Separately powered network interface for reporting the activity states of a network connected client
US6532497B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L43/0817
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An intelligent network interface monitors activity states of a client and reports them to a network manager using a single network connection. The network interface monitors interrupts occurring on the client, derives activity states from the interrupts, and logs the activity states on the network interface. An activity state specifies whether the client is in a hung state, but may also specify whether the client is off, sleeping, inactive, or active. The network interface may periodically report the activity states to the network manager or report upon receiving a command. The network interface is preferably powered full time using a trickle power supply and therefore operates even when the remainder of the client is off. By including a processor or specialized logic on the network interface, the interface operates independently of the client operating system and therefore monitors and reports even when the client malfunctions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.