Systems and methods for interrogating diagnostic target using remotely loaded image

The present teachings relate to systems and methods for interrogating a remote diagnostic target using a remotely loaded image, and more particularly to platforms and techniques for securely inserting an image of an operating system or other operating environment on a diagnostic target to perform diagnostic or provisioning activity on that target, without interference from the target's native operating environment, associated network, or other machines.

Network management platforms exist which permit a systems administrator to connect to a set of targets in a network, and perform maintenance and diagnostic activities on that group of managed machines. The network management platform can identify individual targets via a public key or other security credential, and identify the software provisioning requirements, obtain a hardware inventory, or perform other management tasks on validated machines. In general, existing network management platforms can be hosted on a central server or other facility that permits connection to, identification, and management of the set of targets.

Existing network management platforms can be affected, however, by limitations in their network arrangement and control structure. For instance, in cases where a network management platform wishes to attempt to inspect or inventory a target machine, and/or perform diagnostics, debugging, and/or benchmarking on that machine, the native operating system or other native environment hosted on that machine can interfere with or affect the results. By the same token, the network in which the target machine is installed can have an undesired effect on a machine which is under diagnostic control, so that it may return different results than if the machine were operating in isolation, off-network. Similarly, security issues may arise if the network management platform wishes to attempt to perform low-level or sensitive tasks, such as configuring hard drive or other storage on the target machine, while that machine is exposed to the network. Thus, there is a need in the art for methods and systems that provide an ability to connect to and maintain a target machine in a network while avoiding security and operational issues, yet without having to physically disconnect the machine from its network to ensure isolation.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall network in which systems and methods for interrogating a diagnostic target using a remotely loaded image can be practiced, according to various embodiments of the present teachings;

FIG. 2 illustrates an overall network in which systems and methods for interrogating a diagnostic target using a remotely loaded image can be practiced according to various embodiments of the present teachings, including remote image loading of a substitute operating environment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an illustrative hardware configuration which can support systems and methods for interrogating a diagnostic target using a remotely loaded image can be practiced, according to various embodiments of the present teachings; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an overall flowchart for interrogating a diagnostic target using a remotely loaded image can be practiced, according to various embodiments of the present teachings.

Embodiments of the present teachings relate to systems and methods for interrogating a diagnostic target using a remotely loaded image can be practiced, by which secure operations can be performed one or more diagnostic targets on a secure selective basis. More particularly, embodiments relate to platforms and techniques for establishing a secure connection between a network management platform and one or more diagnostic targets in a group of managed machines. In terms of operational environment, in general the network management platform can communicate with the set of managed machines, such as personal computers, servers, virtual machines, and/or other devices, and manage the security of those machines under the supervision of that platform. The network management platform can establish a set of security policies for managed machines in its domain.

The one or more diagnostic targets to which diagnostic activities are to be directed can each comprise a native operating environment, such as an installed operating system and/or related resources. The network management platform can establish a secure channel to one or more diagnostic target in the set of managed machines. The network management platform can retrieve security keys, certificates, or other credentials from the diagnostic target(s) with which it has established communication. The network management platform can prepare a live image of a substitute operating environment, such as an operating system, to transmit to the intended diagnostic target(s). The network management platform can communicate the live image and remotely load that substitute operating environment on the one or more target(s), and boot that one or more target into the substitute operating environment. The network management platform can load the security credentials into the diagnostic target(s), and then perform maintenance, diagnostic, provisioning, and/or other operations on that target while under control of the substitute operating environment. While under the control of the substitute operation environment and communicating with the network management platform via the secure channel, the diagnostic target(s) can be effectively isolated from the network and operated on without interference from the network, peer machines, or other possible intrusions or interruptions. Software provisioning, storage allocation or other hardware configuration, and/or other tasks can then be performed on the diagnostic target(s), to update that machine or machines, obtain inventory or other reports, and complete other management tasks. After performance of those tasks, the diagnostic target(s) can be re-booted back to their native operating environment and returned to regular network operation. Provisioning, diagnostic, and other actions can therefore be performed, while maintaining the integrity of the diagnostic target(s) and/or their associated networks, on a secure basis.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall system 100 in which systems and methods for interrogating one or more diagnostic target using a remotely loaded image can be implemented, according to various embodiments of the present teachings. In embodiments as shown, network management platform 102 can communicate with managed network 150 via a secure channel 148 . Secure channel 148 can for instance be or include the secure channel and related resources described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/130,424, filed May 30, 2008, entitled “Systems and Methods for Remote Management of Networked Systems Using Secure Modular Platform,” which published as U.S. patent application Publication Ser. No. 2009/0300180, assigned or under obligation of assignment to the same entity as this application, and which application is incorporated by reference herein. Secure channel 148 can be or include, for example, a secure socket layer (SSL) connection, a channel established using a public/private key infrastructure, and/or other connections, channels, or protocols. Managed network 150 can include, as shown, a set of supervisory hosts 112 , a set of targets 180 , and/or other machines, devices, clients, and/or other hardware, software, storage or other resources.

