Method and apparatus to facilitate fast network management protocol replies in large tables

A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method to facilitate fast network management protocol replies in large tables, the method comprising:

• receiving a request for a next row in a network management protocol table;
• comparing an object identifier associated with the network management protocol table in the request with a pre-calculated object identifier;
• and
• if the object identifier matches the pre-calculated object identifier,
• responding to the request with a pre-calculated response, otherwise
• searching a management information base for the next row in the network management protocol table,
• calculating a response, wherein the response includes data from requested columns of the next row, and
• responding to the request with the response;
• wherein, before responding to the request with the pre-calculated response or responding to the request with the response,
• selecting a candidate next row in the network management protocol table,
• creating the pre-calculated object identifier for the candidate next row,
• saving the pre-calculated object identifier,
• creating the pre-calculated response for the candidate next row, wherein the pre-calculated response includes data from requested columns of the candidate next row, and
• saving the pre-calculated response;
• wherein receiving the request for the next row from the network management protocol table includes:
• locating a protocol data unit in the request;
• and
• determining the object identifier within the protocol data unit;
• wherein determining the next row in the network management protocol table includes:
• decoding the object identifier in the protocol data unit;
• and
• searching for an object related to the object identifier in the management information base.

An apparatus that facilitates fast network management protocol replies in large tables, comprising:

• a receiving mechanism tat is configured to receive a request for a next row in a network management protocol table;
• a comparing mechanism that is configured to compare an object identifier associated with the network management protocol table in the request with a pre-calculated object identifier;
• a responding mechanism that is configured to respond to the request with a pre-calculated response;
• a searching mechanism that is configured to search a management information base for the next row in the network management protocol table;
• a calculating mechanism that is configured to calculate a response, wherein the response includes data from requested columns of the next row;
• wherein the responding mechanism is farther configured to respond to the request with the response;
• wherein, before responding to the request with the pre-calculated response or responding to the request with the response, the following operations are carried out:
• selecting a candidate next row in the network management protocol table,
• creating the pre-calculated object identifier for the candidate next row,
• saving the pre-calculated object identifier,
• creating the pre-calculated response for the candidate next row, wherein the pre-calculated response includes data from requested columns of the candidate next row, and
• saving the pre-calculated response;
• a locating mechanism that is configured to locate a protocol data unit in the request;
• a determining mechanism that is configured to determine the object identifier within the protocol data unit;
• and
• a decoding mechanism that is configured to decode the object identifier in the protocol data unit;
• wherein the searching mechanism is further configured to search for an object related to the object identifier in the management information base.