Multiplex communications – Diagnostic testing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-30
2001-02-20
Nguyen, Chau (Department: 2739)
Multiplex communications
Diagnostic testing
C709S223000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192034
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to the field of electronic commerce, and more particularly to a system and method for network integrity management.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Organizations in various industries use electronic commerce for communicating business information including purchase order and order supply information. One method for communicating electronic commerce information uses a value added network as a clearing house for messages between organizations. The value added network thereby allows organizations to participate in electronic commerce in an efficient and cost effective manner. Such a value added network provides connectivity for participating organizations and, in general, can receive messages from originator organizations, process the messages, and forward appropriate messages to recipient organizations.
Electronic commerce networks, whether or not based upon a value added architecture, need to be managed to ensure that the network does not go down because of failure of hardware or software elements within the network. This management of network integrity is typically a reactive process of identifying and correcting points of failure after they have occurred. There is little ability to monitor the status of the network in real-time and proactively identify potential problem elements before actual failures occur. The problems of network integrity management are augmented when if network is distributed in nature and has elements in geographically remote locations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for network integrity management are disclosed that substantially eliminate or reduce disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed methods for managing the integrity of electronic commerce networks.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for network integrity management are provided. A plurality of network elements and software elements are interconnected in a network. Each network element and software element include an SNMP agent operable to create and maintain a management information base. The management information base stores information representing a current status of the associated network element or software element. The SNMP agent is further operable to communicate the management information base across the network. A remote monitor is interconnected in the network with the plurality of network elements and the plurality of software elements. The remote monitor is operable to collect the management information bases communicated by the SNMP agents. A management client is operable to connect to the remote monitor and to receive the management information bases collected by the remote monitor. The management client is further operable to determine the current status of the network elements and the software elements based upon the management information bases, to identify problems based upon the current status of the network elements and the software elements, and to notify a user of any identified problems.
A technical advantage of the present invention is the ability to monitor software applications and hardware devices executing on an electronic commerce network in real-time. This allows an owner or operator of the network to monitor the integrity of the electronic commerce network in real time in order to identify problems when they occur and even to anticipate problems before they occur.
A further technical advantage of the present invention is the ability to monitor and provide service to participating organizations that connect to the network integrity management system based upon SNMP agents and MIBs maintained by software used by the organization to connect to the electronic commerce network.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5504921 (1996-04-01), Dev et al.
patent: 5790548 (1998-08-01), Sistanizadeh et al.
patent: 5802416 (1998-09-01), Dulman
patent: 6108782 (2000-08-01), Fletcher et al.
Hsieh Francis
Manring Brad
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Lee Chiho Andrew
Nguyen Chau
Sterling Commerce Inc.
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