Methods for accessing remotely located devices

Abstract

A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network is provided. The method includes establishing communication between a local client and a remote client. The local client establishes communication with the remote client by providing a remote client identification code and a password to the remote client. The communication is established when the remote client confirms that the remote client identification code and the password match. After communication is established, a determination is made if adapters are connected to the remote client and connection is established with a selected adapter connected to the remote client. Once a connection is established with the selected adapter, the local client is connected to the selected adapter. The selected adapter is configured to appear on a graphical user interface (GUI) of the local client as if the selected adapter of the remote client were physically connected to the local client.

1 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network, the method comprising: 
 establishing communication between a local client and a remote client, the local client being configured to provide a remote client identification code and a password to the remote client, the establishing being completed by confirmation from the remote client that the remote client identification code and the password match;    determining if adapters are connected to the remote client;    establishing connection to a selected adapter; and    connecting the local client to the selected adapter, the selected adapter being configured to appear on a first graphical user interface (GUI) of the local client as if the selected adapter of the remote client were physically connected to the local client.    
   
   
       2 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the local client provides a computer identification to the remote client prior to establishing communication between the local client and the remote client, the computer information containing the remote client identification code, the connection password and an access password.  
   
   
       3 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the operation of establishing connection to a selected adapter further comprises: 
 choosing the selected adapter using a second graphical user interface (GUI); and    providing the access password using the second GUI.    
   
   
       4 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote client functions as a server to provide services to the local client.  
   
   
       5 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the local client functions as a server to provide services to the remote client.  
   
   
       6 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the local client provides the remote client identification and the password using a third graphical user interface (GUI).  
   
   
       7 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a user at the local client clicks on an icon representing the selected adapter on the first GUI in order to access the selected adapter.  
   
   
       8 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the selected adapter connected to the remote client does not differentiate between the local client and the remote client when the local client is accessing the selected adapter.  
   
   
       9 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the operation of determining if adapters are connected to the remote client further comprises: 
 sending inquiry commands to the remote client.    
   
   
       10 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the inquiry commands are SCSI commands.  
   
   
       11 . A method for enabling access to resources connected to client nodes of a network as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the SCSI commands are encapsulated in packets suitable for transmission over a DCOM enabled link.