Remote port access (rpa) server

Abstract

Systems and methods for accessing data from one or more remote devices and providing data to remote devices installed behind one or more firewalls are provided. The remote devices are configured to automatically detect network connectivity and to open a network connection to a remote port access (RPA) server. The remote devices initiate the connection with the RPA server enabling the connection to be established through the firewall. A client device establishes a network connection to the RPA server in order to access data from or to provide data to one or more of the remote devices. The RPA server acts as an intermediary between the RPA server and the remote devices that receives data from the client device and sends the data to the remote device and receives data from the remote devices and sends the data to the client device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for use at a remote port access (RPA) server to provide access to data from an end device, the method comprising:
 receiving a first connection request at the RPA server from a remote device, the first connection request received at a first predetermined port number, the remote device being located behind a firewall configured to allow outbound connections from the remote device and block inbound connections to the remote device, and the remote device being coupled to the end device;   in response to the first connection request, determining whether the remote device is associated with a client;   establishing a first network connection between the RPA server and the remote device through the firewall when the remote device is associated with the client;   receiving a second connection request at the RPA server from a client device, the second connection request received at a second predetermined port number, the client device being located outside the firewall and associated with the client;   establishing, in response to the second connection request, a second network connection between the RPA server and the client device;   receiving a request from the client device for data from the end device coupled to the remote device, the request received at the RPA server via the second network connection;   in response to the request for data, determining whether the remote device is associated with the client;   requesting data by the RPA server from the end device via the remote device and the first network connection when the remote device is associated with the client;   receiving the requested data at the RPA server from the remote device via the first network connection; and   providing the requested data from the RPA server to the client device via the second network connection.