NETWORK SERVICE USAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a group manager operable to manage a plurality of network service user groups, each network service user group comprising at least one member, and to manage associations between network services and the plurality of network service user groups, an association between a network service and a network service user group enabling usage of the network service by each member of the network service user group; and
an interface operatively coupled to the group manager, the interface enabling configuration of the plurality of network service user groups.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Network service usage management systems and methods are disclosed. Associations between network services and network service user groups are used to enable usage of network services by members of the network service user groups. The network service user groups are independently and separately manageable, to form respective virtual extranets for instance. Actual usage of the network services may be controlled in accordance with the associations, and possibly also in accordance with respective group policies for the network service user groups. Network service user groups may be self-managed within an administrative domain in which service provider systems supporting the network services are located, or externally managed. Group and service information for externally managed groups may be exchanged between equipment that is within and outside an administrative domain.
126 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a group manager operable to manage a plurality of network service user groups, each network service user group comprising at least one member, and to manage associations between network services and the plurality of network service user groups, an association between a network service and a network service user group enabling usage of the network service by each member of the network service user group; and an interface operatively coupled to the group manager, the interface enabling configuration of the plurality of network service user groups. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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establishing a plurality of network service user groups, each network service user group comprising at least one member; and configuring associations between network services and the plurality of network service user groups, an association between a network service and a network service user group enabling usage of the network service by each member of the network service user group. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A machine-readable medium storing a data structure, the data structure comprising:
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group information that is indicative of a plurality of network service user groups, each network service user group comprising at least one member; and association information that is indicative of associations between network services and the plurality of network service user groups, an association between a network service and a network service user group enabling usage of the network service by each member of the network service user group. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification