Simple home networking
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of managing a local area network (LAN) having one or more network devices, the method comprising:
- defining a plurality of network states, each network state representing a topology of network devices and functions thereof including;
a modem adapted to bridge the local area network (LAN) with a wide area network (WAN),a wireless access point (WAP) and router adapted to connect the network devices to the modem, anda voice router adapted for connection between the modem and the wireless access point and router, the voice router adapted to provide phone services to an analog telephone using voice over Internet protocol (VoIP);
identifying a current network state of the local area network (LAN) from the plurality of network states, said current network state representing an existing topology of the one or more network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN);
identifying a next network state of the local area network (LAN) from the plurality of network states, said next network state representing a change to the current network state, said next network state representing an enhanced topology of network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN);
recommending the next network state to a user; and
providing the user with instructions for modifying the existing topology of the one or more network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN) based on the current network state to the enhanced topology of network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN) based on the next network state.
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Abstract
A network management system is provided for managing a computer network. The management system is configured to represent the computer network as having one of a plurality of defined network states. Once the state of the network has been identified, the management system can assist the user in making modifications to the computer network and in making recommendations to the user for possible modifications to the computer network. These modifications can include, for example, configuring network devices, removing network devices, replacing network devices, and adding new network devices.
18 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of managing a local area network (LAN) having one or more network devices, the method comprising:
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defining a plurality of network states, each network state representing a topology of network devices and functions thereof including; a modem adapted to bridge the local area network (LAN) with a wide area network (WAN), a wireless access point (WAP) and router adapted to connect the network devices to the modem, and a voice router adapted for connection between the modem and the wireless access point and router, the voice router adapted to provide phone services to an analog telephone using voice over Internet protocol (VoIP); identifying a current network state of the local area network (LAN) from the plurality of network states, said current network state representing an existing topology of the one or more network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN); identifying a next network state of the local area network (LAN) from the plurality of network states, said next network state representing a change to the current network state, said next network state representing an enhanced topology of network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN); recommending the next network state to a user; and providing the user with instructions for modifying the existing topology of the one or more network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN) based on the current network state to the enhanced topology of network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN) based on the next network state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer readable medium on which are stored computer readable instructions for managing a local area network (LAN) having one or more network devices and, when executed by a computer, the computer is operable to:
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define a plurality of network states, each network state representing a topology of network devices and functions thereof including; a modem adapted to bridge the local area network (LAN) with a wide area network (WAN), a wireless access point (WAP) and router adapted to connect the network devices to the modem, and a voice router adapted for connection between the modem and the wireless access point and router, the voice router adapted to provide phone services to an analog telephone using voice over Internet protocol (VoIP); identify a current network state of the local area network (LAN) from the plurality of network states, said current network state representing an existing topology of the one or more network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN); identify a next network state of the local area network (LAN) from the plurality of network states, said next network state representing a change to the current network state, said next network state representing an enhanced topology of network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN); recommend the next network state to a user; and provide the user with instructions for modifying the existing topology of the one or more network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN) based on the current network state to the enhanced topology of network devices and functions thereof in the local area network (LAN) based on the next network state. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification