Systems and methods for improved multisite management and reporting of converged communication systems and computer systems

Abstract

The present invention discloses improved systems and methods for multisite management of computer server systems and in particular converged communication systems based on a decentralized architecture. Certain and various aspects relating to atomic error handling, transaction-based authentication / security, intelligent bandwidth management, decoupled data / configuration messaging, improved scalability, auto-detection functions, business metrics, etc., also are disclosed. A console is disclosed that communicates with each of a plurality of converged communications systems, e.g., preferably through the use of sockets. The actual traffic load is decentralized among the computer server systems, as each one uses direct connections (e.g., via an enhanced file transfer protocol) to access update / configuration data as needed. In addition, an improved communication protocol is disclosed that is optimized for the multisite management architecture of the present invention. An improved set of graphical user interface (GUI) features are described that improve the efficiency of the management of multiple systems.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12 / 802,797, filed Jun. 14, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,346,905, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 915,588, filed Aug. 9, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,739,365.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to distributed computer server systems in general, and more particularly, to the management of multiple related communications systems and in particular to improved reporting capabilities for such multiple related communications systems. As an example, converged communications systems integrate voice and data communications services and applications, e.g., through the use of a packet bus and a time-division multiplexed (TDM) bus. The complexity, and associated management issues, of the converged communications services platform is heightened when multiple installations are to be managed in a coherent, unified manner, especially if from a centralized headquarters, e.g., multiple installations of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention preferably involves improved systems and methods for multisite management of communications systems. A decentralized architecture is described, which addresses the aforementioned limitations of the prior art. A server is disclosed that preferably communicates with each of a plurality of converged communications systems, e.g., through the use of sockets. The server interfaces to a set of server and database functions required for the control mechanisms. An improved communication protocol is described that preferably is optimized for the presently described multisite management architecture. The control mechanisms implemented in a protocol between the central services and the converged platforms preferably are directed to configuration, update, upgrade, backup, and reporting functions. The actual traffic load, content, and transport of data is decentralized among the converged systems, as each one uses direct connections (e.g., file transfer protocol) to access update / configuration data as needed. Each communications platform has the networking infrastructure, protocols, services and intelligence to manage the connection to the content server thus eliminating the need for boundary gateways, caching servers and other network infrastructure required in current software distribution implementations. In addition to enabling efficient scaling of these functions, the present invention involves file servers that can be hosted externally, located locally, or maintained at the central headquarters. Additionally, as they are preferably non-proprietary, such servers can alternatively be under the management and control of alternative and / or third party facilities. An improved set of graphical user interface (GUI) features are described that improve the efficiency of the management of multiple systems.

Problems solved by technology

The pathway between all of the devices is reliant upon a central distribution system server, shared switches / routers, etc., and accordingly there are single points of failure for the entire distribution system.

In addition, prior art software distributions solutions require additional network and computer infrastructure, gateways and servers when additional nodes are added to the network.

This requirement for increased infrastructure increase complexity, cost and has a significant impact on scalability of the network to be managed.

In addition, prior art software distribution solutions are not instrumented to provide specific and real time fault management functions and remote administration functions for the variety of capabilities that exist on a converged voice and data platform.

Besides the undue expense of such a proprietary system (perhaps most especially for smaller installations), there is the associated complexity for configuring and maintaining such an approach.

Because the same centralized distribution system is being used for multiple systems (e.g., plurality of converged communications systems 2), the management of the overall system is expensive and complicated and requires additional servers, boundary gateways and network infrastructure to scale and support additional converged solutions.

It is not particularly efficient for the presently discussed converged architecture, where, for example, there are complex management issues of a distributed communications services platform.

In addition most of the software distribution solutions are focused on distribution or pushing content from a central location to a number of servers and thus not well tuned for fault management, the collection of data, reports and server back-ups.

As a final limitation, in a typical software distribution environment, the control mechanisms and data transport are tied together and vendor specific, not able to support alternative vendor transport methods and external server storage and hosting facilities.

In order to get one feature of the system, the consumer must take the whole package, and consequently may not leverage pre-existing components that may not be part of the same proprietary system.

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