Patent Publication Number: US-9888084-B2

Title: Automatic network domain diagnostic repair and mapping

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/456,072, filed Apr. 25, 2012, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/627,287, filed Nov. 30, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,224,962, issued on Jul. 17, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosure relates generally to computer networks, and more particularly to systems and methods for accessing shared resources on such networks by users. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, a computer network includes a plurality of computers that may communicate with each other via one or more network connections. The network connections may include a variety of wired and/or wireless connections. For example, the Internet provides for communications between computers to form a network. In addition to computers, other devices that may interact with computers may be included on the network. The computers on a network, and thus programs that may be run on the network computers, along with the other devices on the network, represent network resources. A user who has access to a computer on the network may be able to access and make use of any network resources for which the user has the appropriate permissions. To access a network resource, a user typically must identify the location of the resource and provide user identification information for access verification. For example, a resource may be identified by the user by providing a network address, such as a domain name system (DNS) address. User identification information that may be provided by a user to access a resource may include a username and password. 
     A more specific example of a computer network is a Windows Server domain. A Windows Server domain is a logical group of computers running versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system that share a central directory database. This central database contains user accounts and security information for the resources in the domain. Each person who uses computers within a domain receives his or her own unique account, or user name. This account can then be assigned access to resources within the domain. In a domain, the directory resides on computers that are configured as domain controllers. A domain controller is a server that manages all security-related aspects of user and domain interactions, thereby centralizing security and administration. The domain is not limited to a single location or specific type of network configuration. Computers in the domain can share physical proximity on a small local area network (LAN), or they can be located in different parts of the world, as long as they can communicate. 
     SUMMARY 
     An automatic network domain diagnostic, repair, and mapping tool is disclosed. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, an address of a shared resource on a computer on a computer network and user identification information is received from a user. The address provided by the user is checked, and repaired if necessary, to identify the network computer hosting the shared resource. The identified computer is checked to determine whether it is responding. The user identification information is checked to determine whether it corresponds to an existing open account. When the computer hosting the resource is determined to be responding, and the user identification information corresponds to an existing account, the shared resource is mapped automatically for use by the user. 
     Illustrative embodiments may be implemented as a method implemented in a computer network. Illustrative embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product, including a computer readable storage medium, having stored thereon computer program instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform functions in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Illustrative embodiments may be implemented as an apparatus comprising a processor unit and a memory coupled to the processor unit and having stored therein instructions that are readable by the processor unit for controlling the processor unit to perform functions in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating functional components of a system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a data processing system depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a method in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an example of a report generated in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is another example of a report generated in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An automatic network domain diagnostic, repair, and mapping tool is disclosed. A tool in accordance with an illustrative embodiment may be employed in any computer domain or network setting or application in which shared resources on the network are available to users. For example, a tool in accordance with an illustrative embodiment may be employed or implemented for use in a Windows Server domain, or a similar computer domain, but illustrative embodiments are not limited to this particular application. 
     The different illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account a number of different considerations. For example, the different illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that many users have reported that accessing resources on a domain share network often is such a difficult task that they avoid anything hosted on a domain. This is due to the extreme limitations of existing domain interfaces. Such interfaces do not provide feedback to the user when attempting to access domain resources. Any number of problems could exist that would prevent the user from accessing a shared resource. Yet, current interfaces respond to a failure to access a resource by simply asking a user to enter their password repeatedly, until the account is locked after repeated failed attempts. This has led to an untold amount of user frustration. 
     A tool in accordance with an illustrative embodiment addresses many of the limitations of current systems by automatically detecting and repairing common network resource access issues, reporting status and other pertinent information to the user in a quick and easy to read fashion, and automatically mapping the shared resource to the user behind the scenes, without requiring any technical knowledge or skill on the part of the user. 
