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Method for providing access to independent network resources by establishing connection using an application programming interface function call without prompting the user for authentication data

  • US 5,689,638 A
  • Filed: 12/13/1994
  • Issued: 11/18/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a programmed computer having a plurality of network providers for accessing remote network resources, where each of the network providers is associated with a distinct type of network software and each of the network providers manages connections between the computer and a computer network, a method for accessing independent network resources in a computer network, the method comprising:

  • storing logon data for a user when the user logs on to a local computer system in the computer network;

    storing authentication data in an authentication data cache shared among the network providers when the network providers access an independent network resource;

    in response to a request from an application program to enumerate network resources available at an independent network resource in a first network, checking whether a connection has been established to the independent network resource in the first network;

    if the connection has not been established, executing a connection API function in response to a connection API function call from the application to establish the connection without prompting the user for authentication data including;

    a) routing the the connection API function call to a network provider that manages connections with a network having the independent network resource;

    b) using the network provider to authenticate access to the independent network resource without requesting authentication data from the user by searching for authentication data corresponding to the independent network resource in the authentication data cache and authenticating access to the independent network resource using the corresponding authentication data in the shared authentication data cache;

    c) enumerating the network resources available at the independent network resource on the first network using the connection established with the independent network resource;

    in response to a request from the application program to enumerate network resources available at an independent network resource at a second network, checking whether a connection has been established to the independent network resource in the second network; and

    if the connection has not been established, executing the connection API function in response to a connection API function call from the application to establish the connection without prompting the user for authentication data including steps a-cwherein the first and second networks run on different types of network software.

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