System and method for managing computer networks

• US 20030236875A1
• Filed: 06/12/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emc IP Holding Company LLC (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EMC Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Phan, Thanh Trac, Deel, Donald A., Wexler, Marty, Phan, Trac Binh, Dimon, Michelle, Green, Howard H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,990,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0873 Checking configuration conflicts between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for managing a complex, the system comprising a discovery and monitoring subsystem, a reference model store subsystem, a reference model transcription subsystem, a reference model generation subsystem, a model comparator subsystem, a reference model update subsystem, a nonconformance visualization subsystem, a conformance monitoring subsystem, a change procedure generator subsystem, and a change automation subsystem.

Claims

1. A system for managing a complex, the system comprising:

a discovery and monitoring subsystem for determining an operational model of the complex;

a reference model transcription subsystem coupled to the discovery and monitoring subsystem and the reference model store subsystem, wherein the reference model transcription subsystem provides a reference model of the complex;

a reference model store subsystem for storing one or more reference models;

a reference model generation subsystem coupled to the reference model store subsystem, wherein the reference model generation subsystem modifies the reference model via inputs from an administrative client;

a model comparator subsystem coupled to the discovery and monitoring subsystem and the reference model store subsystem, wherein the model comparator subsystem compares the operational model and the reference model and provides a composite model;

a reference model update subsystem coupled to the model comparator subsystem and the reference model store subsystem, wherein the reference model update subsystem allows the administrative client to select one or more features of an operational model to incorporate within the reference model;

a nonconformance visualization subsystem coupled to the model comparator subsystem, wherein the nonconformance visualization subsystem provides a visual display of the composite model;

a conformance monitoring subsystem coupled to the model comparator subsystem, wherein the conformance monitoring subsystem provides a predetermined action if the composite model indicates that the operational model does not conform with the reference model;

a change procedure generator subsystem coupled to the reference model store subsystem, wherein the change procedure generator subsystem provides a procedure comprising one or more changes required to transform a complex as represented by an antecedent reference model into a complex as represented by a proposed reference model; and

a change automation subsystem coupled to the discovery and monitoring subsystem and the reference model store subsystem, wherein the change automation subsystem implements the one or more changes required to transform the complex as represented by the operational model into the complex as represented by the proposed reference model.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the reference model is stored as a file within a computer system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the administrative client is a human administrator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the administrative client is a computer program.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the reference model generation subsystem modifies the reference model via inputs from a keyboard or a mouse.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the reference model generation subsystem modifies the reference model via inputs from a computer program.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the reference model generation subsystem provides an application program interface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the nonconformance visualization subsystem provides a visual display of the composite model on a computer monitor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the conformance monitoring subsystem provides a predetermined action comprising an alarm indication.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the conformance monitoring subsystem provides a predetermined action comprising sending an event notification to a computer program.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the conformance monitoring subsystem provides a predetermined action comprising sending an electronic mail message.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the change automation subsystem implements changes to the complex by use of a computer program.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the change automation subsystem implements changes to the complex by use of a human administrator.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the complex comprises one or more computer networks.

15. A method of managing a complex, the method comprising the steps of:

determining an operational model of the complex;

determining a reference model of the complex;

storing the reference model and allowing its subsequent retrieval;

modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client;

comparing the operational model and the reference model and providing a composite model;

allowing the administrative client to select a current operational model to be the reference model;

providing a visual display of the composite model;

providing a predetermined action if the composite model indicates that the operational model does not conform with the reference model;

providing a change procedure describing one or more changes required to transform a complex as represented by the antecedent reference model into a complex as represented by the proposed reference model; and

implementing the one or more changes required to transform the complex as represented by the operational model into the complex as represented by the proposed reference model.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the reference model is stored as a file within a computer system.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the administrative client is a human administrator.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the administrative client is a computer program.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via inputs from a keyboard or a mouse.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via inputs from computer program.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model by means of an application program interface.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing a visual display of the composite model further comprises providing a visual display of the composite model on a computer monitor.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined action comprises an alarm indication.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an event notification to a computer program.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an electronic mail message.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein steps of implementing changes to the complex further comprises implementing changes to the complex by use of a computer program.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein steps of implementing changes to the complex further comprises implementing changes to the complex by use of a human administrator.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the complex comprises one or more computer networks.

29. A system for managing a complex, the system comprising:

means for determining an operational model of the complex;

means for determining a reference model of the complex;

means for storing and retrieving a reference model;

means for modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client;

means for comparing the operational model and the reference model and providing a composite model;

means for allowing the administrative client to select a current operational model to be the reference model;

means for providing a visual display of the composite model;

means for providing a predetermined action if the composite model indicates that the operational model does not conform with the reference model;

means for transforming a complex as represented by the antecedent reference model into a complex as represented by the proposed reference model; and

means for implementing one or more changes required to transform the complex as represented by the operational model into the complex as represented by the proposed reference model.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the reference model is stored as a file within a computer system;

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the administrative client is a human administrator.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the administrative client is a computer program.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein the means for modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via inputs from a keyboard or a mouse.

34. The system of claim 29, wherein the means for modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via inputs from a computer program.

35. The system of claim 29, wherein the means for modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via an application program interface.

36. The system of claim 29, wherein the means for providing a visual display of the composite model further comprises providing a visual display of the composite model on a computer monitor.

37. The system of claim 29, wherein the predetermined action comprises an alarm indication.

38. The system of claim 29, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an event notification to a computer program.

39. The system of claim 29, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an electronic mail message.

40. The system of claim 29, wherein means for implementing changes to the complex further comprises implementing changes to the complex by use of a computer program.

