Patent ID: 7698415
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. One or more computer storage media, having computer-usable instructions executable by a computer for performing a method of performing a port inventory for a computing device, comprising: receiving an IP address of the computing device over a network connection from a client wherein the computing device has a plurality of ports wherein some of the ports are connected to devices and some of the ports are not connected to the devices; querying one or more databases to obtain port information about the computing device including (i) a total number of ports in the computing device, (ii) a first number of ports which are connected to the devices wherein said first number of ports which are connected is determined directly from traffic or activity passing through a port, and (iii) a second number of ports which are configured wherein the second number is a subset of the first number; determining a third number of ports from said port information which are not connected to the devices and a fourth number of ports which are not connected to the devices but are configured for a future use wherein the fourth number of ports is a subset of the third number and wherein a configuration of the fourth number of ports indicates the fourth number of ports can connect and interact with devices when connected in the future use; eliminating the fourth number from the third number to provide a fifth number of ports which is available to the devices for connecting and configuring; and making at least one of said fifth number of ports and said port information available to said client.