US6404743B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enhanced simple network management protocol (SNMP) for network and systems management
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1998-05-11
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2018-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) management system for telecommunications networks which efficiently provides many of the sophisticated management techniques enabled by Open Systems Interconnection (OSI), Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) and Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) protocols, while maintaining the simplicity of SNMP. The enhanced SNMP defines a management state of each SNMP agent, define events which are to be reported from the agent to the management station, and provides a log for recording particular events and associated agent data vales when the events occur. The enhanced SNMP also provides the capability for an alarm, state change, and value change notification to be communicated from the SNMP agents to an SNMP management station when specific events occur at the agent.
Inventors
- 👤 Branislav N. Meandzija
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/02; H04L41/0213; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0062; H04Q3/0095; H04L41/04; H04L41/046; H04L41/052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for providing an enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for use by an SNMP management station in managing at least one SNMP agent, comprising the steps of: defining event information at the SNMP management station, and communicating the event information to the at least one SNMP agent via a network; storing the event information at the SNMP agent; said event information defining pre-conditions for generating an event; monitoring data associated with the SNMP agent to determine if the pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, generating the event at the agent; and communicating a notification regarding the event from the SNMP agent to the SNMP management station via the network; wherein said notification comprises at least one of X.700 style alarm notification, X.700 style event surveillance, and X.700 style event reporting.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for providing an enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for use by an SNMP management station in managing at least one SNMP agent, comprising the steps of: defining event information at the SNMP management station, and communicating the event information to the at least one SNMP agent via a network; storing the event information at the SNMP agent; said event information defining pre-conditions for generating an event; monitoring data associated with the SNMP agent to determine if the pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, generating the event at the agent; and communicating a notification regarding the event from the SNMP agent to the SNMP management station via the network; wherein said notification comprises at least one of X.700 style alarm notification, X.700 style event surveillance, and X.700 style event reporting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: said event information defines said available notification types.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the further step of: defining state information at the management. station according to said notification that is communicated thereto from the agent; wherein the state information is adapted for use in managing the agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the further steps of: defining administrative state information at the management station designating whether the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent has a locked or unlocked status; communicating the administrative state information to the agent via the network; and monitoring the locked or unlocked status at the agent to determine a change in the state of the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the further steps of: defining operational state information at the management station designating whether the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent has an enabled or disabled status; communicating the operational state information to the agent via the network; and monitoring the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine a change in the state of the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the further steps of: defining operational state information at the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent which designates an enabled or disabled status thereof; and monitoring the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine a change in the state of the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the further steps of: defining availability status information at the agent designating whether or not the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent is available; and monitoring the availability status information at the agent to determine a change in the state of the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said event information defines information regarding event forwarding discriminator (EFD) information that defines EFD pre-conditions for said notification communicating step, comprising the further steps of: monitoring events that are generated by the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, communicating said notification regarding the event from the agent to the management station via the network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein: said EFD information defines a schedule for communicating said notification regarding the event from the agent to the management station via the network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein: said network is associated with a plurality of SNMP management stations; and said EFD information defines particular ones of said plurality of SNMP management stations that are to receive said notification regarding the event.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 8 , comprising the further steps of: defining administrative state information at the management station designating whether the EFD has a locked or unlocked status, and communicating the administrative state information to the agent via the network; and monitoring the locked or unlocked status at the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 8 , comprising the further steps of: defining operational state information of the EFD which designates an enabled or disabled status thereof; and monitoring the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 8 , comprising the further steps of: defining availability status information designating whether or not the EFD is available; and monitoring the availability status information at the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 8 , comprising the further steps of: defining operational state information at the management station designating whether the EFD has an enabled or disabled status; communicating the operational state information to the agent via the network; and monitoring the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the further steps of: defining log information at the management station; communicating the log information to the agent via the network; storing the log information at the agent; said log information defining log pre-conditions for creating a log entry for the generated event; and monitoring data associated with the agent to determine if the log pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, creating the log entry for the generated event at the agent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 15 , comprising the further step of: creating particular logs for the generated event according to the corresponding notification type to provide at least one of an alarm log entry, a state change log entry, and a value change log entry.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 15 , comprising the further step of: reading the log entry for the generated event to obtain said notification that is communicated from the agent to the management station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said log information defines log discriminator (LD) information that defines LD pre-conditions for creating the log entry for the generated event at the agent, comprising the further steps of: monitoring events that are generated by the agent to determine if the LD pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, creating the log entry for the generated event at the agent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 18 , comprising the further steps of: defining administrative state information at the management station designating whether the LD has a locked or unlocked status; communicating the administrative state information to the agent via the network; and m monitoring the locked or unlocked status at the agent to determine if the log pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 18 , comprising the further steps of: defining operational state information which designates an enabled or disabled status of the LD; and monitoring the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine if the log pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 18 , comprising the further steps of: defining availability status information at the agent designating whether or not the LD is available; and monitoring the availability status information at the agent to determine if the log pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein: said LD information defines a schedule for creating the log entry for the generated event at the agent.