Abstract: Extensible device data gathering is performed by a server in concert with at least one gatherer. The server accepts requests from clients and dispatches a gatherer to gather device data from devices on a network. When the data is returned, the server stores the data in a repository. The server also handles requests for repository data from clients. A gatherer presents an interface to the server which the server can use to dispatch the gatherer. The system is extensible because new gatherers may be created and may register with the server without any changes to the server. In one embodiment, this extensibility is achieved using the COM (Component Object Model) technology.

Abstract: A globally unique device identification is created. Initially, for a device, polling is performed for information regarding certain hardware components, such as hard disks, network cards, sound cards, video cards, etc. A device identifier is assigned to the device, which in one embodiment, is based on the hardware component information. The device identifier and the current information regarding the hardware components of the system are stored in a repository. Periodically, a new poll is performed of the hardware components of the system, and the current hardware component information in the repository is updated. A device is identified by the identity or similarity of the hardware component information read from the device with the stored current hardware component information.

Abstract: Extensible device data gathering is performed by a server in concert with at least one gatherer. The server accepts requests from clients and dispatches a gatherer to gather device data from devices on a network. When the data is returned, the server stores the data in a repository. The server also handles requests for repository data from clients. A gatherer presents an interface to the server which the server can use to dispatch the gatherer. The system is extensible because new gatherers may be created and may register with the server without any changes to the server. In one embodiment, this extensibility is achieved using the COM (Component Object Model) technology.

Abstract: A globally unique device identification is created. Initially, for a device, polling is performed for information regarding certain hardware components, such as hard disks, network cards, sound cards, video cards, etc. A device identifier is assigned to the device, which in one embodiment, is based on the hardware component information. The device identifier and the current information regarding the hardware components of the system are stored in a repository. Periodically, a new poll is performed of the hardware components of the system, and the current hardware component information in the repository is updated. A device is identified by the identity or similarity of the hardware component information read from the device with the stored current hardware component information.