Secure computer support system

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 , wherein the central computer is a nexus.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 , wherein the persistent connection of the first computer remains open without network traffic.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 , further comprising spawning a process on the first computer iii response to the request from the second computer.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 , wherein the spawned process collects the data on the first computer in accordance with the request from the second computer.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 , wherein the request for maintenance spawns a process that executes diagnostic software on the first computer.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 , wherein the request for maintenance spawns a process that executes repair software on the first computer.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1 , wherein the request for maintenance spawns a process that provides information on configuration, state or screen display of the first computer to the second computer.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 , wherein the request for maintenance spawns a process that results in the transmission of software to and from the first computer.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 , wherein one of the first computer or the second computer reestablishes a connection with the central computer in the case that the connection is interrupted.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 , further comprising registering the first computer with the central computer to enable the transfer of the request for data from the second computer to the first computer.

Claim 13

The method of claim 1 , further comprising: registering the first computer with the central computer; identifying the first computer with an address; and using the address, enabling the transfer of the request for data from the second computer to the first computer.

Claim 14

The method of claim 1 , further comprising: transferring a request for configuration and maintenance data from the second computer to the first computer through the central computer; and transferring the configuration and maintenance data from the first computer to the second computer.

Claim 17

The system of claim 14 , wherein the nexus is a server.

Claim 18

The system of claim 14 , wherein the persistent connection between the first computer and the nexus remains open without network traffic.

Claim 19

The system of claim 14 , further comprising a module to spawn a process on the first computer in response to a request from the second computer.

Claim 20

The system of claim 17 , wherein the spawned process collects data on the first computer in accordance with the request from the second computer.

Claim 21

The system of claim 14 , wherein the request spawns a process that executes diagnostic software on the first computer.

Claim 22

The system of claim 14 , wherein the request spawns a process that executes repair software on the first computer.

Claim 23

The system of claim 14 , wherein the request spawns a process that provides information on configuration, state or screen display of the first computer to the second computer.

Claim 24

The system of claim 14 , wherein the request spawns a process that results in the transmission of software to and from the first computer.

Claim 25

The system of claim 14 , wherein one of the first computer or the second computer reestablishes a connection with the nexus in the case that the connection is interrupted.

Claim 26

The system of claim 14 , the first computer being registered with the nexus.

Claim 27

The system of claim 17 , wherein the spawned process collects configuration and maintenance data on the first computer in accordance with the request from the second computer.

Claim 28

A nexus adapted to establish a through connection between a first and second computer, the nexus operable to run: a registration process operable to register a first computer and save registration information upon receiving a maintenance request from the first computer, the first computer residing inside a first secured area behind firewalls, proxy servers or private Internet addresses; a first connection process operable to open a persistent connection between the nexus and the first computer; a second connection process operable to determine for the first computer an appropriate second computer to provide maintenance to the first computer, and establish, upon initiation by the central computer, a secure connection between the second computer and the nexus, the second computer residing outside of the first secured area, inside a second secured area behind firewalls, proxy servers or private Internet addresses, the nexus residing outside the first secured area and the second secured areas; a third connection process operable to use the registration information to establish a through, persistent connection between the first and second computers.

Claim 29

A nexus adapted to establish a through connection between a first and second computer, the nexus operable to run: a registration process operable to register a first computer and save registration information upon receiving a maintenance request from the first computer, the first computer residing inside a first secured area behind firewalls, proxy servers or private Internet addresses; a first connection process operable to open a persistent connection between the nexus and the first computer; a second connection process operable to determine for the first computer an appropriate second computer to provide maintenance to the first computer, and establish, upon initiation by the central computer, a secure connection between the second computer and the nexus, the second computer residing outside of the first secured area, inside a second secured area behind firewalls, proxy servers or private Internet addresses, the nexus residing outside the first secured area and the second secured areas; a third connection process operable to use the registration information to establish a through, persistent connection between the first and second computers.