Browser-based network management allowing administrators to use web browser on user's workstation to view and update configuration of network devices

• US 6,308,205 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1998
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Carcerano, Christopher John, Wilson, Richard Alexander Jr., Gibson, Donald Parke, Barnard, John Dickson
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Krisna
• Application Number:
  US09/176,332
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 709/221, 709/220, 709/228, 709/227
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications

Abstract

Viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network. Each of the network devices is repeatedly polled over the network by a network management server for configuration information, which is stored in a database. A first URL-encoded request is received from a requesting station, which is preferably a web browser. The first request identifies a targeted one of the network devices. Responsive to the first request, a response is dynamically generated. The response is representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration information stored in the database. The response is sent to the requesting station, and a second URL-encoded request is received from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices. Responsive to the second request, the database is updated based on the configuration data. The configuration of the targeted one of the network devices is updated by the network management server based on the updated database.

Claims

1. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:

repeatedly polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a database;

receiving a first URL-encoded request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

responsive to the first request, dynamically generating a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration information stored in the database;

sending the response to the requesting station;

receiving a second URL-encoded request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices;

responsive to the second request, updating the database based on the configuration data; and

updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the updated database.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for a CGI script that is used to dynamically generate the response.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for an ASP web page that is used to dynamically generate the response.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML code.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is dynamically generated text.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the requesting station is a web browser.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the requesting station is a dedicated thin client that communicates using hypertext transfer protocol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request and the second request are received over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request and the second request are received over the network to which the network devices are attached.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is sent over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is sent over the network to which the network devices are connected.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a network management protocol.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the network management protocol is SNMP or DMI.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first URL-encoded request is for help information about the targeted device, and wherein the response is HTML code representative of a help page for the targeted device.

15. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:

repeatedly polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a database;

communicating with a requesting station using HTTP;

updating the database based on the communicating step; and

updating the configuration of one of the network devices based on the updated database.

16. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:

sending a first URL-encoded request to a management system, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

receiving a response from the management system, the response representative of a visual display of configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;

generating the visual display; and

sending a second URL-encoded request to the management system, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for a CGI script that is used to dynamically generate the response.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for an ASP web page that is used to dynamically generate the response.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML code.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is dynamically generated text.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the first request and the second request are sent over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the first request and the second request are sent over the network to which the network devices are attached.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is received over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is received over the network to which the network devices are connected.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein the first URL-encoded request is for help information about the targeted device, and wherein the response is HTML code representative of a help page for the targeted device.

26. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:

a memory including a region for storing executable process steps; and

a processor for executing the executable process steps;

wherein the executable process steps include the steps of;

(a) repeatedly polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

(b) storing the configuration information in a database;

(c) receiving a first URL-encoded request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

(d) responsive to the first request, dynamically generating a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration information stored in the database;

(e) sending the response to the requesting station;

(f) receiving a second URL-encoded request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices;

(g) responsive to the second request, updating the database based on the configuration data; and

(h) updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the updated database.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for a CGI script that is used to dynamically generate the response.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for an ASP web page that is used to dynamically generate the response.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML code.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the response is dynamically generated text.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the requesting station is a web browser.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the requesting station is a dedicated thin client that communicates using hypertext transfer protocol.

33. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first request and the second request are received over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.

34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first request and the second request are received over the network to which the network devices are attached.

35. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the response is sent over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.

36. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the response is sent over the network to which the network devices are connected.

37. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a network management protocol.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the network management protocol is SNMP or DMI.

39. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first URL-encoded request is for help information about the targeted device, and wherein the response is HTML code representative of a help page for the targeted device.

40. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:

a memory including a region for storing executable process steps; and

a processor for executing the executable process steps;

wherein the executable process steps include the steps of;

(a) repeatedly polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

(b) storing the configuration information in a database;

(c) communicating with a requesting station using HTTP;

(d) updating the database based on the communicating step; and

(e) updating the configuration of one of the network devices based on the updated database.

41. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:

a memory including a region for storing executable process steps; and

a processor for executing the executable process steps;

wherein the executable process steps include the steps of;

(a) sending a first URL-encoded request to a management system, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

(b) receiving a response from the management system, the response representative of a visual display of configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;

(c) generating the visual display; and

(d) sending a second URL-encoded request to the management system, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.

42. A browser-based network management system, the system comprising computer-executable process steps to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to repeatedly poll each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

code to store the configuration information in a database;

code to receive a first URL-encoded request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

code to dynamically generate a response responsive to the first request, the response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration information stored in the database;

code to send the response to the requesting station;

code to receive a second URL-encoded request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices;

code to update the database, responsive to the second request, based on the configuration data; and

code to update the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the updated database.

43. A browser-based network management system, the system comprising computer-executable process steps to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

code to repeatedly poll each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

code to store the configuration information in a database;

code to communicate with a requesting station using HTTP;

code to update the database based on the communication with the requesting station; and

code to update the configuration of one of the network devices based on the updated database.

