Abstract: Software, methods, and systems for representing devices on a computer network are described. In one embodiment, the system of the invention includes a topology service. The topology service includes a protocol interface mechanism, an engine, and a database support mechanism. The topology service is coupled with a data storage mechanism. In a more specific embodiment, the protocol interface mechanism, engine, and database support mechanism each configured to operate as independent components.

Abstract: Software, methods, and systems for representing devices on a computer network are described. In one embodiment, the system of the invention includes a topology service. The topology service includes a protocol interface mechanism, an engine, and a database support mechanism. The topology service is coupled with a data storage mechanism. In a more specific embodiment, the protocol interface mechanism, engine, and database support mechanism each configured to operate as independent components.

Abstract: The client portion of a distributed client-server network management system uses an interface designed with, and written in, a platform independent language, such as Java. This allows management application programs to be written in the platform independent language and insures their portability. The inventive interface caches most of the management information at the server so that only a small client program is necessary. This program can run on a system with minimal resources, thereby allowing a network manager to manage a network from virtually any location on the network. For example, the client management application could be written as a Java applet which could then be run on any Java-enabled browser. The inventive distributed management system can also connect with, and use, the services and structure of existing distributed network management systems.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products are disclosed for interfacing a client based, multi-threaded API that is written in a first programming language (such as JAVA) with a server based, single-thread API that is written in a second programming language (such as C or C++). The invention uses an object factory to generate a server object for each client. Programmed-method invocations performed on logical objects at the client are communicated to the server object. The server object processes the programmed-method invocation to perform the requested service such as providing network management information services.

Abstract: Software, method, and systems for representing devices on a computer network are described. In one embodiment the invention comprises a method which identifies devices on a computer network; creates topology objects configured to represent the devices; associates the topology objects with the identified devices; stores the associated topology objects in a database managed by a topology service. The embodiment further is capable of receiving an alarm notification regarding a device having an associated topology object stored in the database, extracting the topology object, and acting on said topology object update an alarm count in the topology object; propagate the alarm notice to other topology nodes associated with the topology object; store information related to the alarm and the database; and notifying other services on the computer network. Other embodiments update the relationships between the devices and associated topology objects stored in the database.