Patent ID: 7496950
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
1. A remote device management communications system for securely controlling access to management applications and communicating device management traffic to and from said management applications on network devices in a distributed computer network that includes one or more network services, one or more secure remote management appliances, and one or more managed network elements, the remote device management communications system comprising: one or more secure remote management appliances; a management connection means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance to one or more of said managed network elements, said management connection means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and said managed network element, said management connection means selected from the group consisting of a console digital connection and a connection to a dedicated management segment; an analog connection means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance and an analog communication system, said analog connection means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and one or more management communications partners, said management communications partners selected from the group consisting of said network services and remote administrators; and one or more digital communication means for operatively coupling said secure remote management appliance and a digital communications network, said digital communication means configured to communicate said device management traffic between said secure remote management appliance and one or more management communications partners, said management communications partners selected from the group consisting of said network services and remote administrators.