Patent ID: 8886714

Claim:
A method for enabling a remote access to a cloud-enabled network device, the method is performed by a cloud relay server that communicates with at least one client over an internet connection, comprising: receiving a request from a client at the cloud relay server to access at least a user interface of the cloud-enabled network device through an internet connection, wherein the cloud-enabled network device is connected in a local area network (LAN) external to a cloud storage system and any cloud system; using a host name designated in the client request to enable the cloud relay server to identify a cloud connector that communicates with the cloud-enabled network device external to the cloud storage system, wherein the host name identifies the cloud-enabled network device; sending an open relay message including a first secret token to the cloud-enabled network device through the identified cloud connector over a management link, wherein the management link is established between the identified cloud connector and the cloud-enabled network device to bypass at least a firewall connected in the LAN; and establishing a secure tunnel between the cloud relay server and the cloud-enabled network device, when a response to the received open relay message includes a second secret token matching the first secret token, thereby enabling a secure connection between the client and the cloud-enabled network device over the internet connection.