virtual environment, enabling features like data loss protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtualized applications run in a virtual environment, then application isolation and security are improved, but access to plug-ins and external resources is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plug-in container as an intermediary component that resides within the virtual environment. This container acts as a mediator between the virtualized application and external plug-ins, allowing the application to access plug-in functionality while maintaining the isolation benefits of the virtual environment. The container loads and executes plug-ins in a controlled manner, bridging the gap between the isolated virtual environment and external resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the plug-in execution environment by creating a dedicated plug-in container within the virtual environment. This segmentation allows plug-ins to run in an isolated space that is still contained within the virtual environment, providing multiple layers of isolation while enabling plug-in access. The virtual environment is thus divided into the application execution space and the plug-in container space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If plug-ins are loaded in the physical environment, then plug-in functionality is available, but virtualized applications cannot utilize them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the plug-in container is nested within the virtual environment, which itself is nested within the physical environment. This nested doll approach allows plug-ins to be loaded and executed within the virtual environment's isolation boundaries while still accessing external resources. The plug-in container acts as an inner layer that maintains the isolation property while enabling functionality.
3Reliability
If virtualized applications are fully isolated, then security is improved, but functionality and feature access are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The plug-in container serves as a secure intermediary that enables functionality while maintaining security. It provides a controlled interface between the isolated virtual environment and external plug-ins, allowing the virtualized application to access additional features and functionality without compromising the security boundaries of the virtual environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system invokes a proxy agent in a virtual environment hosted by the computing system to obtain configuration change data for a virtualized application from an agent residing in a physical environment hosted by the computing system. The proxy agent changes a configuration of the virtualized application based on the configuration change data to cause the virtualized application to load a plug-in in the virtual environment. The computing system launches the virtualized application and the virtualized application loads the plug-in in the virtual environment to utilize a function of the plug-in in the virtual environment.