Software-Simulated Computers for Legacy Application Virtualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy application programs face challenges in transitioning to a modern Internet-based computing paradigm due to incompatibility with TCP/IP protocols and the need for costly source code rewrites, which is beyond the resources of mid-sized companies, and they also require protection from user changes, viruses, and malicious software.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating and maintaining software-simulated computers that run legacy applications efficiently, providing secure, web-accessible capabilities by cloning software-simulated computer images with unique machine-differentiation information, and using a host control program to manage and secure access across a network, allowing users to access applications without installing them on their devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy application programs are run on modern Internet-based platforms, then compatibility with TCP/IP protocols is improved, but source code rewriting costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual computer instances that copy the exact execution environment of legacy systems, allowing legacy applications to run on modern TCP/IP-based infrastructure without any source code modification. The virtual machine architecture replicates the original hardware and software environment, enabling seamless protocol translation while preserving application integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual computer system acts as an intermediary layer between legacy applications and modern Internet-based networks. It provides protocol translation and compatibility mediation, allowing legacy applications designed for older networks to communicate over TCP/IP without direct modification, thereby avoiding costly source code rewriting while maintaining compatibility.
2Ease of operation
If users are given access to application programs, then ease of operation is improved, but security risks from user changes and viruses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the computing environment into isolated virtual computer instances, each providing a controlled execution space for legacy applications. This segmentation allows users to access and interact with applications while preventing harmful changes from affecting the underlying system or other users, as each virtual instance operates in an isolated sandboxed environment with strict access controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual computer instances are designed to be ephemeral and replaceable rather than permanent. When security concerns arise or instances become compromised, they can be quickly terminated and replaced with fresh instances, minimizing the impact of security incidents. This disposable approach to virtual machines allows the system to maintain high security standards while providing continuous user access to applications.
Data Source
AI summary
The system and methods of the present application comprise one or more computers that generate and maintain a plurality of software-simulated computers. Each software-simulated computer is adapted to efficiently run an installed application program. Additional security layers provide access to the installed application through a remote user interface installed on a user's computing device. The system generates a new copy of the software-simulated computer for each user session, that prevents configuration problems from interfering with the proper operation of the application program, thereby consistently running the application in an optimized fashion, regardless of changes made to the software-simulated computer by the user or a virus. These software-simulated computers are unaffected by changes a user makes on their own client device. To this end, the system provides robust, web accessible capabilities to application software that may not have been adapted for use on the Internet.