Christopher Michael Fitzgerald

US Patent:

7058711, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/117509

Inventors:

Christopher A. Fitzgerald - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Avaya Technology Corp. - Basking Ridge NJ

International Classification:

G06F 15/173
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709224, 709219, 709227

Abstract:

A system providing for virtual network management is disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention allows a service provider to remotely manage one or more client network management systems. The security of the client network management systems is advanced by only allowing communications between a client network management system and the service provider that have been initiated by the client network management system. A mirror image of a client network management system is maintained by the service provider as a virtual network management system. Data included in the virtual network management system is periodically updated with data received from the client network management system. Instructions or data may be passed from the service provider to the client network management system in reply to communications initiated by the client network management system. The present invention is particularly useful in connection with the remote management of client networks with respect to which security is a concern.

US Patent:

6564056, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Aug 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/368099

Inventors:

Christopher A. Fitzgerald - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Avaya Technology Corp. - Basking Ridge NJ

International Classification:

H04Q 720

US Classification:

455435, 455420, 455558, 345 51, 345 523, 345 565, 345 58

Abstract:

An intelligent device controller (hub ) for communications-enabled (âintelligentâ) devices ( ) implements a private network ( ) of the devices, facilitating communications to and from only those devices that have been registered with the controller. Each device comes with a memory card ( ) that stores interface programs for and information-including a unique device ID-about the device. A card reader ( ) of the controller reads the memory card to register the device. Communications between the controller and the device are encrypted using the device ID as the encryption key. The private network is either based on standard building wiring or preferably is wireless to enable deployment and relocation of devices easily and,without need for a special infrastructure. The controller has at least one network port ( ) to connect to an external network ( ), thereby enabling a user on the external network to communicate with the controller and with the devices as well as enabling the devices to communicate with external service providers.