Configurable system for remotely managing computers

• US 6,446,124 B1
• Filed: 05/15/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Collins, Michael G., Geertsen, Jay G., Earl, Michael B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Dung C.
• Application Number:
  US09/654,990
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 709/222, 709/223, 707/104, 714/50, 714/51, 714/52, 345/700, 345/733, 345/734, 345/735, 345/736, 345/737, 345/738, 345/744
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/044 comprising hierarchical management structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

A system for remotely managing computers includes a plurality of managed computers coupled to a management computer. At least one managed computer generates management data and provides one or more display templates, and transmits the management data and display templates to the management computer. The management computer provides information regarding the managed computers by displaying the management data in accordance with the display templates.

Claims

1. A method of remotely managing one or more managed computers from a management computer, said method comprising:

generating management data and providing a display template at one of the one or more managed computers; and

transmitting the management data to the management computer, wherein the management data is configured to be displayed at the management computer in accordance with the display template.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the display template to the management computer.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the display template is stored at the management computer; and

transmitting the display template to the management computer if it is determined that the display template is not stored at the management computer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an inventory file to the management computer, wherein the inventory file is configured to be used to generate and output a management display at the management computer in accordance with the inventory file.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the management display comprises a plurality of icons and wherein each of the icons represent the management data.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein transmitting the management data is in response to receiving a selection of one of the plurality of icons.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the display template comprises a Hypertext Markup Language file.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the management data comprises Desktop Management Interface data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more managed computers comprise a first managed computer that executes a first operating system and a second managed computer that executes a second operating system.

10. An article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions adapted to be executed by a processor, the instructions which, when executed, define a series of steps to remotely manage one or more managed computers from a management computer, said steps comprising:

generating management data and providing a display template at one of the one or more managed computers; and

transmitting the management data to the management computer, wherein the management data is configured to be displayed at the management computer in accordance with the display template.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting the display template to the management computer.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the display template is stored at the management computer; and

transmitting the display template to the management computer if it is determined that the display template is not stored at the management computer.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting an inventory file to the management computer, wherein the inventory file is configured to be used to generate and output a management display at the management computer in accordance with the inventory file.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the management display comprises a plurality of icons and wherein each of the icons represent the management data.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein transmitting the management data is in response to receiving a selection of one of the plurality of icons.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the display template comprises a Hypertext Markup Language file.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the management data comprises Desktop Management Interface data.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the one or more managed computers comprise a first managed computer that executes a first operating system and a second managed computer that executes a second operating system.

19. A managed computer comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device coupled to said processor;

wherein said processor is programmed to generate management data and provide a display template, and transmit the management data to a management computer;

wherein the management data is configured to be displayed at the management computer in accordance with the display template.

20. The managed computer of claim 19, said processor further programmed to:

transmit the display template to the management computer.

21. The managed computer of claim 19, said processor further programmed to:

determine whether the display template is stored at the management computer; and

transmit the display template to the management computer if it is determined that the display template is not stored at the management computer.

22. The managed computer of claim 19, said processor further programmed to:

receive a request for the management data and the display template from the management computer.

23. The managed computer of claim 19, said processor further programmed to transmit an inventory file to the management computer, wherein the inventory file is configured to be used to generate and output a management display at the management computer in accordance with the inventory file.

24. The managed computer of claim 23, wherein the management display comprises a plurality of icons and each of the icons represent the management data.

25. The managed computer of claim 24, wherein transmitting the management data is in response to receiving a selection of one of the plurality of icons.

26. The managed computer of claim 19, wherein the display template comprises a Hypertext Markup Language file.

27. The managed computer of claim 19, wherein the management data comprises Desktop Management Interface data.