US 8,301,737 B2 · Architecture and protocol for extensible and scalable communication

Abstract

A system performs information technology (IT) tasks using a computer. Examples of IT tasks include installing or configuring software, displaying alerts, executing programs or scripts on the endpoint, or logging activities. In an embodiment of the system, a connection initialization module receives a request for a persistent connection over a network from a managed endpoint. The request is accepted and a persistent connection is opened with the managed endpoint. A tier-1 module then receives configuration information from the managed endpoint over the persistent connection. The configuration information includes a list of functional plugins on the managed endpoint, where a functional plugin comprises a software module for performing an IT task. The tier-1 module stores this configuration information along with information describing the persistent connection and maintains the persistent connection in an open state.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method for performing information technology (IT) tasks using a computer, the method comprising:

receiving a request for a first interval-based connection over a network from a managed endpoint;
opening the first interval-based connection with the managed endpoint based at least on the request;
receiving configuration information from the managed endpoint including a list of at least one functional plugin on the managed endpoint, the at least one functional plugin including a software module for performing an IT task;
storing information describing the first interval-based connection and the configuration information;
and
opening a second interval-based connection following a predetermined interval.

3 more elements

A computer system for performing information technology (IT) tasks the computer system comprising:

a processor;
and
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the processor, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer program modules comprising:
a connection initialization module operable to:
receive a request for a first interval-based connection over a network from a managed endpoint;
and
open the first interval-based connection with the managed endpoint based at least on the request;
and
a tier-1 module operable to:
receive configuration information from the managed endpoint including a list of at least one functional plugin on the managed endpoint, the at least one functional plugin comprising a software module for performing an IT task;
store information describing the first interval-based connection and the configuration information;
close the first interval-based connection;
and
open a second interval-based connection following a defined interval.

11 more elements

A computer system for performing information technology (IT) tasks the computer system comprising:

a processor;
and
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the processor, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer program modules comprising:
a connection initialization module operable to:
receive a request for a persistent connection over a network from an appliance;
and
open the persistent connection with a managed endpoint based at least on the request;
and
a tier-1 module operable to:
receive configuration information from the managed endpoint including a list of at least one functional plugin on the managed endpoint, the at least one functional plugin including a software module for performing an IT task;
store information describing the persistent connection and the configuration information;
and
maintain the persistent connection in an open state.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Architecture and protocol for extensible and scalable communication

Life of this patent

Architecture and protocol for extensible and scalable communication

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20