Patent ID: 7054314
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: H04B,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for managing a group of to-be-managed nodes comprising the steps of: (a) forming a particular packet containing a network layer header, including (1) a destination address designating receipt of the packet by a group of nodes, (2) a second header identifying a syntax and semantic by which a payload of the packet may be parsed in a predefined fashion, (3) the payload containing an identifier previously assigned for designating a particular group of one or more nodes as recipients of a message, wherein a plurality of nodes is divided into one or more groups, including the particular group, and (4) a particular message to be executed by each node of the group, and (b) transmitting the particular packet to one or more nodes, including the particular group of nodes, wherein each node receiving the particular packet but not previously assigned the identifier contained therein ignores the packet, and wherein each node of the particular group, but only the nodes of the particular group, executes the particular message contained in the particular packet.