Remote Management Agent for Secure Cross-OS Device Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for accessing and managing networked computing devices face challenges due to varying operating systems and control interfaces, requiring secure connections and efficient administrative functions over remote communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for remotely communicating with managed machines, involving identifying the machine, establishing a secure connection, requesting administrative services, and forwarding commands using a JSON-based messaging protocol over a secure network channel, enabling seamless administrative management across different operating systems and interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a web-based browser application is used to manage network computing devices, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to security connection requirements and communication features needed prior to authorizing administrative access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes secure communication channels and authentication mechanisms before administrative access is requested. The system pre-configures security policies, certificates, and communication protocols on the managed device, so that when an administrator initiates a management session, the secure connection is already in place and validated, eliminating the need for complex real-time security negotiations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a management agent as an intermediary component that runs on the managed device and mediates all communication between the administrator's browser and the target device. This agent handles authentication, establishes secure channels, and manages the administrative session, thereby isolating the security complexity from the browser interface while maintaining ease of use
2Reliability
If secure connections and communication features are established prior to authorizing administrative access, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to varying operating systems and control interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal management agent that can operate across different operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.) and device types. This single agent provides consistent functionality for establishing secure connections, authentication, and administrative session management regardless of the underlying OS, thereby maintaining reliability while abstracting away platform-specific complexities from the administrator interface
3Reliability
If administrative access is granted over remote connection with secure connection requirements, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple communication features required prior to authorization
Solution Approach 1:
The managed device's management agent automatically performs security handshakes, certificate validation, and authentication protocols when a management session is initiated. The administrator simply needs to select the target device and initiate the session through the browser interface, while the agent handles all complex security negotiations and establishes the secure channel autonomously, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of remotely communicating with a managed machine. One example method of operation may include identifying the managed machine operating in a communication network, and transmitting a connection establishment message to the managed machine over the communication network. The method may also include receiving an acceptance message from the managed machine, requesting an administrative service of the managed machine, initiating the administrative service on the managed machine, and forwarding received commands to the administrative service. Such a procedure provides an administrator with the capability to access, modify, update, etc., administrative services operating on a remotely managed machine.