Development, test, and demonstration of automation solutions using web-based virtual computers and VPN tunneling

摘要

The present invention relates generally to an Internet based management of software and/or hardware. More particularly, the invention encompasses the development, test, and demonstration of automation solutions using web-based virtual computers and VPN (Virtual Private Network) tunneling. The present invention is also directed to a novel concept of storing various versions of a software and/or demo programs at a virtual data base which is accessible via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) tunnel.

主权项

1. A method, executing on hardware, for remotely accessing provider software, comprising:
(a) electronically accessing said provider software via the Internet with a first interface comprising an Internet access network interface controller (NIC) of at least one user device; (b) electronically accessing at least one customer hardware with a second interface comprising a local network NIC of said at least one user device; (c) establishing at least one virtual private network (VPN) tunnel between said provider software and said at least one customer hardware via said first interface and said second interface of said at least one user device; and (d) allowing said at least one user device to perform a software function on said at least one customer hardware via said second interface of said at least one user device with said provider software, wherein a virtual personal computer (PC) is preloaded with at least one version of the provider software and demonstration applications, wherein the provider software running on the virtual PC communicates with the at least one customer hardware, and wherein the virtual PC is accessed via the Internet using only a web-browser installed on the at least one user device, and without storing the provider software in the at least one user device or the at least one customer hardware.