Patent US5787252A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5787252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Filtering system and method for high performance network management map
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1995-11-01
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Granted: 1998-07-28
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Expires: 2015-11-01
Abstract
Abstract Discovery/layout software configures a general purpose computer system to act as a management station using an industry standard SNMP protocol. The discovery/layout software has a discovery mechanism and a layout mechanism which, in combination, permit the discovery/layout software to provide various submaps to a display for illustrating network topology, which includes devices and device interconnections of a network. The submaps correspond to various hierarchical views of a network. Significantly, one or more filtering systems are provided in the discovery/layout software for filtering objects to be displayed within the submaps. The filtering systems reduce clutter in the submaps, reduce memory usage and associated expense, and reduce interprocess communication (context switching) to achieve higher performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Dwight Schettler
- 👤 Eric A. Pulsipher
- 👤 Brian J. Atkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/02; H04L41/0213; H04L41/12; H04L41/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A management system for efficiently discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: a processor; a memory; a display; an interface interconnecting said processor, said memory, and said display and capable of connecting to said network; a discovery mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass from said discovery mechanism to said layout mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A management system for efficiently discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: a processor; a memory; a display; an interface interconnecting said processor, said memory, and said display and capable of connecting to said network; a discovery mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass from said discovery mechanism to said layout mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a library associated with said filtering system, said library configured to specify which of said objects are communicated from said discovery mechanism to said layout mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a second filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said second filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass from said network to said discovery mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second discovery mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said second discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; and a second filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said second filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass between said first and second discovery mechanisms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 4, further comprising a third filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said third filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass from said network to said discovery mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 5, further comprising a library in communication with said first, second, and third filtering systems, said library configured to specify which of said objects are communicated through said filtering systems.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said layout mechanism comprises: a translator configured to convert said topology data to said map data; and a graphical user interface configured to receive said map data from said translator and to drive said display based upon said map data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said translator is configured to generate a plurality of hierarchically arranged submaps from said topology data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said hierarchically arranged submaps include an internet submap having at least one network object, at least one network submap associated with said at least one network object and having at least one segment object, at least one segment submap associated with said at least one segment object and having at least one node object, and at least one node submap associated with said at least one node object and having at least one interface object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said filtering system includes a boolean expression for determining which of said objects within said topology data pass from said discovery mechanism to said layout mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
A management system for efficiently discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: a processor; a memory; a display; an interface interconnecting said processor, said memory, and said display and capable of connecting to said network; a discovery mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass from said network to said discovery mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
A management system for efficiently discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: a processor; a memory; a display; an interface interconnecting said processor, said memory, and said display and capable of connecting to said network; a discovery mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass from said network to said discovery mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 11, further comprising a library associated with said filtering system, said library configured to specify which of said objects are communicated from said network to said discovery mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said layout mechanism comprises: a translator configured to convert said topology data to said map data; and a graphical user interface configured to receive said map data from said translator and to drive said display based upon said map data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said translator is configured to generate a plurality of hierarchically arranged submaps from said topology data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system of claim 14, wherein said hierarchically arranged submaps include an internet submap having at least one network object, at least one network submap associated with said at least one network object and having at least one segment object, at least one segment submap associated with said at least one segment object and having at least one node object, and at least one node submap associated with said at least one node object and having at least one interface object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said filtering system includes a boolean expression for determining which of said objects within said topology data pass from said network to said discovery mechanism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
A management system for efficiently discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: a processor; a memory; a display; an interface interconnecting said processor, said memory, and said display and capable of connecting to said network; first and second discovery mechanisms stored in said memory for driving said processor, said first and second discovery mechanisms configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass between said first and second discovery mechanisms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
143 words
A management system for efficiently discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: a processor; a memory; a display; an interface interconnecting said processor, said memory, and said display and capable of connecting to said network; first and second discovery mechanisms stored in said memory for driving said processor, said first and second discovery mechanisms configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism stored in said memory for driving said processor, said layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system stored in said memory for driving said processor, said filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass between said first and second discovery mechanisms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 17, further comprising a library associated with said filtering system, said library configured to specify which of said objects are communicated between said first and second discovery mechanisms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said layout mechanism comprises: a translator configured to convert said topology data to said map data; and a graphical user interface configured to receive said map data from said translator and to drive said display based upon said map data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said translator is configured to generate a plurality of hierarchically arranged submaps from said topology data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said hierarchically arranged submaps include an internet submap having at least one network object, at least one network submap associated with said at least one network object and having at least one segment object, at least one segment submap associated with said at least one segment object and having at least one node object, and at least one node submap associated with said at least one node object and having at least one interface object.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said filtering system includes a boolean expression for determining which of said objects within said topology data pass between said first and second discovery mechanisms.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
