Secure remote management appliance
First Claim
1. A remote device management communications system for securely controlling access to management applications and communicating device management traffic to and from said management applications on network devices in a distributed computer network that includes one or more network services, one or more secure remote management appliances, and one or more managed network elements, the remote device management communications system comprising:
- one or more secure remote management appliances;
a management connection means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance to one or more of said managed network elements, said management connection means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and said managed network element, said management connection means selected from the group consisting of a console digital connection and a connection to a dedicated management segment;
an analog connection means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance and an analog communication system, said analog connection means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and one or more management communications partners, said management communications partners selected from the group consisting of said network services and remote administrators; and
one or more digital communication means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance and a digital communications network, said digital communication means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and one or more management communications partners, said management communications partners selected from the group consisting of said network services and remote administrators.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer network management system with an embedded processor, an analog communication means and a digital interface for network management provides a system for remotely and securely managing a network. Backup power in the form of an uninterrupted power supply, or other power means as appropriate, allows the modem to provide power outage notification to a remote site. The system further provides authentication and authorization capabilities for security purposes.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A remote device management communications system for securely controlling access to management applications and communicating device management traffic to and from said management applications on network devices in a distributed computer network that includes one or more network services, one or more secure remote management appliances, and one or more managed network elements, the remote device management communications system comprising:
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one or more secure remote management appliances; a management connection means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance to one or more of said managed network elements, said management connection means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and said managed network element, said management connection means selected from the group consisting of a console digital connection and a connection to a dedicated management segment; an analog connection means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance and an analog communication system, said analog connection means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and one or more management communications partners, said management communications partners selected from the group consisting of said network services and remote administrators; and one or more digital communication means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance and a digital communications network, said digital communication means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and one or more management communications partners, said management communications partners selected from the group consisting of said network services and remote administrators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A management system for a secure environment for a distributed computer network, comprising:
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an embedded processor in a network management appliance; a management connection means for connecting to a network element selected from the group consisting of a console connection or a digital connection to a dedicated management segment; an analog connection means for connecting to an analog communication system; at least one digital communication means for connecting to the computer network, wherein the at least one digital communication means includes; a network interface for reporting a status of the computer network to a network management appliance; and a network interface which allows for remote configuration of the computer network management system; and a means for authenticating a remote user; a means for authorizing access to the computer network for a remote user; a means for controlling a remote user'"'"'s access to the computer network; a means for encrypting communications carried by the analog communication system; a means for monitoring the status of the at least one digital communication means; a means for sending a status update through the analog connection means if the status of the at least one digital communication means changes; a means for monitoring the status of the analog connection means; a means for sending a status update through the at least one digital communication means if the status of the analog connection means changes; a means for monitoring a power supply supplying power to one or more network elements; an independent power supply; a means for sending a status update through the analog connection means if the status of the power supply supplying power to the network elements changes wherein the independent power supply supplies power to the network management appliance if the power supply supplying power to the network elements has failed; a means for remotely interrupting power to a device connected to the computer network; a means for monitoring connection attempts made through the analog connection means; and a means for selectively blocking connection attempts made through the analog connection means.
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26. A management system for a secure environment for a distributed computer network, comprising:
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an embedded processor in a network management appliance; a management connection means for connecting to a network element selected from the group consisting of a console connection or a connection to a dedicated management segment; an analog connection means for connecting to an analog communication system capable of communicating through a network selected from the group consisting of a Public Switched Telephone Network or an Integrated Services Digital Network; at least one digital communication means for connecting to the computer network selected from the group consisting of a local area network, a serial interface or a network connection, wherein the at least one digital communication means supports at least one protocol selected from the group consisting of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, Simple Network Management Protocol, Telnet, Hypertext Transfer Protocol or Secure Shell and wherein the at least one digital communication means includes; a network interface for reporting a status of the computer network to a network management station; and a network interface which allows for remote configuration of the computer network management system; a means for authenticating a remote user; a means for authorizing access to the computer network for a remote user; a means for controlling a remote user'"'"'s access to the computer network; a means for encrypting communications carried by the analog communication system; a means for monitoring the status of the at least one digital communication means; a means for sending a status update through the analog connection means if the status of the at least one digital communication means changes; a means for monitoring the status of the analog connection means; a means for sending a status update through the at least one digital communication means if the status of the analog connection means changes; a means for monitoring a power supply supplying power to the network elements; an independent power supply; a means for sending a status update through the analog connection means if the status of the power supply supplying power to the network elements changes wherein the independent power supply supplies power to the network management appliance if the power supply supplying power to the network elements has failed; a means for remotely interrupting power to a device connected to the computer network; a means for monitoring connection attempts made through the analog connection means; and a means for selectively blocking connection attempts made through the analog connection means.
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27. In a distributed computer network comprising one or more secure remote management appliances, one or more network services, one or more managed network elements, one or more digital communication means, and one or more analog communication means, a method for securely controlling access to management applications and conveying network management information to and from said management applications on said managed network elements, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) operatively coupling one or more of said managed network elements with one or more of said secure remote management appliances for the conveyance of said network management information between said managed network element and said secure remote management appliance, said operative coupling performed by operative coupling means selected from the group consisting of a console digital connection and a connection to a dedicated management segment; (b) operatively coupling one or more of said secure remote management appliances and one or more of said analog communication means, said analog communication means enabling the conveyance of said network management information between said secure remote management appliances and one or more management communications partners, said management communications partners selected from the group consisting of said network services and remote administrators; (c) operatively coupling one or more of said secure remote management appliances and one or more of said digital communication means, said digital communication means enabling the conveyance of said network management information between one or more of said secure remote management appliances and one or more of said management communications partners, said management communications partners selected from the group consisting of said network services and remote administrators; and (d) conveying said network management information between one or more of said management communications partners and one or more of the group consisting of said secure remote management appliances and said managed network elements, utilizing one or more of the group consisting of said analog communications means and said digital communications means, wherein said network management information is conveyed to assist in the management of one or more of said managed network elements. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification