Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a system and apparatus for the remote monitoring and control of a computing component. An intelligent management and control transceiver (IMCT) is preferably attached to a computing component to be monitored and controlled. The IMCT preferably operates independently of the computing component being monitored and controlled by maintaining its own processing power, memory, power supply and communications capabilities. Software executing on the IMCT enables various functional and environmental characteristics of the computing component to be monitored and controlled. A wireless transceiver is preferably included to allow the IMCT to generate an alert in response to the occurrence of a monitored event as well as to enable the remote management of the computing component. In addition, an Internet web site, portable wireless device or interface to existing computing component management software may be provided and used to access the computing component being monitored as well as to control the computing component preferably using the IMCT.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/207,581, filed May 26, 2000, and entitled “SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF A COMPUTING COMPONENT.” 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to computing component monitoring and control. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and apparatus for the remote monitoring and control of a computing component using wireless technology. 
   BACKGROUND 
   As with many other aspects of modern day life, computer systems have assumed a significant role in almost every business. Today, it is extremely rare to find a person or organization that is not significantly dependent upon computer applications. Often, work can come to a complete standstill when critical applications become unavailable. 
   IT (information technology) personnel are generally responsible for delivering application functionality to end users. As such, IT personnel may rely upon a collection of hardware and software, of networks, systems, and databases to ensure this availability. Many IT personnel are responsible for both creating the infrastructure required by the applications, as well as for ensuring that the applications are available and properly functioning when needed. 
   In today&#39;s economy, an IT organization can easily spend large amounts of money buying the latest technology in an attempt to ensure delivery of services to its clients. However, such measures are often inadequate. In order to be able to consistently deliver applications and services to clients, an IT organization may also need a management infrastructure to monitor and control underlying applications and hardware. Without such a management infrastructure, it is generally not possible to ensure twenty-four hours per day/seven days per week (24/7) availability and performance of important applications. 
   A management infrastructure generally consists of those components that may be used by IT personnel to ensure the delivery of services to its clients. Such an infrastructure might include hardware, software and human components. While there are many facets to ensuring availability, one of the most important is real time monitoring and control of networks, systems, applications, and databases such that problems may be detected, anticipated and, in some cases, corrected. 
   Effective real time monitoring generally requires that the IT organization have a set of management tools designed to support this part of the IT function. Efficient monitoring and control may be best implemented using tools to automate some of the processes. 
   In many situations, it is essential to incorporate tools as part of the management processes for two primary reasons. First, tools generally provide a lower cost of monitoring large numbers of components, i.e., networks, systems, applications and databases. For example, some management systems are capable of monitoring hundreds of objects or components. To manually manage the same complex combination of hardware and software distributed over multiple locations would generally require a large staff. Such a staff would be necessary to perform the constant monitoring of the components and would be in addition to the staff required to resolve any detected problems. 
   Another major advantage offered by management tools with regard to monitoring is that it is generally possible to detect and resolve problems more quickly. An automated solution is often able to detect problems within seconds of occurrence. A human operator will generally take much more time to manually perform the same or similar functions necessary to detect a problem. 
   While monitoring managed environments is key, various aspects of controlling the environment, including problem resolution, are equally important. Management tools lead to shorter times for problem resolution often at a lower cost. As such, without a set of management tools to automate the processes of detecting and correcting problems, IT personnel would be faced with a virtually impossible task. Without the aid of monitoring and controlling systems, an IT organization is often forced to provide a lower level of service at a significantly higher cost. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, a system and apparatus are described for remotely monitoring and controlling a computing component. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for the remote monitoring and control of a computing component is provided. The apparatus preferably includes at least one processor and at least one memory operably coupled to the processor. A communications interface that is preferably operable to receive information from and transmit information to the computing component is also preferably coupled with the processor and the memory. A transceiver operable to transmit information to and receive information from a communications network is preferably included and operably coupled to the processor and the memory. The apparatus further preferably includes at least one program of instructions storable in the memory and executable by the processor. The program of instructions is preferably operable to monitor at least one characteristic of the computing component and to control at least one function of the computing component. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a system for remotely managing a large number of computing components is provided. The system preferably includes an intelligent transceiver operably coupled to the computing components through a communications interface. The intelligent transceiver preferably includes at least one processor operably coupled to a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver is preferably operable to transmit information to and receive information from a network. An operating system storable in the memory and executable by the processor may also be included in the intelligent transceiver. The operating system preferably includes at least one instruction operable to communicate via the network, at least one instruction operable to monitor and control at least one facet of the computing components and at least one instruction operable to enable the remote management of the computing components. A local agent storable in a memory and executable in a processor of the computing components is also preferably included and operable to communicate one or more characteristics of the at least facet to the operating system. 
   One technical advantage provided by the present invention is the ability, independent of a monitored computing component&#39;s operability or the operability of a primary network, to generate an alert in response to the occurrence of a monitored event. 
   Another technical advantage provided by the present invention, is the ability to manage a monitored computing component from a remote device such as a two-way pager, mobile phone, PDA (personal digital assistant), computer or similar device. 
   Yet another technical advantage provided by the present invention, is the ability to increase availability and minimize downtime of computing resources through the real-time notification of the occurrence of monitored events. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing showing one embodiment of a hardware system incorporating teachings of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing showing one embodiment of a software system incorporating teachings of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Preferred embodiments of the invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1–2  of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a schematic drawing showing a hardware system incorporating teachings of the present invention is illustrated. System  100  of  FIG. 1  depicts intelligent management and control transceiver (IMCT)  105  preferably coupled to computing components  110 . As illustrated, IMCT  105  may communicate with any of a plurality of computing components  110  coupled via wireless or wire-line network  111  (LAN or WAN). Similarly, a plurality of IMCTs  105  may communicate via wireless or wire-line LAN  112 . Communications network  115  is preferably coupled to IMCT  105  such that IMCT  105  and communications network  115  may exchange information via a wireless or wire-line communications medium (not expressly shown). Network operations center (NOC)  120  and remote device  125  are also shown preferably coupled to communications network  115 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, IMCT  105  is capable of storing and executing its own application software, i.e., without requiring an external central processing unit (CPU) or external memory. Accordingly, IMCT  105  preferably includes CPU  130  and memory  135  operable to respectively execute and store application software incorporating teachings of the present invention. 
   Communications interface  140  is preferably included in IMCT  105  and is operably coupled to CPU  130  and memory  135 . Communications interface  140  enables IMCT  105  to monitor and control computing component  110  by enabling IMCT  105  to communicate or exchange information with a CPU and software (not expressly shown) included in computing component  110 . Communications interface  140  may be configured with any of a variety of communications protocols to effect communications between IMCT  105  and computing component  110 . Examples of such communications interfaces include, but are not limited to, RS-232, Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial and IEEE 1394 or “Fire Wire,” and Ethernet. 
   Transceiver  145 , operably coupled to CPU  130  and memory  135 , is also preferably included in the hardware configuration of IMCT  105  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Transceiver  145  is preferably included in the hardware configuration of IMCT  105  to enable IMCT  105  to receive and transmit information from communications network  115  independent of computing component  110 . Transceiver  145  also preferably allows IMCT  105  to communicate with remote device  125 , NOC  120  as well as other IMCTs  105  either via communications network  115  or wireless or wire-line network  112 . Communications network  115  and transceiver  145  may be implemented using wireless technology, wire-line technology as well as any other communications technology according to teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, ReFLEX25 and ReFLEX50 by Motorola may be used as a wireless technology solution. 
   In a further embodiment of IMCT  105 , LAN transceiver  146  may be preferably coupled to CPU  130 . LAN transceiver  146  preferably allows an IMCT  105  to communicate with one or more other IMCTs  105 . Such communication may be performed via wireless or wire-line network  111 ,  112  or communications network  115 . LAN transceiver  146  may be implemented using a variety of wireless or wire-line technologies. Examples of such wireless and wire-line technologies include, but are not limited to, electrical power lines, electrical power distribution systems, building electrical wiring, conventional telephone lines, Ethernet cabling (10baseT, 100baseT, etc.), coaxial cables, radio frequencies, such as the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, as well as infra-red and laser. 
   Power may be supplied to the components of IMCT  105  via a power supply  150  that may be included in a preferred hardware configuration of IMCT  105 . Back-up power supply  155  may also be included in IMCT  105  in the event power supply  150  fails to operate. As such, back-up power supply  155  further enables IMCT  105  to function independent of computing component&#39;s  110  operability. 
