Virtual Network Interface for Remote Resource Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote desktop service products cannot access client-side resources such as network printers across different networks without installing specific printer drivers on both the client and server sides, limiting their functionality to only printing and not other resources.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that map virtual network addresses for client-side resources to their corresponding physical addresses, allowing communication and access without the need for resource drivers on the server side, using a remote interface system to translate and manage network messages between virtual and physical resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If printer redirection is implemented using existing remote desktop service products, then printing functionality is enabled, but specific printer drivers must be installed on both client and server sides, increasing device complexity and limiting adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary component that mediates between the remote desktop system and network printers. The gateway server runs a print spooler service that receives print jobs from the remote desktop system and forwards them to the appropriate network printers. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for printer drivers on the remote desktop client and server, as the gateway server handles the driver-specific communication. The system architecture adds this intermediate layer to resolve the contradiction between enabling printing functionality and avoiding driver installation complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing remote desktop service products are used for accessing client-side resources, then printing is supported, but access to other resources like scanners is not available, reducing versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the gateway server's functionality beyond just printing to provide universal access to various client-side resources. The gateway server can access multiple types of resources including printers, scanners, and other network devices on the client side. By making the gateway server multi-functional, the system enables remote access to diverse resources without requiring separate specialized solutions for each resource type, thus improving versatility while maintaining reliable access through the established gateway infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If remote machines on different networks access client-side resources, then network interoperability is improved, but driver compatibility issues arise, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway server acts as a network intermediary that handles driver compatibility across different network architectures. It receives resource access requests from remote desktop systems on one network and translates them into appropriate protocols for the client-side resources on another network. The gateway server maintains driver compatibility by implementing the necessary protocol translations and adaptations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized drivers across different network configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements virtual resource copies that allow remote machines to access client-side resources without direct driver installation. The gateway server creates virtual representations of physical resources (printers, scanners, etc.) that can be accessed through standardized interfaces. This copying approach enables network interoperability by providing uniform access methods while the gateway server handles the complexity of actual resource communication on the backend.
Data Source
AI summary
A first computing device maps a virtual network address for a virtual resource that is accessible to the first computing device to an address of a designated resource that is inaccessible to the first computing device but accessible to a remote second computing device. The first computing device generates a control message that, when acted upon by the second computing device, causes the second computing device to transmit the resource message to the designated resource. The first computing device then attaches the resource message to the control message. The first computing device sends the control message to the second computing device, wherein the second computing device acts on the control message to send the resource message to the designated resource without having a resource driver for the designated resource installed on the second computing device.