U.S. patent application number 14/146466 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for method for facilitating network external computing assistance.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeremy Lynn Littlejohn, Gregory Evans Watts. Invention is credited to Jeremy Lynn Littlejohn, Gregory Evans Watts.
Application Number | 20170061339 14/146466 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58103715 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170061339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Littlejohn; Jeremy Lynn ; et
al. |
March 2, 2017 |
METHOD FOR FACILITATING NETWORK EXTERNAL COMPUTING ASSISTANCE
Abstract
There is provided a method for providing pricing information
about a potential migration of a network computing task. The method
includes the step of providing a provider availability set,
identifying a price qualified set for each cloud service provider,
and displaying the information about each cloud service provider
and its pricing via a user interface. The price qualified set
includes each cloud service provider: (a) whose price for
performing the task compiles with a price acceptability criteria or
(b) that has a respective price proposal associated therewith
reflecting a price for engaging the cloud service provider to
perform the task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network.
Inventors: |
Littlejohn; Jeremy Lynn;
(Fairview, NC) ; Watts; Gregory Evans;
(Nottingham, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Littlejohn; Jeremy Lynn
Watts; Gregory Evans |
Fairview
Nottingham |
NC
NH |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58103715 |
Appl. No.: |
14/146466 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/0631 20130101;
H04L 67/36 20130101; H04L 67/10 20130101; H04L 67/1097
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20060101
G06Q010/06; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08 |
Claims
1. A method for providing pricing information about a potential
migration of a network computing task, the method comprising:
providing a provider availability set, wherein the set includes
those cloud service providers who are deemed capable of performing
the network computing task in lieu of the task being performed by
the network; with respect to those cloud service providers in the
availability set, identifying a price qualified set each member of
which is a cloud service provider: (a) whose price for performing
the task complies with a price acceptability criteria or (b) that
has a respective price proposal associated therewith reflecting a
price for engaging the cloud service provider to perform the task
in lieu of the task being performed by the network, the step of
identifying a price qualified set including evaluating selected
operational relationships between assets of the network to
determine the scope and extent of computing services that would
need to be provided by each cloud service provider in the
availability set in the event that the respective cloud service
provider were to perform the network computing task in lieu of the
task being performed by the network; and displaying the information
about each cloud service provider and its pricing via a user
interface.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of identifying
a price qualified set includes determining the dependencies between
those respective assets of the network that would be involved in
handling the network computing task if the network computing task
is not migrated to a cloud service provider and generating a
respective price proposal for each cloud service provider that
takes into account the necessary computing resources of the cloud
service provider that need to be engaged to handle such computing
work of these respective assets of the network.
3. A method for providing information about a network, the network
being operable to perform a resolution flexible task which is a
task that could be performed via a given set of assets of the
network or that could alternatively be performed via an alternative
task performer external to the network, the method comprising:
providing an availability set each member of which is an
alternative task performer deemed capable of performing a
resolution flexible task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network; with respect to those alternative task performers in the
availability set, identifying a price qualified set each member of
which is an alternative task performer (a) whose price for
performing the task complies with a price acceptability criteria or
(b) that has a respective price proposal associated therewith
reflecting a price for engaging the alternative task performer to
perform the task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network, the step of identifying a price qualified set including
evaluating selected operational relationships between assets of the
network to determine the scope and extent of computing services
that would need to be provided by each cloud service provider in
the availability set in the event that the respective cloud service
provider were to perform the network computing task in lieu of the
task being performed by the network; and at least one of
communicating information via a user interface about the price
qualified set or initiating the performance of the task by an
alternative task performer in the price qualified set.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of providing
an availability set includes designating a collection of assets of
the network as the given set of assets and deeming the resolution
flexible task to be the cumulative computing operations that have
been performed by the given set of assets of the network in
accomplishing tasks within the network.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein each alternative task
performer of the availability set is a cloud computing
resource.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of at least
one of communicating information via a user interface about the
price qualified set or initiating the performance of the task by an
alternative task performer in the price qualified set includes
communicating information about each alternative task performer in
the price qualified set and its respective price proposal that
reflects a price for engaging the alternative task performer to
perform the task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein designating a
collection of assets of the network as the given set of assets
includes identifying a group of computing operations that are to be
considered as suitable to be performed by an alternative task
performer in lieu of being performed by the network and evaluating
the assets of the network according to an evaluation criteria to
determine if each such evaluated asset would be needed in the event
that the network were to perform the identified group of computing
operations.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein evaluating the assets
of the network according to an evaluation criteria includes
determining the existence of a dependency between an individual
asset and another individual asset, wherein a dependency is deemed
to exist if the cumulative computing operations performed by the
given set of assets of the network could not be performed if the
individual asset were not part of the given set of assets.
9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the availability set
includes at least two alternative task performers and the step of
identifying a price qualified set includes determining the
respective price proposal of each alternative task performer of the
availability set in compliance with a uniformly applied price work
up protocol that is applied to all alternative task performers in
the availability set.
10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of at least
one of communicating information via a user interface about the
price qualified set of initiating the performance of the task by an
alternative task performer in the price qualified set includes
displaying information about the price qualified set.
11. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of providing
an availability set includes deeming a set of assets less than the
total assets of the network to be a first collection of assets of
the network, deeming another set of assets less than the total
assets of the network and comprising different a different set of
assets than the first collection of assets of the network to be a
second collection of assets of the network, and iteratively deeming
the resolution flexible task to be the cumulative computing
operations that have been performed by the first collection of
assets of the network, designating the first collection of assets
of the network to be the given set of assets of the network in
accomplishing tasks within the network and generating a price
qualified set based upon the first collection of assets of the
network being designated as the given set of assets of the network,
and deeming the resolution flexible task to be the cumulative
computing operations that have been performed by the second
collection of assets of the network, designating the second
collection of assets of the network to be the given set of assets
of the network in accomplishing tasks within the network, and
generating a price qualified set based upon the second collection
of assets of the network being designated as the given set of
assets of the network, and providing information on the price
qualified sets generated respectively based upon the first
collection of assets of the network and based upon the second
collection of assets of the network.
12. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of providing
information on the price qualified sets generated respectively
based upon the first collection of assets of the network and based
upon the second collection of assets of the network includes
communicating a hierarchal listing of alternative task performers
with the hierarchy being based upon a predetermined user preference
criteria.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of
communicating a hierarchal listing of alternative task performers
includes communicating the hierarchal listing in a manner which
gives preference in the hierarchal listing among the enumerated
alternative task performers to those alternative task performers
who meet a sponsorship criteria.
14. A tangible computer-readable medium for storing instructions
for controlling a computing device to generate an output, the
instructions controlling the computing device to perform steps
comprising: accessing information about a network that is operable
to perform a resolution flexible task which is a task that could be
performed via a given set of assets of the network or that could
alternatively be performed via an alternative task performer
external to the network; accessing an availability set each member
of which is an alternative task performer deemed capable of
performing a resolution flexible task in lieu of the task being
performed by the network; with respect to those alternative task
performers in the availability set, identifying a price qualified
set each member of which is an alternative task performer: (a)
whose price for performing the task complies with a price
acceptability criteria or (b) that has a respective price proposal
associated therewith reflecting a price for engaging the
alternative task performer to perform the task in lieu of the task
being performed by the network, the step of identifying a price
qualified set including evaluating selected operational
relationships between assets of the network to determine the scope
and extent of computing services that would need to be provided by
each cloud service provider in the availability set in the event
that the respective cloud service provider were to perform the
network computing task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network; and at least one of generating an output with a content
about the price qualified set, whereby a display device can display
a presentation based upon the transmitted content about the price
qualified set, or initiating the performance of the task by an
alternative task performer in the price qualified set.
15. The tangible computer-readable medium according to claim 14,
wherein the step of accessing an availability set includes
accessing data concerning a collection of assets of the network
that have been designated as the given set of assets and deeming
the resolution flexible task to be the cumulative computing
operations that have been performed by the given set of assets of
the network in accomplishing tasks within the network.
16. The tangible computer-readable medium according to claim 15,
wherein each the alternative task performer of the availability set
is a cloud computing resource.
17. The tangible computer-readable medium according to claim 16,
wherein at least one of generating a signal with a content about
the price qualified set or initiating the performance of the task
by an alternative task performer in the price qualified set
includes generating an output that causes a display device to
communicate information about each alternative task performer in
the price qualified set and its respective price proposal that
reflects a price for engaging the alternative task performer to
perform the task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network.
18. The tangible computer-readable medium according to claim 17,
wherein the collection of assets of the network that have been
designated as the given set of assets includes assets of the
network that have been selected via a process of identifying a
group of computing operations that are to be considered for
performance by an alternative task performer in lieu of the network
and evaluating the assets of the network according to an evaluation
criteria to determine if each such evaluated asset would be needed
in the event that the network were to perform the identified group
of computing operations.
19. The tangible computer-readable medium according to claim 18,
wherein evaluating the assets of the network according to an
evaluation criteria includes determining the existence of a
dependency between an individual asset and another individual
asset, wherein a dependency is deemed to exist if the cumulative
computing operations performed by the given set of assets of the
network could not be performed if the individual asset were not
part of the given set of assets.
20. The tangible computer-readable medium according to claim 14,
wherein the availability set includes at least two alternative task
performers and the step of identifying a price qualified set
includes determining the respective price proposal of each
alternative task performer of the availability set in compliance
with a uniformly applied price work up protocol that is applied to
all alternative task performers in the availability set.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] US Published Patent Application No. 2011/0246376 to
Devakondra et al points out that network data processing systems
are used for a variety of different purposes and come in a number
of different forms. Several types of network data processing
systems are commonly used by companies and other organizations and
may include for example, local area networks, wide area networks,
virtual private networks, and other suitable types of networks.
[0002] In addition to such networks that may be maintained by the
network operator itself, cloud services are available and the users
of this type of network data processing systems neither own nor
manage the physical infrastructure. In this manner, users may avoid
capital expenditures, support costs, maintenance costs, labor
costs, and other costs associated with more traditional types of
networks. With cloud-based network environments, users consume
resources as a service and typically pay based on the use of those
resources. By turning to cloud-based computing resources, companies
and organizations can avoid capital expenditures, such as costs for
hardware, software, information technology services, and other
associated costs.
[0003] Clouds may include, for example, a public cloud, a private
cloud, and a hybrid cloud. A public cloud is a network environment
in which users access computing resources over a network, such as
the Internet. A private cloud is an internal cloud in which
resources are accessed on private networks, such as an intranet. A
private cloud also may provide additional separation from other
users. A private cloud may include firewalls and other devices to
provide for increased security and separation.
[0004] Organizations that employ more traditional types of network
data processing systems may contemplate whether to change over from
their more traditional network environment to a cloud network
environment. In view of the fact that the particular cloud services
offered by each cloud service provider or vendor will have
different features, benefits, service operating requirements, and
costs, it would be advantageous for a network operator to have
access to tools that can help guide a decision to migrate computing
tasks to a cloud. Moreover, it would be advantageous if such tools
for a guiding a network operator could equip the network operator
to have an accurate picture of the computing resources in its own
network that will or can be replaced by the cloud computing
resources. Furthermore, network operators can make better informed
decisions about purchasing cloud services if they can get pricing
information about potential cloud service providers and,
especially, pricing information about the scope of computing
resources that tasks could be taken over in a cloud service
arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a method
for facilitating network external computing assistance that is
particularly useful for providing pricing information about a
potential migration of a network computing task. The method
includes the step of providing a provider availability set,
identifying a price qualified set for each cloud service provider,
and displaying the information about each cloud service provider
and its pricing via a user interface. The provider availability set
includes those cloud service providers who are deemed capable of
performing the network computing task in lieu of the task being
performed by the network. The price qualified set includes each
cloud service provider, (a) whose price for performing the task
complies with a price acceptability criteria or (b) that has a
respective price proposal associated therewith reflecting a price
for engaging the cloud service provider to perform the task in lieu
of the task being performed by the network.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method for providing information about a network, the network being
operable to perform a resolution flexible task which is a task that
could be performed via a given set of assets of the network or that
could alternatively be performed via an alternative task performer
external to the network. The method includes the step of providing
an availability set each number of which is an alternative task
performer deemed capable of performing a resolution flexible task
in lieu of the task being performed by the network. The method also
includes the step of identifying, with respect to those alternative
task performers in the availability set a price qualified set each
member of which is an alternative task performer (a) whose price
for performing the task complies with a price acceptability
criteria or (b) that has a respective price proposal associated
therewith reflecting a price for engaging the alternative task
performer to perform the task in lieu of the task being performed
by the network. The step of identifying a price qualified set
includes evaluating selected operational relationships between
assets of the network to determine the scope and extent of
computing services that would need to be provided by each cloud
service provider in the availability set in the event that the
respective cloud service provider were to perform the network
computing task in lieu of the task being performed by the network.
