Network device information collection and change detection

• Main Authors: BABU; VIDYA, FREDRICH; MICHAEL F, WHITE; CHRISTOPHER A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 19.09.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION

Mechanisms for network device information collection and change detection are disclosed. A data Collection Engine is coupled to a database and a network having comprising devices such as switches and routers. The Collection Engine receives a network device name and queries the network to locate the named device. Based upon a device type identifier, the Collection Engine identifies the class of the device and a group of information sets that describe information needed from the device. The Collection Engine requests information described by the information sets and stores it in the database. A change detection mechanism compares the received information to a prior version in the database, and develops metadata describing changes in the versions. Accordingly, only a subset of all the information that a device can deliver is received and stored, based on the needs of an application using the mechanisms. A carrier wave may carry software program instructions that carry out the foregoing functions from a remote location.