Management object for aggregated network device status

• US 6,611,866 B1
• Filed: 08/26/1999
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Goldman, Tomasz
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, VIET DUY
• Application Number:
  US09/383,673
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/223, 709/224, 709/230, 709/238, 709/313, 709/328
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A method and apparatus for collecting data objects of network devices into a customized aggregation, such as a management information base. A system administrator can choose the status information and the method of aggregation of the data objects. Objects are queried and modified, and are used to control the network devices by protocols such as Simple Network Management Protocol.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of managing the status of devices on a network, comprising:

collecting data objects that describe the status of the devices;

aggregating the data objects into a common set;

querying the set of data objects to determine the status of the devices; and

customizing the set of data objects according to preferences of a network administrator,

wherein the data objects each contain a collection of references to other objects, a monitoring mode of the object, and a range of numbers that indicate the health state of the object.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein customizing the set of data objects comprises:

deciding the status information that is included in the data objects.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein customizing the set of data objects comprises:

deciding the way that the data objects will be aggregated into the set of data objects.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein customizing the set of data objects comprises:

dynamically adding objects to the set; and

dynamically removing objects from the set.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein customizing the set of data objects comprises:

dynamically changing the range of numbers that indicate the health of state of the objects.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the common set of aggregated objects is a management information base (MIB).

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

manipulating the objects in the MIB.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

manipulating the MIB by simple network management protocol (SNMP).

9. In a network management station, a method of status information management for devices on a network, comprising:

aggregating a plurality of software objects associated with the network devices into a management information base (MIB);

accessing software objects from the MIB;

querying the objects to determine the operational state of the network devices;

manipulating the objects to control the devices; and

selectively changing the status information contained within the objects; and

dynamically adding and removing objects in the MIB.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

selectively choosing the way the plurality of software objects are aggregated into the MIB.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the software objects are data structures.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the status information is operational state information of the network devices.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the operational state information comprises:

parameters associated with the operation of the network devices;

parameter value ranges indicative of normal operation of the network devices; and

syntax that indicates whether the network devices are operating properly.

14. A network management station having access to one or more network devices, comprising:

a processor;

means to communicate with the network devices;

a memory operationally coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions causing the processor to;

aggregate a plurality of software objects associated with the network devices into a management information base (MIB);

access software objects from the MIB;

query the objects to determine the operational state of the network devices;

manipulate the objects to control the devices;

selectively change the status information contained within the objects; and

dynamically adding and removing objects in the MIB.

15. An article comprising a machine-readable medium embodying information indicative of instructions that when performed by one or more machines result in operations to manage the status of devices on a network, the operations comprising:

collecting data objects that describe the status of the devices;

aggregating the data objects into a common set;

querying the set of data objects to determine the status of the devices; and

customizing the set of data objects according to preferences of a network administrator,

wherein the data objects each contain a collection of references to other objects, a monitoring mode of the object, and a range of numbers that indicate the health state of the object.

16. The article of claim 15 wherein customizing the set of data objects comprises:

deciding the status information that is included in the data objects.

17. The article of claim 15 wherein customizing the set of data objects comprises:

deciding the way that the data objects will be aggregated into the set of data objects.

18. The article of claim 15 wherein customizing the set of data objects comprises:

dynamically adding objects to the set; and

dynamically removing objects from the set.

19. The article of claim 15 wherein customizing the set of data objects comprises:

dynamically changing the range of numbers that indicate the health of state of the objects.

20. The article of claim 15 wherein the common set of aggregated objects is a management information base (MIB).

21. The article of claim 20 wherein the operations further comprise manipulating the objects in the MIB.

22. The article of claim 21 wherein the operations further comprise manipulating the MIB by simple network management protocol (SNMP).

23. An article comprising a machine-readable medium embodying information indicative of instructions that when performed by one or more machines result in operations to manage status information for devices on a network, the operations comprising:

aggregating a plurality of software objects associated with the network devices into a management information base (MIB);

accessing software objects from the MIB;

querying the objects to determine the operational state of the network devices;

manipulating the objects to control the devices; and

selectively changing the status information contained within the objects; and

dynamically adding and removing objects in the MIB.

24. The article of claim 23 wherein the operations further comprise selectively choosing the way the plurality of software objects are aggregated into the MIB.

25. The article of claim 23 wherein the status information comprises operational state information of the network devices, and the operational state information comprises:

parameters associated with the operation of the network devices;

parameter value ranges indicative of normal operation of the network devices; and

syntax that indicates whether the network devices are operating properly.