The method further includes the step of at least one of
communicating information via a user interface about the price
qualified set or initiating the performance of the task by an
alternative task performer in the price qualified set.
[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
tangible computer-readable medium for storing instructions for
controlling a computing device to generate an output, the
instructions controlling the computing device to perform steps
including accessing information about a network that is operable to
perform a resolution flexible task and accessing an availability
set each member of which is an alternative task performer deemed
capable of performing a resolution flexible task in lieu of the
task being performed by the network. Also, the tangible
computer-readable medium stores instructions for controlling the
computing device to perform the step of identifying, with respect
to those alternative task performers in the availability set, a
price qualified set each member of which is an alternative task
performer, (a) whose price for performing the task complies with a
price acceptability criteria or (b) that has a respective price
proposal associated therewith reflecting a price for engaging the
alternative task performer to perform the task in lieu of the task
being performed by the network. The step of identifying a price
qualified set includes evaluating selected operational
relationships between assets of the network to determine the scope
and extent of computing services that would need to be provided by
each cloud service provider in the availability set in the event
that the respective cloud service provider were to perform the
network computing task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network. The step of at least one of generating an output with a
content about the price qualified set, whereby a display device can
display a presentation based upon the transmitted content about the
price qualified set, or initiating the performance of the task by
an alternative task performer in the price qualified set.
[0008] Other aspects, embodiments and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description which taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, illustrate the principles of the invention by way of
example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention, as well as the invention itself, will be
more fully understood from the following description of various
embodiments when read together with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart about the method for
facilitating network external computing assistance of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary network
about which the method of the present invention can provide can
provide rapidly understandable and pertinent information for use by
the network operator in making decisions about migrating computing
tasks to an alternative task performer such as a private cloud
computing resource or a public cloud computing resource;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a representative
computer that is a piece of the exemplary network illustrated in
FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a display that may be
configured on, and configured via, a dashboard platform for
displaying information about the price qualified sets obtained via
the method of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of different computing
environments;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of one variation of the
availability set step of the method of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a graphical diagram
of a portion of a network as defined via its nodes and links;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the portion of the network
shown in FIG. 7 and showing exemplary node-type topology
elements;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic environmental view of the inputs
relating to the various operational relationships in a network and
the inputs about the alternate task performers evaluated by the
method of the present invention and the outputs generated by the
method in the form of price proposals of the alternative task
performers that can provide services to the network operator;
and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a plurality of physical links
that are established between the two switches in a computer
network.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Reference is had to FIG. 1, which is a schematic flow chart
about the method for facilitating network external computing
assistance of the present invention, and to FIG. 2, which is a
schematic illustration of an exemplary network that is
representative of the type of network about which the method of the
present invention can provide rapidly understandable and pertinent
information for use by the network operator in making decisions
about migrating computing tasks to an alternative task performer
such as a private cloud computing resource or a public cloud
computing resource. This method, hereinafter denominated as a
method for facilitating network external computing assistance, can
provide a network operator with tools to guide decisions about
migrating computing tasks to an alternative task performer such as
a private cloud computing resource or a public cloud computing
resource and tools for automatically effecting the migration of
selected computing tasks to an alternative task performer.
[0021] "Cloud computing" refers to the access of computing
resources and data via a network infrastructure, such as the
Internet. The computing resources and data storage may be provided
by linked data centers of the "cloud,"--i.e., a "cloud" network.
Each of the data centers may include a plurality of servers that
provide computing resources, as well as data storage and retrieval
capabilities. As used herein, "cloud service providers" refers to
the owners or operators of the data centers that operate the
"cloud" networks.
[0022] The method for facilitating network external computing
assistance is particularly useful when executed as a method for
providing pricing information about a potential migration of a
network computing task. In accordance with this aspect of the
method for facilitating network external computing assistance, the
method includes the step of providing a provider availability set,
identifying a price qualified set for each cloud service provider,
and displaying the information about each cloud service provider
and its pricing via a user interface. The provider availability set
includes those cloud service providers who are deemed capable of
performing the network computing task in lieu of the task being
performed by the network. The price qualified set includes each
cloud service provider: (a) whose price for performing the task
complies with a price acceptability criteria or (b) that has a
respective price proposal associated therewith reflecting a price
for engaging the cloud service provider to perform the task in lieu
of the task being performed by the network.
[0023] The method for facilitating network external computing
assistance is configured for use with a network and, as seen in
FIG. 2, an exemplary network 220 is to be understood as
representing any information technology or "IT" arrangement
operable to store, manipulate, and present information to the
network operator. As seen in FIG. 2, the exemplary network 220 can
comprise components enabling the network to operate as a local area
network, a wide area network such as the Internet, and/or a
wireless network operable to receive a wireless signal from a
transmitter 222. The computers comprised by the network 220 may
include desktop computers 224, lap-top computers 226, hand-held
computers 228 (including wireless devices such as wireless personal
digital assistants (PDA) or mobile phones), or any other type of
computational arrangement of hardware and/or software. The several
computers may be connected to the network 220 via a server 230. It
should be noted that any other type of hardware or software may be
included in the system and be considered a component thereof.
