Network device detection, identification, and management

Abstract

A method for identifying devices on a network using a two-step process of first scanning a range network addresses for devices and then acquiring device information from each of the accessible devices. The method involves scanning the network for devices by sending a request to each of a plurality of network addresses, receiving a response from one or more of the devices, obtaining a hardware address for at least some of the responding devices, and identifying the device based on the hardware address. A user interface is provided to display the results of the scan along with the more specific identifying information for some or all of the responding devices.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A computer system for identifying one or more devices on a network, comprising a computer having non-transitory memory for storing machine instructions that are to be executed by the computer, the machine instructions when executed by the computer implement the following functions:
 performing an initial scan of a network for the one or more devices;   discovering initial device and/or configuration information for the one or more devices; and   storing the initial device and/or configuration information for the one or more devices.   
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 18 , wherein the machine instructions further comprise polling the one or more devices to confirm they are present and/or working properly. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 19 , wherein the polling function occurs periodically. 
     
     
         20 . A computer system for identifying one or more devices on a network, comprising a computer having non-transitory memory for storing machine instructions that are to be executed by the computer, the machine instructions when executed by the computer implement the following functions:
 performing an initial scan of a network for one or more devices;   discovering initial device and/or configuration information for the one or more devices;   performing a second scan of the network for the one or more devices;   discovering current device and/or configuration information for the one or more devices; and   comparing the initial device and/or configuration information with the current device and/or configuration information to determine one or more differences in the initial device and/or configuration information.   
     
     
         21 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the second scan function includes targeting one or more ports used to identify the one or more devices from the first scan function. 
     
     
         22 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the machine instructions further comprise reporting the one or more differences. 
     
     
         23 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more devices are one or more cameras. 
     
     
         24 . The computer system of  claim 23 , wherein the machine instructions further comprise requesting an image. 
     
     
         25 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the initial device and/or configuration information includes firmware revision data and the machine instructions further comprise reporting and/or updating obsolescence firmware of the one or more devices. 
     
     
         26 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein the initial information is used to create an inventory, and the current device and/or configuration information is used to update the inventory. 
     
     
         27 . A method of managing one or more devices on a network comprising the steps of:
 performing an initial scan of a network for the one or more devices;   discovering initial device and/or configuration information for the one or more devices; and   storing the initial device and/or configuration information for the one or more devices.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising polling the one or more devices to confirm they are present and/or working properly. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polling step occurs periodically. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 performing a second scan of the network for the one or more devices;   discovering current device and/or configuration information for the one or more devices; and   comparing the initial device and/or configuration information with the current device and/or configuration information to determine one or more differences in the initial device and/or configuration information.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the second scan step includes targeting one or more ports used to identify the one or more devices from the first scan. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising reporting the one or more differences. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the one or more devices is one or more cameras. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising requesting an image. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the initial device and/or configuration information includes firmware revision data and further comprises reporting and/or updating obsolescence firmware of the one or more devices. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising creating an inventory based on the initial device and/or configuration information, and updating the inventory based on the current device and/or configuration information.