Management techniques for non-traditional network and information system topologies

• US 20080228908A1
• Filed: 03/19/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ScienceLogic
• Original Assignee: ScienceLogic
• Inventors: Ginter, Karl, Cordray, Christopher G., Chart, Richard M., Link, David F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,537,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/024 using relational databases for representation of network management data, e.g. managing via structured query language [SQL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/026 using e-messaging for transporting management information, e.g. email, instant messaging or chat
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0293 for accessing web services by means of a binding identification of the management service or element
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0826 for reduction of network costs H04L41/0833 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0843 based on generic templates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/122 of virtualised topologies, e.g. software-defined networks [SDN] or network function virtualisation [NFV]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/40 using virtualisation of network functions or resources, e.g. SDN or NFV entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5058 Service discovery by the service manager
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5074 Handling of user complaints or trouble tickets

Abstract

Systems, software, and methods for managing traditional (i.e., TCP/IP-based), non-traditional, and traditional—non-traditional hybrid 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, application or service on a network. In another example, information related to at least one aspect of the network is obtained by a network management device through connection to a non-TCP/IP network, or by way of a gateway device or application, at least one applicable management policy is identified, and the identified policy is used to manage at least one aspect of the network'"'"'s operation. In another example, devices, applications or services presenting various behaviors under various scenarios are evaluated and placed under management.

Claims

1. A method for managing devices on a computer network, comprising:

discovering at least one device, application, or service on the network;

identifying such discovered device, application, or service, or combination thereof;

instantiating a first dynamic application to perform further discovery of such discovered device, application, or service, or combination thereof; and

receiving discovery information from said first dynamic application.

2. The method of claim 1, further including evaluating said discovery information.

3. The method of claim 2, further including instantiating a second dynamic application in response to discovery information derived from said first dynamic application.

4. The method of claim 1, further including instantiating subsequent dynamic applications in response to discovery information received from a previously instantiated dynamic application until a determination is made that substantially all discoverable aspects of said device have been discovered.

5. The method of claim 4, further including placing said discoverable aspects under management.

6. The method of claim 1, including determining that said device is a database server.

7. The method of claim 6, further including determining the schema of said database from said discovery information.

8. The method of claim 7, further including determining substantially all aspects of said database that require monitoring or control.

9. The method of claim 7, further including instantiating at least one additional dynamic application to determine whether said server is in communication with another device.

10. The method of claim 9, further including instantiating at least one dynamic application to examine said other device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first or second dynamic applications is configured to identify a fingerprint of type of said device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said fingerprint is based on a firmware load or a revision level.

13. The method of claim 12, including instantiating a discovery application configured to investigate said device type.

14. The method of claim 13, further including determining the specific capabilities of said device and instantiating a dynamic application configured to manage said device.

15. The method of claim 13, further including using said fingerprint information to select a dynamic application from a set of possible dynamic applications.

16. The method of claim 15, further including instantiating of a particular dynamic application having parameters that cause the dynamic application to configure itself to manage said device.

17. The method of claim 1, further including storing A&

A materials.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said A&

A materials enable access to a database.

19. The method of claim 18, further including providing substantially full access to said A&

A materials for those with authorization, but substantially blocking access to said A&

A materials to those without authorization.

20. The method of claim 18, further including providing at least some access to those with less than full access authorization.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said auto-discovery is performed with a plurality of A&

A materials to obtain two or more sets of discovery results.

22. The method of claim 21, further including identifying variations among said discovery results.

23. The method of claim 22, further including using said variations to at least partly categorize or classify said device or both.

24. The method of claim 23, further including determining at least one device “

personality.”

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said device has at least two personalities, and each “

personality”

of said device is treated as a different point of management by a management device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said management device is configured to manage a device having at least two personalities as a plurality of separate devices.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said management is based on A&

A materials used to access said device.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said device is managed using the personality for which the management device has the greatest capability of managing.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the remaining personalities are ignored.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said device is managed as a single point of management with a plurality of behaviors, each of said behaviors being associated with a different access credential.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein said categorizing and classifying are performed using template-based device descriptions.