[0024] It can thus be understood that the information technology
"IT" arrangement exemplified by the network 220 comprises one or
more computers in the general sense. In this connection, reference
is had to FIG. 3, which is a schematic representation of a
representative computer that is a piece of the exemplary network
illustrated in FIG. 2 and it can be seen that a computer 600
includes a processor 602, a main memory 604 and a static memory
606, which communicate with each other via a bus 608. The computer
600 may further include a video display unit 610 (e.g., a liquid
crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer
600 also includes an alphanumeric input device 612 (e.g., a
keyboard), a cursor control device 614 (e.g., a mouse), a disk
drive unit 616, a signal generation device 618 (e.g., a speaker),
and a network interface device 620. The disk drive unit 616
includes a machine-readable medium 624 on which is stored a set of
instructions implemented as software 626. The software 626 is also
shown to reside, completely or at least partially, within the main
memory 604 and/or within the processor 602. The software 626 may
further be transmitted or received via the network interface device
620 and a signal generation device 628 is also provided. It is to
be understood that any suitable embodiment of a computer may form a
portion or the entirety of the network 220 in that a computer is to
be regarded as a machine readable medium including any mechanism
for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a
machine. For example, a machine readable medium includes read-only
memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage
media optical storage media; flash memory devices; or any other
type of media suitable for storing or transmitting information.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 1, which is a schematic flow chart
about the method for facilitating network external computing
assistance of the present invention, the method for facilitating
network external computing assistance in one embodiment thereof is
configured as a method for providing information about a network,
wherein the network is a type of network operable to perform a
resolution flexible task which is a task that could be performed
via a given set of assets of the network or that could
alternatively be performed via an alternative task performer
external to the network. The method for facilitating network
external computing assistance, hereinafter denominated as the
network external facilitating method 810, includes the following
core steps. As seen in FIG. 1, in an availability set step 820, an
availability set is provided, each member of which is an
alternative task performer deemed capable of performing a
resolution flexible task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network.
[0026] It is to be understood that each alternative task performer
of the availability set may be a cloud computing resource. For
example, as seen in FIG. 5, which is a schematic representation of
different computing environments, the exemplary network 220 is
shown as having its hardware assets located in a building BLDG, the
cloud computing resource may be a private cloud computing resource
410 or a public cloud computing resource 412.
[0027] In a price qualified set identifying step 830, a price
qualified set is identified with respect to those alternative task
performers in the availability set, wherein each member of the
price qualified set is an alternative task performer: (a) whose
price for performing the task complies with a price acceptability
criteria or (b) that has a respective price proposal associated
therewith reflecting a price for engaging the alternative task
performer to perform the task in lieu of the task being performed
by the network. Once a price qualified set is established via the
price qualified set identifying step 830, then a procurement step
840 is performed, wherein information about the price qualified set
is communicated to the network operator via an information
communicating path 842 or the performance of the task by an
alternative task performer in the price qualified set is initiated
via a task initiating path 844, or both the activities of the
information communicating path 842 and the task initiating path 844
are performed.
[0028] Some or all of the core steps of the method for facilitating
network external computing assistance may be executed in accordance
with further protocols in connection with the selected version of
the method for facilitating network external computing assistance.
For example, the availability set step 820, which provides an
availability set, may include designating a collection of assets of
the network as the given set of assets and deeming the resolution
flexible task to be the cumulative computing operations that have
been performed by the given set of assets of the network in
accomplishing tasks within the network. Moreover, in accordance
with one variation of the availability set step 820, the step
includes deeming a set of assets less than the total assets of the
network to be a first collection of assets of the network, deeming
another set of assets less than the total assets of the network and
comprising different a different set of assets than the first
collection of assets of the network to be a second collection of
assets of the network, and iteratively deeming the resolution
flexible task to be the cumulative computing operations that have
been performed by the first collection of assets of the network,
designating the first collection of assets of the network to be the
given set of assets of the network in accomplishing tasks within
the network and generating a price qualified set based upon the
first collection of assets of the network being designated as the
given set of assets of the network, and deeming the resolution
flexible task to be the cumulative computing operations that have
been performed by the second collection of assets of the network,
designating the second collection of assets of the network to be
the given set of assets of the network in accomplishing tasks
within the network, and generating a price qualified set based upon
the second collection of assets of the network being designated as
the given set of assets of the network, and providing information
on the price qualified sets generated respectively based upon the
first collection of assets of the network and based upon the second
collection of assets of the network.
[0029] Reference is had to FIG. 6, which is a schematic plan view
of the one variation of the availability set step 820, for a more
detailed explanation of this step refinement. As seen in FIG. 6,
the total assets of a network 910 are designated as a full asset
inventory 920 and the one variation of the availability set step
820 includes deeming a set of assets less than the total assets of
the network to be a first collection of assets of the network 930,
wherein, solely for illustration purposes, it can be seen that the
first collection of assets of the network 930 is composed of three
arbitrary designated asset sub-groups. The one variation of the
availability set step 820 further includes deeming another set of
assets less than the total assets of the network and comprising a
different set of assets than the first collection of assets of the
network 930 to be a second collection of assets of the network 940,
wherein, solely for illustration purposes, it can be seen that the
second collection of assets of the network 940 is composed of four
arbitrarily designated asset sub-groups. The second collection of
assets of the network 940 includes a single asset sub-group that is
a member of both the first collection of assets of the network 930
and the second collection of assets of the network 940, although it
is not mandatory that the second collection of assets of the
network 940 include an asset sub-group that is a member of both the
first collection of assets of the network 930 and the second
collection of assets of the network 940.
[0030] A computer terminal REP-TER is shown in FIG. 6 to
schematically illustrate the respective computing device that may
be deployed to execute the steps of the method of the present
invention, including the one variation of the availability set step
820. With continuing reference to FIG. 6, the one variation of the
availability set step 820 includes iteratively deeming the
resolution flexible task to be the cumulative computing operations
that have been performed by the first collection of assets of the
network 930, designating the first collection of assets of the
network 930 to be the given set of assets of the network in
accomplishing tasks within the network and generating a price
qualified set based upon the first collection of assets of the
network 930 being designated as the given set of assets of the
network. As shown in broken lines in FIG. 6, the sub-step of
generating a price qualified set based upon the first collection of
assets of the network 930 being designated as the given set of
assets of the network yields a price qualified set 954.
[0031] The one variation of the availability set step 820
additionally includes deeming the resolution flexible task to be
the cumulative computing operations that have been performed by the
second collection of assets of the network 940, designating the
second collection of assets of the network 940 to be the given set
of assets of the network in accomplishing tasks within the network,
and generating a price qualified set based upon the second
collection of assets of the network being designated as the given
set of assets of the network. The sub-step of generating a price
qualified set based upon the second collection of assets of the
network 940 being designated as the given set of assets of the
network yields a price qualified set 966.
[0032] The one variation of the availability set step 820 further
includes providing information on the price qualified sets 956, 966
generated respectively based upon the first collection of assets of
the network 930 and based upon the second collection of assets of
the network 940.
