Patent ID: 6170009
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for controlling a plurality of devices on a network, comprising: receiving a request to define a policy specifying a behavior for controlling the plurality of devices on the network; wherein the request is received at a policy server that facilitates the creation and implementation of policies for controlling devices on the network; creating a policy object specifying actions of the plurality of devices on the network to implement the policy; storing the policy object in a memory; using a topology service to continually monitor a status of the plurality of devices on the network in order to keep track of which devices in the plurality of devices are active; associating the stored policy object with at least one device from the plurality of devices on the network; wherein associating the stored policy object with the at least one device includes communicating with the topology service to determine which devices in the plurality of devices are active; and controlling the at least one device in accordance with the stored policy object in order to implement the policy.