32. The method of claim 31, further including instantiating one or more dynamic applications to manage said device according to said templates.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein said A&

A materials are stored and managed in an Asset Manager.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said A&

A materials are provided to dynamic applications in the form of templates or application parameters or both.

45. The system of claim 26, wherein said device is managed as a single point of management with a plurality of behaviors, each of said behaviors being associated with a different access credential.

46. The system of claim 26, wherein said categorizing and classifying are performed using template-based device descriptions.

47. The system of claim 31, further including instantiating one or more dynamic applications to manage said device according to said templates.

48. The system of claim 27, wherein said A&

A materials are stored and managed in an Asset Manager.

49. The system of claim 33, wherein said A&

A materials are provided to dynamic applications in the form of templates or application parameters or both.

35. A system for managing a network, comprising a discovery mechanism configured to discover at least one device, application, or service on said network, said discovery mechanism being configured to identify a discovered device, application, or service, or combination thereof and instantiate a first dynamic application to perform further discovery of said discovered device, application, or service, or combination thereof;

and receive discovery information from said first dynamic application.

36. The system of claim 35, further including a mechanism for evaluating said discovery information.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said discovery mechanism is configured to instantiate a second dynamic application in response to said evaluation.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein said discovery mechanism is configured to instantiate subsequent dynamic applications in response to discovery information received from a previously instantiated dynamic application until a determination is made that substantially all discoverable aspects of said device have been discovered.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said discovery mechanism is configured to determine the schema of a database from said discovery information.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said discovery mechanism is configured to determine substantially all aspects of said database that require monitoring or control.

41. The system of claim 35, wherein at least one of said first or second dynamic applications is configured to identify a fingerprint of type of said device.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said fingerprint is based on a firmware load or a revision level.

43. The system of claim 35, wherein said discovery mechanism further includes A&

A materials.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein said A&

A materials enable access to a database.

50. A computer-readable medium containing computer-readable program code devices thereon, said program code devices being configured to cause a computer to implement a method for managing devices on a computer network, said method comprising:

discovering at least one device, application, or service on the network;

identifying such discovered device, application, or service, or combination thereof;

instantiating a first dynamic application to perform further discovery of such discovered device, application, or service, or combination thereof; and

receiving discovery information from said first dynamic application.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, further including evaluating said discovery information.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 51, further including instantiating a second dynamic application in response to said evaluation.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 52, further including instantiating subsequent dynamic applications in response to discovery information received from a previously instantiated dynamic application until a determination is made that substantially all discoverable aspects of said device have been discovered.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, further including placing said discoverable aspects under management.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, including determining that said device is a database server.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 55, further including determining the schema of said database from said discovery information.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 56, further including determining substantially all aspects of said database that require monitoring or control.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 57, further including instantiating at least one additional dynamic application to determine whether said server is communication with another device.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 58, further including instantiating at least one dynamic application to examine said other device.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 59, wherein at least one of said first or second dynamic applications is configured to identify a fingerprint of type of said device.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 60, wherein said fingerprint is based on a firmware load or a revision level.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 61, including instantiating a discovery application configured to investigate said device type.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 61, further including determining the specific capabilities of said device and instantiating a dynamic application configured to manage said device.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 61, further including using said fingerprint information to select a dynamic application from a set of possible dynamic applications.

65. The computer-readable medium of claim 64, further including instantiating of a particular dynamic application having parameters that cause the dynamic application to configure itself to manage said device.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, further including storing A&

A materials.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 66, wherein said A&

A materials enable access to a database.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 67, further including providing substantially full access to said A&

A materials is provided for those with authorization, but substantially blocking access to said A&

A materials to those without authorization.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, further including providing at least some access to those with less than full access authorization.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 66, wherein said auto-discovery is performed with a plurality of A&

A materials to obtain two or more sets of discovery results.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further including identifying variations among said discovery results.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 71, further including using said variations to at least partly categorize or classify said device or both.

