Network Configuration Management System

A method for transmission of discovery probe data to a server device, the method comprising:

• invoking a discovery probe against a device to obtain probe data, wherein the device is a member of a managed network of devices;
• determining a hash value based at least in part on the probe data;
• comparing the hash value to a stored hash value, wherein the stored hash value was generated from a previous response to the discovery probe against the device;
• based upon the comparison:
• determining that a match has occurred, where the hash value matches the stored hash value;
• and
• responsive to the match, transmitting an indication of no change to the server device.

A system for transmission of discovery probe data to a server device, the system comprising:

• a memory, a processor, and a network interface, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:
• invoke a first discovery probe against a first device at a first time to obtain first probe data;
• determine a first hash value based at least in part on the first probe data;
• and
• store the first hash value for later comparison to a hash value for a future probe data, the stored first hash value associated with the first discovery probe and the first device.

A system for reception of discovery probe data from an agent device, the system comprising:

• a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:
• transmit, to the agent device a command to initiate a discovery probe, wherein the command causes the agent device to:
• invoke a discovery probe against a device to obtain probe data, wherein the device is a member of a network managed by the system;
• determine and store a hash value based at least in part on the probe data so as to generate a stored hash value;
• and
• transmit the probe data;
• receive the probe data from the agent device;
• at one or more subsequent times, transmit to the agent device a command to initiate the discovery probe, wherein the command issued at a subsequent time causes the agent device to:
• invoke the discovery probe against the device at a subsequent time to obtain probe data at the subsequent time;
• determine a current hash value based at least in part on the probe data at the subsequent time;
• determine if a match has occurred between the stored hash value and the current hash value;
• and
• based upon the determination transmitting either an indication of no change or the probe data acquired at the subsequent time;
• and
• receive the indication of no change or the probe data acquired at the subsequent time from the agent device.