SECURITY AND REPORT GENERATION SYSTEM FOR NETWORKED MULTIMEDIA WORKSTATIONS
First Claim
1. 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:
- storing a plurality of candidate passwords at the master workstation; and
automatically transmitting the candidate passwords to the network workstation in succession until one of said passwords is accepted at the network workstation.
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Abstract
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.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. 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:
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storing a plurality of candidate passwords at the master workstation; and
automatically transmitting the candidate passwords to the network workstation in succession until one of said passwords is accepted at the network workstation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a networked computer system, a method for providing security in a network workstation, comprising the steps of:
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monitoring request messages from a master workstation;
determining whether the master workstation is suspect;
issuing a validation challenge to the master workstation in response to a request message if the master workstation is found to be suspect; and
assessing the validity of each password in a series of password candidates automatically sent by the master workstation to the network workstation in response to the challenge. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. In a networked computer system, a method for validating a master workstation, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending a request message from the master workstation to a network workstation;
determining, within the network workstation, whether a the master workstation requires validation before a task associated with the request message is carried out;
issuing a challenge to the master workstation if the master workstation is determined to require validation; and
automatically sending a series of password candidates from the master workstation to the network workstation in response to the challenge. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. In a networked computer system, a method for validating a master workstation, the method comprising the steps of:
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issuing a challenge message to the master workstation when the network workstation wants to send a request message to the master workstation;
automatically sending a series of one or more password candidates from the master workstation to the network workstation in response to the challenge message; and
determining, within the network workstation, whether any of the series of password candidates are valid.
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23. 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:
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broadcasting a request message from the master workstation to a network workstation;
receiving the request message in the network workstation;
determining whether a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since a previous status request message was received;
sending a challenge message to the master workstation in response to the status request if the predetermined period amount of time has elapsed;
responding to the challenge message by automatically returning a stored password maintained in the master workstation which stored password is particular to the network workstation issuing the challenge message;
responding to the challenge message by automatically returning a null password if the stored password is not accepted;
responding to the challenge message by automatically returning an administrative password associated with the master workstation if the null password is not accepted; and
prompting a user operating the master workstation to enter a password if the administrative password associated is not accepted.
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24. A system for providing security in a network workstation, the system comprising:
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means for monitoring request messages from a master workstation;
means for determining whether a the master workstation is suspect;
means for issuing a validation challenge to the master workstation in response to a status request message if the master workstation is found to be suspect; and
means for monitoring a series of password candidates automatically sent by the master workstation to the network workstation in response to the validation challenge.
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25. 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:
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monitor request messages from a master workstation;
determine whether a the master workstation is suspect;
issue a validation challenge to the master workstation in response to a status request message if the master workstation is found to be suspect; and
monitoring a series of password candidates automatically sent by the master workstation to the network workstation in response to the validation challenge.
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26. In a network computer system, a system for generating system information reports comprising:
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means for generating a system information request message in a master workstation which system information request message includes an identity of at least one network workstation and an identity of at least one hardware characteristic;
means for transmitting the system information request message to the at least network workstation;
means for gathering information concerning the at least one hardware characteristic in the at least one network workstation;
means for generating a system information response message in the network workstation which system information response message includes the gathered information;
means for transmitting the system information response message to the master workstation; and
means for generating a report setting out the gathered information for the at least one hardware characteristic on the at least one network workstation.
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27. In a network computer system, a method for generating system information reports comprising:
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generating a system information request message in a master workstation which system information request message includes an identity of at least one network workstation and an identity of at least one hardware characteristic;
transmitting the system information request message to the at least network workstation;
gathering information concerning the at least one hardware characteristic in the at least one network workstation;
generating a system information response message in the network workstation which system information response message includes the gathered information;
transmitting the system information response message to the master workstation; and
generating a report setting out the gathered information for the at least one hardware characteristic on the at least one network workstation.
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28. A system information report comprising:
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a document generated by a master workstation, which document sets out information concerning at least one hardware characteristic for a network workstation;
wherein the system information report is generated by sending a system information report request message to the network workstation whereby the network workstation gathers information concerning the at least one hardware characteristic and sends the information back to the master workstation in a system information report response message for compilation into the system information report.
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29. In a network computer system, a system for generating software version reports comprising:
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means for generating a software version request message in a master workstation which software version request message includes an identity of at least one network workstation and an identity of at least one application;
means for transmitting the software version request message to the at least network workstation;
means for gathering information concerning the at least one application in the at least one network workstation;
means for generating a software version response message in the network workstation which software version response message includes the gathered information;
means for transmitting the software version response message to the master workstation; and
means for generating a report setting out the gathered information for the at least one application on the at least one network workstation.
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30. In a network computer system, a method for generating software version reports comprising:
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generating a software version request message in a master workstation which software version request message includes an identity of at least one network workstation and an identity of at least one application;
transmitting the software version request message to the at least network workstation;
gathering information concerning the at least one application in the at least one network workstation;
generating a software version response message in the network workstation which software version response message includes the gathered information;
transmitting the software version response message to the master workstation; and
generating a report setting out the gathered information for the at least one application on the at least one network workstation.
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31. A software version report comprising:
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a document generated by a master workstation, which document sets out information concerning at least one software application contained within a network workstation;
wherein the report is generated by sending a software version report request message to the network workstation whereby the network workstation gathers information concerning the software application and sends the information back to the master workstation in a software version report response message for compilation into the software version report.
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32. In a network computer system, a system for generating software difference reports comprising:
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means for generating a software difference request message in a master workstation which software difference request message includes an identity of at least one network workstation and an identity of at least one application;
means for transmitting the software difference request message to the at least one network workstation;
means for gathering information concerning the at least one application in the at least one network workstation;
means for generating a software difference response message in the at least one network workstation which software difference response message includes the gathered information;
means for transmitting the software difference response message to the master workstation;
means for comparing the gathered information in the response message to information concerning a version of the at least one application contained within the master workstation; and
means for generating a report setting out the differences between the at least one application on the at least one network workstation and the version of the at least one application contained within the master workstation. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. In a network computer system, a method for generating a software difference report comprising the steps of:
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generating a software difference request message in a master workstation which software difference request message includes an identity of at least one network workstation and an identity of at least one application;
transmitting the software difference request message to the at least network workstation;
gathering information concerning the at least one application in the at least one network workstation;
generating a software difference response message in the at least one network workstation which software difference response message includes the gathered information;
transmitting the software difference response message to the master workstation;
comparing the gathered information in the response message to information concerning a version of the at least one application contained within the master workstation; and
generating a report setting out the differences between the at least one application on the at least one network workstation and the version of the at least one application contained within the master workstation. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A software difference report comprising:
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a comparison setting out the differences between a version of a software application contained within a network workstation and a version of the software application contained within a master workstation;
wherein the report is generated by sending a software difference report request message to the network workstation whereby the network workstation gathers information concerning its version of the software application and sends the information back to the master workstation in a software difference report response message for compilation into the report. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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Specification