Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in a networked computer system that includes a host computer and a remote computer being used to access a device. The system includes a communications module for transferring data to and from a communications port of the host computer. The system also includes a data interface module for accessing an interface definition from a storage device in electronic communication with the host computer. Accessing the interface definition is accomplished through use of an interface definition identifier. A device access controller is also utilized in the system for communicating with the remote computer via the communications module. The device access controller obtains the interface definition identifier from computer program code loaded on the remote computer. In addition, the device access controller accesses the storage device through the data interface module to obtain the interface definition and uses the interface definition identifier to obtain the interface definition.

Abstract: A network management service for facilitating the management of networked devices by network management applications (a.k.a., agents) is described. In a first embodiment, the network management service for facilitating the management of networked devices by network management applications (a.k.a., agents) comprises an agent discovery service for discovering and registering remote management agents, and a file transfer service operative to send information to and receive information from remote systems.