Distributed element network management

Abstract

A network of managed elements, in which code necessary for the integration of the elements into the network is contained in the elements themselves. A network proxy polls the elements to determine the presence of a new element or a revision to the code of an existing element. When found, code is copied from the element to the proxy, which serves as an interface between the elements and a network management system.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . A proxy in a network having a plurality of elements having instructions located therein, the proxy comprising: 
 a controller configured to interrogate an element to determine whether the element has a new code, the proxy being an intermediate between the element and the network, and the proxy being configured to copy at least some of the instructions to the proxy upon detection of a new code in the element.    
   
   
       33 . The proxy of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions comprise information for the integration of the element into the network.  
   
   
       34 . The proxy of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions comprise information for driving an interface.  
   
   
       35 . The proxy of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions comprise information for driving an interface and for the integration of the element into the network.  
   
   
       36 . The proxy of  claim 32 , wherein the proxy has sockets to which the elements are connected, and the proxy polls the sockets to determine the presence of elements that contain new information.  
   
   
       37 . The proxy of  claim 36 , wherein if the proxy determines the presence of an element that contains new information, that new information is copied to the proxy.  
   
   
       38 . The proxy of  claim 32 , wherein the proxy interrogates an element to determine its device type.  
   
   
       39 . The proxy of  claim 32 , wherein the proxy interrogates an element to determine its device iteration.  
   
   
       40 . The proxy of  claim 32 , wherein the proxy interrogates an element and determines whether it contains new code.  
   
   
       41 . The proxy of  claim 32 , wherein the proxy determines whether the code is new by comparing at least a portion of it to existing code located on the proxy.  
   
   
       42 . The proxy of  claim 41 , wherein the if new code is found, the proxy copies a sub-agent from the element to the proxy.  
   
   
       43 . The proxy of  claim 42 , wherein the sub-agent contains all the code necessary to translate commands from the network to the element, retrieve a response from the element, and transmit a response back from the element to the network.  
   
   
       44 . The proxy of  claim 32 , whereupon detection of an alarm condition in an element, the proxy forwards notice of an alarm condition to the network.