Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-22
2001-06-19
Najjar, Saleh (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
C709S224000, C709S245000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249814
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to identifying devices on a network.
With the large number of computing devices which can be connected to a network (made up of local area networks or LANs and wide area networks or WANs), various methods have been developed to identify and manage the network devices to enable communication among them. Typically, a network directory service, which is essentially a catalog or directory of names and addresses of network devices (such as servers, hubs, desktops, laptops, and other devices), is maintained on selected network devices. Devices within a LAN usually have their own route tables of other devices in the LAN to allow quick and efficient communication within the LAN. However, should a LAN device desire to communicate with a device outside the LAN, then the directory stored on a selected network device is accessed to determine the appropriate address of the target.
Methods of identifying computing devices on a network include exhaustive pinging and route table scanning. Both of these methods are implemented in the Open View network management product sold by Hewlett-Packard Company. In exhaustive pinging, selected servers on a network send out query packets for all addresses in a specified range. If a response is obtained for a particular address in the form of a packet, then the name and address of the responding device are added to a directory or catalog.
In route table scanning, used by networks implementing the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), network devices determine the gateway systems on the network to access their route tables. The route tables contain the names and addresses of devices known to the gateway servers. The route table scanning method also accesses route tables of other known routers to determine devices that have routed through those routers. In this manner, a substantial portion of devices on the network can be identified.
In both the pinging and route table scanning methods, a large number of query packets are issued to identify network devices.
SUMMARY
The invention may have one or more of the following advantages. By reducing the number of query packets that need to be transmitted to perform the automatic discovery of devices, network traffic is reduced. Automatic discovery of computing devices on the network can be performed regardless of the network protocols used. Computing devices on a network can be reliably and efficiently discovered.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a network system having network devices and a management device configured to transmit a message to request identification of network devices. Each of the network devices is configured to respond to the management device message by transmitting a reply message containing identification information of the responding device.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The management device includes a directory containing the identification information of the network devices, the identification information including the network device's network address. The management device is further configured to issue an acknowledge message to a responding network device, and to issue a secondary message to request identification of network devices from which the management device has not received a reply message. A network connects the management device and the network devices, the network carrying packets that comply with the TCP/IP protocol. The network device is further configured to notify the management device of a problem in the network device using management device information stored in the network device. In general, another aspect, the invention features a network system having a network, network devices connected to the network, and a management computer system having a processor and a memory, the processor being configured by a network management program to transmit a query packet over the network. The network devices each includes a processor configured to respond to the query packet by transmitting an identification packet to the management computer system. The information in the identification packets received from the responding network devices are stored in a directory located in the memory of the management computer system.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The network carries packets that comply with the TCP/IP protocol. The network includes a local area network and a wide area network.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer system for use on a network having network devices. The computer system includes a port coupled to the network and a processor coupled to the port and configured by a program to issue a query message over the network. Network devices having a predetermined configuration respond to the query message by transmitting identification messages.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method of configuring a network, including transmitting a message seeking identification of predetermined types of devices connected to the network. Identification messages from the devices are received, and a directory of network devices is updated based on the identification messages.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for identifying devices on a network, including a first application running on a first computer system having instructions to cause the computer system to issue a query message. The apparatus further includes second applications running on second computer systems having instructions for causing each of the second computer systems to respond to the query message by transmitting an identification message. The first application updates a directory of second computer systems based on the identification messages.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer system for use on a TCP/IP network having network devices. The computer system has a port coupled to the network, and a processor coupled to the port and configured to multicast a query message over the network. Network devices respond to the query message by transmitting identification messages. The computer system includes a storage element storing a directory containing information from the identification messages.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a network device for connection to a network. The network device includes a port connected to the network to receive a query message seeking identification of predetermined network devices. The network device also includes a processor configured to respond to the query message by transmitting an identification message containing information identified the network device.
Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description and from the claims.
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Justice, Jr. William D.
Shaffer David S.
Stupek, Jr. Richard A.
Compaq Computer Corporation
Fletcher Yoder & Van Someren
Najjar Saleh
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