80 words
A filtering system for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: means for generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; means for comparing objects within said topology data with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; means for converting said allowable objects into map data and displaying said map data; and means for refraining from converting said nonallowable objects into map data and from displaying said map data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
80 words
A filtering system for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: means for generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; means for comparing objects within said topology data with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; means for converting said allowable objects into map data and displaying said map data; and means for refraining from converting said nonallowable objects into map data and from displaying said map data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
A filtering system for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: means for generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; means for comparing objects within said topology data with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; means for converting said allowable objects into map data and displaying said map data; and means for eliminating said nonallowable objects from said topology data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
73 words
A filtering system for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: means for generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; means for comparing objects within said topology data with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; means for converting said allowable objects into map data and displaying said map data; and means for eliminating said nonallowable objects from said topology data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
98 words
A filtering system for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: first and second discovery means for generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; means for communicating objects within said topology data between said first and second discovery means; means for comparing said objects that are communicated between said first and second discovery means with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; and means for preventing transfer of said nonallowable objects between said first and second discovery means, while permitting transfer of said allowable objects therebetween.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
98 words
A filtering system for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising: first and second discovery means for generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; means for communicating objects within said topology data between said first and second discovery means; means for comparing said objects that are communicated between said first and second discovery means with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; and means for preventing transfer of said nonallowable objects between said first and second discovery means, while permitting transfer of said allowable objects therebetween.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer-readable medium in a management station comprising a program for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, said program comprising: a discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system configured to filter objects within :said topology data that pass from said discovery mechanism to said layout mechanism.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer-readable medium in a management station comprising a program for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, said program comprising: a discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system configured to filter objects within :said topology data that pass from said discovery mechanism to said layout mechanism.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer-readable medium in a management station comprising a program for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, said program comprising: a discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass from said network to said discovery mechanism.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer-readable medium in a management station comprising a program for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, said program comprising: a discovery mechanism configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass from said network to said discovery mechanism.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer-readable medium in a management station comprising a program for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, said program comprising: first and second discovery mechanisms configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said first and second discovery mechanisms, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass between said first and second discovery mechanisms.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer-readable medium in a management station comprising a program for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, said program comprising: first and second discovery mechanisms configured to discover and store topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; a layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data from said first and second discovery mechanisms, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data; and a filtering system configured to filter objects within said topology data that pass between said first and second discovery mechanisms.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
75 words
A filtering method for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising the steps of: generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; comparing objects within said topology data with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; converting said allowable objects into map data and displaying said map data; and refraining from converting said nonallowable objects into map data and from displaying said map data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
75 words
A filtering method for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising the steps of: generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; comparing objects within said topology data with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; converting said allowable objects into map data and displaying said map data; and refraining from converting said nonallowable objects into map data and from displaying said map data.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
68 words
A filtering method for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising the steps of: generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; comparing objects within said topology data with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; converting said allowable objects into map data and displaying said map data; and eliminating said nonallowable objects from said topology data.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
68 words
A filtering method for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising the steps of: generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network; comparing objects within said topology data with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; converting said allowable objects into map data and displaying said map data; and eliminating said nonallowable objects from said topology data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
101 words
A filtering method for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising the steps of: generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network with first and second discovery mechanisms that are interfaced to said network; communicating objects within said topology data between said first and second discovery mechanisms; comparing said objects that are communicated between said first and second discovery mechanisms with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; and preventing transfer of said nonallowable objects between said first and second discovery mechanisms, while permitting transfer of said allowable objects therebetween.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
101 words
A filtering method for discovering and displaying devices and interconnections of a network, comprising the steps of: generating topology data indicative of said devices and said interconnections of said network with first and second discovery mechanisms that are interfaced to said network; communicating objects within said topology data between said first and second discovery mechanisms; comparing said objects that are communicated between said first and second discovery mechanisms with a predefined library to determine allowable objects and nonallowable objects; and preventing transfer of said nonallowable objects between said first and second discovery mechanisms, while permitting transfer of said allowable objects therebetween.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-07-27 | 2002-01-26 | 2002-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-27 | 2006-01-26 | 2006-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-27 | 2010-01-26 | 2010-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |