Apparatus for importing and exporting partially encrypted configuration data

A configuration import apparatus for enabling a system administrator having a data password to import configuration data to from a persistent configuration text file having a first textual hashed digest and at least one textual configuration variable, each textual configuration variable further comprising a textual identifier and a textual value, the configuration import apparatus comprising:

• a encryption/decryption apparatus having an encryption/decryption key derived from the data password,
• an import/export selector apparatus to select an import operation,
• a memory configuration table having at least one configuration variable set, each configuration variable set having at least configuration variable, each configuration variable having:
• a memory name,
• a memory value,
• a textual name,
• and a textual value,
• each configuration variable is denoted as either a private variable or a public variable,
• if import is selected:
• for each public variable, the memory value is derived from the clear-text textual value of the public variable,
• for each private variable, the encryption/decryption apparatus derives the memory value of the private variable by decrypting the textual value of the private variable,
• the device import/export configuration apparatus upon receiving an import selection from the import/export selector apparatus:
• reads a second textual hashed digest from the persistent configuration text file,
• for each textual configuration variable in persistent configuration text file:
• reads the textual identifier and textual value,
• uses the textual value to identify the configuration variable set and configuration variable associated with the textual value,
• if said configuration variable set contains only public variables then
• the identified configuration variable of the configuration variable table is set to the textual value of the configuration variable table, and a new memory value is derived,
• else
• if said configuration variable set contains at least one private variable and the first textual hashed digest matches the second textual hashed digest
• then
• the identified configuration variable of the configuration variable table is set to the textual value of the configuration variable table, and a new memory value is derived,
• otherwise, the configuration variable is discarded.

A configuration import/export apparatus for enabling a system administrator having a data password to import and export configuration data to and from a persistent configuration text file having a first textual hashed digest and at least one textual configuration variable, each textual configuration variable further comprising a textual identifier and a textual value, the configuration import/export apparatus comprising:

• a encryption/decryption apparatus having an encryption/decryption key derived from the data password,
• an import/export selector apparatus to select either an import or an export operation,
• a memory configuration table having at least one configuration variable set, each configuration variable set having at least configuration variable, each configuration variable having:
• a memory name,
• a memory value,
• a textual name,
• and a textual value,
• each configuration variable is denoted as either a private variable or a public variable,
• if export is selected:
• for each public variable, the textual value is derived from the clear-text memory value of the public variable,
• for each private variable, the encryption/decryption apparatus derives the textual value of the private variable by encrypting the memory value of the private variable,
• if import is selected:
• for each public variable, the memory value is derived from the clear-text textual value of the public variable,
• for each private variable, the encryption/decryption apparatus derives the memory value of the private variable by decrypting the textual value of the private variable,
• a device management program, the device management program further comprising:
• a device import/export configuration apparatus further comprising a hashing apparatus,
• the device import/export configuration apparatus upon receiving an export selection from the import/export selector apparatus:
• receives the data password and a file name of the persistent configuration text file,
• hashes the data password and produces a textual hashed digest from the data password,
• writes the textual hashed digest to the persistent configuration text file, for each variable in configuration variable table,
• receives the textual identifier and the textual value from the configuration variable table,
• and writes the textual identifier and the textual value to the persistent configuration text file, textually associating the memory identifier and textual value in the persistent configuration text file,
• the device import/export configuration apparatus upon receiving an import selection from the import/export selector apparatus:
• reads a second textual hashed digest from the persistent configuration text file,
• for each textual configuration variable in persistent configuration text file:
• reads the textual identifier and textual value,
• uses the textual value to identify the configuration variable set and configuration variable associated with the textual value,
• if said configuration variable set contains only public variables then
• the identified configuration variable of the configuration variable table is set to the textual value of the configuration variable table, and a new memory value is derived,
• else
• if said configuration variable set contains at least one private variable and the first textual hashed digest matches the second textual hashed digest
• then
• the identified configuration variable of the configuration variable table is set to the textual value of the configuration variable table, and a new memory value is derived,
• otherwise, the configuration variable is discarded.