Public Policy Server Mediator for Cross-Domain Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing policy-based printing systems are limited to closed private domain environments, making it difficult for users, such as on-the-go professionals, to access and print data in public locations where these systems are not supported.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables policy-based printing by validating users through a private authentication server, retrieving policies from a private policy server, and making print jobs available on public domain printing devices, using a public policy server as a mediator between public and private domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If policy-based printing systems operate within a closed private domain environment, then data security and policy control are maintained, but users cannot access printing data in public locations
Solution Approach 1:
A public policy server acts as an intermediary between public printing devices and private domain authentication servers. The public policy server receives authentication requests from public domain users, validates them against private domain credentials, and enforces private domain policies while enabling public access. This mediator architecture allows users to print in public locations while maintaining the security and policy control of private domains.
2Ease of operation
If users access printing data outside the office environment, then mobility and flexibility are improved, but reliable access to printing data cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The public policy server provides universal authentication and policy enforcement capabilities that work across both public and private domains. It can validate users from multiple private domains, enforce different policies for different users, and interface with various public printing devices. This multi-functional approach ensures reliable printing access for mobile users across diverse public locations while maintaining organizational security requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If public locations support printing operations, then user mobility is enhanced, but policy-based printing control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication and policy enforcement functions are extracted from individual printing devices and centralized in the public policy server. Public printing devices only need basic printing capabilities, while the public policy server handles complex user validation, policy retrieval, and access control. This extraction simplifies public printing devices while maintaining comprehensive policy-based control through the centralized server.
Data Source
AI summary
A policy-based printing system is implemented to allow access to a private domain to print using a public domain. The private domain includes private servers that store documents. The public domain includes servers and a printing device. A public policy server uses a domain list and a protocol connection with a private authentication server to validate a user and identify which private domain to access. The public policy server retrieves a policy from a private policy server that configures the parameters for printing using the public domain. The print job data is provided to a public file server until the public policy server confirms that the print job can be sent to the printing device.