Computing devices for sending and receiving configuration information

• US 9,690,746 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ivanti, Inc. (Ivanti Software, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Crimson Corporation
• Inventors: Hosea, Frank W., Alger, Daniel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boutah, Alina N
• Application Number:
  US13/790,353
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 709220-229, 23546201, 23546209, 2354621, 23546214, 23546215, 2354623, 23546245, 23546249, 23547201, 23547202, 23547203, 370254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/28 Restricting access to network management systems or functions, e.g. using authorisation function to access network configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263

Abstract

A computing device configured for sending configuration information is described. The computing device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The computing device obtains access information. The computing device further generates a graphic based on the access information. The computing device also receives a configuration information request associated with the graphic. Additionally, the computing device sends the configuration information.

Claims

1. A computing device for sending configuration information comprising:

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to;

obtain access information;

generate a graphic based on the access information, wherein the graphic comprises unencrypted access information and encrypted information;

receive authentication information;

send decryption information, wherein the decryption information enables extraction of the encrypted information;

receive a configuration information request associated with the graphic;

send the configuration information that comprises network settings for a managed node;

send an inventory data request to the managed node; and

receive inventory data comprising a hardware inventory and a software inventory of the managed node.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein generating the graphic based on the access information comprises encoding the access information into the graphic.

3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable to secure the configuration information to produce secured configuration information.

4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the access information comprises at least one of the group consisting of an authentication information request, a network connectivity module, a digital certificate, access identification information, a connecting prompt and a scanning module.

5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the configuration information further comprises at least one of the group consisting of an authentication rule, configuration identification information, a policy, an application, a setting, a request for inventory data, an implementation instruction and a configuration prompt.

6. A method for sending configuration information by a computing device, comprising:

obtaining access information;

generating a graphic based on the access information, wherein the graphic comprises unencrypted access information and encrypted information;

receiving authentication information;

sending decryption information, wherein the decryption information enables extraction of the encrypted information;

receiving a configuration information request associated with the graphic;

sending the configuration information that comprises network settings for a managed node;

sending an inventory data request to the managed node; and

receiving inventory data comprising a hardware inventory and a software inventory of the managed node.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein generating the graphic based on the access information comprises encoding access information into the graphic.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises securing the configuration information to produce secured configuration information.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the access information comprises at least one of the group consisting of an authentication information request, a network connectivity module, a digital certificate, access identification information, a connecting prompt and a scanning module.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the configuration information further comprises at least one of the group consisting of an authentication rule, configuration identification information, a policy, an application, a setting, a request for inventory data, an implementation instruction and a configuration prompt.

19. The method of claim 6, wherein the graphic is a micro quick response (QR) code or an artistic QR code.

11. A computing device configured for receiving configuration information, comprising:

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to;

scan a graphic, wherein the graphic comprises unencrypted access information and encrypted information;

extract the unencrypted access information based on the graphic;

apply the unencrypted access information to one or more communications settings;

send authentication information;

receive decryption information;

extract the encrypted information based on the decryption information;

send a configuration information request associated with the graphic;

receive the configuration information that comprises network settings for the computing device;

receive an inventory data request from an administrative system;

determine inventory data comprising a hardware inventory and a software inventory of the computing device; and

send the inventory data to the administrative system.

12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the instructions are further executable to receive a graphic reader that decodes the unencrypted access information.

13. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the configuration information is secured configuration information and wherein the instructions are further executable to receive a security module that interprets the secured configuration information.

14. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the unencrypted access information comprises an authentication information request.

15. A method for receiving configuration information by a computing device, comprising:

scanning a graphic, wherein the graphic comprises unencrypted access information and encrypted information;

extracting the unencrypted access information based on the graphic;

applying the unencrypted access information to one or more communications settings;

sending authentication information;

receiving decryption information;

extracting the encrypted information based on the decryption information;

sending a configuration information request associated with the graphic;

receiving the configuration information that comprises network settings for the computing device;

receiving an inventory data request from an administrative system;

determining inventory data comprising a hardware inventory and a software inventory of the computing device; and

sending the inventory data to the administrative system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises receiving a graphic reader that decodes the unencrypted access information.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the configuration information is secured configuration information and wherein the method further comprises receiving a secured communications module that interprets the secured configuration information.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the unencrypted access information comprises an authentication information request.