   One or more environmental sensors  160  may also be preferably included in IMCT  105 . Environmental sensors  160  may be preferably coupled to CPU  130  and are preferably operable to monitor and test one or more environmental characteristics of IMCT  105  or computing component  110 . Such environmental characteristics may include, but are not limited to, humidity and temperature. 
   As mentioned above, communications network  115  can be implemented using a variety of technologies according to teachings of the present invention. Communications network  115  can be a wire-line network such as POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) or a wireless network such as cellular, PCS (personal communications service), two-way paging (ReFLEX25, ReFLEX50, etc.), etc. According to teachings of the present invention, communications network  115  is preferably robust and, in corresponding situations, more robust than the communications technology that may be employed by computing component  110 . Essentially, communication network  115  preferably exhibits failure modes that are not correlated with the performance of the communication technology employed by the computing component  110 . 
   Communications network  115  is generally employed by the present invention as the medium by which information is communicated to and from IMCT  105 , as well as to and from remote device  125  and NOC  120 . According to teachings of the present invention, remote device  125  may be any of a plurality of devices. For example, remote device  125  may be a mobile phone, two-way pager, personal digital assistant (PDA), computer, etc. Preferably, remote device  125  is capable of both receiving information sent by IMCT  105  and its associated transceiver  145  as well as sending information to IMCT  105  and transceiver  145 . Similarly, remote device  125  is preferably able to achieve two-way communication with network operations center  120  generally via communications network  115 . 
   Network operations center  120  may be implemented using a variety of technologies according to teachings of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , NOC  120  is preferably operable to receive and transmit communications or information via communications network  115 . Information that may be communicated to NOC  120  may include, but is not limited to, event alerts transmitted by transceiver  145  of IMCT  105  or control instructions transmitted by remote device  125 . Alternatively, NOC  120  may transmit control signals or instructions to transceiver  145  of IMCT  105  to initiate testing of computing component  110  or otherwise manage and control computing component  110 . In addition, NOC  120  may also be employed to transmit information regarding the state of IMCT  105  or computing component  110  to remote device  125  or to any other desired destination or device. 
   In a further embodiment, IMCT  105  may be employed to monitor and control a large number of computing components  110 . In such an implementation, IMCT  105  may be preferably coupled to one or more computing components  110  and is preferably operable to communicate with the remaining computing components  110  to which IMCT  105  is not directly connected such that desired monitoring and control functions may be effected on any of the plurality of computing components  110 . One method for enabling IMCT  105  to communicate with a plurality of computing components  110  may be to preferably couple the plurality of computing components  110  via wireless or wire-line network  111 . Further, the plurality of computing components  110  may be similar or different in design and function. Similarly, each computing component  110  in such an implementation may have its own IMCT  105  preferably coupled thereto. Each IMCT  105  may then be operable to communicate with one or more IMCTs  105  via LAN transceiver  146 , communications network  115 , network  111 , network  112  as well as by other networks and communications interfaces. 
   Preferably driving many of the hardware components depicted in  FIG. 1 , are the software modules of the software system depicted in  FIG. 2 . Accordingly,  FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing showing one embodiment of a software system  200  incorporating teachings of the present invention. Software system  200  preferably includes operating system  205  residing and executing on IMCT  105 . Operating system  205  preferably includes networking agent  210  running thereon. Networking agent  210  is preferably operable to perform and control the communication functions preferred by IMCT  105  over communications network  115 . 
   Application agent  215  is also preferably running on operating system  205 . In one embodiment, application agent  215  performs the specific tasks associated with the monitoring and control of computing component  110 . For example, application agent  215  may be enabled to instruct computing component  110  to test the integrity of its network connection, to check for updated files, to notify NOC  120  or remote device  125  in the event of an attempted security break, to determine the CPU temperature of computing component  110 , to determine the ambient temperature of the environment of computing component  110 , to access measurements taken by environmental sensor  160  as well as to monitor and control other characteristics associated with computing component  110 . Application agent  215  may interface or communicate with a local agent  225  that is preferably included as a part of or as software in addition to an operating system residing on computing component  110  using a variety of protocols. Examples of such protocols include, but are not limited to, Windows NT SNMP API, UNIX SNMP API, Winsock, UNIX TCP/IP as well as a variety of computing component  110  specific hardware instrumentation interfaces and protocols that may be provided by component manufacturers. 
