Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring – Reconfiguring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-10-23
Lim, Krisna (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
Reconfiguring
C709S220000, C709S228000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308205
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a system for viewing and updating a configuration of network devices. More particularly, the invention is directed toward a system that allows such viewing and updating of configuration from a remote network site using a web browser.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a result of increasing complexity of local area networks, tools for effectively managing (i.e., controlling, monitoring and obtaining the status and configuration of) network devices on the networks are becoming essential. For example, networks can now support diverse network devices such as printers, scanners, digital cameras, facsimile machines, copiers and the like. In addition, local area networks (LANs) can be connected together to form wide area networks (WANS). Each device on these networks has settable configurations. Thus, tools are needed for effectively viewing and updating the configuration and status of the devices.
Conventionally, the configuration of each device on a network is managed with a special purpose program specific to that device or type of device. As a result, a network administrator must learn how to interact with many different programs in order to view and update the configuration of each of the different device types on the network. Because each program is different, learning how to interact with these different programs wastes time and adds unnecessary complexity to managing the network.
In addition, in conventional systems, each network administrator uses a program that directly interacts with each network device. For example, in a printer context, each administrator's printer manager sends configuration queries or commands to printers on the network. All of these separate queries and commands lead to excessive network traffic. Also, if many network administrators are involved, such as in the case of several LANs connected together in a WAN, a printer on the network can become overburdened in responding to all of the administrators' printer managers, detracting from device-specific work such as printout of print jobs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, what is needed is a management tool that allows each user to control, monitor and obtain the status and configuration of a plurality of network devices using a single and preferably familiar interface. In addition, this tool should allow many administrators to view and update the configuration of the network devices without generating excessive network traffic that can overburden those devices.
The invention addresses the foregoing need by providing a system that allows a remote network user to view and update the configuration of network devices by using a web browser on the user's workstation. The system communicates with the web browser using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). Requests from the browser are URL-encoded according to HTTP, and are preferably URL-encoded for CGI scripts, ASP web pages, or any other scripts or pages that can be used by the system to dynamically generate responses to the requests. The responses to the web browser's requests preferably are in hypertext markup language (HTML).
By virtue of the foregoing operation, network administrators can view and update the configuration of network devices using the familiar interface of a web browser, such as NetScape®'s Navigator or Microsoft®'s Internet Explorer. As a result, the administrators do not need to learn different programs for each device, thereby saving time and simplifying network management.
The management system is interposed between the administrators (or other users) and the network devices. The management system repeatedly polls the network devices for configuration information and maintains a database of this information. When the management system receives a request from a web browser for status or configuration information about a network device, the system generates an appropriate response based on the database rather than on information obtained directly from the network device. Likewise, when the management system receives a request from a web browser to change the status or configuration of a network device, the system updates the database according to configuration data in the request. The management system then updates the configuration of the network devices according to the updated database.
This arrangement is more efficient than conventional systems because the network devices are insulated from interacting directly with each user. Instead, the network devices only interact with the management system, which in turn handles all communication with the users. Thus, the network devices are not overburdened by having to communicate with many different users.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention is a system that allows a remote network user to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, by using a web browser on the user's workstation. The system repeatedly polls each of the network devices over the network for configuration information. The configuration information is stored in a database. A first URL-encoded request is received from a user's workstation, preferably using a standard web browser communicating using HTTP. The first request identifies a targeted one of the network devices, together with a request for the targeted device's configuration. Responsive to the first request, a response corresponding to the requested configuration is generated dynamically from the database, with the response preferably being in a format representative of a visual display of configuration information for the targeted network device. The response is preferably dynamically-generated HTML code based at least in part on the configuration information stored in the database and on a template. The response is sent to the requesting station. A second URL-encoded request may also be received from the requesting station, with the second request including an update to the configuration data for the targeted network device. Responsive to the second request, the database is updated based on the new configuration data. The management system thereafter updates the targeted network device based on the updated database.
By virtue of the foregoing, a network administrator only has to know how to interact with a web browser in order to view and update the configuration of the network devices. The administrator does not have to learn separate programs for each device or device type. In addition, in a case that plural different web browsers are making such requests, the network devices themselves are insulated from all of those requests. Instead, the network devices need only respond to polling and updating by the management system. As a result, the network devices are not overburdened by the requests.
In another aspect, from the perspective of a user's workstation which is preferably executing a web browser, the invention sends a first URL-encoded request to a management system. The first request identifies a targeted one of the network devices. A response according to HTTP is received from the management system, preferably in the form of HTML code. The response is representative of a visual display of configuration information for the targeted network device, and is displayed to the user by the user's browser. In response to user manipulation of the displayed response, a second URL-encoded request is sent to the management system. The second request includes updated configuration data for the targeted network device.
By virtue of the foregoing, a web browser can be used by a user's workstation to view and update the configuration of any of plural network devices. In addition, these network devices are insulated from direct interaction with all of the requesting stations.
This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to t
Barnard John Dickson
Carcerano Christopher John
Gibson Donald Parke
Wilson, Jr. Richard Alexander
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Lim Krisna
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