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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:
repeatedly polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a database;
receiving a first URL-encoded request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
responsive to the first request, dynamically generating a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration information stored in
the database;
sending the response to the requesting station;
receiving a second URL-encoded request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices;
responsive to the second request, updating the database based on the configuration data; and
updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the updated database.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for a CGI script that is used to dynamically generate the response.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for an ASP web page that is used to dynamically generate the response.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML code.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is dynamically generated text.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the requesting station is a web browser.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the requesting station is a dedicated thin client that communicates using hypertext transfer protocol.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request and the second request are received over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request and the second request are received over the network to which the network devices are attached.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is sent over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is sent over the network to which the network devices are connected.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a network management protocol.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the network management protocol is SNMP or DMI.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first URL-encoded request is for help information about the targeted device, and wherein the response is HTML code representative of a help page for the targeted device.
15. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:
repeatedly polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a database;
communicating with a requesting station using HTTP;
updating the database based on the communicating step; and
updating the configuration of one of the network devices based on the updated database.
16. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:
sending a first URL-encoded request to a management system, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
receiving a response from the management system, the response representative of a visual display of configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;
generating the visual display; and
sending a second URL-encoded request to the management system, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for a CGI script that is used to dynamically generate the response.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for an ASP web page that is used to dynamically generate the response.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML code.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is dynamically generated text.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein the first request and the second request are sent over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein the first request and the second request are sent over the network to which the network devices are attached.
23. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is received over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.
24. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is received over the network to which the network devices are connected.
25. The method of claim 16, wherein the first URL-encoded request is for help information about the targeted device, and wherein the response is HTML code representative of a help page for the targeted device.
26. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:
a memory including a region for storing executable process steps; and
a processor for executing the executable process steps;
wherein the executable process steps include the steps of: (a) repeatedly polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information; (b) storing the configuration information in a database; (c) receiving a first
URL-encoded request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices; (d) responsive to the first request, dynamically generating a response representative of a visual display of the configuration
information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration information stored in the database; (e) sending the response to the requesting station; (f) receiving a second URL-encoded request from the requesting
station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; (g) responsive to the second request, updating the database based on the configuration data; and (h) updating the configuration of the targeted one of
the network devices based on the updated database.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for a CGI script that is used to dynamically generate the response.
28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first request is URL-encoded for an ASP web page that is used to dynamically generate the response.
29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML code.
30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the response is dynamically generated text.
31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the requesting station is a web browser.
32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the requesting station is a dedicated thin client that communicates using hypertext transfer protocol.
33. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first request and the second request are received over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.
34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first request and the second request are received over the network to which the network devices are attached.
35. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the response is sent over an other network different than the network to which the network devices are connected.
36. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the response is sent over the network to which the network devices are connected.
37. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a network management protocol.
38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the network management protocol is SNMP or DMI.
39. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first URL-encoded request is for help information about the targeted device, and wherein the response is HTML code representative of a help page for the targeted device.
40. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:
a memory including a region for storing executable process steps; and
a processor for executing the executable process steps;
wherein the executable process steps include the steps of: (a) repeatedly polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information; (b) storing the configuration information in a database; (c) communicating with a
requesting station using HTTP; (d) updating the database based on the communicating step; and (e) updating the configuration of one of the network devices based on the updated database.
41. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:
a memory including a region for storing executable process steps; and
a processor for executing the executable process steps;
wherein the executable process steps include the steps of: (a) sending a first URL-encoded request to a management system, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices; (b) receiving a response from the management system,
the response representative of a visual display of configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices; (c) generating the visual display; and (d) sending a second URL-encoded request to the management system, the second request
including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.
42. A browser-based network management system, the system comprising computer-executable process steps to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the computer-executable process
steps comprising:
code to repeatedly poll each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
code to store the configuration information in a database;
code to receive a first URL-encoded request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
code to dynamically generate a response responsive to the first request, the response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the configuration
information stored in the database;
code to send the response to the requesting station;
code to receive a second URL-encoded request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices;
code to update the database, responsive to the second request, based on the configuration data; and
code to update the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the updated database.
43. A browser-based network management system, the system comprising computer-executable process steps to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the computer-executable process
steps comprising:
code to repeatedly poll each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
code to store the configuration information in a database;
code to communicate with a requesting station using HTTP;
code to update the database based on the communication with the requesting station; and
code to update the configuration of one of the network devices based on the updated database.
44. A computer-readable medium which stores a browser-based network management system, the system comprising computer-executable process steps to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a
network, the computer-executable process steps comprising:
a polling step to repeatedly poll each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
a storing step to store the configuration information in a database;
a receiving step to receive a first URL-encoded request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
a generating step to dynamically generate a response responsive to the first request, the response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based at least in part on the
configuration information stored in the database;
a sending step to send the response to the requesting station;
a receiving step to receive a second URL-encoded request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices;
an updating step to update the database, responsive to the second request, based on the configuration data; and
an updating step to update the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the updated database.
45. A computer-readable medium which stores a browser-based network management system, the system comprising computer-executable process steps to view and update a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a
network, the computer-executable process steps comprising:
a polling step to repeatedly poll each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
a storing step to store the configuration information in a database;
a communicating step to communicate with a requesting station using HTTP;
an updating step to update the database based on the communicating step; and
an updating step to update the configuration of one of the network devices based on the updated database.
46. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:
polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a memory;
receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;
sending the response to the requesting station;
receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and
responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.
47. The method according to claim 46, further comprising the step of, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in the second request.
48. The method according to claim 46, wherein the first request and the second request are received using hypertext transfer protocol.
49. The method according to claim 46, wherein the response is HTML data representative of a page for the targeted one of the network devices.
50. The method according to claim 46, wherein the request is received using a first protocol and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a second protocol different from the first protocol.
51. The method according to claim 46, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a web browser.
52. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:
polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a memory;
communicating with a requesting station; and
updating the configuration information stored in the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.
53. The method according to claim 52, wherein the communicating step performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.
54. The method according to claim 52, wherein the polling step polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.
55. A method for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising the steps of:
sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;
displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and
sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.
56. The method according to claim 55, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using a HTTP protocol.
57. The method according to claim 55, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML data.
58. The method according to claim 55, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a browser.
59. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:
memory for storing program; and
processor for executing executable process steps based on the program;
wherein the executable process steps include the steps of:
polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a memory;
receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;
sending the response to the requesting station;
receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and
responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.
60. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the executable process steps include the step of, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in the
second request.
61. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:
polling means for polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing means for storing the configuration information in a memory;
first receiving means for receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
generating means for, responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;
sending means for sending the response to the requesting station;
second receiving means for receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and
updating means for, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.
62. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said updating means, responsive to the second request, updates the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in the second request.
63. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:
memory for storing program; and
processor for executing executable process steps based on the program;
wherein the executable process steps include the steps of:
polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a memory;
communicating with a requesting station; and
updating the configuration information stored in the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.
64. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the communicating step performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.
65. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the polling step polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.
66. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:
polling means for polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing means for storing the configuration information in a memory;
communicating means for communicating with a requesting station; and
updating means for updating the configuration information stored in the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.
67. The apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the communicating means performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.
68. The apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the polling means polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.
69. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:
memory for storing program; and
processor for executing executable process steps based on the program;
wherein the executable process steps include the steps of:
sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;
displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and
sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.
70. The apparatus according to claim 69, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using HTTP protocol and the response is dynamically generated HTTP data.
71. An apparatus for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, comprising:
first sending means for sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
receiving in means for receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;
displaying means for displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and
second sending means for sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.
72. The apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using a HTTP protocol and the response is dynamically generated HTML data.
73. A computer-readable medium which storing a program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:
polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a memory;
receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;
sending the response to the requesting station;
receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and
responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.
74. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the program controlling a computer to perform the step of, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in
the second request.
75. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the first request and the second request are received using hypertext transfer protocol.
76. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the response is HTML data representative of a page for the targeted one of the network devices.
77. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the request is received using a first protocol and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a second protocol different from the first protocol.
78. The medium according to claim 73, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a web browser.
79. A computer-readable medium which storing a program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:
polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a memory;
communicating with a requesting station; and
updating the configuration information stored in the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.
80. The medium according to claim 79, wherein the communicating step performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.
81. The medium according to claim 79, wherein the polling step polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.
82. A computer-readable medium which storing a program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:
sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;
displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and
sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.
83. The medium according to claim 82, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using a HTTP protocol.
84. The medium according to claim 82, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML data.
85. The medium according to claim 82, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a browser.
86. A computer-readable program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:
polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a memory;
receiving a first request from a requesting station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
responsive to the first request, generating a response representative of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration information stored in the memory;
sending the response to the requesting station;
receiving a second request from the requesting station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices; and
responsive to the second request, updating the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the configuration data included in the second request.
87. The program according to claim 86, wherein the program controlling a computer to perform the step of, responsive to the second request, updating the configuration information stored in the memory based on the configuration data included in
the second request.
88. The program according to claim 86, wherein the first request and the second request are received using hypertext transfer protocol.
89. The program according to claim 86, wherein the response is HTML data representative of a page for the targeted one of the network devices.
90. The program according to claim 86, wherein the request is received using a first protocol and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices is updated using a second protocol different from the first protocol.
91. The program according to claim 86, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a web browser.
92. A computer-readable program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:
polling each of the network devices over the network for configuration information;
storing the configuration information in a memory;
communicating with a requesting station; and
updating the configuration information stored is the memory and the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the communicating step.
93. The program according to claim 92, wherein the communicating step performs a communication with HTTP server and a web browser using HTTP.
94. The program according to claim 92, wherein the polling step polls the network device over the network for configuration information, when the network device is discovered.
95. A computer-readable program for viewing and updating a configuration of at least one of a plurality of network devices connected to a network, the program controlling a computer to perform the steps of:
sending a first request to a management station, the first request identifying a targeted one of the network devices;
receiving a response representative of a visual display of the configuration information for the targeted one of the network devices;
displaying the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices; and
sending a second request to the management station, the second request including configuration data for the targeted one of the network devices.
96. The program according to claim 95, wherein the first request and the second request are sent using a HTTP protocol.
97. The program according to claim 95, wherein the response is dynamically generated HTML data.
98. The program according to claim 95, wherein the configuration of the targeted one of the network devices based on the response is displayed on a browser. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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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.RTM.'s Navigator or Microsoft.RTM.'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. L | | |