[0033] In connection with the procurement step 840, in the event
that information about the price qualified set is communicated to
the network operator via the information communicating path 842,
this can include communicating information about each alternative
task performer in the price qualified set and its respective price
proposal that reflects a price for engaging the alternative task
performer to perform the task in lieu of the task being performed
by the network. For example, information about one or several cloud
computing resources (i.e., alternative task performers) can be
provided with a respective price proposal for each cloud computing
resource that reflects a price for engaging this cloud computing
resource to perform the task in lieu of the task being performed by
the network.
[0034] One decision framework for deciding which collection of
assets of the network are to be deemed as the given set of assets
can be implemented via the approach of identifying a group of
computing operations that are to be considered as suitable to be
performed by a cloud service provider in lieu of being performed by
the network and evaluating the assets of the network according to
an evaluation criteria to determine if each such evaluated asset
would be needed in the event that the network were to perform the
identified group of computing operations. In this connection, the
process of evaluating the assets of the network according to an
evaluation criteria can include determining the existence of a
dependency between an individual asset and another individual
asset, wherein a dependency is deemed to exist if the cumulative
computing operations performed by the given set of assets of the
network could not be performed if the individual asset were not
part of the given set of assets.
[0035] The method for facilitating network external computing
assistance can be executed such that the availability set includes
at least two alternative task performers--i.e., at least two cloud
service providers--and such that the step of identifying a price
qualified set 830 includes determining the respective price
proposal of each alternative task performer of the availability set
in compliance with a uniformly applied price work up protocol that
is applied to all alternative task performers in the availability
set. For example in a given execution cycle of the method for
facilitating network external computing assistance to provide a
network operator with tools to guide decisions about migrating
computing tasks to a cloud computing resource, the step of
identifying a price qualified set 830 can generate a list of
several cloud computing resources each with a respective price
proposal that reflects a price for engaging the respective cloud
computing resource to perform the resolution flexible task in lieu
of the task being performed by the network and each price proposal
can be generated via the application of a uniformly applied price
work up protocol that is applied to all of the cloud service
providers in the list. The uniformly applied price work up protocol
may comprise, for example, determining the price proposal for each
cloud service provider as a function of a stated or estimated cost
per unit computing resource.
[0036] In further connection with the procurement step 840, this
step can include displaying information about the price qualified
set. Moreover, in the event that the price qualified sets 956, 966
have been generated respectively based upon the first collection of
assets of the network 930 and based upon the second collection of
assets of the network 940, then the procurement step 840 can
include, for example, communicating a hierarchal listing of
alternative task performers with the hierarchy being based upon a
predetermined user preference criteria. Furthermore, this step of
communicating a hierarchal listing of alternative task performers
can include communicating the hierarchal listing in a manner which
gives preference in the hierarchal listing among the enumerated
alternative task performers to those alternative task performers
who meet a sponsorship criteria.
[0037] An inventory and, additionally, a cataloging via a
classification system, of computer software and hardware assets of
a network may be maintained manually or may be cyclically updated
via an automated discovery tool, which is generally in the form of
a combination of hardware and software that operates to
automatically "discover" physical and virtual assets of a network
and sort the same into a catalog. The computer software and
hardware assets of a network are often grouped into logical groups
that may be managed collectively, reducing the complexity and costs
of managing those grouped assets. However, there is no common
protocol for building and naming these logical groups of the
computer software and hardware assets of a network. Network
operators may create and populate logical groups with individual
assets based on some organization-centric criteria or there may be
defined groups that are automatically populated based on rules
involving asset attributes.
[0038] Another approach to creating an inventory of computer
software and hardware assets of a network and, additionally,
creating a cataloging, of these computer software and hardware
assets (organized into a classification system) involves examining
the relationships between the nodes and the links of the network.
These nodes include physical hosts, virtual machines, network
devices, storage devices, and other nodes that provide a similar
function. The network nodes are coupled for data communication flow
via a data transmission medium which can be considered to be a
link. The transmission medium could be wired, wireless, or some
combination thereof. In fact, an examination of the relationships
between the nodes and the links of a network can reveal a
relationship between two or more nodes even where there is no
direct architectural relationship between those nodes.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a network as
defined via its nodes and links and it can be seen that the
selectively illustrated portion of the network 220 includes an
initiator node 710, a destination node 712 and a plurality of
intermediate nodes 714A and 714B connected via a plurality of links
716 defining a first path 718 and a plurality of intermediate nodes
720A and 720B, and 720C defining a second path 722. The term "node"
is used to refer to a terminal point or an intersection point of a
network. Depending on the level of abstraction, it may refer to a
topology element such as a location in a network, a system, a piece
of equipment or an individual component. Examples of node-type
topology elements include: abstract elements such as locations and
systems (such as a telephony exchange); physical elements such as a
router, switch, terminal, hub, branch, intersection or the like;
and virtual elements such as channels. The term "link" is used to
refer to a topology element providing a connection between two
nodes. A link is the abstraction of a transport infrastructure
supporting connections between nodes. Link-type topology elements
may include physical assets such as a signal conduit, a cable, or a
connecting wire and may include non-tangible assets such as may be
implemented via software such as a network link.
[0040] FIG. 8, which is a schematic diagram of the portion of the
network shown in FIG. 7 and showing exemplary node-type topology
elements, shows that the initiator node 710 may be a database
server 750, the destination node 712 may be a hand held computing
device 752, the intermediate node 714A may be a single server 754A,
and the intermediate node 714B may be another server 754B connected
via a plurality of links 716 defining the first path 718. Also,
FIG. 8 shows that the intermediate node 720A may be a data storage
arrangement 760A, the intermediate node 720B may be a desktop
computer 760B, and the intermediate node 720C may be a laptop
computer 760C connected via a plurality of links 716 defining the
second path 722.
[0041] In the event that the procurement step 840 includes
displaying information about a price qualified set, such in
formation can be displayed in a format suitable for the network
operator to, at the least, have a display of each alternative task
performer in the price qualified set and its respective price
proposal that reflects a price for engaging the alternative task
performer to perform the task in lieu of the task being performed
by the network. It is to be understood that the term "display" is
used in a broad sense and encompasses all forms of communication in
visual, aural, and tactile format and including both human-and
machine-interface variations.
