Software Aliasing for Multi-Identity Resource Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resource sharing protocols, such as SMB, assume a single user identity for communication, limiting the ability of a single user to access multiple shared resources on a remote host when different identities are required for each resource.

Innovation Solution

An aliasing mechanism is employed to allow multiple concurrent connections from a single local host to a remote host, each using a different identity to access different shared resources, using protocols like SMB.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single user identity is used for communication with a remote host, then the protocol implementation is simple and reliable, but the user cannot access multiple shared resources requiring different identities simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access multiple shared resources with different identitiesVSAvoidprotocol implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user identity is segmented into multiple aliases, where each alias represents a distinct identity for accessing different shared resources. The system divides the single user identity into multiple virtual identities (aliases) that can be used concurrently, allowing the user to access multiple resources with different identities simultaneously while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying protocol implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An aliasing mechanism is introduced as an intermediary layer between the user and the remote host. This intermediary translates single user identity requirements into multiple alias-based connections, enabling access to multiple shared resources with different identities without modifying the core protocol implementation. The aliasing layer handles the complexity of multiple identities while presenting a simple interface to the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple concurrent connections are established with different identities, then the user can access multiple shared resources simultaneously, but the authentication process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcurrent access to multiple shared resourcesVSAvoidauthentication process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication by establishing alias mappings before the user needs to access multiple shared resources. The aliases are pre-configured and stored, so when the user needs to access different resources, the authentication is automatically handled using the appropriate alias without requiring manual re-authentication. This preliminary setup enables concurrent access while keeping the authentication process transparent and simple for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing resource sharing protocols are used without modification, then protocol compatibility is maintained, but functionality is limited and not extensible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality extensibilityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The aliasing mechanism provides multi-functionality to existing resource sharing protocols. By introducing aliases as a universal layer, the system enables multiple identities and concurrent connections while maintaining compatibility with existing protocols like SMB. The aliasing framework can be applied across different protocols and environments, enhancing functionality without sacrificing protocol compatibility or reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9219733B2Software-based aliasing for accessing multiple shared resources on a single remote host

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

In order to allow a single user registered on a single local host or other machine to access multiple shared resources on a remote host, an aliasing mechanism is employed so that multiple concurrent connections can be established by the user to a single remote host, with each connection using a different identity. Each connection can therefore be used to access a different shared resource on the remote host. In some illustrative examples, a user's identifier such as his or her machine log-in identification may be associated with two or more resource sharing aliases. As a result, two or more resource sharing sessions can be established by the user with a single remote host, with each of the sessions using a different one of the aliases. The resource sharing sessions are usually established in accordance with a resource sharing protocol such as the Server Block Message (SBM) protocol.