   In addition, management agent  220  allows IMCT  105  and computing component  110  to be remotely managed. For example, when networking agent  210  receives a control instruction from remote device  125  or NOC  120 , management agent  220  will interpret the control instruction and direct application agent  215  to properly instruct computing component  110  such that the operation desired by the received control instruction is effected. 
   As part of the remote management functionality, it may be desirable to update operating system  205 , application agent  215 , networking agent  210  or management agent  220  of IMCT  105 . Accordingly, IMCT  105  is preferably operable to receive software updates via communications network  115  or a similarly enabled network. In one embodiment, software updates may be initiated by IMCT  105  to enable IMCT  105  to adapt to various computing components  110 , LANs  111  and  112  or other devices with which IMCT  105  may communicate. 
   Computing component  110  preferably includes local agent  225  residing and executing thereon. Local agent  225  is preferably configured to respond to commands received from IMCT  105  and its operating system  205  or components thereof via communications interface  140 . For example, management agent  220  may receive a command from remote device  125  directing local agent  225  to return the operational status of computing component  110  or software running thereon. Upon receiving such an instruction by networking agent  210 , management agent  220  may then pass a related request to application agent  215 . Application agent  215  may then direct networking agent  210  to transmit the corresponding instruction to local agent  225  for processing. In a further embodiment, application agent  215  may be operable to interrogate computing component  110  and any associated hardware or software on its own and independent of local agent  225 . Upon receipt, local agent  225  may then execute the one or more instructions received from IMCT  105  and interrogate the appropriate areas of computing component  110  such that the requested information is located and returned to the IMCT  105  and its management agent  220 . Upon receipt, management agent  220  may then relay the requested information to networking agent  210  such that the information may be directed to remote device  125 , NOC  120  or other destination via communications network  115 . As such, local agent  225  is preferably operable to determine the status information of various aspects of computing component  110 , cause certain tasks to be executed by computing component  110  through an operating system included thereon or otherwise, communicate information to and from management agent  220  as well as to perform other monitoring and control related tasks. 
   NOC  120  is preferably capable of managing and controlling IMCT  105  through the use of operations center agent  230 . As such, NOC  120  may be configured with the communications software, database software, etc., necessary to effect such operation. In one embodiment, NOC  120  may be responsible for providing IMCT  105  with any desired software updates. In a further embodiment, NOC  120  may provide a web-based management application that can be used to interact remotely with the IMCTs  105  and computing components  110 . Such a web-based management application would preferably be accessible by an Internet enabled computer, PDA, mobile phone, two-way pager, etc., and support such web-based protocols as HTTP, SSL and XML. 
   Functionality preferably included in the web-based management application might include access to a listing of alerts that have been resolved, alerts that have not been resolved, periodic reports on monitored characteristics of computing component  110 , etc. In addition, the web-based management application is preferably further capable of remotely controlling computing component  110  via IMCT  105 . For example, a user may want to issue a maintenance command to computing component  110  in an attempt to resolve one of the alerts that has yet to be resolved and is displayed on a provided web site (not expressly shown). Similarly, a user may want to further investigate the source of an unresolved alert by issuing a command to computing component  110  that further interrogates computing component  110  in an effort to pinpoint the source of the alert for the user. The web based management application may also allow a user to send software updates to an IMCT  105  or to instruct an IMCT  105  to communicate with another IMCT  105 . 
   Device agent  235  may be included on remote device  125  to allow remote device  125  to better communicate with IMCT  105 . Similar to NOC  120  and operations center agent  230 , remote device  125  and device agent  235  are preferably capable of communicating with IMCT  105  via communications network  115 . Device agent  235  may be configured to instruct IMCT  105  and the software components of software system  200  included thereon to monitor and control aspects of computing component  110  in much the same manner as that described above. Using device agent  235 , or software inherent on remote device  125 , a remote user may be able to respond to alerts from IMCT  105 , initiate processes on computing component  110 , as well as perform other management and monitoring functions on computing component  110  via communications network  115  and IMCT  105 . 
   Although the present invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment thereof, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.