According to embodiments as shown, one or more diagnostic target 160 can be selected in managed network 150 upon which to perform maintenance, diagnostic, provisioning, or other management or control activities. While secure channel 148 is illustratively shown as one channel to managed network 150 or devices therein, it will be understood that in embodiments, secure channel 148 can comprise multiple channels or connections. In general, network management platform 102 can communicate with the managed network 150 and its constituent machines and resources, which can for instance comprise personal computers, servers, network-enable devices, virtual machines, and/or other devices, and manage the security of those machines under the supervision of network management platform 102 . The network management platform 102 can establish a set of security policies for managed machines in its domain, including for example an access control list (ACL) and/or other policies, lists, or parameters for the maintenance and management of managed network 150 . Security policies and other data can for instance be stored in network store 104 .

According to embodiments in one regard, network management platform 102 can operate to connect to a given one or more of managed network 150 to securely identify that machine or machine, and perform diagnostic, provisioning, maintenance, and/or other operations on that machine or machines. According to embodiments, network management platform 102 can identify the desired diagnostic target or targets using its own criteria or logic, such as, for instance, maintenance schedules stored in network management platform 102 . According to embodiments, network management platform 102 can receive instructions to act on one or more diagnostic target, for instance, via manual input from a systems administrator, or other manual or automatic commands. Once one or more diagnostic targets have been identified, network management platform 102 can act to deactivate the native operating environment of that machine or machines, activate a substitute or temporary operating environment on that machine or machines, perform diagnostic, provisioning, maintenance, or other operations on that machine or machines, and then return that machine or machines for regular operation in managed network 150 .

More particularly, and as for example illustrated in FIG. 2 , network management platform 102 can establish a secure connection 148 to one or more diagnostic target 160 in managed network 150 . Each one of one or more diagnostic target 160 can have an associated native operating environment 142 , such as an operating system, installed on that machine. Native operating environment 142 can be or include, for instance, a distribution of the Linux™ operating system, the Unix™ operating system, or other open-source or proprietary operating system or platform. native operating environment 142 can operate under control of native operating environment 142 during regular operation in managed network 150 , or other times. Each of one or more diagnostic target 160 can include a koan (kickstart on network) module 154 , as described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/763,315, U.S. patent application Publication Ser. No. 2008/0288938 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/763,333, U.S. patent Publication Ser. No. 2008/0288939, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference. Other logic or tools can be used to communicate with network management platform 102 .

Network management platform 102 can establish secure connection 148 to one or more diagnostic target 160 , and interact with one or more diagnostic target 160 to identify and validate that machine's installation, connection, and operation, and prepare to perform diagnostic or other operations on that machine. Network management platform 102 can, for example, confirm a physical address or identifier of one or more diagnostic target 160 , such as a media access control (MAC) address for that machine. Network management platform 102 can also access and/or extract a set of security credentials 152 stored on or associated with one or more diagnostic target 160 . Set of security credentials 152 can be or include, for instance, a security key, public/private key infrastructure data, digital certificates or signatures, and/or other security objects, mechanisms, or data.

After identifying one or more diagnostic target 160 and extracting set of security credentials 152 , network management platform 102 can transmit an image 146 of a substitute operating environment 144 to one or more diagnostic target 160 . Image 146 can be or include an image or installation file for an operating system, such as the Linux™ or other operating system or platform. Image 146 can be received in one or more diagnostic target 160 and installed or loaded into that one or more respective machine to generate or invoke substitute operating environment 144 . After loading or installation, network management platform 102 can direct that the one or more diagnostic target 160 boot down and/or otherwise deactivate native operating environment 142 . network management platform 102 can then direct that image 146 be loaded or installed in one or more diagnostic target 160 , for instance, by invoking a “kexec” or other command or routine, and that one or more diagnostic target 160 boot into substitute operating environment 144 , and operate under control of that environment as directed by network management platform 102 .

Once one or more diagnostic target 160 has been booted into substitute operating environment 144 , network management platform 102 can direct various maintenance, diagnostic, provisioning, security, and/or other operations on one or more diagnostic target 160 . According to various embodiments, inventory reports, software provisioning data, security data, and/or other control or management actions can be communicated to one or more diagnostic target 160 in or via command data 154 that can be exchanged between network management platform 102 and one or more diagnostic target 160 . According to embodiments, because one or more diagnostic target 160 acts under the temporary control of substitute operating environment 144 in conjunction with network management platform 102 , one or more diagnostic target 160 is effectively off-line, logically disconnected, or isolated from managed network 150 during the duration of that operating environment.

