Network management agent with user created objects providing additional functionality

Claim 1

In a computer system comprising a managing computer and at least one managed computer, the managing computer and the managed computer connected by a network, the managed computer having an executable program and an agent, capable of receiving information from the managing computer, running as background software, the agent, while running, having a set of executable functions defined by a collection of management objects forming a management information base, a method for extending the set of executable functions of the running agent, the method comprising the following steps: a. defining a new management object in a text file in the managing computer, the new management object associated with the executable program, the text file including at least one object identification and a directory path for the executable program; b. sending the text file, over the network, from the managing computer to the managed computer; c. sending a reconfigure command, over the network, from the managing computer to the agent; d. receiving the reconfigure command by the agent; e. appending the text file, by the running agent, to the collection of management objects in the running agent, in response to the reconfigure command; and f. interpreting the new management object defined by the text file as an executable function, thereby extending the set of executable functions of the running agent; whereby, if the managing computer sends an object identification which was included in the text file over the network to the agent; i) the agent receives the object identification; ii) the managed computer executes the executable program indicated by the object identification.