System and method for remote management

• US 6,904,458 B1
• Filed: 04/26/2000
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zhigu Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bishop, David A., Darcy, Paul B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choudhary, Anita
• Application Number:
  US09/559,844
• Time in Patent Office: 1,868 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 709/217, 709/251, 709/224, 709/200, 709/201, 709/202, 709/203, 709/218, 714/4, 714/46, 714/45, 370/251
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2005 using redundant communication controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2007 using redundant communication media
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2012 and using different communication protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3495 for systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

A computing component is provided for use in a client computer which has a client processor. The computing component includes a remote management processor that is operable to selectively control the client computer independently of the client'"'"'s own processor or processors. The computing component also includes a network component that facilitates communication between the computing component and a remote management machine. A method of managing one or more clients in a computer system is also provided, where the clients have a client processor and a computing component installed on client. The computing component is independent of the client processor and is operable to selectively control the client. A network component is installed on the computing component. The method includes remotely controlling the client by communicating with the computing component through the network component utilizing a remote manager.

Claims

1. A method in a computer system for managing for one or more client computers having a client processor and a computing installed on the client computer, the computing component being operable to control the client computer and having a network component installed thereon, wherein the computing component is independent of the client processor, the method comprising:

remotely controlling the client computer by communicating with the computing component through the network component over a first communication path and a first network utilizing a remote manager; and

managing the client computer with the remote manager over a second communication path and a second distinct network using a second network component installed on the client computer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein two or more client computers are configured in a networked environment independent of the computing component network component for creating the networked environment that is separate from network component.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising monitoring the one or more client computers for error conditions by collecting via the computing component.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the monitoring step includes collecting capacity planning data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitoring step includes collecting performance monitoring data.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising storing the collected data on the computing component.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising transferring the stored data to the remote manager utilizing the network component.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising remotely rebooting the client computer from the remote manager utilizing the computing component.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the computing component from the remote manager, software and storing the software on the computing component.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising capturing and transferring client display information to the remote manager.

11. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for executing the steps recited in claim 1.

12. A computer system having a processor, an operating system, and a memory, the computer system operable to perform steps in claim 1.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the remotely controlling the client computer includes querying computing component through the network component for data indicative of one or more client properties, and transmitting the indicative data from the computing component through the network component.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the indicative data is capacity planning data.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the indicative data is performance monitoring data.