Multiplex communications – Communication techniques for information carried in plural... – Adaptive
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-02
2001-07-03
Vu, Huy D. (Department: 2664)
Multiplex communications
Communication techniques for information carried in plural...
Adaptive
C709S228000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256322
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to management of network devices from a management client over a local or wide area network, by utilizing a network management protocol such as simplified network management protocol (SNMP) or desktop management interface (DMI). In particular, the invention relates to bundling of multiple network management packets for transmission to the same network device, but over different protocol stacks, so as to increase reliability of receipt by the managed network device of the management packet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Network management protocols such as simplified network management protocol (SNMP) and desktop management interface (DMI) have become industry-wide de-facto standard for managing network devices over a local or wide area network. According to these protocols, a management client sends network management packets to a targeted network device, so as to manage and to obtain configuration of the managed network device. Thus, it is possible for the management client to set and alter configuration of the managed device, to set and alter network settings for the managed device, and to obtain information about configuration and status of the managed device, all through transmission of appropriate network management packets over the network.
One problem encountered in management of network devices using such network management protocols is the possibility that the managed device might not ever receive the network management packet transmitted by the management client. This problem is amplified as networks become more complex and more heterogeneous (meaning that more and different network protocols are operating on the same physical network wire), thereby increasing overall network traffic. Especially in situations involving wide area networks, therefore, where the managed device is located remotely through many routers and repeaters from the management client, it is possible for the network management packet never to reach the managed device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to address the foregoing by sending multiple copies of the same network management packet to the same managed device, but using different protocols for each of the copies so as to increase reliability of receipt.
Specifically, managed devices interface to the network through a network interface card (NIC), which typically is provided with multiple protocol stacks such as TCP/IP SPX/IPX, DDP, DDP/UDP, NetBIOS/NetBUI, AppleTalk, and the like. Each of these different protocol stacks is provided in the NIC so as to permit the managed device to communicate with various clients using different protocols. Thus, it is advantageous to provide a managed device with a NIC having multiple different protocol stacks, so as to increase the flexibility and usability of the device.
The invention is premised on the inventor's recognition that each of these different protocol stacks is also available for use during transmission of network management packets, and is further premised on the inventor's recognition that receipt by the managed device of multiple copies of the same network management packet is not harmful to the managed device. Specifically, since each copy of the management packet would merely set the managed device into the same configuration, or cause the managed device to send multiple copies of its status to the management client, there is no practical disadvantage for the managed device to receive the same packet more than once.
Thus, in one aspect, the invention is management of a network device by a management client over a network using a network management protocol, with the managed device including a network interface card having multiple different protocol stacks for receiving network transmissions using multiple different protocols respectively corresponding to the multiple different protocol stacks. According to the invention, the management client obtains information from the managed device pertaining to the presence and identity of the multiple different protocol stacks. Thereafter, to manage the managed device, the management client sends multiple copies of the same network management packet to the same recipient over each of the different protocol stacks so obtained.
By virtue of this arrangement, since multiple copies of the same network management packet are sent to the same recipient, reliability of receipt of the management packet is increased.
In a related aspect, it is possible that some network devices are provided with more than one network interface card (NIC) so as to permit the managed device to operate on two or more (often physically dissimilar) networks. For example, one network printer might be provided with two NIC's, the first for interface to a token ring network and the second for interface to an Ethernet network. Such network devices are sometimes referred to as “dual home” devices, since the same device appears twice on the network. In such situations, the invention provides for transmission not only of multiple copies of the same network management packet to the same recipient, but also provides for transmission of such multiple copies to each and every NIC in the managed device.
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 the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the attached drawings.
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Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Harper Kevin C.
Vu Huy D.
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