Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for determining one or more credentials of a network device. The system and method select a first network device from among a plurality of network devices, access a credential repository, contact the first network device, and test the validity of the first set of credentials. The credential repository comprises a first set of credentials corresponding to the first network device. If a user provides invalid or no credentials, a candidate credential queue can be used to guess a valid second set of credentials when the first set of credentials is not valid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the measurement of service levels provided by a communication network, including an Internet protocol communication network. In accordance with the present invention, test packets are sent from a first edge router across the communication network to a second edge router. The time required for the test packets to be transmitted across the communication network is then determined, and that time compared to the time specified by the governing service level agreement. A failure of the communication network to deliver test packets as guaranteed may be used as an indication that the service level agreement has been violated. Packet loss and packet jitter may also be measured and compared to levels guaranteed by the service level agreement. The present invention may be used to determine whether the delivery of data packets using requests for expedited service levels is necessary or desirable.

Abstract: A system for determining a topology associated with a network such as an enterprise network. The system includes a data collection agent 204 configured to (a) identify a first set of routers from among a larger, second set of routers in an enterprise network, (b) contact each of the routers in the first set of routers but not each of the other routers in the second set of routers, and (c) load network information maintained by at least some of the contacted routers in the first set of routers. The loaded network information can then be used to form a network or routing topology of the enterprise network.

Abstract: A system for discovering a topology of a distributed processing network that includes a first topology discovery agent 308 configured to contact a first set of routers to obtain a first type of information stored in each router in the first set of routers; a second topology discovery agent 312 and/or 316 configured to contact a second set of routers to obtain a second type of information stored in each router in the second set of routers, and a phase controller 304 configured to select between the first and second topology discovery agents. The first and second sets of routers are different, and the first and second types of information are different. In one configuration, the first type of information is defined by a network management protocol, and the second type of information is defined by a routing protocol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the measurement of service levels provided by a communication network, including an Internet protocol communication network. In accordance with the present invention, test packets are sent from a first edge router across the communication network to a second edge router. The time required for the test packets to be transmitted across the communication network is then determined, and that time compared to the time specified by the governing service level agreement. A failure of the communication network to deliver test packets as guaranteed may be used as an indication that the service level agreement has been violated. Packet loss and packet jitter may also be measured and compared to levels guaranteed by the service level agreement. The present invention may be used to determine whether the delivery of data packets using requests for expedited service levels is necessary or desirable.

Abstract: A priority based licensing system is provided. According to the invention, right to use licenses are allocated to users based on the priority rating of the users. Accordingly, licenses may be reallocated from low priority to high priority users when no unallocated licenses are available. The present invention allows organizations to efficiently utilize a limited number of licenses required in connection with the utilization of a resource.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for determining one or more credentials of a network device. The system and method select a first network device from among a plurality of network devices, access a credential repository 108, contact the first network device, and test the validity of the first set of credentials. The credential repository 108 comprises a first set of credentials corresponding to the first network device. If a user provides invalid or no credentials, a candidate credential queue 112 can be used to guess a valid second set of credentials when the first set of credentials is not valid.

Abstract: A system for determining a topology associated with a network such as an enterprise network. The system includes a data collection agent 204 configured to (a) identify a first set of routers from among a larger, second set of routers in an enterprise network, (b) contact each of the routers in the first set of routers but not each of the other routers in the second set of routers, and (c) load network information maintained by at least some of the contacted routers in the first set of routers. The loaded network information can then be used to form a network or routing topology of the enterprise network.

Abstract: A system for discovering a topology of a distributed processing network that includes a first topology discovery agent 308 configured to contact a first set of routers to obtain a first type of information stored in each router in the first set of routers; a second topology discovery agent 312 and/or 316 configured to contact a second set of routers to obtain a second type of information stored in each router in the second set of routers, and a phase controller 304 configured to select between the first and second topology discovery agents. The first and second sets of routers are different, and the first and second types of information are different. In one configuration, the first type of information is defined by a network management protocol, and the second type of information is defined by a routing protocol.