US6243747B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for defining and enforcing policies for configuration management in communications networks
Assignee: CA Inc
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Filing: 1999-02-12
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Granted: 2001-06-05
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Expires: 2019-02-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for monitoring parameters that govern the operational characteristics of a network device, including the use of templates for generating configuration records of network devices of a selected model type. A database of models is provided, each model representing an associated network device and including attribute values for the parameters of the associated network device. Templates are used to screen a model in order to retrieve values for each of the attributes and create a configuration record. The configuration records may be stored in the configuration manager or other storage device, and/or transferred to the pre-existing model database for use by a network management system in reconfiguring the associated network devices. Additionally, a method and apparatus is provided that defines network groups, defines network policies for groups, determines conflicts, and resolves conflicts among groups and devices. This system for configuration management is less time consuming, expensive, and error prone than prior systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Lundy Lewis
- 👤 Rajiv Malik
- 👤 Steve Sycamore
- 👤 Suzanne Thebaut
- 👤 Walter Scott
- 👤 Eric Rustici
- 👤 Prasan Kaikini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/20; H04L41/08; H04L41/0803; H04L41/084; H04L41/0843; H04L41/0846; H04L41/085; H04L41/0853; H04L41/0856; H04L41/0866; H04L41/0893; H04L41/0894; G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/3003; G06F11/3006; G06F11/3051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for managing configurations of network devices comprising the steps of: applying a plurality of policies to a network device by associating a plurality of configuration records, each of which is associated with a respective one of the plurality of policies with the network device; and loading a plurality of configurations described by the configuration record into the network device in a sequential manner, wherein the sequential loading is performed in an order that depends upon attributes of the plurality of configuration records.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for managing configurations of network devices comprising the steps of: applying a plurality of policies to a network device by associating a plurality of configuration records, each of which is associated with a respective one of the plurality of policies with the network device; and loading a plurality of configurations described by the configuration record into the network device in a sequential manner, wherein the sequential loading is performed in an order that depends upon attributes of the plurality of configuration records.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of applying a plurality of policies includes the steps of: applying a first policy having a first ordering index to the network device; and applying a second policy having a second ordering index to the network device; and wherein the step of loading includes loading a first configuration defined by the first policy and a second configuration defined by the second policy in an order defined by the first ordering index and the second ordering index.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method according to claim 2 , wherein the step of loading the configurations includes steps of: when the first ordering index has a value that is less than the second ordering index: loading the first configuration into each network device in the network device; and subsequently loading the second configuration into the network device; and when the second ordering index has a value that is less than the first ordering index: loading the second configuration into the network device; and subsequently loading the first configuration described into the network device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of applying a policy includes steps of: attaching a first configuration record having a first ordering index to the network device; and attaching a second configuration record having a second ordering index to the network device; and wherein the step of loading includes loading a first configuration defined by the first configuration record and a second configuration defined by the second configuration record in an order defined by the first ordering index and the second ordering index.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method according to claim 4 , wherein the step of loading includes steps of: when the first ordering index has a value that is less than the second ordering index: loading the first configuration into the network device; and subsequently loading the second configuration into the network device; and when the second ordering index has a value that is less than the first ordering index: loading the second configuration into the network device; and subsequently loading the first configuration into the network device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of applying a policy includes applying a policy having a condition, and wherein the step of loading includes steps of: determining whether the condition is satisfied; and loading the configuration described by the configuration record into the network device when the condition is satisfied.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: triggering an enforcement; determining whether any conflicts exist among policies that are applied to the network device; when the step of determining determines that conflicts exist, resolving the conflicts that exist.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the order is determined by an ordering index.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the order is based upon an ordering dependency between attributes the attributes of the plurality of configuration records.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of applying includes constraining the applying by a set of conditions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of constraining includes measuring conditions of the network device, comparing the measured conditions to the set of conditions, and, if at least one of the set of conditions are satisfied, applying at least one of the policies to the network device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of applying at least one of the policies to the network device includes loading the plurality of configurations in a predetermined order.
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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) | 2004-06-04 | 2004-12-04 | 2005-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-04 | 2008-12-04 | 2009-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-04 | 2012-12-04 | 2013-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |