Synchronized relay messaging and coordinated network processing using SNMP

• US 8,332,498 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2009
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Assa Abloy AB
• Original Assignee: Assa Abloy AB
• Inventors: Robinton, Mark, Guthery, Scott B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yohannes, Tesfay
• Application Number:
  US12/627,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20100235360A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/223, 709/224, 370/338
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]

Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems are provided for utilizing asynchronous messaging protocols, such as the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), to implement relay messaging through a network, gather data from and/or set parameters on a plurality of managed devices in a network through the issuance and transmission of a single SNMP message, and/or cause multiple managed devices to perform cooperative and coordinated computations through the issuance of a single SNMP message.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, at an SNMP managed device, an asynchronous message containing instructions for the managed device to perform a work item; and

processing the work item at the managed device, wherein during processing the managed device generates a subsequent asynchronous message for transmission to another managed device, wherein the managed device comprises an SNMP work flow engine residing in a server, the SNMP work flow engine comprising a processing module and an SNMP daemon, wherein the processing module receives the asynchronous message, and wherein the subsequent asynchronous message is transmitted via the SNMP daemon to at least one device not contained within the server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein during processing the managed device also places the work item in a work item queue comprising a plurality of work items to be performed for a plurality of different work item requestors.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining that the work item is the next work item in the work item queue to be processed;

performing at least one action in conformity with the work item;

storing results obtained by performing the at least one action in a results table; and

indexing the results in the results table such that the results can be accessed by the managed device at a later point in time.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a done query at the managed device, the done query containing a work item identifier which identifies a previously requested work item;

analyzing the done query to determine the work item identifier;

referencing the results table with the work item identifier;

identifying an entry in the results table which is indexed with the work item identifier;

determining that the results in the results table which is indexed with the work item identifier has been completed; and

returning the results to a device which initiated the done query.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein during processing the managed device also generates a plurality of subsequent asynchronous messages for transmission to one or more managed devices.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the asynchronous message comprises an SNMP message and wherein the plurality of subsequent asynchronous messages comprise two or more SNMP messages.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the managed device comprises at least one server and a component within the server.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the asynchronous message is encapsulated in at least one of a TCP and UDP packet, the method further comprising:

removing the asynchronous message from the packet within which the message is encapsulated; and

analyzing the asynchronous message.

9. An SNMP system, comprising:

a managing device adapted to generate and transmit an asynchronous message to a managed device and process a work item and wherein the managed device processes the work item such that the managed device generates a subsequent asynchronous message for transmission to another managed device, wherein the managed device is an SNMP work flow engine residing in a server, the SNMP work flow engine comprising a processing module and an SNMP daemon, wherein the processing module receives the asynchronous message and wherein the subsequent asynchronous message is transmitted via the SNMP daemon to at least one device not contained within the server.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the managed device also places the work item in a work item queue comprising a plurality of work items to be performed for a plurality of different work item requestors.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the managed device is further adapted to determine that the work item is the next work item in the work item queue to be processed, perform at least one action in conformity with the work item, store results obtained by performing the at least one action in a results table, and index the results in the results table such that the results can be accessed by the managed device at a later point in time.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the managed device is further adapted to receive a done query, wherein the done query contains a work item identifier which identifies a previously requested work item, analyze the done query to determine the work item identifier, reference the results table with the work item identifier, identify an entry in the results table which is indexed with the work item identifier, determine that the results in the results table which is indexed with the work item identifier has been completed, and return the results to a device which initiated the done query.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the managed device also generates a plurality of subsequent asynchronous messages for transmission to one or more managed devices.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the asynchronous message comprises an SNMP message and wherein the plurality of subsequent asynchronous messages comprise two or more SNMP messages.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the managed device comprises at least one of an integrated circuit card, a smart card, a subscriber identity module card, a security authentication module card, a printer, a reader, a component within a printer, a component within a reader, a server, and a component within a server.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the asynchronous message is encapsulated in at least one of a TCP and UDP packet and wherein the managed device is adapted to remove the asynchronous message from the packet within which the message is encapsulated and analyze the asynchronous message.

17. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored onto a non-transitory computer readable medium which, when executed by a processor of a computer, cause the processor to execute a method, the method comprising:

determining that an asynchronous message has been received at a managed device, the message containing instructions for the managed device to perform a work item; and

generating a subsequent asynchronous message for transmission to another managed device, wherein the managed device comprises an SNMP work flow engine residing in a server, the SNMP work flow engine comprising a processing module and an SNMP daemon, wherein the processing module receives the asynchronous message, and wherein the subsequent asynchronous message is transmitted via the SNMP daemon to at least one device not contained within the server.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the managed device is also caused to place the work item in a work item queue comprising a plurality of work items to be performed for a plurality of different work item requestors.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the managed device is also caused to generate a plurality of subsequent asynchronous messages for transmission to one or more managed devices.