Abstract: Control systems and methods for providing a user with access to an external device via a communication network are provided, in which the external device is connected to a first port having lines including at least one power line and at least one data line, first and second of the lines being connected to a first switch and a second switch, respectively, of a first set of switches. A representative method includes: operating in an access-denied mode, in which one of the first set of switches is open to electrically disable the first port; receiving access request information requesting access to communicate with the external device; determining whether the user is authorized access; if the user is authorized access, providing the user an approval code; and in response to receiving login information and the approval code from the user, operating in the access-approved mode, in which the first port is enabled for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for providing a user with access to an external device via a communication network are provided, in which the external device is connected to a first port having lines including at least one power line and at least one data line, first and second of the lines being connected to a first switch and a second switch, respectively, of a first set of switches. A representative method includes: operating in an access-denied mode, in which one of the first set of switches is open to electrically disable the first port; receiving access request information requesting access to communicate with the external device; determining whether the user is authorized access; if the user is authorized access, providing the user an approval code; and in response to receiving login information and the approval code from the user, operating in the access-approved mode, in which the first port is enabled for a predetermined time period.