73. The computer-readable medium of claim 72, further including determining at least one device “

personality.”

74. The computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein said device has at least two personalities, and each “

personality”

of said device is treated as a different point of management by a management device.

75. The computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein said management device is configured to manage a device having at least two personalities as a plurality of separate devices.

76. The computer-readable medium of claim 75, wherein said management is based, at least in part, on A&

A materials used to access said device.

77. The computer-readable medium of claim 75, wherein said device is managed using the personality for which the management device has the greatest capability of managing.

78. The computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the remaining personalities are ignored.

79. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, wherein said device is managed as a single point of management with a plurality of behaviors, each of said behaviors being associated with a different access credential.

80. The computer-readable medium of claim 72, wherein said categorizing and classifying are performed using template-based device descriptions.

81. The computer-readable medium of claim 80, further including instantiating one or more dynamic applications to manage said device according to said templates.

82. The computer-readable medium of claim 66, wherein said A&

A materials are stored and managed in an Asset Manager.

83. The computer-readable medium of claim 82, wherein said A&

A materials are provided to dynamic applications in the form of templates or application parameters or both.

84. A method for managing devices connected to a non-traditional computer network, comprising:

discovering a non-traditional network using a dynamic application;

instantiating at least one additional dynamic application to discover at least one aspect of said non-traditional network; and

managing said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein said at least one aspect includes a device connected to said non-traditional network or an operational parameter of said non-traditional network, or both.

86. The method of claim 85, further including mapping said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network to a managed network element.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein said managed network element is an OID.

88. The method of claim 86, further including creating a new managed OIDs for said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network.

89. The method of claim 84, further including mapping said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network to a managed network element.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein said managed network element is an OID.

91. The method of claim 90, further including creating at least one managed OID for said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network.

92. A computer-implemented system for managing a computer network, comprising:

at least one non-traditional network; and

a discovery mechanism configured to instantiate a dynamic application effective to discover the presence of said non-traditional network, said discovery mechanism being further configured to instantiate at least one additional dynamic application to discover at least one aspect of said non-traditional network in response to discovery information derived from said first dynamic application about said non-traditional network.

93. The computer-implemented system of claim 92, wherein said non-traditional network is coupled with a traditional network.

94. The computer-implemented system of claim 93, wherein said non-traditional network is coupled with a traditional network directly.

95. The computer-implemented system of claim 93, wherein said non-traditional network is coupled with a traditional network via a gateway.

96. The computer-implemented system of claim 92, wherein said non-traditional network is coupled with at least one device.

97. A computer-readable medium containing computer-readable program code devices thereon, said program code devices being configured to cause a computer to implement a method for managing devices connected to a non-traditional computer network, comprising:

discovering a non-traditional network using a dynamic application;

instantiating at least one additional dynamic application to discover at least one aspect of said non-traditional network; and

managing said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network.

98. The computer-readable medium of claim 97, wherein said at least one aspect includes a device connected to said non-traditional network or an operational parameter of said non-traditional network, or both.

99. The computer-readable medium of claim 98, further including mapping said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network to a managed network element.

100. The computer-readable medium of claim 99, wherein said managed network element is an OID.

101. The computer-readable medium of claim 99, further including creating at least one managed OIDs for said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network.

102. The computer-readable medium of claim 97, further including mapping said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network to a managed network element.

103. The computer-readable medium of claim 102, further including creating at least one managed OID for said at least one aspect of said non-traditional network.

104. An iterative method for interoperating with at least one network device comprising:

dynamically discovering, across a network, at least one characteristic of a device connected to the network;

at least in response to said discovering, running a dynamic application that at least in part interoperates with said device, said dynamic application further dynamically discovering at least one further characteristic of said device;

at least in part in response to said further dynamic discovering, running the same or different dynamic application to further interoperate with said device.