# US 2013/0151697 A1 · Tracking objects within dynamic environments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0151697 A1 - Document ID: US20130151697A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/693,165 - Filed: 2012-12-04 - Published: 2013-06-13 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-09 - Assignees: OPNET Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: John DELIO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130151697A1 ## CPC - H04L 43/00: Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks - H04L 41/0233: Object-oriented techniques, for representation of network management data, e.g. common object request broker architecture [CORBA] - H04L 41/024: {using relational databases for representation of network management data, e.g. managing via structured query language [SQL]} - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products for tracking objects within a domain and their possible changes and genealogy over time. An object identifier and an interval identifier are associated with an object that enters the domain with an unknown set of attributes and genealogy. The object identifier is analyzed to determine whether it is a pre-existing object identifier. A comparison of the interval identifier is performed to determine whether the object is a copy of a prior object. The object identifier is replaced with a new object identifier and the interval identifier reset when the object is new or a copy. Based on the object identifier and the interval identifier, which represents the possibility of change during each interval, information about the tracked object may be derived and analyzed to enhance performance. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for tracking an object in a domain using a tracking server, comprising: receiving an object identifier and an interval identifier of the object from storage; determining whether the object identifier has been previously stored in a database when the object identifier does not equal zero; identifying the object as a copy when the object identifier has been previously stored in the database and the interval identifier is less than a previously stored interval identifier associated with the previously stored object identifier; replacing the object identifier with a newly generated object identifier and setting the interval identifier equal to zero, when either the object identifier equals zero or the object has been identified as a copy; and incrementing the interval identifier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the object identifier and the incremented interval identifier to the object. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising: writing the object identifier and the interval identifier to the storage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising: issuing a commit token to the object along with the transmitted object identifier and the incremented interval identifier; receiving the commit token from the object to confirm the incremented interval identifier; and writing the incremented interval identifier to the database upon receipt of the confirmed commit token. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the object identifier and the interval identifier are read from an instance identity file by an identity agent upon entrance of the object in the domain. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving current system configuration of the object upon startup of the object in the domain, wherein the object comprises a server instance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the interval identifier is configured to identify a possibility of change of the object during an interval represented by the interval identifier. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the object identifier comprises a Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) that uniquely identifies the object across multiple domains. ### Claim 9 A system for tracking an object within a domain, comprising: a database configured to store object identifiers and associated interval identifiers; an identification module configured to: receive an object identifier and an interval identifier of the object from storage; determine whether the object identifier has been previously stored in the database when the object identifier does not equal zero; identify the object as a copy when the object identifier has been previously stored in the database and the interval identifier is less than a previously stored interval identifier associated with the object identifier previously stored; replace the object identifier with a newly generated object identifier and set the interval identifier equal to zero, when either the object identifier equals zero or the object has been identified as a copy; and increment the interval identifier. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the identification module is further configured to transmit the object identifier and the incremented interval identifier to a processor associated with the object in the domain. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein: the identification module is further configured to: transmit a commit token to the processor associated with the object, and receive the commit token from the object to confirm the incremented interval identifier; and write the incremented interval identifier to the database upon receipt of the confirmed commit token. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the object identifier and the interval identifier are read from an instance identity file by an identity agent upon entrance of the object in the domain. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the identification module is further configured to receive current system configuration information of the object upon startup of the object in the domain, wherein the object comprises a server instance. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising: a service location broker configured to maintain a catalog of available services to the server instance for locating and monitoring the available services. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the identification module is configured to utilize the interval identifier to identify a possibility of change during an interval represented by the interval identifier. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the object identifier comprises a Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) that uniquely identifies the object across multiple domains. ### Claim 17 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having control logic recorded thereon that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for tracking an object in a domain, the method comprising: receiving an object identifier and an interval identifier of the object from storage; determining whether the object identifier has been previously stored in a database when the object identifier does not equal zero; identifying the object as a copy when the object identifier has been previously stored in the database and the interval identifier is less than a previously stored interval identifier associated with the previously stored object identifier; replacing the object identifier with a newly generated object identifier and setting the interval identifier equal to zero, when either the object identifier equals zero or the object has been identified as a copy; and incrementing the interval identifier. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising: transmitting the object identifier and the incremented interval identifier to the object; issuing a commit token to the object along with the transmitted object identifier and the incremented interval identifier; receiving the commit token from the object to confirm the incremented interval identifier; and writing the incremented interval identifier to the database upon receipt of the confirmed commit token. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising: receiving current system configuration of the object upon startup of the object in the domain, wherein the object comprises a server instance. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the interval identifier is configured to identify a possibility of change of the object during an interval represented by the interval identifier.