Apparatus and method for centrally managing network devices

• US 20020178243A1
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Collins, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US09/858,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20020178243A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

An apparatus and method for centrally managing a number of network devices. The invention may comprise determining whether a device interface for each of the number of devices conforms with a standard interface. In the event the device interface does not conform to the standard interface, it may first be translated to conform thereto. As such, the device may be managed according to the standard interface. Managing the device may include, for example, monitoring the device, alerting an administrator in response to an event, obtaining device attributes, etc.

Claims

1. A method for centrally managing a number of devices on a network, comprising:

determining whether a device interface for each of said number of devices conforms with a standard interface;

translating said device interface to conform with said standard interface when said device interface is nonconforming; and

managing said number of devices according to said standard interface.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising discovering said number of devices on said network.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein discovering comprises:

a) obtaining network data for said number of devices; and

b) identifying said number of devices on said network based on said obtained network data.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein managing said number of devices comprises monitoring said number of devices for an event.

5. A method as in claim 4, wherein monitoring said number of devices for an event comprises:

a) receiving a device trap representing said event from at least one of said number of devices; and

b) notifying an administrator of said event in response to receiving said device trap.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein managing said number of devices comprises obtaining attributes for at least one of said number of devices.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein managing said number of devices further comprises changing said attributes for said at least one device.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein translating comprises:

reading said nonconforming device interface; and

cross-referencing at least part of said nonconforming device interface with said standard interface.

9. An apparatus for centrally managing a number of devices on a network, comprising:

computer readable storage media;

computer readable program code stored on said computer readable storage media, comprising;

a) program code for determining whether a device interface for each of said number of devices conforms with a standard interface;

b) program code for translating said device interface to conform with said standard interface when said device interface is nonconforming; and

c) program code for managing said number of devices according to said standard interface.

10. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said program code for managing is embodied at least in part in a network management application.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10, further comprising program code for discovering said number of devices on said network.

12. An apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) for user management of said number of devices.

13. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said program code for managing comprises program code for receiving a device trap from at least one of said number of devices.

14. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said program code for managing comprises program code for notifying an administrator when a device trap is received from at least one of said number of devices.

15. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said program code for managing comprises program code for obtaining attributes for at least one of said number of devices.

16. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said attributes include at least an indicator of the health of said at least one of said number of devices.

17. An apparatus as in claim 15, further comprising program code for changing at least one attribute of said at least one of said number of devices.

18. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said program code for translating comprises:

a translation library;

program code for reading said nonconforming device interface; and

program code for cross-referencing at least part of said nonconforming device interface with said standard interface based on said translation library.

20. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said managing means comprises means for monitoring at least one of said number of devices.

21. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said managing means comprises means for obtaining attributes for at least one of said number of devices.

22. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said conforming means comprises:

means for reading said nonconforming device interface; and

means for cross-referencing at least part of said nonconforming device interface with said standard interface.

19. An apparatus for centrally managing a number of network devices, comprising:

means for determining whether a device interface for said number of devices conforms with a standard interface; and

means for conforming a nonconforming device interface to said standard interface; and

means for managing said number of devices according to said standard interface.