Scalable, multi-channel remote device management system

• US 20090077280A1
• Filed: 04/06/2005
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raritan Americas Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Raritan Americas Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Anderson, Swen, Wurl, Ronaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,516,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/028 for synchronisation between service call and response
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/04 Network management architectures or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning

Abstract

Disclosed is a remote device management system for managing a plurality of remote devices (i.e., computers, servers, networking equipment, etc.) from one or more user workstations. The present invention discloses a scalable, multi-channel keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) over Internet Protocol (IP) (KVMoIP) management system. The system can be used in a variety of configurations and is easily tailored to the user'"'"'s needs. The system also enables a user to remotely manage a variety of devices via a common user interface reached over a single IP address.

Claims

1. A system for remotely managing a plurality of devices comprising:

at least one user workstation;

a plurality of remote devices; and

a plurality of remote interface modules each coupled to one of said plurality of remote devices;

wherein said at least one user workstation selectively communicates bi-directionally with said remote devices through said remote interface modules; and

wherein said plurality of remote interface modules are logically clustered into a master device via a cluster configuration utility.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein firmware is included in each of said remote interface modules.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said remote interface modules includes a common packet network connection.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said clustered remote interface modules communicate bi-directionally with a first communications network.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said user workstation communicates bi-directionally with a second communications network.

6. A system for remote management of a plurality of devices comprising:

at least one user workstation;

a plurality of remote devices;

a plurality of remote interface modules each coupled to one of said plurality of remote devices, said remote interface modules include at least a first and second signal conversion means, and at least one data packetizing means; and

a common communications network;

wherein said remote interface modules communicate via said common communications network.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said remote interface modules share a common user interface reached via a single Internet Protocol (IP) address.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said user workstation bi-directionally communicates with said remote interface modules via said common user interface.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein said remote device transmits at least first and second signals to one of said remote interface modules.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said first conversion means converts said first signals and said second conversion means converts said second signals into a format suitable for transmission.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said packetizing means creates a data packet from said converted first and second signals for transmission.

12. A system according to claim 9, wherein said first signals comprise video signals.

13. A system according to claim 9, wherein said second signals comprise keyboard signals, cursor signals or both.

14. A system according to claim 6, wherein said remote interface module further include means for extracting power from said remote device and applying power to said remote interface module.

15. A method for remotely managing a plurality of remote devices, said method comprising the steps of:

bi-directionally communicating information between at least one user workstation and at least one remote device through at least one remote interface module;

receiving a plurality of signals comprising at least first and second signals at said remote interface module from said remote device;

converting said signals received from said remote device into a format suitable for transmission via the Internet;

transmitting said converted signals from said remote interface module to said user workstation via the Internet; and

converting said transmitted plurality of signals into a format suitable for use at said user workstation.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said signals are selected from the group consisting of video signals, audio signals, and peripheral device signals.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said second signals are selected from the group consisting of keyboard signals and cursor control device signals.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein said user workstation transmits control signals to one of said remote devices via the Internet.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said control signals are selected from the group consisting of keyboard control signals and cursor control device control signals.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said control signals are converted into a format suitable for transmission via the Internet.