Abstract: A method and processing device for controlling the communication of data associated with a user on a network 1 is described, in which the communication of data to and from a user is controlled according to user profile information. In a preferred embodiment, the user profile information is maintained in a database 9 accessible to processing devices 5 providing access to the network 1, and includes a volume allowance for a predetermined time period, a maximum transmission rate and current usage information for the user. Each time a user connects to the network 1, the method determines whether the user is within the volume allowance, and if so, permits access to the network 1. The communication of data is controlled according to the maximum transmission rate. The method may be implemented in software.

Abstract: A method and program for checking for misconfigurations and inefficiencies in the configuration of devices and links on a network. Information relating to the configuration of components on the network is stored in a database. The configuration information is accessed for each device, and interrogated for each port and its associated link and connected remote port. The interrogation determines whether the ports and links have matched configuration and whether they are running at optimum capability, such as at full duplex (both ends permitting), at maximum speed or with maximum numbers of ports assigned to a trunk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a time interval for periodically polling a device on a network 1 is described. The method determines the most restrictive link on the path to the network device, the level of restrictiveness of a link being dependent on the nature of the link, such as the link speed and link type. The time interval between polling is determined based on the nature of the most restrictive link. Thus, the time interval can be determined according to the type and speed of the links between the polling device, which in a preferred embodiment is a network management station, and the polled device on the network 1.

Abstract: In a network of managed devices, a method of processing network events to reduce the number of events to be displayed in an event log, comprising receiving information relating to network events, passing information regarding a network event to an event processor, determining if the information passed to the event processor relates to a type of event processed by that event processor, and if it is of such a type, processing said information if information on a related event has already been received by that event processor. The method also includes passing said information on to a further event processor if the information received does not relate to a type of event processed by said first event processor. A set of event processors for carrying out the method is described together with a computer program, or a program on a computer readable medium loadable into a digital computer, or embodied in a carrier wave, which computer program operates in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a time interval for periodically polling a device on a network 1 is described. The method determines the most restrictive link on the path to the network device, the level of restrictiveness of a link being dependent on the nature of the link, such as the link speed and link type. The time interval between polling is determined based on the nature of the most restrictive link. Thus, the time interval can be determined according to the type and speed of the links between the polling device, which in a preferred embodiment is a network management station, and the polled device on the network 1.

Abstract: A method and processing device for controlling the communication of data associated with a user on a network 1 is described, in which the communication of data to and from a user is controlled according to user profile information. In a preferred embodiment, the user profile information is maintained in a database 9 accessible to processing devices 5 providing access to the network 1, and includes a volume allowance for a predetermined time period, a maximum transmission rate and current usage information for the user. Each time a user connects to the network 1, the method determines whether the user is within the volume allowance, and if so, permits access to the network 1. The communication of data is controlled according to the maximum transmission rate. The method may be implemented in software.

Abstract: In a network of managed devices, a method of processing network events to reduce the number of events to be displayed in an event log, comprising receiving information relating to network events, passing information regarding a network event to an event processor, determining if the information passed to the event processor relates to a type of event processed by that event processor, and if it is of such a type, processing said information if information on a related event has already been received by that event processor. The method also includes passing said information on to a further event processor if the information received does not relate to a type of event processed by said first event processor.

Abstract: A method and program for checking for misconfigurations and inefficiencies in the configuration of devices and links on a network. Information relating to the configuration of components on the network is stored in a database. The configuration information is accessed for each device, and interrogated for each port and its associated link and connected remote port. The interrogation determines whether the ports and links have matched configuration and whether they are running at optimum capability, such as at full duplex (both ends permitting), at maximum speed or with maximum numbers of ports assigned to a trunk.