Session Initiation Manager (SIM)
 

The Ultimate Fair-play Guardian.

 
Ensuring a level playing field for the users of your virtual world or game used to be a nightmare problem for content developers. MGT now offers a one-stop solution second to none, with our Session Initiation Manager module.
 
The Session Initiation Manager (SIM) uses a client side applet to run game/world specific security tests specified by rules held on a central server. It also enables “Best server” selection at session start-up when a game/world is deployed at multiple locations. MGT’s SIM guards against:

 

  • User software hacks that violate game/world code integrity
  • Application data hacks, e.g. that allow users to see through walls
  • Hardware cheats where unauthorized device drivers are manipulated
  • Software and hardware based BOTs
  • Reverse software engineering tools
  • Authentication and authorization irregularities
  • Video driver modification
  • Black hole connectivity by validating application server connectivity before and during sessions
 

Client Game Environment Manager

When a user attempts to start a game/world application session, a component of the SIM, called the Client Game Environment Manager (CGEM) applet runs specified checks for the application on the client machine to make sure it is capable of running the application and that the application has not been violated. The CGEM applet then sends the client’s status to the SIM server and only allows an application session to start on receipt of the appropriate handshake.
 
As well as protecting client side application code and data, CGEM helps keep client side application code up to date. CGEM automatically manages and installs updates before each session, where appropriate, using rules held on the SIM server. At the same time, it keeps security measures up to date. The SIM server regularly validates well known vendor driver sets against the user’s desktop drivers in order to ensure integrity and non-violation. The SIM server will also ensure that the client has accepted your game/world EULA and provides traceability with complete audit trails of client status.
 
Once a session is up and running, CGEM and SIM constantly monitor the hardware, software and network environments to protect game/world integrity and make sure that the user’s network performance continues to meet minimum performance targets. If a cheat or other irregularity is detected, SIM communicates this to the application server and the user, allowing the application server to terminate the session in an appropriate manner.
 
The SIM service also allows applications to exclude client machines and IP addresses that have been identified as suspicious or undesirable. SIM logs are available for automated detection of abnormalities and are particularly powerful when used in conjunction with the audit trails kept by other MGT services so that, for example, suspiciously fast progress or consistent success within a game/world can be investigated. Where a user’s behaviour is found to be unacceptable, a simple policy change can temporarily (or permanently) exclude them from further participation.
 
SIM can integrate with game/world web portals to provide single sign on, so that users can go to a range of content (world and game services) without the need for additional log-ins. MGT’s My Account Manager service is an easy option for doing this.
 

Log-on Function

The log-on function encompasses validation and connection to the appropriate content server, based on:
 
  • Network latency and performance data
  • Availability
  • Location of user and server
  • Load balancing parameters

 

 

Because SIM tracks and records all status affecting events, it is quick and easy to generate a complete audit trail. This can be used for usage statistics and to drive reports on individuals or groups of users. It can also be used to deal with complaints about abusive behaviour by users.
 
 
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