[0042] The method for facilitating network external computing
assistance of the present invention can be executed manually but is
preferably executed via a tangible computer-readable medium for
controlling a computing device to generate an output. This tangible
computer-readable medium may be connected (e.g., networked) to
other machines in a Local Area Network (LAN), an intranet, an
extranet, or the Internet. The tangible computer-readable medium
may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a
client-server network environment, or as a peer machine in a
peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The tangible
computer-readable medium may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet
PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a
cellular telephone, a web appliance, a server, a network router,
switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of
instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be
taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is
illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any
collection of machines (e.g., computers) that individually or
jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to execute
the steps of the method of the present invention.
[0043] The user interface via which the price qualified set is
accessible to a network operator may be configured as a stand-alone
module that can be provided at no cost, at cost, or via leasing to
network operators, wherein this stand-alone module may be
configured to implement the method for facilitating network
external computing assistance once operationally connected to a
network. Alternatively, the user interface via which the price
qualified set is accessible to a network operator may be configured
and controlled by an intermediary agent which is figuratively
between the network operators seeking migration guidance and the
cloud service providers. The intermediary agent may configure the
user interface and may provide the ancillary services that harvest
the data to be handled during the implementation of the method for
facilitating network external computing assistance, such as, for
example, the network discovery services that identify and catalog
the assets of the network. Additionally, the intermediary agent may
solicit, coordinate, and structure the display artifacts via which
information about the "sponsoring" and "non-sponsoring" cloud
service provider is provided to the network operators. In this
connection, the intermediary agent may solicit participation from
potential "sponsoring" cloud service provider by negotiating or
prescribing a price offering menu, for example, or the intermediary
agent may conduct a bidding process among potential "sponsoring"
cloud service provider and award successful bid presenters with
preferred listing opportunities, guaranteed minimum number of
listing presentations, etc.
[0044] As seen in FIG. 4, which is a schematic illustration of a
display that may be configured on, and configured via, a dashboard
platform for displaying information about the price qualified sets
obtained via the method of the present invention, such a display
may be configured on, and configured via, a dashboard platform 470
and the dashboard platform 470 may be configured to provide an
intentionally ordered presentation of the alternative task
performer or performers in the price qualified set with such
presentation being communicated visually and/or aurally to the
network operator. The intentionally ordered presentation of the
alternative task performer or performers in the price qualified set
may be arranged, for example, so as to provide the network operator
with a hierarchal listing of the alternative task performer or
performers in the price qualified set. As another example, the
alternative task performer or performers in the price qualified set
may be so arranged, for example, so as to provide the network
operator with a hierarchal listing of the alternative task
performer or performers in the price qualified set based upon
directing the network operator to preferred resources that can help
resolve metrics issues or capitalize upon identified opportunities.
Further in this connection, the preferred resources can be composed
of vendors who have a particular capability such as, for example,
cloud service providers having a particular capability, or vendors
who are given preference relative to other vendors based upon a
sponsorship criteria (i.e., "sponsoring" vendors are given a
preferential showing in the display provided by the dashboard
platform 470 as opposed to "non-sponsoring"vendors).
[0045] The exemplary format displayed by the dashboard 470 in FIG.
4 includes a "banner"-type listing 484 comprising information about
a "sponsoring" cloud service provider and this "banner"-type
listing 484 is presented in a text and graphics format. The
"banner"-type listing 484 is presented as the topmost one of a
vertical listing of the cloud service providers in the price
qualified set. For the purposes of illustration, it is assumed that
the other cloud service providers 486 listed below the
"banner"-type listing 484 are "non-sponsoring" cloud service
providers. Information about the other cloud service providers 486
listed below the "banner"-type listing 484 are displayed in a
text-only format or in another format selected to be less
noticeable than the "banner"-type listing 484 comprising
information about a "sponsoring" cloud service providers. Thus, by
virtue of its topmost listing on the vertical listing of vendors
and its more noticeable presentation in both text and graphics, as
opposed to text alone, the "banner"-type listing 484 comprising
information about a "sponsoring" cloud service providers is given a
preferential showing in the display provided by the dashboard
platform 470 as opposed to the "non-sponsored" cloud service
providers 486. "Banner"-type listings may be comprised solely of
graphic, graphics and text, or text only and may include, for
example, rich media (audio/video), promotions, or any feature that
increases the value of listing to a vendor or a potential vendor
willing to give value in return for a status as a "sponsoring"
vendor.
[0046] In accordance with one variant for displaying the price
qualified set, with particular application in the context of cloud
service providers who agree to be "sponsoring" cloud service
providers, cloud service providers may create and manage their
listings through a user interface that permits the creation of one
or more listing formats, the selection of details to associate with
the listings, and an insert template that governs how and in which
situations a listing will be displayed to a network operator. The
cloud service provider may enter additional pieces of information
and functionality pertaining to each listing. The cloud service
provider may choose that a given listing be targeted only a
discrete group of network operators, such as those meeting a set of
customer demographics. Cloud service providers may set the specific
price at which they are willing to offer their cloud services such
as, for example, a single price or a price range for a "computing
unit." If desired, cloud service providers may have the ability to
be apprised of the price offerings of other cloud service providers
in order, for example, to ensure that their listing appears in a
desired position or to optimize the "click-through" response or
contact response of the listing.
[0047] A network asset may be embodied in a tangible form as a
"hardware" element and can include physical devices such as a
server, a router, or a peripheral device such as a scanner or a
printer. Alternatively, a network asset may be embodied as a
"software" element. A "hardware" element may have an operational
connection with a "software" element--i.e., a work station, a
desktop computer, or a mobile telephony device that runs an
operating program.
[0048] It is possible to characterize or describe the operational
relationships between the hardware elements, the software elements,
and the other elements of a network and the several types of
operational relationships can be classified into categories of
operational relationships. For example, a hardware configuration, a
software configuration, or a usage configuration of a network asset
may be seen as examples of operational relationship categories
referred to as configurations. As another example, when considering
an operational relationship between a given pair of network assets,
if it is determined that one of the pair of network assets cannot
perform its ascribed network function without the assistance of the
other one of the pair of network assets then this is an example of
an operational relationship category referred to as a
dependency.
[0049] The hardware configurations may be noted via various
descriptors, such as, for example, a descriptor referring to a
geographical or plant facility location where a network asset is
housed or a descriptor referring to memory capacity of a given
network asset. The software configurations may be noted via various
descriptors, such as for example, a descriptor referring to a given
operating system or its modules, or a descriptor referring to the
lag or non-lag status in the updating of the version of an
operating system. The usage configurations may be noted via various
descriptors, such as, for example, a descriptor referring to the
times, frequencies, or types of input to a network asset or the
times, frequencies, or types of outputs from a network asset.
Another descriptor of a usage configuration may refer to
claimed/unclaimed space of the network asset while a further
descriptor may refer to physical space needs of a network asset or
its energy use profile.
[0050] The process of identifying, and properly characterizing, the
operational relationships between the hardware elements, the
software elements, and the other elements of a network, is often
termed as a "discovery" process and this discovery process can be
performed manually or via the assistance of tailored discovery
techniques including those using devices and software that
automatically identify the operational relationships between the
hardware elements, the software elements, and the other elements.
Additionally, such discovery devices and software can be coupled
with other devices or software that present the discovered
information in a user-friendly format such as via a graphical user
interface.
[0051] Information collected about the various operational
relationships in a network can yield a picture about the
performance of the network as a whole as well as a picture about
the performance of all of the sub-groups of the network or selected
sub-groups of the network. The network external facilitating method
of the present invention can be executed to more accurately define
the resolution flexible task that could be performed by an
alternative task performer, such as a "cloud service performer" in
lieu of the task being performed by the network. In this
connection, one known or conventional approach to defining such
resolution flexible tasks involves merely acquiring an inventory of
the hardware and software network assets. Yet a network operator
may not be able to rely on such an inventory listing of the
hardware and software network assets to accurately or
comprehensively identify those hardware and software network assets
which will be released from the burden of performing a given
resolution flexible task in the event that an alternative task
performer, such as a "cloud service performer", were to be chosen
to perform the task in lieu of the task being performed by the
network. To be sure, some assessment can be attempted to surmise
which of the hardware and software network assets listed on an
inventory listing of the hardware and software network assets will
be impacted by shifting one or many tasks to an alternate task
performer such as a cloud service performer. But a network operator
typically does not have any worthwhile real knowledge, or modeled
knowledge, of the sub-tasks performed by the hardware and software
network assets in executing the resolution flexible tasks. Thus,
such an assessment will likely lead to a false or inaccurate
estimation of the "replacement" resources that must be arranged if
an alternate task performer such as a cloud service performer were
to perform the tasks.
[0052] On the other hand, in accordance with the network external
facilitating method of the present invention, the various
operational relationships in the network are identified and this
identifying information can provide a more accurate picture of
those hardware and software network assets which will be released
from the burden of performing the given resolution flexible task.
Moreover, in accordance with the network external facilitating
method of the present invention, the identifying information about
the various operational relationships in the network is
consolidated and evaluated in association with information about
the alternate task performers, such as the cloud service
performers, to arrive at the price qualified sets, such as the
price qualified set 830 that has been described herein. A network
operator can then be assured of a more realistic estimation of the
"replacement" resources and can see and understand the respective
price proposals of the alternative task performer that can provide
the "replacement"resources.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows in a schematic environmental view these inputs
relating to the various operational relationships in the network,
the inputs about the alternate task performers and the outputs
generated by the method in the form of price proposals of the
alternative task performers that can provide services to the
network operator. A network 310, which can be, for example, the
network 910 described with respect to FIG. 3, includes a collection
of "hardware" elements and "software" elements such as
representatively shown visa pair of desktop computers 312 and 314
that are each embodied as a "hardware" element (i.e., the
"hardware" elements of an input device such as a keyboard and a
display terminal) and a "software" element (an operating system)
having an operational connection with the "hardware" elements. A
discovery device 320 in the form of an automatic discovery device
is operable to perform discovery of the assets of the network 310
(the control signals to control the discovery tasks and the
transmission signals to transmit the discovered information are
schematically designated via the links 322). The discovery device
320 can be controlled or operated by the network operator itself or
by a third party discovery service provider. The third party
discovery service provider may perform additional services in the
role of an assessment intermediary that provides a full service
package including a discovery deliverable and an enhanced decision
deliverable or the assessment intermediary may obtain the discovery
information from the network operator or a third party discovery
service provider and then provide an enhanced decision deliverable
to the network operator. As seen in FIG. 9, an assessment
intermediary 340 is shown for illustration purposes that provides a
full service package including a discovery deliverable and an
enhanced decision deliverable.
[0054] The discovery tasks are specifically performed to yield
identifying information about the various operational relationships
in the network 310. Information about the alternate task
performers, such as plurality of cloud service performers 350, is
gathered before, during, and/or after the discovery of the assets
of the network 310 and this vendor information is stored and
handled via an appropriate arrangement such as, for example, a
vendor list software program 352 operated by the assessment
intermediary 340. Information about the cloud service performers
350 may includes information about the input/output characteristics
of these providers and may include information concerning the price
or range of prices for performing a "standard" computing task.
[0055] Via a consolidation/evaluation program 342, which is
schematically shown as a program performed by a remote server 342,
the assessment intermediary 340 consolidates and evaluates the
identifying information about the various operational relationships
in the network 310 that has been received from the discovery device
320 and information about the cloud service performers 350 that has
been curated by the vendor list software program 352. The
consolidation/evaluation program 342 evaluates either the entirety
of the hardware, software, and usage configurations of the network
310, or evaluates selected portions of the hardware, software, and
usage configurations of the network 310, in accordance with any
suitable evaluation protocol to yield an estimate of the hardware
and software network assets that will be impacted in the event that
one or more of the cloud service performers 350 were to be chosen
to perform one or more resolution flexible tasks in lieu of the
task or tasks being performed by the network and/or the manner in
which such hardware and software network assets will be impacted.
In addition, the consolidation/evaluation program 342 evaluates
information about the cloud service performers 350 that has been
obtained from vendor list software program 352 including, for
example, information about the input/output characteristics of
these providers and information concerning the price or range of
prices for performing a "standard" computing task. In view of the
fact that a given cloud service performer may define a "standard"
computing task differently than other cloud service performers, the
consolidation/evaluation program 342 may optionally be configured
to normalize data received about these individual cloud service
performer computing task prices so that a network operator can be
presented with a clear picture for cost comparison purposes. The
evaluation protocol can be embodied in proprietary methodology
owned or controlled by the assessment intermediary 340 and can be
configured to permit interaction by a network operator. For
example, a network operator may be permitted to interact with the
evaluation protocol executed by the consolidation/evaluation
program 342 to vary the selection of the resolution flexible task
or the resolution flexible tasks to be considered.
[0056] The price qualified sets 830 are conveniently rendered in
graphical format and formatted for display on a device of the
network operator such as, for example, a laptop 360, a tablet 362,
or a mobile telephone 364. A network operator can then be assured
of a more realistic estimation of the "replacement" resources and
can see and understand the respective price proposals of the
alternative task performer that can provide the "replacement"
resources
[0057] Reference has been had herein to FIG. 7 for a description of
how a network can be defined via its nodes and links. The method of
the present invention makes use of discovery information that has
been obtained concerning the assets of a network and, more
particularly, discovery information concerning the hardware,
software, and usage configurations of the network. Solely for the
purpose of illustrating one approach for discovering the hardware,
software, and usage configurations of the network, reference is now
had to a description in U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,751 to Kelley et al of
a proposed approach for monitoring several links between a pair of
switches in a network. The switches can be regarded as "nodes"
within the network that are "linked" to one another via the
links.
[0058] U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,751 to Kelley et al discloses a method
of collecting, recording, and normalizing network performance
information and describes a monitoring approach via the use of
probes. To assist in gaming an understanding this monitoring
approach, the present application includes FIG. 10, which is a
schematic view of a plurality of physical links that are
established between the two switches in a computer network and
which are schematically illustrated in FIG. 4B of U.S. Pat. No.
7,711,751 to Kelley et al. According to U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,751 to
Kelley et al, in connection with its disclosed method of
collecting, recording, and normalizing network performance, a
monitoring of the links between the two switches in the computer
network can be performed for the purpose of increasing the overall
bandwidth available between the two switches. In analogous manner,
such a monitoring approach can be undertaken in connection with the
method of the present invention to obtain or discover information
about the hardware, software, and usage configurations, or to
obtain or discover information about other operational
relationships such as dependencies, relating to these two switches
and the links between them. It can be understood that information
about the hardware, software, and usage configurations, and other
operational relationships such as dependencies, of the nodes and
links of the remainder of the network can be obtained or discovered
in analogous manner. Additionally, it can be understood that other
discovery approaches are also suitable for use in executing the
method of the present invention including discovery approaches that
do not make use of agents or probes.
[0059] According to U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,751 to Kelley et al, the
two switches are linked by a total of eight physical links and
these eight distinct physical links may be used as one logical
link, with data from any particular application or source being
sent across different physical links at any given time. Generally,
the eight physical links are used to effectively increase the
bandwidth between the two switches. According to U.S. Pat. No.
7,711,751 to Kelley et al notes that an individual probe can
monitor and report in the performance of one physical link,
although in many cases it may be advantageous to monitor and report
on the network performance al the logical link level--that is,
across all eight of the physical links. As seen in FIG. 10, the two
switches, designated as the switch A, 414, and switch B, 416, are
linked by eight separate gigabit Ethernet links, thereby
establishing one logical link 415, between the two switches 414 and
416. Physical link 1, 420, and physical link 2, 425 are connected
to a first source probe, 460 through its interfaces. Through these
interfaces, the first source probe 460 monitors the performance of
links 1 and 2, 420 and 425 respectively. Physical link 3, 430, and
physical link 4, 435 are connected to a second source probe 465
through its interfaces. Through these interfaces, the second source
probe, 465, monitors the performance of links 3 and 4, 430 and 435
respectively. Physical link 5, 440, and physical link 6, 445 are
connected to a third source probe 470. The third source probe 470
monitors the performance of links 5 and 6, 440 and 445
respectively. Physical link 7, 450, and physical link 8, 455 are
connected to a fourth source probe 475. The fourth source probe 475
monitors the performance of links 7 and 7, 450 and 455
respectively.
[0060] According to U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,751 to Kelley et al, each
source probe collects data on the links to which it is connected,
and relays the information via a network 480 to a destination probe
485. In some instances, the information may be relayed using
alternative technologies such as wireless data transfer, optical
data transfer, as well as others.
[0061] An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a
self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The
steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical
quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take
the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,
transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated by a
computer system. It will be convenient at times, principally for
reasons of common usage, to refer to the above-referenced signals
as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers or
the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these
and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate
physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to
these quantities.
[0062] Unless specifically stated otherwise, it will be appreciated
that throughout the description of the present invention, use of
terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating",
"determining", "displaying" or the like, refer to the action and
processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing
device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as
physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's
registers and memories into other data similarly represented as
physical quantities within the computer system memories or
registers or other such information storage, transmission or
display devices. Further, various embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented with the aid of computer-implemented
processes or methods (a.k.a. programs or routines) that may be
rendered in any computer language including, without limitation,
C#, C/C++, Fortran, COBOL, PASCAL, assembly language, markup
languages (e.g., HTML, SGML, XML, VoXML), and the like, as well as
object-oriented environments such as the Java object-oriented
environment and the like. In general, however, all of the
aforementioned terms as used herein are meant to encompass any
sense of logical steps performed in a sequence to accomplish a
given purpose.
[0063] The present invention can be implemented with an apparatus
to perform the operations described herein. This apparatus may be
specially constructed for the required purposes, of it may comprise
a general-purpose computer, selectively activated or reconfigured
by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer
program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium such
as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks,
optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only
memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs). EPROMs, EEPROMs,
magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for
storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer
system bus.
[0064] The algorithms and processes presented herein are not
inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus.
Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in
accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to
construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required
method. For example, any of the methods according to the present
invention can be implemented in hard-wired circuitry, by
programming a general-purpose processor or by any combination of
hardware and software.
[0065] One of ordinary skill in the art will immediately appreciate
that the invention can be practiced with computer system
configurations of any type, including hand-held devices,
multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable
consumer electronics, DSP devices, network PCs minicomputers,
mainframe computers, personal computers, and the like. The
invention can also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network.
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