Self configuring network management system
First Claim
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1. A network management system comprising:
- a network management device processor executing a network management application operably connected to a network infrastructure;
the network management device processor executing a first discovery application configured to perform a port mapping operation; and
the network management device processor using results of the port mapping operation to select and execute a task specific discovery application for gathering information about each network connected device that responds to the port mapping operation,the network management device processor executing plural task specific discovery applications, each of the plural task specific discovery applications being configured to discover a different operating characteristic of a network connected device that responds to the port mapping operation;
the network management device processor being further configured to use results provided by a first task specific discovery application to select and execute at least one subsequent task specific discovery application in order to discover additional operating characteristics of the network connected device and to use the additional task discovery application results to further iterate said selection and execution until each network connected device that responds to the port mapping operation has been characterized;
the network management device processor searching for and dynamically selecting a dynamically selected policy template and using the dynamically selected policy template to manage at least one aspect of the network.
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Abstract
Systems, software, and methods for managing networks of connected electronic devices are described. In one example, network management policy and network management applications are downloaded automatically upon detection and identification of a new device on the network. In another example, information related to at least one aspect of the network is obtained by a network management device, and at least one applicable management policy is identified by the device; and the identified policy is used to manage at least one aspect of the network'"'"'s operation.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A network management system comprising:
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a network management device processor executing a network management application operably connected to a network infrastructure; the network management device processor executing a first discovery application configured to perform a port mapping operation; and the network management device processor using results of the port mapping operation to select and execute a task specific discovery application for gathering information about each network connected device that responds to the port mapping operation, the network management device processor executing plural task specific discovery applications, each of the plural task specific discovery applications being configured to discover a different operating characteristic of a network connected device that responds to the port mapping operation; the network management device processor being further configured to use results provided by a first task specific discovery application to select and execute at least one subsequent task specific discovery application in order to discover additional operating characteristics of the network connected device and to use the additional task discovery application results to further iterate said selection and execution until each network connected device that responds to the port mapping operation has been characterized; the network management device processor searching for and dynamically selecting a dynamically selected policy template and using the dynamically selected policy template to manage at least one aspect of the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method performed by at least one processor comprising:
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(a) discovering, with the processor over a network, at least one aspect of a network-connected electronic device; (b) based at least in part on the discovered information, selecting and executing a first dynamic application that gives the processor capability for discovering over the network at least one further aspect of the network-connected electronic device, said selecting and executing being performed on an as-needed basis; (c) searching for and downloading a policy template on demand in response to discovering at least one aspect of the network-connected electronic device, said policy template comprising a data structure that defines information the first dynamic application is to collect; (d) using the policy template to identify at least one management policy for use to manage the network-connected electronic device; (e) using said identified management policy to select a second dynamic application different from the first dynamic application; and (f) executing said selected second dynamic application to manage at least one aspect or characteristic of the network in accordance with the identified management policy, thereby replacing the first dynamic application with the second dynamic application at least in part in response to discovered or collected information. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification