Patent ID: 7269625

Claim:
An enterprise network management portal system for monitoring and managing at least one enterprise network, wherein each enterprise network includes at least one server system and a plurality of network management means for monitoring the status of each server system and generating management data concerning monitored operating events of the monitored server system that are in need of correction, and wherein the management data include device status data, event data, and device performance monitoring data, the system comprising: portal means for providing an interface to the plurality of network management means for: (a) receiving the management data from the plurality of computer network management means of an enterprise network and providing the management data for the plurality of network management means to a client for display to a user and (b) generating workflows that provide corrective measures for monitored operating events that are in need of correction, wherein the client is coupled to the at least one computer network management means, wherein the portal means includes: (a) management interface means for providing application and data interface functionality between the at least one computer network management means and the client; and (b) workflow means for receiving the management data from the plurality of computer network management means and providing in response to the management data one or more workflows for responding to monitored operating events that are in need of correction, and wherein the workflow means includes: (1) interface format means for transferring data fields between the client and the plurality of computer network management means in accordance with predetermined data field definitions; (2) workflow edit means for enabling an operator to set up a workflow for performing functions including device troubleshooting and event management and for generating workflow sequence data; (3) workflow execution means for receiving the workflow sequence data from the workflow edit means, for executing a workflow sequence in response to an execution command received from a user, for interfacing with the plurality of computer network management means in accordance with the workflow received from the workflow edit means, and for transferring data fields in accordance with previously-defined rules; and (4) element information means for providing network element data for one of use in workflows and in response to workflows executed through the workflow execution means.