Abstract: Techniques for achieving high availability (HA) in a cloud environment are presented. Cloud storage provided to multiple tenants is accessed via a plurality of controllers via a switch. The controllers are organized in a ring and each controller is responsible for detecting failures in adjoining controllers within the ring. Storage services for the tenants are serviced without disruptions even when multiple nodes completely fail at the same time.

Abstract: Techniques for selective desktop control of virtual private networks (VPN's) in a multiuser environment are provided. A multiuser desktop/workstation includes a first user that establishes a VPN session on the desktop for accessing protected resources. Other users are permitted to simultaneously access non-protected resources of the desktop during the VPN session. Other users are also permitted to log into the desktop during the VPN session. However, if the other users attempt to access the protected resources, the access attempts are denied.

Abstract: Techniques for uninterrupted virtual private network (VPN) connection service with dynamic policy enforcement are provided. An existing VPN session between a VPN client and a VPN server detects a change in a VPN network being used for the existing VPN session. New credentials and new policies are received by the VPN client. The new credentials are automatically used to re-authenticate the VPN client to the change during the existing VPN session, and the new policies are dynamically used to enforce the new policies during the existing VPN session on the VPN client.

Abstract: Techniques for achieving high availability (HA) in a cloud environment are presented. Cloud storage provided to multiple tenants is accessed via a plurality of controllers via a switch. The controllers are organized in a ring and each controller is responsible for detecting failures in adjoining controllers within the ring. Storage services for the tenants are serviced without disruptions even when multiple nodes completely fail at the same time.

Abstract: Techniques for authenticating network connections are provided. A client makes a request to connect to a server via a client service. The server delays the request to acquire a signature for the client service from the requesting client's environment. The signature is compared against a known and previously verified signature. When the two signatures match, the server permits the connection between the client and the service via the client service. When the two signatures do not match, the server denies the connection between the client and the server and does not permit the client service to process a request to make that connection.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual private network (VPN) access are provided. A dynamic determination, in response to privileges, is made as to whether a principal and a device of a principal are to receive a thin client virtual private network (VPN) installation for a thin client VPN session between the principal and a remote site or whether a clientless VPN session is appropriate. Dynamic switching between the clientless VPN session and thin client VPN session is permissible when the principal supplies the appropriate credentials for such a switch.

Abstract: Techniques for uninterrupted virtual private network (VPN) connection service with dynamic policy enforcement are provided. An existing VPN session between a VPN client and a VPN server detects a change in a VPN network being used for the existing VPN session. New credentials and new policies are received by the VPN client. The new credentials are automatically used to re-authenticate the VPN client to the change during the existing VPN session, and the new policies are dynamically used to enforce the new policies during the existing VPN session on the VPN client.

Abstract: Techniques for uninterrupted virtual private network (VPN) connection service with dynamic policy enforcement are provided. An existing VPN session between a VPN client and a VPN server detects a change in a VPN network being used for the existing VPN session. New credentials and new policies are received by the VPN client. The new credentials are automatically used to re-authenticate the VPN client to the change during the existing VPN session, and the new policies are dynamically used to enforce the new policies during the existing VPN session on the VPN client.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual private network (VPN) access are provided. A dynamic determination, in response to privileges, is made as to whether a principal and a device of a principal are to receive a thin client virtual private network (VPN) installation for a thin client VPN session between the principal and a remote site or whether a clientless VPN session is appropriate. Dynamic switching between the clientless VPN session and thin client VPN session is permissible when the principal supplies the appropriate credentials for such a switch.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual private network (VPN) access are provided. A dynamic determination, in response to privileges, is made as to whether a principal and a device of a principal are to receive a thin client virtual private network (VPN) installation for a thin client VPN session between the principal and a remote site or whether a clientless VPN session is appropriate. Dynamic switching between the clientless VPN session and thin client VPN session is permissible when the principal supplies the appropriate credentials for such a switch.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection between a server in a private network and a client in a public network. Additional activities include intercepting a socket call from the client requesting resolution of a network address associated with a domain name in the private network, searching a local linked list for the network address, returning the network address to the client if the network address is found in the local linked list, and, if the network address is not found in the local linked list, sending a request to resolve the network address to a domain name system (DNS) server in the private network. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for uninterrupted virtual private network (VPN) connection service with dynamic policy enforcement are provided. An existing VPN session between a VPN client and a VPN server detects a change in a VPN network being used for the existing VPN session. New credentials and new policies are received by the VPN client. The new credentials are automatically used to re-authenticate the VPN client to the change during the existing VPN session, and the new policies are dynamically used to enforce the new policies during the existing VPN session on the VPN client.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual private network (VPN) access, which is based on client workstation security compliance, are provided. When a user successfully logs into a secure network, client integrity checks are processed on a client workstation of the user to gather configuration information related to a processing environment of the client workstation. Metrics associated with the client integrity checks are compared with security policy and an assigned security access level is set for the user during a VPN session. Traffic policy is then enforced against the VPN session by configuring attributes of the VPN session.

Abstract: Techniques for selective desktop control of virtual private networks (VPN's) in a multiuser environment are provided. A multiuser desktop/workstation includes a first user that establishes a VPN session on the desktop for accessing protected resources. Other users are permitted to simultaneously access non-protected resources of the desktop during the VPN session. Other users are also permitted to log into the desktop during the VPN session. However, if the other users attempt to access the protected resources, the access attempts are denied.

Abstract: Techniques for authenticating network connections are provided. A client makes a request to connect to a server via a client service. The server delays the request to acquire a signature for the client service from the requesting client's environment. The signature is compared against a known and previously verified signature. When the two signatures match, the server permits the connection between the client and the service via the client service. When the two signatures do not match, the server denies the connection between the client and the server and does not permit the client service to process a request to make that connection.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual private network (VPN) access are provided. A dynamic determination, in response to privileges, is made as to whether a principal and a device of a principal are to receive a thin client virtual private network (VPN) installation for a thin client VPN session between the principal and a remote site or whether a clientless VPN session is appropriate. Dynamic switching between the clientless VPN session and thin client VPN session is permissible when the principal supplies the appropriate credentials for such a switch.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection between a server in a private network and a client in a public network. Additional activities include intercepting a socket call from the client requesting resolution of a network address associated with a domain name in the private network, searching a local linked list for the network address, returning the network address to the client if the network address is found in the local linked list, and, if the network address is not found in the local linked list, sending a request to resolve the network address to a domain name system (DNS) server in the private network. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.