DUAL AUTHENTICATION OF A REQUESTOR USING A MAIL SERVER AND AN AUTHENTICATION SERVER

• US 20070055864A1
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Juniper Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Juniper Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Srinivas, Sampath, Tock, Theron, Sang, Yvonne
• Granted Patent: US 7,877,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/155
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

Improved approaches for providing secure remote access to email resources maintained on private networks are disclosed. The secure access can be provided through a public network using a standard network browser. Multiple remote users are able to gain restricted and controlled access to email on a mail server within a private network through a common access point. The solution provided by the improved approaches allow not only native access to email resources but also robust authentication approaches.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating remote access by a mail client to a mail server via an intermediary server, said method comprising:

(a) receiving a mail access request at the intermediary server, the mail access request being sent to the intermediary server from the mail client for a requestor;

(b) receiving a password associated with the mail access request;

(c) authenticating the requester with the mail server based on the received password;

(d) authenticating the requester with an authentication server based on the received password, the authentication server being associated with a private network that includes the mail server; and

(e) permitting the mail access request when both the mail server and the authentication server authenticate the requestor.

2-23. -23. (canceled)