Virtual Network Pseudo Devices for Remote VDI Resource Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for accessing local resources from a remote session, such as USB redirection, require complex client terminals and are limited to directly connected devices, making network-accessible resources inaccessible.

Innovation Solution

Implementing virtual network pseudo devices on both the client terminal and remote session host, which communicate via virtual channels to route network communications, allowing local network resources to be accessed as if they are part of the same local area network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If USB redirection is employed to allow local resources to be accessed from a remote session, then local resources can be accessed remotely, but the client terminal becomes more complex by requiring a partial USB device stack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to local resourcesVSAvoidclient terminal complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network resource access service as an intermediary component that runs on the remote session host instead of requiring USB device stack components on the thin client. This service intercepts and redirects network resource access requests, acting as a mediator between the remote application and local network resources, thereby eliminating the need for complex USB redirection components on the client terminal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical USB redirection approach with a software-based network resource access service. Instead of using hardware-level USB device stacks and drivers on the client terminal, the solution substitutes a network service layer that operates at the application level on the remote session host, simplifying the client terminal architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If USB redirection is used for accessing local resources, then directly connected devices can be accessed, but network-accessible devices remain inaccessible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoidaccess mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network resource access service provides universal access to multiple types of resources (printers, scanners, storage devices, etc.) through a single unified mechanism. Instead of requiring different redirection approaches for USB devices versus network devices, the service handles all local network resource access uniformly through network protocol interception and redirection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of redirecting resources from the client to the remote session (as in USB redirection), the patent inverts the approach by having the remote session host actively access and redirect resources back to the client through network protocols. The remote session host initiates and manages the resource access, rather than the client terminal attempting to redirect resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If a thin client is used for remote sessions, then client terminal complexity is reduced, but the ability to access local network resources is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclient terminal simplicityVSAvoidnetwork resource access capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote session host runs a network resource access service that automatically discovers, intercepts, and redirects local network resource access requests without requiring any special components or configuration on the thin client. The thin client simply uses standard network protocols, and the service on the remote session host handles all the complexity of resource redirection autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the resource access functionality from the client terminal dimension to the remote session host dimension. Instead of embedding resource redirection capabilities in the client terminal, the solution shifts the functionality to the server side, where the network resource access service operates in a different dimensional space (network service layer vs. client hardware layer).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10567516B2Sharing local network resources with a remote VDI instance

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 DELL MARKETING CORP

AI summary

Local network resources can be seamlessly accessed from a remote session. A remoting client that executes on a client terminal and a remoting service that executes in a remote session can each be configured to implement a virtual network pseudo device. These virtual network pseudo devices can be configured to communicate network communications via a virtual channel with the virtual channel endpoints performing any necessary network address translation. As a result, when the remote session host attempts to discover local network resources, the corresponding network communications will be routed over the virtual channel and transmitted over the client's local area network. Any resources on the client's local area network will respond accordingly with this responses being routed back over the virtual channel to the remote session host thus causing the resources to appear as if they were part of the same local area network as the remote session host.