41. The system of claim 29, wherein means for implementing changes to the complex further comprises'"'"' implementing changes to the complex by use of a human administrator.

42. The system of claim 29, wherein the complex comprises one or more computer networks.

43. A computer-implemented process for managing a complex, comprising the steps of:

determining an operational model of the complex;

determining a reference model of the complex;

storing and subsequently retrieving the reference model;

modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client;

comparing the operational model and the reference model and providing a composite model;

allowing the administrative client to select a current operational model to be the reference model;

providing a visual display of the composite model;

providing a predetermined action if the composite model indicates that the operational model does not conform with the reference model;

providing a procedure describing one or more changes required to transform a complex as represented by the antecedent reference model into a complex as represented by the proposed reference model; and

implementing the one or more changes required to transform the complex as represented by the operational model into the complex as represented by the proposed reference model.

44. The process of claim 43, wherein the reference model is stored as a file within a computer system.

45. The process of claim 43, wherein the administrative client is a human administrator.

46. The process of claim 43, wherein the administrative client is a computer program.

47. The process of claim 43, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via inputs from a keyboard or a mouse.

48. The process of claim 43, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via inputs from a computer program.

49. The process of claim 43, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model by means of an application program interface.

50. The process of claim 43, wherein the step of providing a visual display of the composite model further comprises providing a visual display of the composite model on a computer monitor.

51. The process of claim 43, wherein the predetermined action comprises an alarm indication.

52. The process of claim 43, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an event notification to a computer program.

53. The process of claim 43, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an electronic mail message.

54. The process of claim 43, wherein steps of implementing changes to the complex further comprises implementing changes to the complex by use of a computer program.

55. The process of claim 43, wherein steps of implementing changes to the complex further comprises implementing changes to the complex by use of a human administrator.

56. The process of claim 43, wherein the complex comprises one or more computer networks.

57. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for managing a complex, comprising:

means for causing a computer to determine an operational model of the complex;

means for causing a computer to determine a reference model of the complex;

means for causing a computer to store and subsequently retrieve a reference model;

means for causing a computer to modify the reference model via inputs from an administrative client;

means for causing a computer to compare the operational model and the reference model and providing a composite model;

means for causing a computer to allow the administrative client to select a current operational model to be the reference model;

means for causing a computer to provide a visual display of the composite model;

means for causing a computer to provide a predetermined action if the composite model indicates that the operational model does not conform with the reference model;

means for causing a computer to provide a procedure describing one or more changes required to transform a complex as represented by the antecedent reference model into a complex as represented by the proposed reference model; and

means for causing a computer to implement the one or more changes required to transform the complex as represented by the operational model into the complex as represented by the proposed reference model.

58. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the reference model is stored as a file within a computer system.

59. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the administrative client is a human administrator.

60. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the administrative client is a computer program.

61. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the means for causing a computer to modify the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises causing a computer to modify the reference model via inputs from a keyboard or a mouse.

62. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the means for causing a computer to modify the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises causing a computer to modify the reference model via inputs from a computer program.

63. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the means for causing a computer to modify the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises causing a computer to modify the reference model with an application program interface.

64. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the means for causing a computer to provide a visual display of the composite model further comprises causing a computer to provide a visual display of the composite model on a computer monitor.

65. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the predetermined action comprises an alarm indication.

66. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an event notification to a computer program.

67. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an electronic mail message.

68. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein means for causing a computer to implement changes to the complex further comprises causing a computer to implement changes to the complex by use of a computer program.

69. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein means for causing a computer to implement changes to the complex further comprises causing a computer to implement changes to the complex by use of a human administrator.

70. The storage medium of claim 57, wherein the complex comprises one or more computer networks.

71. A method of managing a complex, the method comprising the steps of:

determining an operational model of the complex;

determining a reference model of the complex;

comparing the operational model and the reference model and providing a composite model; and

providing a predetermined action if the composite model indicates that the operational model does not conform with the reference model.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of storing the reference model and allowing its subsequent retrieval.

73. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client.

74. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of allowing the administrative client to select a current operational model to be the reference model.

75. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of providing a visual display of the composite model.

76. The method of claim 71, further comprising the steps of:

providing a change procedure describing one or more changes required to transform a complex as represented by the current reference model into a complex as represented by the proposed reference model; and

implementing the one or more changes required to transform the complex as represented by the operational model into the complex as represented by the proposed reference model.

77. The method of claim 72, wherein the reference model is stored as a file within a computer system.

78. The method of claim 73, wherein the administrative client is a human administrator.

79. The method of claim 73, wherein the administrative client is a computer program.

80. The method of claim 73, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via inputs from a keyboard or a mouse.

81. The method of claim 73, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model via inputs from computer program.

82. The method of claim 73, wherein the step of modifying the reference model via inputs from an administrative client further comprises modifying the reference model by means of an application program interface.

83. The method of claim 75, wherein the step of providing a visual display of the composite model further comprises providing a visual display of the composite model on a computer monitor.

84. The method of claim 71, wherein the predetermined action comprises an alarm indication.

85. The method of claim 71, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an event notification to a computer program.

86. The method of claim 71, wherein the predetermined action comprises sending an electronic mail message.

87. The method of claim 76, wherein steps of implementing changes to the complex further comprises implementing changes to the complex by use of a computer program.

88. The method of claim 76, wherein steps of implementing changes to the complex further comprises implementing changes to the complex by use of a human administrator.

89. The method of claim 71, wherein the complex comprises one or more computer networks.