OUT-OF-BAND REMOTE MANAGEMENT STATION

• US 20070130334A1
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Carley, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US11/611,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20070130334A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0246 Exchanging or transporting network management information using the Internet; Embedding network management web servers in network elements; Web-services-based protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• 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 41/344 Out-of-band transfers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/065 related to network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/106 using time related information in packets, e.g. by adding timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0227 Filtering policies mail message filtering H04L51/212
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1441 Countermeasures against malicious traffic countermeasures against attacks on cryptographic mechanisms H04L9/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/168 above the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2263 Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/303 and using PCM multiplexers, e.g. pair gain systems

Abstract

A management system for a computer data network comprises a remote management station connected to an analog communication system and connected to a device console port of a co-located computer device. The remote management station comprises (a) an embedded processor, (b) a connecting means to the analog communication system, and (c) a connecting means to the device console port. The remote management station is configured to detect a user connecting to or disconnecting from the device console port via the remote management station. The remote management station is configured for one or more of the following: (a) logging the user off the device console port when the user disconnects or is disconnected from the console port; (b) logging a previous user off the device console port before allowing a new user to access the device console port; or (c) monitoring messages sent to the device console port.

Claims

1. A management system for a computer data network, comprising:

a remote management station connected to an analog communication system and connected to a device console port of a co-located computer device;

wherein the remote management station comprises (a) an embedded processor, (b) a connecting means to the analog communication system, and (c) a connecting means to the device console port;

wherein the remote management station is configured to detect a user connecting to or disconnecting from the device console port via the remote management station; and

wherein the remote management station is configured for one or more of the following;

(a) logging the user off the device console port when the user disconnects or is disconnected from the console port;

(b) logging a previous user off the device console port before allowing a new user to access the device console port;

or (c) monitoring messages sent to the device console port.

2. The management system for a computer network described in claim 1, wherein the remote management station is configured to log the messages sent to the device console port.

3. The management system for a computer network described in claim 1, wherein the remote management station is configured to compare the messages sent to the device console port to one of more predetermined filtering criteria.

4. The management system for a computer network described in claim 3, wherein the remote management station is configured to filter the messages sent to the device console port based upon a result of the comparison to the predetermined filtering criteria.

5. The management system for a computer network described in claim 3, wherein the remote management station is configured to generate an alert based on a result of the comparison to the predetermined filtering criteria.

6. A management system for a computer data network, comprising:

a remote network administrator connected to a data network through a plurality of separate, two-way means for connecting the administrator to the data network;

wherein a first means for connecting comprises an analog communication system and an analog connection means, and a second means for connecting comprises a digital communication system and at least one digital communication means;

wherein the analog communication system comprises (a) a remote management station comprising an embedded processor, and (b) a direct connection to the data network; and

wherein the remote management station is connected to a device console poll of a remote networking device.

7. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, wherein the at least one digital communication means includes a network interface for reporting a status of computer equipment attached to the remote management station to a network management station.

8. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, wherein the at least one digital communication means includes a network interface which allows for remote configuration of the remote management station.

9. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, further comprising a means for authenticating a remote administrator through use of the at least one digital communication means.

10. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, further comprising an internal means for authenticating a remote administrator.

11. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, further comprising a means for monitoring the status of the at least one digital communication means and a means for sending a status update through the analog connection means if the status changes.

12. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, further comprising a means for monitoring the status of the analog connection means and a means for sending a status update through the at least one digital communication means if the status changes.

13. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, further comprising an independent power supply.

14. The management system for a computer network described in claim 13, wherein the computer data network has a power supply and further comprising:

a means for monitoring the power supply of the computer data network; and

a means for sending a status update through the analog connection means if the status of the power supply changes wherein the independent power supply supplies power to the remote management station if the power supply for the computer data network has failed.

15. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, further comprising a means for remotely interrupting power to a device connected to the remote management station.

16. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, further comprising a means for monitoring connection attempts made through the analog connection means.

17. The management system for a computer network described in claim 6, further comprising a means for selectively blocking connection attempts made through the analog connection means.