Technician intranet access via systems interface to legacy systems

• US 7,401,144 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2001
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sylvester, Jeffrey A., Kaloustian, Curt, Dennis, Gary J., Smith, Steven G., Morton, Roland T. Jr., Davis, Mitchell E., Mills, Ralph J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit; Bunjob
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chankong; Dohm
• Application Number:
  US09/892,736
• Time in Patent Office: 2,574 Days
• Field of Search: 709/225, 709/246, 709/219, 709/217, 709/218, 707/10, 345/335
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a technician to access an intranet through a systems interface to back-end legacy systems. Generally, a technician logs a computer into a systems interface that permits access to back-end legacy systems. Preferably, the systems interface is located on at least a first network address. Preferably, the systems interface includes a first server with middleware for managing the protocol interface. Preferably, the systems interface includes a second server for receiving requests and generating legacy transactions. After the computer is logged in, a request for access to an intranet is made. Preferably, the request results from the technician selecting an icon or engaging a software button. After the request is processed, a message is sent from the systems interface to the computer. The message causes the computer to launch a software application that seeks out a separate network address corresponding to the intranet. Preferably, the software application is a browser that seeks out a technician home page on the intranet. The systems interface routes communications from the computer to the separate network address. Preferably, the message cause the first server to route the computer from the first network address to the separate network address.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium having instructions for performing acts comprising:

authenticating a computer attempting to log onto a systems interface to legacy systems;

providing access to the systems interface, the systems interface corresponding to at least one network address and including a protocol server that manages protocol with the computer and a transaction server in direct communication with the legacy systems;

sending a GUI to the computer, wherein the GUI provides a user of the computer an option to request access to an intranet that is distinct from the legacy systems;

receiving and processing at the systems interface the request for access to the intranet;

sending a message to the computer, the message causing the computer to launch a software application that seeks out a separate network address on the intranet; and

directing communications from the computer from the systems interface to the separate network address by the protocol server bypassing the transaction server by directing the communications from the computer directly to the intranet; and

communicating with both the at least one network address and the separate network address such that communication with the legacy systems and the intranet is maintained concurrently.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the option to exercise the request is based on user selection of an icon or a software button.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the message comprises an application program interface command and wherein the software application is a browser.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein a legacy system is at least one of a loop facility assignment control system, a computer system for main frame operations, a mechanized time reporting system and a work activity statistical sampling system.

5. A system for permitting a user to access data by employing a computer to access information from legacy systems, wherein the computer is running application-specific client software to access the information from legacy systems, the system comprising:

a systems interface to the legacy systems, the systems interface including a protocol server and a transaction server, the protocol server having a first network address and the transaction server having a separate network address,

wherein the protocol server transmits a GUI to the computer over a network and which displays a first window incorporating one of an icon and a software button that can be engaged to initiate a request for access to an intranet;

wherein the transaction server issues at least one message over the network in response to the request, the at least one message causing the computer to launch a browser application as a second window and the at least one message causing communications from the computer to be directed from the first network address to a third network address corresponding to the intranet that is distinct from the legacy systems by the protocol server bypassing the transaction server and directing the communications from the computer directly to the intranet, wherein communication with both the first network address and the third network address is maintained concurrently.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a legacy system is at least one of a loop facility assignment control system, a computer system for main frame operations, a mechanized time reporting system and a work activity statistical sampling system.