In a system with a policy server, a first device able to communicate with the policy server and a second device able to communicate with the first device and unable to communicate with the policy server, the first device is to act as a policy proxy. The policy server may push to the first device a policy for the second device, and the first device may push the policy to the second device.
1. A method performed by a policy server, the method comprising:
sending a first policy to a first electronic device via a first communication interface device associated with the first electronic device, the first policy for application on the first electronic device to configure operation of the first electronic device;
receiving a request from the first electronic device via the first communication interface device associated with the first electronic device, the request being for a second policy to apply on a second electronic device that is devoid of a user interface for enabling configuration of the second electronic device and that is not capable of direct communication with the policy server, and the request comprising information collected by the first electronic device regarding the second electronic device; and
sending the second policy to the first communication interface device of the first electronic device to cause the first electronic device to transmit the second policy via a second communication interface device associated with the first electronic device to the second electronic device, the second communication interface device being at least one of separate from and distinct from the first communication interface device, and wherein the first policy is distinct from the second policy.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a confirmation from the first communication interface device of the first electronic device that all or a portion of the second policy has been applied on the second electronic device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first electronic device is a mobile electronic device.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the mobile electronic device is selected from the group consisting of cellular phones, personal digital assistants, electronic mail clients, gaming devices, laptop computers, notebook computers, and desktop computers.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first communication interface device is compatible with a local area network standard and wherein the second communication interface device is compatible with a Bluetooth standard.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first electronic device is a server computer.
7. A policy server comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing policies and instructions executable by the processor, the instructions being configured to:
send a first policy of the policies to a first electronic device via a first communication interface device associated with the first electronic device, the first policy for application on the first electronic device to configure operation of the first electronic device;
receive a request from the first electronic device via the first communication interface device associated with the first electronic device, the request being for a second policy of the policies to apply on a second electronic device that is devoid of a user interface for enabling configuration of the second electronic device and that is not capable of direct communication with the policy server, and the request comprising information collected by the first electronic device regarding the second electronic device; and
send the second policy to the first communication interface device of the first electronic device to cause the first electronic device to transmit the second policy via a second communication interface device associated with the first electronic device to the second electronic device, the second communication interface device being at least one of separate from and distinct from the first communication interface device, and wherein the first policy is distinct from the second policy.
8. The policy server of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further configured to:
receive from the first electronic device, via the first communication interface device, a confirmation that all or a portion of the second policy has been applied on the second electronic device.
9. The policy server of claim 7 , wherein the first communication interface device is compatible with a local area network standard and wherein the second communication interface device is compatible with a Bluetooth standard.
10. The policy server of claim 7 , wherein the first electronic device is a server computer.
11. The policy server of claim 7 , wherein the first electronic device is a mobile electronic device selected from the group consisting of cellular phones, personal digital assistants, electronic mail clients, gaming devices, laptop computers, notebook computers, and desktop computers.
12. A non-transitory storage medium containing instructions, comprising:
first instructions that, when executed, cause a policy server to send a first policy to a first electronic device via a first communication interface device associated with the first electronic device, the first policy for application on the first electronic device to configure operation of the first electronic device;
second instructions that, when executed, cause the policy server to receive a request from the first electronic device via the first communication interface device associated with the first electronic device, the request being for a second policy to apply on a second electronic device that is devoid of a user interface for enabling configuration of the second electronic device and that is not capable of direct communication with the policy server, and the request comprising information collected by the first electronic device regarding the second electronic device; and
third instructions that, when executed, cause the policy server to send the second policy to the first communication interface device of the first electronic device for transmission of the second policy by the first electronic device to the second electronic device via a second communication interface device associated with the first electronic device, the second communication interface device being at least one of separate from and distinct from the first communication interface device, and wherein the first policy is distinct from the second policy.
13. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 12 , further comprising fourth instructions that, when executed, cause the policy server to receive a confirmation from the first communication interface device of the first electronic device that all or a portion of the second policy has been applied on the second electronic device.
14. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the first communication interface device is compatible with a local area network standard and wherein the second communication interface device is compatible with a Bluetooth standard.
15. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the first electronic device is a server computer.
16. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the first electronic device is a mobile electronic device selected from the group consisting of cellular phones, personal digital assistants, electronic mail clients, gaming devices, laptop computers, notebook computers, and desktop computers.