Means and method for providing secure access to KVM switch and other server management systems

• US 20060107061A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RIIP, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RIIP, Inc.
• Inventors: Holovacs, Jayson
• Granted Patent: US 7,613,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/182
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234

Abstract

Disclosed is a secure switching system that utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to allow only authorized users to access a remote management or keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) switching system. The system includes a plurality of user workstations that allow a user to select, monitor, and operate remote devices using a local keyboard, video monitor, and cursor control device. Coupled to or integrated with the system is an RFID transceiver that detects the presence of RFID tags that are within range of communications. A user workstation is only operable if the RFID transceiver detects a valid RFID tag.

Claims

1. A switching system comprising:

a workstation of the type including a keyboard, a video monitor and a cursor control device;

a switch for coupling said workstation to one or more remote devices; and

a detection circuit coupled to said workstation for detecting signals indicative of a user'"'"'s accessibility to one or more of said remote devices.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said detection circuit communicates with a signal generating means capable of generating a signal within a pre-defined range.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said pre-defined range is some distance from said detection circuit to said signal generating means.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein said signal includes a unique identification number.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said detection circuit includes receiving means for receiving said signals.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said detection circuit receives said signals from said signal generating means and decodes said signal for user verification.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said detection circuit authenticates said user verification.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein said workstation is inaccessible unless said user verification is confirmed.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said switch may be locally or remotely located to said workstation and said remote devices.

10. A secure, remote device management system comprising:

a workstation of the type including a keyboard, a video monitor and a cursor control device;

a remote management unit for coupling one or more user interface devices to one or more remote devices; and

a radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver coupled to said one or more user interface devices for detecting RFID signals, said signals indicative of a user'"'"'s accessibility to said system.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said RFID transceiver communicates with an RFID transponder within a pre-defined range.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said transponder transmits radio frequency signals containing a unique identification number.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said transponder transmits said radio frequency signals to an antenna.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said antenna communicates with said transceiver.

15. A system according to claim 12, wherein said transceiver receives said radio frequency signals from said transponder and decodes said unique identification number for user verification.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said workstation is inaccessible unless said user verification from said transponder occurs by said transceiver.

17. A system according to claim 10, wherein said remote management unit may be locally or remotely located to said workstation and to said remote device.

18. A switching system comprising:

a workstation of the type including a keyboard, a video monitor and a cursor control device;

a switch for coupling said workstation to one or more remote devices;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder; and

a radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver, wherein said transceiver communicates with said workstation to verify a user.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein said transceiver sends activation signals.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein said transponder receives said activation signals from said transceiver when said transponder and said transceiver are within a pre-defined range.

21. A system according to claim 19, wherein said transponder transmits radio frequency signals to said transceiver within the same frequency range as said activation signals from said transceiver.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein said transceiver receives said radio frequency signals from said transponder.

23. A system according to claim 21, wherein said radio frequency signals contain a unique identification number.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said user workstation is inaccessible unless said radio frequency signals containing said unique identification number are verified by said transceiver.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein said transceiver demodulates said radio frequency signals from said transponder to extract said unique identification number.

26. A system according to claim 20, wherein said transponder communicates with said transceiver in said pre-defined range.

27. A system according to claim 20, wherein said pre-defined range is some distance from said transponder to said transceiver.

28. A system according to claim 20, wherein said user workstation is inaccessible if said transponder and said transceiver are outside said pre-defined range.

29-41. -41. (canceled)