Method for discovering and registering agents in a distributed network

Patent 6269400 Issued on July 31, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 22, 2018. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Application

No. 121552 filed on 07/22/1998

US Classes:

709/224Computer network monitoring

Examiners

Primary: Harrell, Robert B.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Class

G06F 013/00

Abstract

A method for automatic discovery and registration of available agents on a distributed network using universally accepted protocols is disclosed. In particular, the present invention takes advantage of the situation that TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and HTTP (Hypertext Transport Protocol) are open protocols that have been widely accepted for a variety of applications including the immensely popular and universal Internet as well as intranets. Many devices and/or services from various vendors now conform to TCP/IP and provide an HTTP (web) server with their devices and/or services. The present invention provides a method that generates a list of addresses from a set of given criteria identifying the possible addresses for the available agents, detects for the availability of agents at those addresses, and receives and compiles the returned information (if any) from the agents at the respective addresses.

Other References

K. Obraczka, P.B. Danzig, and S.-H. Li "Internet Resource Discovery Service," Computer, IEEE Sep. 1993, pp. 8-22
M.F. Schwartz, "Internet Resource Discovery at the University of Colorado," Computer, IEEE Sep. 1993, pp. 25-35
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