Network management platform 102 can therefore interact with one or more diagnostic target 160 to configure resources, such as storage resources, basic input/output system (BIOS) resources, user profiles, software installation lists, and/or other resources with enhanced security and reliability. Upon completion of the diagnostic or other management activity, network management platform 102 can direct that one or more diagnostic target 160 boot down to pass out of the control of substitute operating environment 144 , and then re-boot or re-activate to resume operation and control under native operating environment 142 . In embodiments, network management platform 102 can direct that one or more diagnostic target 160 enter and re-enter the control of substitute operating environment 144 multiple times, and/or at specified scheduled times.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary diagram of hardware and other resources that can be incorporated in a network management platform 102 configured to communicate with managed network 150 and/or other resources including one or more diagnostic target 160 , and/or other hardware or software resources, according to embodiments. In embodiments as shown, the network management platform 102 can comprise a processor 124 communicating with memory 126 , such as electronic random access memory, operating under control of or in conjunction with operating system 130 . Operating system 130 can be, for example, a distribution of the Linux™ operating system, the Unix™ operating system, or other open-source or proprietary operating system or platform. Processor 124 also communicates with a network store 104 , such as a database stored on a local hard drive. Processor 124 further communicates with network interface 128 , such as an Ethernet or wireless data connection, which in turn communicates with one or more networks 110 , such as the Internet or other public or private networks. Processor 124 also communicates with network management module 122 , to execute control logic and perform secure diagnostic and management processes described herein. Other configurations of the network management platform 102 , associated network connections, and other hardware and software resources are possible. While FIG. 3 illustrates network management platform 102 as a standalone system comprises a combination of hardware and software, network management platform 102 can also be implemented as a software application or program capable of being executed by a conventional computer platform. Likewise, network management platform 102 can also be implemented as a software module or program module capable of being incorporated in other software applications and programs. In either case, network management platform 102 can be implemented in any type of conventional proprietary or open-source computer language.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of processing to interrogate one or more diagnostic target using a remotely loaded image, according to various embodiments. In 402 , processing can begin. In 404 , network management platform 102 can establish a secure channel 148 to a managed network 150 , such as a set of personal computers, workstations, laptops, servers, and/or other machines on a local area network (LAN) or other network. In 406 , the network management platform 102 can communicate with one or more diagnostic target 160 via secure channel 148 to begin diagnostic and/or other management operations. In 408 , network management platform 102 can access and/or extract a set of security credentials 152 for each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 . In embodiments, set of security credentials 152 can comprise security keys, public/private key information, digital certificates or signatures, physical identifiers, and/or other information.

In 410 , network management platform 102 can transmit an image 146 of a substitute operating environment 144 to each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 via secure channel 148 . In 412 , each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 can load or install image 146 , for example, using a koan module 152 or other locally installed tool or logic. In 414 , network management platform 102 can direct each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 via control data 154 and/or other commands to boot down, turn off, disconnect, or otherwise deactivate native operating environment 142 . In 416 , each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 can boot/re-boot, re-initialize, power on, or otherwise re-initialize or re-activate into substitute operating environment 144 . In 416 , network management platform 102 can transmit or insert set of security credentials 152 into each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 temporarily operating under substitute operating environment 144 .

In 418 , network management platform 102 can direct diagnostic, provisioning, maintenance, security, and/or other operations be performed on each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 . For example, a storage configuration or basic input/output system (BIOS) configuration can be installed or updated. For further example, an inventory of hardware or software resources can be performed, and/or various reports can be run indicating the state of each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 . In 420 , network management platform 102 can direct that each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 boot down or otherwise de-activate substitute operating environment. In 422 , network management platform 102 can direct that each machine in one or more diagnostic target 160 restore native operating environment 142 and resume regular operation in managed network 150 . In 424 , as understood by persons skilled in the art, processing can repeat, return to a prior processing point, jump to a further processing point, or end.

The foregoing description is illustrative, and variations in configuration and implementation may occur to persons skilled in the art. For example, while embodiments have been described in which a single network management platform 140 manages the security of managed network 150 , in embodiments, multiple security engines, servers, or other entities can cooperate to perform security functions. For further example, while embodiments have been described in which diagnostic, maintenance, and/or other operations can be performed on a single diagnostic target 160 , in embodiments, multiple diagnostic targets or an entire group of managed machines can be operated on at one time or together. For further example, while embodiments have been described in which a single image 146 is communicated to one or more diagnostic target 160 , in embodiments, an image can contain multiple constituent files or modules, or multiple images can be transmitted to the target(s). Other resources described as singular or integrated in some embodiments can in embodiments be plural or distributed, and resources described as embodiments as multiple or distributed can in embodiments be combined. The scope of the present teachings is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.