Virtual Workspace Resource Sharing via Cloud Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual computing environments, locally connected resources such as printers or scanners cannot be shared between client devices without relying on enterprise services like universal print servers or complex desktop delivery controllers, limiting access to only the device they are connected to.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows local resources to be registered with a workspace resource server in the cloud, enabling client-side services to manage resource interfaces and establish connections between client devices without traditional enterprise services, using protocols like Citrix HDX or WebSocket for resource sharing and push notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If locally connected resources are shared without enterprise services, then device complexity and dependency on enterprise services are reduced, but resource accessibility and sharing capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
A cloud-based resource server acts as an intermediary between client devices and locally connected resources. The server receives resource sharing requests from clients, manages the connections to local resources, and coordinates resource access without requiring complex enterprise services on each device. This mediator approach enables resource sharing while keeping individual devices simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Client devices are equipped with lightweight agents that automatically discover and register locally connected resources with the cloud server. These agents enable devices to self-manage their resource interfaces and establish connections without requiring manual configuration or complex enterprise service infrastructure, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional enterprise services like universal print servers are used, then resource sharing capability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex enterprise service functionality is extracted from individual devices and consolidated into a single cloud-based resource server. This extraction eliminates the need for each device to run complex enterprise services locally, reducing infrastructure requirements while maintaining resource sharing capability through the centralized cloud service.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based resource server provides universal resource sharing capabilities across multiple client devices and resource types. Instead of requiring separate enterprise services for each device or resource type, the universal cloud server handles diverse resource sharing needs (printers, scanners, files, etc.) through a single multi-functional platform, reducing overall infrastructure complexity.
3Ease of operation
If local resources are accessed only through connected devices, then system simplicity is maintained, but resource accessibility and usability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Resource access is extended from the traditional single-dimension model (only devices physically connected to resources can access them) to a multi-dimensional model where any client device in the network can access any shared local resource through the cloud server. This dimensional expansion of access pathways dramatically improves resource accessibility without requiring complex local configurations on each device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for sharing resources between client devices in a virtual computing environment. A method is disclosed that includes receiving a request from a first client device for a list of available resources that are locally connected to other client devices and that are unavailable to the first client device via an enterprise service within the virtual computing environment; providing the list of available resources to the first client device; receiving a selection of a resource included within the list of available resources from the first client device; providing a push notification to a second client device connected to the selected resource to establish a connection with the selected resource; and providing, to the first client device, access to the selected resource via the established connection.