DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND DEMONSTRATION OF AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS USING WEB-BASED VIRTUAL COMPUTERS AND VPN TUNNELING

• US 20100023600A1
• Filed: 07/20/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Cantrell, Wayne, Hill, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 9,237,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0859 by keeping history of different configuration generations or by rolling back to previous configuration versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0895 Configuration of virtualised networks or elements, e.g. virtualised network function or OpenFlow elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/18 Delegation of network management function, e.g. customer network management [CNM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an Internet based management of software and/or hardware. More particularly, the invention encompasses the development, test, and demonstration of automation solutions using web-based virtual computers and VPN (Virtual Private Network) tunneling. The present invention is also directed to a novel concept of storing various versions of a software and/or demo programs at a virtual data base which is accessible via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) tunnel.

Claims

1. A system for remotely accessing provider software, comprising the steps of:

(a) using at least one user device to electronically access the provider software via the Internet;

(b) using said at least one user device to electronically access at least one customer hardware;

(c) establishing at least one virtual private network (VPN) tunnel between said provider software and said at least one customer hardware via said at least one user device and said Internet; and

(d) allowing said user device to perform software function on said customer hardware using said provider software.

2. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein said at least one user device is selected from a group consisting of a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an electronic device, and a mobile device.

3. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein said provider software is located at a provider'"'"'s virtual data center.

4. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein said provider software is located on at least one server managed by said provider.

5. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein at least one said customer hardware is provided by said provider.

6. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein said provider software is selected from a group consisting of original version software, intermediate version software, updated version software, and current version software.

7. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein said user device is authenticated by said provider prior to establishing said at least one virtual private network (VPN) tunnel.

8. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein at least one security software monitors said electronic connection between said provider software and said at least one customer hardware.

9. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein said user device has at least one display means.

10. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, further comprising at least one means for associating, by an authorized operator, at least one parameter with said at least one virtual private network (VPN) tunnel.

11. The system for remotely accessing provider software of claim 1, wherein said provider software is selected from a group consisting of programming software, diagnostic software, monitoring software, demonstration software, and security software.

12. A method for remotely accessing provider software, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) electronically accessing said provider software via the Internet using at least one user device;

(b) electronically accessing at least one customer hardware using said at least one user device;

(c) establishing at least one virtual private network (VPN) tunnel between said provider software and said at least one customer hardware via said at least one user device and said Internet; and

(d) performing software function on said customer hardware using said provider software and said user device.

13. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for remotely accessing provider software, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

(a) electronically accessing said provider software via the Internet using at least one user device;

(b) electronically accessing at least one customer hardware using said at least one user device;

(c) establishing at least one virtual private network (VPN) tunnel between said provider software and said at least one customer hardware via said at least one user device and said Internet; and

(d) performing software function on said customer hardware using said provider software and said user device.