Network device configuration
First Claim
1. A system for configuring network devices on a computer network, comprising:
- (a) a store (110), for storing a first relationship (312) between a first network device (308) and a first known point (304) on the network, and a second relationship (310) between a second network device (306) and a second known point (302) on the network;
(b) means for ascertaining from an external source a third relationship (314) between the first and second network devices;
(c) a network probe for probing the network to check the continued validity of the first and second relationships; and
, (d) means for configuring one or both of the first and second network devices in dependence upon the third relationship when the first and second relationships have been confirmed as valid.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for configuring network devices on a computer network, which has particular applications in a hot-desking office environment, maintains within a database (110) not only the IT infrastructure of the network but also the organisational or business relationships between certain networked devices, for example the information that a particular computer terminal (404) is physically located on the same desk as an adjacent network telephone (406). This information allows the telephone or other associated networked devices to be automatically configured with a pre-defined profile of the user who will be sitting at that workstation. The invention enables delivery of an integrated and easy to maintain IT service regardless of wherever the individual chooses to work within the office.
35 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for configuring network devices on a computer network, comprising:
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(a) a store (110), for storing a first relationship (312) between a first network device (308) and a first known point (304) on the network, and a second relationship (310) between a second network device (306) and a second known point (302) on the network;
(b) means for ascertaining from an external source a third relationship (314) between the first and second network devices;
(c) a network probe for probing the network to check the continued validity of the first and second relationships; and
,(d) means for configuring one or both of the first and second network devices in dependence upon the third relationship when the first and second relationships have been confirmed as valid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for configuring network devices on a computer network, comprising:
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(a) storing a first relationship (312) between a first network device (308) and a first known point (304) on the network, and a second relationship (310) between a second network device (306) and a second known point on the network;
(b) ascertaining from an external source a third relationship (314) between the first and second network devices;
(c) probing the network to check the continued validity of the first and second relationships, and, if one or both are no longer valid, re-ascertaining the third relationship (314) from the external source; and
(d) configuring one or both of the first and second network devices in dependence upon the third relationship.
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Specification