Network administration tool

Abstract

A tool for managing a network of interconnected devices. The tool may provide a user with an interface that allows the user to view the type and status of each network device (that is, each device connected to the network), and even the status of the network itself. The tool may alternately or additionally provide a user with services related to the network, such as allowing a user to perform one or more tasks associated with devices in the network.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 467,534 filed on Aug. 25, 2006, entitled “Network Administration Tool Employing A Network Administration Protocol” and naming Brett Marl as inventor, which application in turn claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 297,809 filed on Dec. 7, 2005, entitled “Network Management” and naming Steve Bush et al. as inventors, which application in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 634,432, filed Dec. 7, 2004, entitled “Network Management” and naming Steve Bush et al. as inventors, each of which applications are incorporated entirely herein by reference. This application also claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 457,783, filed Jul. 14, 2006, entitled “Network Device Management” and naming Brett Marl as inventor, which application is incorporated entirely herein by reference as well.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Aspects of the present invention are direc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]With some implementations of the invention, an agent service may direct one or more agent services running on other devices to perform a task. An example of one such task is one-step printer sharing. One agent configures the printer for sharing, and notifies the other agents of the new shared printer. These other agents contact the agent sharing the printer to download the drivers. After downloading the printer drivers, the agent may then install the printer drivers locally so the local computer can access the remotely shared printer. Network notification may trigger a network task execution across one or more agents. Another example of a task being performed for multiple devices is software fulfillment and licensing. Using the user interface on one computer, a user may download and license a new software program, or an update to an existing software program. An agent service according to various examples of the invention may then distribute this new software or update to one or more of the other agent enabled computers, have the recipient agents install the software or software update, and license the software or update to the small network. Some aspects of the tool may even analyze the network, and then suggest steps that a user may take to improve the performance or usability of the network. Further, some implementations of a tool according to aspects of the invention may assist a user in creating a Web page associated with the network.

[0015]With some implementations of the invention, the tool may allow one or more network devices to join a trusted association of network devices. The network devices in the trusted association may, for example, exchange information regarding their own status and the status of other network devices. Still further, the tool may allow network devices in the trusted association to share resources, such as data resources, device resources, or a combination of both. The network devices in the trusted association may alternately or additionally limit the network access of devices outside of the trusted association. For example, with some aspects of the invention, the tool may automatically provide a member of the trusted association with the credential information necessary to access and use the network. Still further, the tool may prevent network devices from accessing network resources until they are determined to be trusted.

Problems solved by technology

The network devices in the trusted association may alternately or additionally limit the network access of devices outside of the trusted association.

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