Network management agent with user created objects providing additional functionality

• US 5,367,635 A
• Filed: 08/29/1991
• Issued: 11/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bauer, Neal, Kepke, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heckler, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BACKENSTOSE, JONATHAN
• Application Number:
  US07/752,152
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 395/600, 364/280.9, 364/280.3, 364/280.2
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor

Abstract

A computer network management software agent which includes the ability for users to add new user defined management objects. A user editable text file defines object identifications, object types, and the path and name of associated executable software. A user can then invoke user defined executable software at a managed node by sending a network command and a user defined associated object identifier to the agent in the managed node. Data can be sent between a user and user defined executable software. A timeout feature generates an error if commands are not completed within a user defined time.

Claims

1. In a computer system comprising a managing computer and at least one managed computer, the managing computer and the managed computer connected by a network, the managed computer having an executable program and an agent, capable of receiving information from the managing computer, running as background software, the agent, while running, having a set of executable functions defined by a collection of management objects forming a management information base, a method for extending the set of executable functions of the running agent, the method comprising the following steps:

a. defining a new management object in a text file in the managing computer, the new management object associated with the executable program, the text file including at least one object identification and a directory path for the executable program;

b. sending the text file, over the network, from the managing computer to the managed computer;

c. sending a reconfigure command, over the network, from the managing computer to the agent;

d. receiving the reconfigure command by the agent;

e. appending the text file, by the running agent, to the collection of management objects in the running agent, in response to the reconfigure command; and

f. interpreting the new management object defined by the text file as an executable function, thereby extending the set of executable functions of the running agent;

whereby, if the managing computer sends an object identification which was included in the text file over the network to the agent;

i) the agent receives the object identification;

ii) the managed computer executes the executable program indicated by the object identification.