The new iPass Open Mobile Client contains seven fundamental, independent elements that allow for modularity that keeps the software as lightweight as possible on the device and easy to extend to new technologies.
Connection Assistant
The connection assistant is responsible for the Internet connection, whether connected over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3G or, in the future, WiMAX. It detects the available network adapters, ranks the networks in the preferred order (according to the policy defined by you and/or iPass), and optionally auto-connects to the best network. If the network connection is dropped, the connection assistant can automatically reconnect.
The connection assistant component monitors all the network adapters so that it can detect, and react to, connections established outside of the connection assistant (e.g. by the windows operating system). It can apply policies (e.g. one network at a time) to all connections, those established by the iPass connection assistant, or those inherited from other connection managers.
The connection assistant is also, responsible for creating the VPN tunnel, monitoring the tunnel and tearing down the tunnel. It gets alerted when an internet connection has been established and decides whether a VPN tunnel should also be established. If the tunnel fails, the VPN Assistant can automatically re-establish the VPN tunnel.
Event Assistant
The Event Assistant provides a generalized mechanism to configure actions that should be executed when there is a change in network state (internet connection established, internet connection lost, VPN connection established, VPN connection lost etc.). When such an event occurs, the event actions component is responsible for determining what action to take (e.g. execute a process).
AppLaunch Assistant
The AppLaunch Assistant provides a way for the IT admin or the end user to add shortcuts to quickly launch an application that may need an internet connection and/or a VPN tunnel. When the application is requested, the application launcher determines (from a configuration file) whether an internet connection and/or a VPN tunnel is required. If either is required, and not currently available, the application launcher will trigger the appropriate connection, and then launch the application.
Control Assistant
The Control Assistant is the client module responsible for execution of ECA Controller capability. ECA stands for Event-Condition-Action and describes a well-understood process for policy design where when an event occurs, certain conditions are tested and based on the result of the test action is (or is not) taken. The Connection Assistant and Control Assistant interact closely to link connectivity to policy compliance.
Update Assistant
The Update Assistant is responsible for communicating with the server-side of the iPass Open Mobile Platform, on a regular basis, to keep the Open Mobile Client up to date, for uploading data from the client (e.g. usage data collected, device diagnostics), and for downloading data to the client (new configuration files, new policies, new network directory files, new software modules). The Update Assistant is equipped with security mechanisms that ensure that transferred data is legitimate and came from a valid iPass server.
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