Patent ID: 7979531
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for network management data collection, wherein a network is coupled to an underutilized computer, a network device, and a network management server, the method comprising: identifying the underutilized computer by determining that the underutilized computer has at least a predetermined amount of available capacity sufficient for collecting network management data; allocating, by a user, the underutilized computer for collecting network management data from the network device; downloading to a memory of the underutilized computer and from the network management server via a web service, a set of program files to be used in the underutilized computer for collecting the network management data from the network device; selecting a program file from the set of downloaded program files in the underutilized computer; executing the selected program file using the underutilized computer to obtain the network management data from the network device; collecting, in the underutilized computer, the network management data from the network device; sending the collected network management data from the underutilized computer to the network management server; receiving an indication that the underutilized computer is allocated to a task other than collecting and sending the network management data; stopping, upon receiving the indication, the collecting and sending of the network management data; and upon stopping the collecting and sending of the network management data, discarding the set of program files from the memory of the underutilized computer.