Computer network software and hardware event monitoring and reporting system and method

• US 7,984,143 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2008
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spiceworks, Inc. (Ziff Davis, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spiceworks, Inc. (Ziff Davis, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, VIET D
• Application Number:
  US12/117,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20080307089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/219, 709/223, 709/224, 719/328, 719/329, 719/318
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/20 Network management software packages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning

Abstract

A method, system, and network for providing a method, system, and network, for network and device event monitoring and reporting. The disclosed subject matter associates with a host computer, a local network of information technology devices, a community of network users, and a global information technology community. The present disclosure initiates an inventory of a plurality of information technology devices associated with a local network of information technology devices. The method, system and apparatus determine change in the operational status of the plurality of the information technology devices associated with the local network. Then, the present disclosure monitors for changes in the operational status of the plurality of the information technology devices associated with the local network. The disclosed subject matter then presents to the host computer information relating changes in the operational status of the information technology devices associated with the local network. The present method and system associate changes to the operational status with a plurality of products from a set of product vendors, and those changes to the operational status with a plurality of advertisements presented in association with plurality of products.

Claims

1. An event monitoring and reporting interface displayed on a host computer having the ability to connect said host computer, a local network, user community network, and global product and services network, comprising:

an event monitoring interface function set for initiating an inventory of a plurality of information technology devices associated with said local network of information technology devices;

an event monitoring interface function set for monitoring changes in the operational status of said plurality of said information technology devices associated with said local network;

a work-flow reporting interface function set for presenting to said host computer information relating changes in said operational status of said information technology devices associated with said local network;

a work-flow reporting interface function set for determining needs of said local network of information technology arising from changes in said information technology devices;

a work-flow reporting interface function set for associating said needs to similar needs of said community of network users, and solution product and services of said global information technology community;

a work-flow interface function set for directing said host computer to research and purchase resources similar in temperament of said needs of said local network of said information technology devices; and

a work-flow reporting interface function set for driving said global information technology community advertisements of said needs of said local network to said user of said host computer.

2. The interface in claim 1, where said event monitoring module monitors essentially all changes arising in said information technology devices associated with said local network.

3. The interface in claim 1, where said work-flow module provides the user with information on a plurality of events relating to processes that said user of said host computer, said local network, said network user community, and said global information technology community are currently running.

4. The interface in claim 1, where said work-flow reporting module provides said user of said host computer with update, reports, flags and alerts of said plurality of processes and said information technology devices associated with said local network.

5. The interface in claim 1, where said work-flow reporting module provides the user of said host computer with notices of applicable products and services of said global information technology community.

6. The interface in claim 1, wherein said work-flow reporting module provides said global information technology community with applicable needs of said local network.