Sharing devices on peer-to-peer networks
Providing access to devices based on peer membership. A method is described including an act of providing access to a device, such as a hardware peripheral or a software service, to networked agents, such as host computers, operating systems, frameworks, and application code. The method includes an act of forming a peer-to-peer network of one or more members from among the networked agents. The one or more members form a peer group. The peer group does not require a central authority defining peer group membership. Access to a device is provided to the one or more members forming the peer group based on their being included in the peer group.
1 . In a computer network including one or more networked agents and one or more devices including one or more hardware peripherals and/or software services, a method of providing access to a device to networked agents, the method comprising acts of:
forming a peer-to-peer network of one or more members from among the networked agents, wherein the one or more members forms a peer group, the peer group not requiring a central authority defining peer group membership; and
providing access to a device to the one or more members forming the peer group based on their being included in the peer group.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing access to a device comprises a host coupled to the device being included in the peer group and providing access to the one or more members based on their being included in the peer group.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing access to a device comprises adding the one or more members forming the peer group to an access control list (ACL).
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing access to a device comprises adding the peer group to an ACL.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing access to a device comprises registering the one or more members with a service on the peer-to-peer network, the service configured to add members added to the service to an ACL for providing access to the device.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the service is a Web Service.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing access to a device comprises including the device in the peer group.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the members is a host computer.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the members is software including at least one of an operating system, a framework, and application code.
10 . A computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions for performing the acts of claim 1 .
11 . In a computer network including one or more networked agents and one or more devices including one or more hardware peripherals and/or software services, a method of providing access to a device to networked agents, the method comprising acts of:
receiving a request for device access from one of the networked agents wherein the networked agent is a member of a peer group, the peer group not requiring a central authority defining peer group membership;
verifying that the networked agent is a member of the peer group; and
granting access to the networked agent based on membership in the peer group.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving a request is performed at a service at the device.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the service is a Web Service.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein verifying that the networked agent is a member of a peer group comprises performing a reverse look-up of an ACE for the peer group.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein verifying that the networked agent is a member of the peer group comprises verifying that the networked agent and the device are in the same peer group.
16 . A computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions for performing the acts of claim 11 .
17 . A computer system for providing access to a device to agents in a peer-to-peer fashion such that the agents are organized into peer groups where the peer group does not require a central authority defining peer group membership, the computer system comprising:
a processor configured to run program modules; and
a storage medium configured to store data and program modules, the storage medium comprising:
a program module configured to verify membership in the peer group for one or more agents and to provide access to the device to agents based on peer group membership.
18 . The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the program module comprises a service configured to add members in the peer group to an ACL.
19 . The computer system of claim 18 , wherein the service is a Web Service.
20 . The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the program module is included as an agent in the peer group.
21 . The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the computer system comprises the device and wherein the computer system is included as a member of the peer group.
22 . The computer system of claim 17 , further comprising a network connection configured to connect to remote agents.
23 . The computer systems of claim 17 , wherein the computers system comprises an agent, the agent comprising at least one of an operating system, a framework, and application code.
24 . The computer system of claim 23 , wherein the service is a Web Service.