Repository-Independent System and Method for Asset Management and Reconciliation

Abstract

A system and method for managing network device configurations is described. In one embodiment a device configuration is represented by configuration knowledge and configuration data, wherein the configuration knowledge may comprise one or more configuration knowledge instances, and the configuration data may comprise one or more configuration data instances. In preferred forms, the configuration knowledge instances and configuration data instances may comprise one or more schemata, which may be created, modified, or deleted without affecting other portions of a configuration knowledge instance or configuration data instance.

1 . A network data construct for use in a network device management system, the network data construct comprising:
 a plurality of configuration knowledge instances, and   a plurality of configuration data instances.   
     
     
         2 . The network data construct of  claim 2 , wherein each configuration knowledge instance comprises at least one configuration knowledge schemata. 
     
     
         3 . The network data construct of  claim 2 , wherein each configuration knowledge instance comprises a plurality of layers selected from a group consisting of a device family layer, a device layer, a physical layer, and a logical layer. 
     
     
         4 . The network data construct of  claim 2 , wherein the configuration knowledge instances are organized using object classes. 
     
     
         5 . The network data construct of  claim 2 , wherein the configuration knowledge instances are organized using directories. 
     
     
         6 . The network data construct of  claim 2 , wherein the configuration knowledge instances are organized using inheritance properties.