Abstract: A network device management tool that allows a client, such as a network management tool or network device setup utility, to reliably obtain information about a network device. Variations of the network device management tool may alternately or additionally allow a client to deliver information to the network device, such as instructions to control the operation of the network device. The network device management tool may be incorporated into the network device.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an interface component configured to couple to a computer, the computer being part of a network having a gateway device. The article further includes a memory component containing computer-implementable instructions that, when executed by the computer, gather network configuration information from the gateway device. The network configuration information is configured to enable an electronic device to join the network.

Abstract: A machine-implementable method of optimizing the performance of a wireless network includes collecting, with a first discovery component of the wireless network, a first set of information describing at least one transmission characteristic of each access point of a first set of at least one access points within a detection area of the first discovery component. Each access point of the first set transmits data over a respective channel of a set of channels. The method further includes determining, based on the first-set information, an optimal channel of the set of channels, the optimal channel having associated therewith the lowest probability of interference with the channels over which the access points of the first set are transmitting.

Abstract: A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided.

Abstract: A tool for managing a network of interconnected devices. The tool may provide a user with an interface that allows the user to view the type and status of each network device (that is, each device connected to the network), and even the status of the network itself. The tool may alternately or additionally provide a user with services related to the network. such as allowing a user to perform one or more tasks associated with devices in the network.

Abstract: A network device management tool that allows a client, such as a network management tool or network device setup utility, to reliably obtain information about a network device. Variations of the network device management tool may alternately or additionally allow a client to deliver information to the network device, such as instructions to control the operation of the network device. The network device management tool may be incorporated into the network device.