Database for executing policies for controlling devices on a network

• US 6,615,218 B2
• Filed: 07/17/1998
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Ramarao, Prashant, Jalali, Caveh F., Mandal, Kallol
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Greta
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rayyan, Susan F.
• Application Number:
  US09/118,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20020138459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,873 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223-224, 709/226, 707/102, 707/5, 707/9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A database that can store static and dynamic entries, wherein a static entry contains conventional static data, and a dynamic entry contains information specifying dynamic behavior to control devices on a network. In this database, the act of storing a dynamic entry in the database triggers control over devices on the network. More specifically, one embodiment of a database system according to the present invention includes a data storage medium for storing entries as well as an indexing structure for locating entries on the data storage medium. It also includes a storage mechanism for performing operations to store entries on the data storage medium. Encoded on the data storage medium are dynamic entries containing descriptions of dynamic behavior for the devices on the network. The database additionally includes an execution mechanism that, in response to a dynamic entry being stored on the data storage medium, commands the devices on the network to perform the dynamic behavior specified in the dynamic entry. In a variation on the above embodiment, the execution mechanism is configured to periodically monitor and control the devices on the network.

Claims

1. A database system, comprising:

a data storage medium, for storing entries in the database system;

an indexing structure that locates entries on the data storage medium;

a storage mechanism that stores entries on the data storage medium;

a dynamic entry, encoded on the data storage medium, that contains a description of dynamic behavior for at least one device on the network in order to implement a policy;

an execution mechanism that, in response to the dynamic entry being stored on the data storage medium, creates a corresponding policy object in a policy storage area, wherein the policy object contains data and methods that command the at least one device to perform a set of actions to produce the dynamic behavior specified in the dynamic entry; and

a topology server that is configured to maintain status information for active devices coupled to the network by continually monitoring the status of devices coupled to the network;

wherein the execution mechanism is configured to monitor the at least one device on the network by communicating with the topology server; and

wherein the execution mechanism is configured to send additional commands to the at least one device in order to implement the dynamic behavior for the at least one device on the network.

2. The database system of claim 1, further comprising a retrieval mechanism that retrieves entries from the data storage medium.

3. The database system of claim 1, further comprising at least one static entry, encoded on the data storage medium, that contains static data.

4. The database system of claim 1, wherein the storage mechanism includes at least one function specified in computer code for storing entries on the data storage medium.

5. The database system of claim 1, wherein the indexing structure is organized hierarchically.

6. The database system of claim 1, further comprising a command processing mechanism that is configured to receive commands using the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).

7. The database system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic entry contains an object defined within an object-oriented programming system that contains the description of the dynamic behavior for the devices on the network.

8. The database system of claim 1, wherein the devices include a router for routing traffic over the network.

9. A computer system for controlling devices on a network, comprising:

a processor;

a memory;

a network interface, coupled to the network;

a database system including a data storage medium for storing entries in the database system;

an indexing structure that locates entries in the data storage medium;

a storage mechanism that stores entries in the data storage medium;

a dynamic entry, encoded on the data storage medium, that contains a description of dynamic behavior for at least one device on the network in order to implement a policy;

an execution mechanism, within the processor, that, in response to the dynamic entry being stored on the data storage medium, creates a corresponding policy object in a policy storage area, wherein the policy object contains data and methods that command the at least one device to perform a set of actions to produce the dynamic behavior specified in the dynamic entry; and

a topology server that is configured to maintain status information for active devices coupled to the network by continually monitoring the status of devices coupled to the network;

wherein the execution mechanism is configured to monitor the at least one device on the network by communicating with the topology server; and

wherein the execution mechanism is configured to send additional commands to the at least one device in order to implement the dynamic behavior for the at least one device on the network.

10. A method for controlling devices on a network, comprising:

receiving an input to be stored in a database, the input including a description of dynamic behavior for the devices on the network;

storing the input as an entry in the database in order to implement a policy;

in response to the act of storing the input in the database, forming a corresponding policy object associated with the entry in the database in a policy storage area, wherein the policy object contains data and methods for controlling the at least one device on the network;

wherein the set of commands is encapsulated within the methods in the policy object;

transmitting the set of commands across the network to the at least one device so that the at least one device can perform the set of actions; and

monitoring the at least one device on the network by using a topology server that is configured to maintain status information for active devices coupled to the network by continually monitoring the status of devices coupled to the network; and

sending additional commands to the at least one device in order to implement the dynamic behavior for the at least one device on the network.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the act of forming the set of commands includes creating an object defined within an object-oriented programming system, and storing the set of commands in the object.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the act of storing the input as an entry in the database includes sending a request to store the entry in the database using the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the database is indexed hierarchically.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the act of forming the set of commands includes forming device-specific commands for controlling the devices on the network.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the devices include a router for routing traffic over the network.

16. A method for controlling devices on a network, comprising:

receiving an input to be stored in a database, the input including a description of dynamic behavior for the devices on the network;

storing the input as an entry in the database in order to implement a policy;

in response to storing the input in the database, forming a set of device-specific commands for at least one device on the network to perform a set of actions specified in the description of dynamic behavior, wherein forming the set of device-specific commands includes creating a corresponding policy object defined within an object-oriented programming system that contains data and methods for controlling the at least one device on the network, and storing the set of device-specific commands within methods in the policy object;

transmitting the set of device-specific commands across the network to the at least one device so that the devices can perform the set of actions;

monitoring the at least one device on the network by using a topology server that is configured to maintain status information for active devices coupled to the network by continually monitoring the status of devices coupled to the network; and

sending additional commands to the at least one device in order to implement the dynamic behavior for the at least one device on the network.

17. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for controlling devices on a network, comprising:

receiving an input to be stored in a database, the input including a description of dynamic behavior for the devices on the network;

storing the input as an entry in the database in order to implement a policy;

in response storing the input in the database, forming a set of commands for at least one device on the network to perform a set of actions specified in the description of dynamic behavior;

forming a corresponding policy object associated with the entry in the database, wherein the policy object contains data and methods for controlling the at least one device on the network;

wherein the set of commands is encapsulated within the methods in the policy object;

transmitting the set of commands across the network to the at least one device so that the at least one device can perform the set of actions;

monitoring the at least one device on the network by using a topology server that is configured to maintain status information for active devices coupled to the network by continually monitoring the status of devices coupled to the network; and

sending additional commands to the at least one device in order to implement the dynamic behavior for the at least one device on the network.

18. A computer instruction signal embodied in a carrier wave carrying instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for controlling devices on a network, comprising:

receiving an input to be stored in a database, the input including a description of dynamic behavior for the devices on the network;

storing the input as an entry in the database in order to implement a policy;

in response storing the input in the database, forming a set of commands for at least one device on the network to perform a set of actions specified in the description of dynamic behavior;

forming a corresponding policy object associated with the entry in the database, wherein the policy object contains data and methods for controlling the at least one device on the network;

wherein the set of commands is encapsulated within the methods in the policy object;

transmitting the set of commands across the network to the at least one device so that the at least one device can perform the set of actions;

monitoring the at least one device on the network by using a topology server that is configured to maintain status information for active devices coupled to the network by continually monitoring the status of devices coupled to the network; and

sending additional commands to the at least one device in order to implement the dynamic behavior for the at least one device on the network.