Providing client access to devices over a network
US8239552B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/1097
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A centralized service identifies a pool of devices that can be accessed by clients over a network. Devices can include a local or network-accessible device, and a configurable file that represents a portion of a device (e.g., a SCSI storage device). In some cases, the devices (or the file representing a portion of the device) can be identified by an assigned logical unit number. The centralized service assigns one or more devices to a target, and associates client information with the target. The centralized service also can also assign the target a logical unit number, and assign the target to a protocol-independent portal, which further operates through protocol-dependent miniports. In one embodiment, a client accesses a network device by accessing the appropriate port through an appropriate miniport protocol (e.g., Ethernet, fiber channel, etc.), and by submitting appropriate target authorization.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.