Virtual Application Cloud Storage Authentication Token Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud storage systems require manual authentication credentials for accessing remote storage providers, which is cumbersome and impractical for scalable and secure virtual desktop infrastructure, especially when dealing with vast numbers of virtual machines with limited lifetimes.
Innovation Solution
Obtaining an authentication token from an authentication platform that can be used to securely access remote storage providers, allowing seamless access to virtual applications for performing operations on cloud-stored files without requiring manual credential input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual authentication credentials are used for accessing remote storage providers, then security can be maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome credential input
Solution Approach 1:
An authentication token is introduced as an intermediary between the virtual machine and the remote storage provider. The token encapsulates authentication credentials, allowing the virtual machine to access cloud storage without directly handling sensitive credential information. This mediator simplifies the authentication process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using actual authentication credentials directly, the system creates a copy in the form of an authentication token. This token contains the necessary authentication information but can be safely distributed and used by virtual machines without exposing the original credentials, thus simplifying access while maintaining security.
2Productivity
If manual credential input is required for each virtual machine, then security control is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming authentication processes
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication credentials are processed in advance to generate authentication tokens before the virtual machines need to access cloud storage. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual credential input at the moment of access, significantly improving productivity while maintaining security through the use of pre-authenticated tokens.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication token serves as a mediator that enables rapid access to cloud storage without requiring repeated manual authentication. Once generated, the token can be quickly distributed and used by multiple virtual machines, eliminating the time loss associated with manual credential input for each access event.
3Ease of operation
If authentication credentials are distributed to numerous virtual machines, then ease of operation improves, but reliability deteriorates due to security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates authentication token copies that can be safely distributed to multiple virtual machines without compromising security. These token copies contain the necessary authentication information but are designed to be used in a controlled manner, allowing easy access while maintaining reliability through isolated, non-sensitive copies rather than distributing actual credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication token acts as an intermediary that decouples the distribution of authentication capabilities from the exposure of sensitive credentials. Virtual machines receive and use tokens for easy access to cloud storage, while the actual credentials remain secured on the authentication server, thus maintaining both ease of operation and security reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes retrieving, by a workspace client on a computing device, a first set of resource associations from a workspace server. The first set of resource associations identify one or more data file-types executable by each application on a virtualization server. The method also includes generating, by the workspace client, from the first set of resource associations, a second set of resource associations. The second set of resource associations identify a subset of applications on the virtualization server operable to perform operations on each of the one or more data file-types. The method further includes obtaining, by a storage provider client on the computing device, the second set of resource associations. The storage provider client is configured to enable one or more applications on the virtualization server to execute at least one data file accessible from a storage provider.