Method and apparatus for efficient network management using an active network mechanism
US6529515B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/16
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A distributed network management function is implemented in a computer network using a set of active nodes. Each of the active nodes comprises a router and a logically-separate active engine. The router in a given one of the active nodes diverts active packets associated with the network management function to the corresponding active engine for processing. The active engine supports one or more sessions, based at least in part on the active packets, for implementing at least a portion of the network management function. Each of the sessions supported by the active engine corresponds to a particular distributed task to be performed in the network, and has associated therewith a unique network identifier, such that different programs on different network nodes can belong to the same session. The router and active engine at a given one of the nodes may reside on the same machine, or on physically-separate machines.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.