Patent ID: 7516480

Claim:
A method implemented in a network computer system having multiple security-trust boundaries, the method remotely configuring a targeted device while minimizing the number of ports that are open for such configuration purposes by utilizing a standard messaging transport protocol with an already existing open port, the method comprising acts of: receiving input from an authorized user for configuring command/control information for a target device that is remotely located within a messaging network; automatically generating a message that includes the command/control information in a field of the message that is by default not presented at a user interface display; digitally signing at least a portion of the message for authenticating and validating the command/control information integrity; transmitting the electronic message including the command/control information to the target device over an existing dedicated open port of a standard messaging transport protocol that is typically used to send message data to recipients for displaying on a user interface; and notifying a central console module that the command/control information has been sent to the target device, wherein the central console module provides central monitoring and reporting of configuration changes from one or more remote devices to multiple target devices within the network computer system.