Patent ID: 7761543
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for device management in a network management system, comprising: receiving, automatically upon initialization of a network element, a single network element support matrix represented as a byte array, from the network element, the network element support matrix having a set of support flags for each of a plurality of versions of the network management system, the support flags being represented as bits in the byte array, and each set of support flags defining at least one management feature supported in each of the plurality of versions to enable interoperation of the network element and the network management system; and upon receipt of only the single network element support matrix, extracting therefrom the set of support flags associated with a current installed version of the network management system and activating the at least one management feature supported by the current installed version as defined in the extracted set of support flags, without transmitting any network management system version information to the network element for negotiation.