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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsMICHAEL VICTOR STEIN, PAUL RICHARD WENKER
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A method for providing security in a networked multimedia computing system is provided wherein an administrative workstation is challenged by a network workstation when the administrative workstation is attempting to manipulate or query the network workstation. The administrative workstation responds in an automatic fashion to supply a series of logically acceptable password candidates to the challenging workstation in an attempt to validate itself to the challenging network workstation without interrupting a user. If none of the series of passwords is successful, an administrator, or user, operating the administrative workstation is prompted to manually enter a password. The system allows for an administrative workstation to automatically and transparently validate itself to a challenging network workstation, in most situations, without requiring input from the administrator. Another aspect of the invention involves a system for generating reports concerning user-selected hardware and software attributes for one or more network workstations.
In a networked computer system having at least one master workstation and a plurality of network workstations, a method for validating the master workstation to a network workstation in response to a denial of access by the network workstation, comprising the steps of:
In a networked computer system, a method for providing security in a network workstation, comprising the steps of:
In a networked computer system, a method for validating a master workstation, the method comprising the steps of:
In a networked computer system, a method for validating a master workstation, the method comprising the steps of:
In a networked computer system having at least one master workstation and a multiplicity of network workstations, a method for maintaining an active link between the master workstation and the network workstations, comprising the steps of:
A system for providing security in a network workstation, the system comprising:
An article of manufacture for use in a network workstation comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means for causing the network workstation to:
In a network computer system, a system for generating system information reports comprising:
In a network computer system, a method for generating system information reports comprising:
A system information report comprising:
In a network computer system, a system for generating software version reports comprising:
In a network computer system, a method for generating software version reports comprising:
A software version report comprising:
In a network computer system, a system for generating software difference reports comprising:
In a network computer system, a method for generating a software difference report comprising the steps of:
A software difference report comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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For authentication of entities: using passwords
Program or device authentication: by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs
Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures: involving long-term monitoring or reporting
Digital communication
Term end not estimated
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The present invention is directed to networked computer workstations, and more specifically to a system for providing workstation security while maintaining an efficient and user-friendly operating environment.
With the increased processing power available on desktop computers and the expanding use of various types of media to present information, computer systems have been developed which combine these two technologies in a network that can selectively distribute audio-visual information from any of a number of sources to individual workstations on the network. Examples of such systems are disclosed in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 08/207,779 and 08/207,957, filed Mar. 8, 1994, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Generally speaking, the systems disclosed in these applications comprise a number of multimedia workstations and a plurality of audio-visual sources that are connected to one another over two parallel networks. A multichannel A/V network delivers audio-visual information from the sources to the various workstations. A digital data network transmits data and control information between the various workstations, as well as from the workstations to the audio-visual sources.
An arrangement of this type offers a number of features that are particularly useful in classrooms and other educational environments. For example, a teacher can make an announcement to any number of selected students, and can carry on a two-way conversation with any given student. The teacher and the students can watch videos from a multiplicity of different sources, and the teacher can remotely control individual student workstations to receive the video information from a particular source. The teacher is provided with the ability to observe student workstations within a working space on the teacher's display screen, as well as to control the operation of any particular workstation. For further information regarding the details of such a system, reference is made to the previously cited patent applications.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the hardware architecture of a networked computer system of a type to which the present invention can be applied;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the software architecture for such a system;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for automatically validating a master workstation to a network workstation in accordance with an aspect of the invention;
To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, its features are described hereinafter with reference to a particular implementation, namely a multimedia computer network that is designed for a classroom or computer laboratory environment, in which a teacher or administrator operates a master workstation and students are located at a multiplicity of other workstations. It will be appreciated, however, that the practical applications of the invention are not limited to this particular environment. Rather, it will be found to have utility in any situation in which a designated master workstation can exert control over, or otherwise interact with, a set of network workstations. For example, it might be employed in a business office environment, where a system administrator controls network workstations of various office personnel.
One example of a hardware configuration for a networked multimedia system, of a type to which the present invention can apply, is illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring thereto, the system contains a number of workstations, including a master workstation 100 at the disposal of an administrator, and a multiplicity of other workstations 102 that are accessible to other users, for example, students. Each workstation includes a central processing unit (CPU) with associated memory, some form of permanent storage, such as a hard disk or read-only memory (ROM), and a monitor which provides a display screen for viewing the work being performed at the workstation. In a typical classroom or laboratory setting, all of the workstations might be located in one room. In other settings, however, the workstations can be located in different rooms, and possibly different buildings or cities.
The various workstations are connected to one another by means of a suitable conventional data network 104 such as, for example, an Ethernet network. The data network 104 enables digital data to be exchanged between the various workstations. Examples of this digital data include digitized audio information, which permits the students and the administrator to communicate with one another, as well as screen data which enables the information presented on the screen of one workstation to be displayed on the monitors of other workstations.