Extensible device data gathering is performed by a server in concert with at least one gatherer. The server accepts requests from clients and dispatches a gatherer to gather device data from devices on a network. When the data is returned, the server stores the data in a repository. The server also handles requests for repository data from clients. A gatherer presents an interface to the server which the server can use to dispatch the gatherer. The system is extensible because new gatherers may be created and may register with the server without any changes to the server. In one embodiment, this extensibility is achieved using the COM (Component Object Model) technology.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/434,996, filed Dec. 19, 2002 and entitled "Methods and Systems for Generating Component Level Hardware Inventory."
