Abstract: A self-configuring network comprises network devices that are automatically provisioned with appropriate network resources upon the occurrence of a network event. A profile containing one or more commands to provision a network device with appropriate network resources is deployed to selected connecting devices. The selected connecting devices are targeted for deployment based on the network device and/or port groups to which they belong as determined from a network management system. The profile is bound to the selected connecting devices and affected ports as well as the network events that will trigger execution of the profile on the devices where they are deployed. A graphical user interface and profile information database may be used to facilitate managing the profiles, targeted devices/ports and associated network events.

Abstract: A network management application (NMA) obtains identification information identifying a network device. The NMA searches a storage area for a directory corresponding to the identification information. When the NMA locates the directory corresponding to the identification information, the NMA searches the directory for a file containing descriptions of the attributes of the network device. When the NMA locates the file containing the attribute descriptions, the NMA generates an image of the network device in accordance with the attribute descriptions.