44. A computer-readable medium which stores a browser-based network management system, the system comprising computer-executable process steps to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

a polling step to repeatedly poll each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

a storing step to store the configuration information in a database;

a receiving step to receive a first URL-encoded request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

a generating step to dynamically generate a response responsive to the first request, the response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration information stored in the database;

a sending step to send the response to the requesting station;

a receiving step to receive a second URL-encoded request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices;

an updating step to update the database, responsive to the second request, based on the configuration data; and

an updating step to update the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the updated database.

45. A computer-readable medium which stores a browser-based network management system, the system comprising computer-executable process steps to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

a polling step to repeatedly poll each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

a storing step to store the configuration information in a database;

a communicating step to communicate with a requesting station using HTTP;

an updating step to update the database based on the communicating step; and

an updating step to update the configuration of one of the network devices based on the updated database.

46. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:

polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a memory;

receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;

sending the response to the requesting station;

receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and

responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.

47. The method according to claim 46, further comprising the step of, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in the second request.

48. The method according to claim 46, wherein the first request and the second request are received using hypertext transfer protocol.

49. The method according to claim 46, wherein the response is HTML data representative of a page for the targeted one of the network devices.

50. The method according to claim 46, wherein the request is received using a first protocol and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a second protocol different from the first protocol.

51. The method according to claim 46, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a web browser.

52. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:

polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a memory;

communicating with a requesting station; and

updating the configuration information stored in the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the communicating step performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.

54. The method according to claim 52, wherein the polling step polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.

55. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:

sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;

displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and

sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using a HTTP protocol.

57. The method according to claim 55, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML data.

58. The method according to claim 55, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a browser.

59. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:

memory for storing program; and

processor for executing executable process steps based on the program;

wherein the executable process steps include the steps of;

polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a memory;

receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;

sending the response to the requesting station;

receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and

responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.

60. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the executable process steps include the step of, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in the second request.

61. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:

polling means for polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing means for storing the configuration information in a memory;

first receiving means for receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

generating means for, responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;

sending means for sending the response to the requesting station;

second receiving means for receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and

updating means for, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.

62. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said updating means, responsive to the second request, updates the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in the second request.

63. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:

memory for storing program; and

processor for executing executable process steps based on the program;

wherein the executable process steps include the steps of;

polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a memory;

communicating with a requesting station; and

updating the configuration information stored in the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.

64. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the communicating step performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.

65. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the polling step polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.

66. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:

polling means for polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing means for storing the configuration information in a memory;

communicating means for communicating with a requesting station; and

updating means for updating the configuration information stored in the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.

67. The apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the communicating means performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.

68. The apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the polling means polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.

69. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:

memory for storing program; and

processor for executing executable process steps based on the program;

wherein the executable process steps include the steps of;

sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;

displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and

sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.

70. The apparatus according to claim 69, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using HTTP protocol and the response is dynamically generated HTTP data.

71. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:

first sending means for sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

receiving in means for receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;

displaying means for displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and

second sending means for sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.

72. The apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using a HTTP protocol and the response is dynamically generated HTML data.

73. A computer-readable medium which storing a program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:

polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a memory;

receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;

sending the response to the requesting station;

receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and

responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.

74. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the program controlling a computer to perform the step of, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in the second request.

75. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the first request and the second request are received using hypertext transfer protocol.

76. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the response is HTML data representative of a page for the targeted one of the network devices.

77. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the request is received using a first protocol and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a second protocol different from the first protocol.

78. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a web browser.

79. A computer-readable medium which storing a program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:

polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a memory;

communicating with a requesting station; and

updating the configuration information stored in the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.

80. The medium according to claim 79, wherein the communicating step performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.

81. The medium according to claim 79, wherein the polling step polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.

82. A computer-readable medium which storing a program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:

sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;

displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and

sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.

83. The medium according to claim 82, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using a HTTP protocol.

84. The medium according to claim 82, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML data.

85. The medium according to claim 82, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a browser.

86. A computer-readable program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:

polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a memory;

receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;

sending the response to the requesting station;

receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and

responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.

87. The program according to claim 86, wherein the program controlling a computer to perform the step of, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in the second request.

88. The program according to claim 86, wherein the first request and the second request are received using hypertext transfer protocol.

89. The program according to claim 86, wherein the response is HTML data representative of a page for the targeted one of the network devices.

90. The program according to claim 86, wherein the request is received using a first protocol and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a second protocol different from the first protocol.

91. The program according to claim 86, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a web browser.

92. A computer-readable program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:

polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;

storing the configuration information in a memory;

communicating with a requesting station; and

updating the configuration information stored is the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.

93. The program according to claim 92, wherein the communicating step performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.

94. The program according to claim 92, wherein the polling step polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.

95. A computer-readable program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:

sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;

receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;

displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and

sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.

96. The program according to claim 95, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using a HTTP protocol.

97. The program according to claim 95, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML data.

98. The program according to claim 95, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a browser.