Licensing system using a firewall gateway for protecting and licensing computers

Abstract

A licensing system using a firewall gateway for protecting and licensing computers is disclosed. A firewall gateway for separating a protected computer on a private network from a public network is provided. The protected computer has a client software application residing thereon that is licensed. A client module is provided that is associated with the client software application. A proxy agent is provided that is maintained by the firewall gateway. The proxy agent is configured to validate a license for the client software application.

1 . A licensing system using a firewall gateway for protecting and licensing computers comprising: 
 a firewall gateway separating a protected computer on a private network from traffic on a public IP-compliant network;    the protected computer having a client software application residing thereon and a client module associated with the client software application; and    a proxy agent maintained by the firewall gateway for validating a license for said client software application on said protected computer.    
   
   
       2 . The licensing system of  claim 1 , wherein said proxy agent receives a license inquiry request from said protected computer, and forwards the request to a license server over an IP-compliant network.  
   
   
       3 . The licensing system of  claim 2 , wherein said proxy agent receives a license inquiry response message from the license server, and forwards the response message to said protected computer.  
   
   
       4 . The licensing system of  claim 3 , wherein said proxy agent periodically performs an audit of license information regarding said client application and stores said information in a cache.  
   
   
       5 . The licensing system of  claim 3 , wherein said proxy agent is the only IP address visible outside of said firewall.