Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Computer network monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
1996-10-31
2001-04-17
Harrell, Robert B. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Computer network monitoring
C709S226000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219703
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to data communication networks, and more specifically to a method and apparatus in a data communication network for constructing a device management information base in a network management station.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently in a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) management environment, the term “auto-discovery” refers to the ability of a Network Management Station (NMS) to automatically detect or discover an Internet Protocol (IP) addressable device in a network. The NMS can also identify a device that is SNMP manageable (if the device supports at least the System module for SNMP MIB II).
Once a device is discovered, it can be managed only if its management information base (MIB) is available and has been previously loaded into the NMS. If the MIB is not available, a vendor must be contacted to obtain the required MIB. This process may take hours to days for completion. Until the MIB is obtained, the discovered device is not manageable. Another problem that can arise is if the MIB for the discovered device is not of the correct version, then the NMS may not be able to coherently manage the features of the device.
Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus that can enable the NMS not only to discover the existence of an IP device, but also to extract the MIB information from the device. Preferably the method and apparatus will utilize existing SNMP methods for communicating between the NMS and the device, so that no additional protocols or connections are required for extracting the MIB information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the present invention is a method in a data communication network having a network management station (NMS) for constructing in the NMS a device Management Information Base (MIB) for interfacing with a device. The method comprises the steps of providing in the device an agent that includes a management structure MIB comprising data describing a device MIB structure supported by the device, and programming the NMS with an application that can interpret the data of the management structure MIB in order to construct the device MIB. The method further comprises the steps of detecting by the NMS that the device is present on the network, and accessing the management structure MIB by the NMS to obtain the data describing the device MIB structure, in response to the detecting step when the device MIB is not known to the NMS. The method also includes the step of interpreting by the application the data describing the device MIB structure, thereby constructing the device MIB.
Another aspect of the present invention is a network management station (NMS) in a data communication network for constructing in the NMS a device Management Information Base (MIB) for interfacing with a device. The NMS comprises a communication interface coupled to the network for communicating with the device, and a processing system coupled to the communication interface for controlling the device. The processing system is programmed to interpret the data of a management structure MIB in order to construct the device MIB. The management structure MIB is provided by the device from an agent that includes the management structure MIB, which provides data describing a device MIB structure supported by the device. The processing system is further programmed to detect that the device is present on the network, and, in response, to access the management structure MIB to obtain the data describing the device MIB structure, when the device MIB is not known to the NMS. In addition, the processing system is programmed to interpret the data describing the device MIB structure, thereby constructing the device MIB.
Another aspect of the present invention is a device in a data communication network having a network management station (NMS) for constructing in the NMS a device Management Information Base (MIB) for interfacing with the device. The device comprises a communication interface coupled to the network for communicating with the NMS, and a processing system coupled to the communication interface for controlling the device. The processing system is programmed with an agent including a management structure MIB, which provides data describing a device MIB structure supported by the device. The processing system is further programmed to communicate to the NMS the data describing the device MIB structure, in response to an access of the management structure MIB by the NMS when the device MIB is not known to the NMS, thereby enabling the NMS to construct the device MIB.
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Miriyala Srinivas
Nguyen Cuong The
Starkweather James Alan
Breeden R. Louis
Harrell Robert B.
Motorola Inc.
Vu Thong
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