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for providing an enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). for use by an SNMP management station in managing at least one SNMP agent, comprising: defining means for defining event information at the SNMP management station; first communication means for communicating the event information to the SNMP agent via a network; a memory associated with the agent for storing the event information communicated thereto; said event information defining pre-conditions for generating an event; monitoring means associated with the SNMP agent for monitoring data associated therewith to determine if the pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, generating the event at the agent; and second communication means associated with the SNMP agent for communicating a notification regarding the event to the SNMP management station via the network; wherein said notification comprises at least one of X.700 style alarm notification, X.700 style event surveillance, and X.700 style event reporting.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for providing an enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). for use by an SNMP management station in managing at least one SNMP agent, comprising: defining means for defining event information at the SNMP management station; first communication means for communicating the event information to the SNMP agent via a network; a memory associated with the agent for storing the event information communicated thereto; said event information defining pre-conditions for generating an event; monitoring means associated with the SNMP agent for monitoring data associated therewith to determine if the pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, generating the event at the agent; and second communication means associated with the SNMP agent for communicating a notification regarding the event to the SNMP management station via the network; wherein said notification comprises at least one of X.700 style alarm notification, X.700 style event surveillance, and X.700 style event reporting.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of clam 23 , wherein: said event information defines said available notification types.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of clam 23 , wherein: said event information defines said available notification types.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein: said defining means defines state information at the management station according to said notification that is communicated thereto from the agent; and the state information is adapted for use in managing the agent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein: said defining means defines administrative state information at the management station designating whether the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent has a locked or unlocked status; said first communication means communicates the administrative state information to the agent via the network; and said monitoring means monitors the locked or unlocked status at the agent to determine a change in the state of the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein: said defining means defines operational state information at the management station designating whether the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent has an enabled or disabled status, said first communication means communicates the operational state information to the agent via the network; and said monitoring means monitors the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine a change in the state of the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising: means for defining operational state information at the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent which designates an enabled or disabled status thereof; wherein: said monitoring means monitors the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine a change in the state of the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising: means for defining availability status information at the agent designating whether or not the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent is available; wherein: said monitoring means monitors the availability status information at the agent to determine a change in the state of the agent, any of its components, or any resource represented by the agent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein: said event information defines event forwarding discriminator (EFD) information that defines EFD pre-conditions for said second communications means to communicate said notification; and said monitoring means monitors events that are generated by the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, communicating said notification regarding the event from the agent to the management station via the network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein: said EFD information defines a schedule for said second communications means to communicate said notification.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein: said network is associated with a plurality of SNMP management stations; and said EFD information defines particular ones of said plurality of SNMP management stations that are to receive said notification regarding the event.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein: said defining means defines administrative state information at the management station designating whether the EFD has a locked or unlocked status; said first communication means communicates the administrative state information to the agent via the network; and said monitoring means monitors the locked or unlocked status at the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , further comprising: means for defining operational state information of the EFD which designates an enabled or disabled status thereof; wherein: said monitoring means monitors the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , further comprising: means for defining availability status information designating whether or not the EFD is available; wherein: said monitoring means monitors the availability status information at the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein: said defining means defines operational state information at the management station designating whether the EFD has an enabled or disabled status; said first communication means communicates the operational state information to the agent via the network; and said monitoring means monitors the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine if the EFD pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein: said defining means defines log information at the management station; said first communication means communicates the log information to the agent via the network; said memory stores the log information at the agent; said log information defines log pre-conditions for creating a log entry for the generated event; and said monitoring means monitors data associated with the agent to determine if the log pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, creates the log entry for the generated event at the agent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the agent comprises: means for creating particular logs for the generated event according to the corresponding notification type to provide at least one of an alarm log entry, a state change log entry, and a value change log entry.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , further comprising: means for reading the log entry for the generated event to obtain said notification that is communicated from the agent to the management station.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein: said log information defines log discriminator (LD) information that defines LD pre-conditions for creating the log entry for the generated event at the agent; and said monitoring means monitors events that are generated by the agent to determine if the LD pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, creating the log entry for the generated event at the agent.