     Functional components of automatic network domain diagnostic repair and mapping tool  100  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Tool  100  may be implemented in data processing system  102  that is part of computer network  104 . As will be discussed in more detail below, data processing system  102  may include a computer or other data processing system or device or a plurality of such computers or devices operating together to perform the functions in accordance with an illustrative embodiment disclosed herein. Computer network  104  may include any number of computers and other devices and systems connected together via network connection  106 . Network connection  106  may include wired and/or wireless network connections, such as local area network and/or wide area network connections, as well as multiple network connections of the same or different types. Network connection  106  also may provide connections between and among computer networks. Thus, computer network  104  may include a network of computer networks. For example, computer network  104  may include a group of computers implementing a Windows Server domain. 
     Computer network  104  may include any number of computers, including one or more servers  108 . In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, server  108 , or one or more other computers on network  104 , may contain or host shared resource  110 . Remote user  112  may desire to access shared resource  110  via network connection  106 . 
     One or more computers on network  104  may implement domain controller function  114 . Domain controller  114  responds to security authentication requests, such as logging in, checking permissions, and the like, within a domain implemented on network  104  that includes shared resource  110 . 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, user  112  desiring to access shared resource  110  provides user input information  116 . User input information  116  may include network address  118 , identifying a location of shared resource  110  on network  104 , and user identification information, including username  120  and password  122 . For example, user provided network address  118  may include a domain name system (DNS) address. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, address check and repair function  124  checks address  118  provided by user  112 , and repairs it if necessary, to identify server  108  or other computer hosting desired shared resource  110 . Ping server of interest function  126  pings the identified server  108  to check whether or not it is responding. Confirm account function  128  checks to confirm whether user identification information, such as username  120  and/or password  122 , corresponds to an existing open account. Confirm account function  128  may include querying domain controller  114 . If server  108  is found to be responding and the user account is confirmed, map shared resource function  130  automatically maps shared resource  110  for use by user  112 . 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, whether or not server  108  is found to be responding, or the user account is confirmed, report generation function  132  may generate and display to user  112  account status report  134 . Account status report  134  may include status information  136 , which may include user friendly information regarding the user&#39;s connection to shared resource  110 , including, when user  112  is not able to access shared resource  110 , an explanation of why user  112  could not access shared resource  110 . When user  112  is not able to access shared resource  110 , account status report  134  also may include assistance information  140 , such as the telephone number of or link to a help desk or problem reporting or ticketing system. 
     The illustration of  FIG. 1  is not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in which different advantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other components in addition to and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Some components may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also, the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. One or more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into different blocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments. For example, although various functions in accordance with an illustrative embodiment are shown in  FIG. 1  within the block for a single data processing system  102 , such functions may be implemented on one or more data processing systems located anywhere on computer network  104 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a diagram of a data processing system  200  is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this example, data processing system  200  is an example of one implementation of data processing system  102  in  FIG. 1 . In this illustrative example, data processing system  200  includes communications fabric  202 , which provides communications between processor unit  204 , memory  206 , persistent storage  208 , communications unit  210 , input/output (I/O) unit  212 , and display  214 . 
     Processor unit  204  serves to execute instructions for software that may be loaded into memory  206 . Processor unit  204  may be a set of one or more processors or may be a multi-processor core, depending on the particular implementation. Further, processor unit  204  may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems, in which a main processor is present with secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative example, processor unit  204  may be a symmetric multi-processor system containing multiple processors of the same type. 
     Memory  206  and persistent storage  208  are examples of storage devices  216 . A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable of storing information, such as, for example, without limitation, data, program code in functional form, and/or other suitable information either on a temporary basis and/or a permanent basis. Memory  206 , in these examples, may be, for example, a random access memory, or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Persistent storage  208  may take various forms, depending on the particular implementation. For example, persistent storage  208  may contain one or more components or devices. For example, persistent storage  208  may be a hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, or some combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage  208  may be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage  208 . 
     Communications unit  210 , in these examples, provides for communication with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, communications unit  210  is a network interface card. Communications unit  210  may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. 
     Input/output unit  212  allows for the input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to data processing system  200 . For example, input/output unit  212  may provide a connection for user input through a keyboard, a mouse, and/or some other suitable input device. Further, input/output unit  212  may send output to a printer. 
     Display  214  provides a mechanism to display information to a user. For example, a report generated in accordance with an illustrative embodiment may be displayed to a user on display  214 . 
     Instructions for the operating system, applications, and/or programs may be located in storage devices  216 , which are in communication with processor unit  204  through communications fabric  202 . In these illustrative examples, the instructions are in a functional form on persistent storage  208 . These instructions may be loaded into memory  206  in order to be run by processor unit  204 . The processes of the different embodiments may be performed by processor unit  204  using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such as memory  206 . 
     These instructions are referred to as program code, computer usable program code, or computer readable program code that may be read and run by a processor in processor unit  204 . The program code, in the different embodiments, may be embodied on different physical or computer readable storage media, such as memory  206  or persistent storage  208 . 
     Program code  218  is located in a functional form on computer readable media  220  that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto or transferred to data processing system  200  to be run by processor unit  204 . Program code  218  and computer readable media  220  form computer program product  222 . In one example, computer readable media  220  may be computer readable storage media  224  or computer readable signal media  226 . Computer readable storage media  224  may include, for example, an optical or magnetic disc that is inserted or placed into a drive or other device that is part of persistent storage  208  for transfer onto a storage device, such as a hard drive, that is part of persistent storage  208 . Computer readable storage media  224  also may take the form of a persistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flash memory that is connected to data processing system  200 . In some instances, computer readable storage media  224  may not be removable from data processing system  200 . 
     Alternatively, program code  218  may be transferred to data processing system  200  using computer readable signal media  226 . Computer readable signal media  226  may be, for example, a propagated data signal containing program code  218 . For example, computer readable signal media  226  may be an electro-magnetic signal, an optical signal, and/or any other suitable type of signal. These signals may be transmitted over communications links, such as wireless communications links, an optical fiber cable, a coaxial cable, a wire, and/or any other suitable type of communications link. In other words, the communications link and/or the connection may be physical or wireless in the illustrative examples. 
     In some illustrative embodiments, program code  218  may be downloaded over a network to persistent storage  208  from another device or data processing system through computer readable signal media  226  for use within data processing system  200 . For instance, program code stored in a computer readable storage media in a server data processing system may be downloaded over a network from the server to data processing system  200 . The data processing system providing program code  218  may be a server computer, a client computer, or some other device capable of storing and transmitting program code  218 . 
     The different components illustrated for data processing system  200  are not meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrative embodiments may be implemented in a data processing system including components in addition to or in place of those illustrated for data processing system  200 . Other components shown in  FIG. 2  can be varied from the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may be implemented using any hardware device or system capable of executing program code. As one example, data processing system  200  may include organic components integrated with inorganic components and/or may be comprised entirely of organic components excluding a human being. For example, a storage device may be comprised of an organic semiconductor. 
     As another example, a storage device in data processing system  200  is any hardware apparatus that may store data. Memory  206 , persistent storage  208 , and computer readable media  220  are examples of storage devices in a tangible form. 
     In another example, a bus system may be used to implement communications fabric  202  and may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a system bus or an input/output bus. Of course, the bus system may be implemented using any suitable type of architecture that provides for a transfer of data between different components or devices attached to the bus system. Additionally, a communications unit may include one or more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter. Further, a memory may be, for example, memory  206  or a cache such as found in an interface and memory controller hub that may be present in communications fabric  202 . 
     Method  300  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, method  300  begins with a user inputting information identifying the location of a shared resource and user identification information (step  302 ). For example, the location of the shared resource may be identified by a network address, such as a domain name system (DNS) address. The user identification information may include a username and/or password. 
     The user inputted address entry is checked, and repaired if necessary (step  304 ). For example, step  304  may include checking and repairing domain name system address entries, and suffixes, which may have been reset by one application or another, thereby preventing connection to the remote shared resource unless repaired. 
     The server or other computer hosting the shared resource then is checked to ensure that it is actually responding (step  306 ). Step  306  may include pinging the server of interest in a known manner. 
     The user identification information provided by the user is checked to determine whether a user account exists (step  308 ). Step  308  may include querying a domain controller to confirm the supplied username currently exists in an account. Users sometimes have various names on different servers, which is confusing and can lead to a locked account. 
     It is determined whether the checks performed in steps  306  and  308  indicate that everything is in order (step  310 ). If everything is in order, the shared resource is mapped automatically for use by the user (step  312 ). 
     Without regard to the result of step  310 , a report is generated and displayed for the user (step  314 ). Step  314  includes generating and providing to a user an account status report providing information to the user on the results of previous steps  304  through  312 . Step  314  may include generating a report all at once, after previous steps  304  through  312  have been completed. Alternatively, and preferably, step  314  may include dynamically generating and displaying portions of the report as each step  304  through  312  is implemented and completed, thereby providing the user with real-time information on the progress of the automatic network domain diagnostic repair and mapping tool&#39;s attempt to access a shared resource. This reporting feature is very useful. By immediately informing the user of problems making a connection to a shared resource, the user will know if the problem is caused by user error or if there is a problem with the account. 
     An example status report  400  generated in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4 . Report  400  may be presented to a user, for example, on a computer display. Report  400  includes lines of text  402 ,  404 , and  406  that report to the user the status of address checks and any repairs that were performed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Report  400  includes lines of text  408  reporting to the user the result of a ping test performed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Report  400  includes lines of text  410  reporting to the user the result of checking to confirm the user account in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this case, report  400  includes text  412  indicating that the user account was found and text  416  reporting successful automatic mapping of the shared resource for the user. 
     Report  400  may include the user&#39;s password expiration date  414 , which may be obtained when querying the domain controller. This is a user friendly feature. If a user has accounts on many domains they will not receive notification of pending password expiration unless they log into that domain. 
     Another example status report  500  generated in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 5 . Report  500  includes lines of text  502 ,  504 , and  506  that report to the user the status of address checks and any repairs that were performed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Report  500  includes lines of text  508  reporting to the user the result of a ping test performed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Report  500  includes lines of text  510  reporting to the user the result of checking to confirm the user account in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this case, report  500  includes text  512  indicating that the user account was found and text  514  reporting that the user account was found to be disabled. 
     Since the user account could not be accessed, report  500  also includes user assistance information. For example, report  500  includes a phone number  516  for a help desk and link  518  to an online ticketing system, so the user can request assistance immediately. Report  500  provides a description of the problem encountered in attempting to access a shared resource. The text within report  500  can be cut and copied in a conventional manner into an email message to the help desk, or pasted into an online ticket. The information in report  500  will be very helpful to the help desk technicians, since it shows that many potential common problems in connecting to a shared resource have already been checked and fixed. 
     The format and content of a report in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is not limited to the format and content shown by example in reports  400  and  500 . For example, information that may be provided to a user in a report in accordance with an illustrative embodiment, when a shared resource cannot be accessed by a user, may include the following: An indication that the account is locked, that the account referenced by the user is currently locked and may not be logged on to. An indication that the account is disabled. An indication that the user password has expired. All of these indications are indications of problems with the account itself. Other information that may be provided to a user in a report in accordance with an illustrative embodiment, when a shared resource cannot be accessed by a user, may include the following: An indication that the user provided account information is unknown, that the user referenced account does not exist. An indication that the user provided password is incorrect, that the password is unknown or bad, resulting in a logon failure. These last two indications are indications of a potential user mistake that may be corrected by the user entering the correct information. Other helpful information in various other formats may be included in a report in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present invention are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and explanation, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.