Network device and interceptor module system and method for controlling remote communications
A remote communication system and method are disclosed. An environment in an electronic device, such as a computer based device, is identified defining a plurality of parameters communicated between the electronic device and a remote computer as part of a remote session (i.e., the electronic device remotely controlling the remote computer via the remote session), with each parameter defining an action associated with the remote session. A first application, via a unidirectional communication with the environment, modifies at least one parameter associated with the environment (e.g., modifying keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration). A network device (e.g., a router, a switch, a hub, a repeater, a multilayer switch, etc.) monitors communication between the electronic device and the remote computer and extracts the modified parameter and, based on a look-up, executes a pre-defined action affecting the remote session, wherein the pre-defined action is different than the modified parameter's associated action.
1. A method as implemented in a router comprising:
extracting a modified parameter associated with an environment of an electronic device, said electronic device remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on a remote computer over a first network, said remote controlling performed via a bidirectional communication, and said environment defining a plurality of parameters communicated between said electronic device and remote computer as part of said remote session, each parameter in said plurality of parameters defining an action associated with said remote session, wherein said modified parameter is modified by a first application running in said electronic device, via a unidirectional communication with said environment;
looking up a pre-defined action corresponding to said extracted modified parameter; and
executing said pre-defined action to affect said remote session, said pre-defined action different than said modified parameter's associated action.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said modified parameter involves modification of any of the following: keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first application is any of the following: web application, office productivity application, or a mail client.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said modified parameter contains an illegal value with respect to said remote session.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said electronic device is one of a computer or computer based device.
6. A method as implemented in a switch comprising:
extracting a modified parameter associated with an environment of an electronic device, said electronic device remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on a remote computer over a first network, said remote controlling performed via a bidirectional communication, and said environment defining a plurality of parameters communicated between said electronic device and remote computer as part of said remote session, each parameter in said plurality of parameters defining an action associated with said remote session, wherein said modified parameter is modified by a first application running in said electronic device, via a unidirectional communication with said environment;
looking up a pre-defined action corresponding to said extracted modified parameter; and
executing said pre-defined action to affect said remote session, said pre-defined action different than said modified parameter's associated action.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said modified parameter involves modification of any of the following: keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said first application is any of the following: web application, office productivity application, or a mail client.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein said modified parameter contains an illegal value with respect to said remote session.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein said electronic device is one of a computer or computer based device.
11. A non-transitory article of manufacture comprising:
computer readable program code implementing an interceptor module to be deployed in a computer networking element, said interceptor module extracting a modified parameter associated with an environment of an electronic device, said electronic device remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on a remote computer over a first network, said remote controlling performed via a bidirectional communication, and said environment defining a plurality of parameters communicated between said electronic device and remote computer as part of said remote session, each parameter in said plurality of parameters defining an action associated with said remote session, wherein said modified parameter is modified by a first application running in said electronic device, via a unidirectional communication with said environment;
computer readable program code allowing said interceptor module to look up a pre-defined action corresponding to said extracted modified parameter; and
computer readable program code allowing said interceptor module to execute said pre-defined action to affect said remote session, said pre-defined action different than said modified parameter's associated action.
12. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein said computer networking element is a router or a switch.
13. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein said modified parameter involves modification of any of the following: keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration.
14. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein said modified parameter contains an illegal value with respect to said remote session.
15. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein said first application is any of the following: web application, office productivity application, or a mail client.
16. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein said electronic device is one of a computer or computer based device.
17. A method as implemented in a network device comprising:
said network device extracting a modified parameter associated with an environment of an electronic device, said electronic device remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on a remote computer over a first network, said remote controlling performed via a bidirectional communication, and said environment defining a plurality of parameters communicated between said electronic device and remote computer as part of said remote session, each parameter in said plurality of parameters defining an action associated with said remote session, wherein said modified parameter is modified by a first application running in said electronic device, via a unidirectional communication with said environment;
said network device looking up a pre-defined action corresponding to said extracted modified parameter; and
said network device executing said pre-defined action to affect said remote session, said pre-defined action different than said modified parameter's associated action
said network device being any of the following: a router, a switch, a hub, a repeater, a network interface card, or a multilayer switch.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said modified parameter involves modification of any of the following: keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein said first application is any of the following: web application, office productivity application, or a mail client.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein said modified parameter contains an illegal value with respect to said remote session.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein said electronic device is one of a computer or computer based device.