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein: said defining means defines administrative state information at the management station designating whether the LD has a locked or unlocked status; said first communication means communicates the administrative state information to the agent via the network; and said monitoring means monitors the locked or unlocked status at the agent to determine if the log pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , further comprising: means for defining operational state information which designates an enabled or disabled status of the LD; wherein: said monitoring means monitors the enabled or disabled status at the agent to determine if the log pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , further comprising: means for defining availability status information at the agent designating whether or not the LD is available; wherein: said monitoring means monitors the availability status information at the agent to determine if the log pre-conditions have been met.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein: said LD information defines a schedule for creating the log entry for the generated event at the agent.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said notification further includes an alarm notification indicative of an alarm condition at the agent, said alarm notification having attributes indicative of a name, type, and probable cause of the event giving rise to the alarm condition.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein said attributes of the alarm notification are further indicative of at least one of a specific problem, a perceived severity, a trend indication, and a text description relating to said alarm condition.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein said attributes of the alarm notification are further indicative of a specific problem, a perceived severity, a trend indication, and a text description relating to said alarm condition.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein said notification further comprises a state change notification indicative of a change of a state of the agent, said state change notification having attributes indicative of a name of the event, a state change, and identity of said object.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said notification further comprises a state change notification indicative of a change of a state of the agent, said state change notification having attributes indicative of a name of the event, a state change, and identity of said object.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein said notification further designates an alarm notification indicative of an alarm condition at the agent, said alarm notification having attributes indicative of a name, type, and probable cause of the event giving rise to the alarm condition.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein said attributes of the alarm notification are further indicative of at least one of a specific problem, a perceived severity, a trend indication, and a text description relating to said alarm condition.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein said attributes of the alarm notification are further indicative of a specific problem, a perceived severity, a trend indication, and a text description relating to said alarm condition.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein said notification further comprises a state change notification indicative of a change of a state of the agent, said state change notification having attributes indicative of a name of the event, a state change, and identity of said object.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein said notification further comprises a state change notification indicative of a change of a state of the agent, said state change notification having attributes indicative of a name of the event, a state change, and identity of said object.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said notification includes a value change notification indicative of a change in a value of an object associated with the agent, said value change notification having attributes indicative of a name of the event and identity of said object.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein said notification includes a value change notification indicative of a change in a value of an object associated with the agent, said value change notification having attributes indicative of a name of the event and identity of said object.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for providing an enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for use by an SNMP management station in managing at least one SNMP agent, comprising the steps of: defining event information at the SNMP management station, and communicating the event information to the at least one SNMP agent via a network; storing the event information at the SNMP agent; said event information defining pre-conditions for generating an event; monitoring data associated with the SNMP agent to determine if the pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, generating the event at the agent; and communicating a notification regarding the event from the SNMP agent to the SNMP management station via the network; wherein said notification is enabled by mapping an X.700 style information model onto an SNMP information model.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for providing an enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for use by an SNMP management station in managing at least one SNMP agent, comprising the steps of: defining event information at the SNMP management station, and communicating the event information to the at least one SNMP agent via a network; storing the event information at the SNMP agent; said event information defining pre-conditions for generating an event; monitoring data associated with the SNMP agent to determine if the pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, generating the event at the agent; and communicating a notification regarding the event from the SNMP agent to the SNMP management station via the network; wherein said notification is enabled by mapping an X.700 style information model onto an SNMP information model.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 57 , wherein said notification comprises at least one of X.700 style alarm notification, X.700 style event surveillance, and X.700 style event reporting.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for providing an enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for use by an SNMP management station in managing at least one SNMP agent, comprising: defining means for defining event information at the SNMP management station; first communication means for communicating the event information to the SNMP agent via a network; a memory associated with the agent for storing the event information communicated thereto; said event information defining pre-conditions for generating an event; monitoring means associated with the SNMP agent for monitoring data associated therewith to determine if the pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, generating the event at the agent; and second communication means associated with the SNMP agent for communicating a notification regarding the event to the SNMP management station via the network; wherein said notification is enabled by mapping an X.700 style information model onto an SNMP information model.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for providing an enhanced Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for use by an SNMP management station in managing at least one SNMP agent, comprising: defining means for defining event information at the SNMP management station; first communication means for communicating the event information to the SNMP agent via a network; a memory associated with the agent for storing the event information communicated thereto; said event information defining pre-conditions for generating an event; monitoring means associated with the SNMP agent for monitoring data associated therewith to determine if the pre-conditions have been met, and, if so, generating the event at the agent; and second communication means associated with the SNMP agent for communicating a notification regarding the event to the SNMP management station via the network; wherein said notification is enabled by mapping an X.700 style information model onto an SNMP information model.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein said notification comprises at least one of X.700 style alarm notification, X.700 style event surveillance, and X.700 style event reporting.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |