초록 ▼

Method and apparatus for efficiently scheduling tasks on a network. A user may schedule node-specific tasks across the network without specifying particular times for each node. One application of the present invention is scheduling of survey tasks across the network. A user may select times at whic

Method and apparatus for efficiently scheduling tasks on a network. A user may schedule node-specific tasks across the network without specifying particular times for each node. One application of the present invention is scheduling of survey tasks across the network. A user may select times at which a task is to be performed or exclusion times when a task is not to be performed at the node level, subnet level, or level of the whole network.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A computer-implemented method for performing a node-specific task in a hierarchical computer network including a plurality of subnets, each of said subnets including a plurality of network nodes, said method comprising:for a particular network node, identifying a particul

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A computer-implemented method for performing a node-specific task in a hierarchical computer network including a plurality of subnets, each of said subnets including a plurality of network nodes, said method comprising:for a particular network node, identifying a particular subnet associated with said network node;providing a data structure to maintain scheduling information for said hierarchical computer network, wherein a root scheduling parameter is associated with said hierarchical computer network, wherein said plurality of subnets have associated subnet scheduling parameters, and wherein said plurality of network nodes have associated node scheduling parameters;accepting input specifying values for zero or more of said scheduling parameters;if a subnet scheduling parameter for said particular subnet is left unspecified, assigning an inherited value of said root scheduling parameter to said unspecified subnet scheduling parameter;if a node scheduling parameter for said particular network node is left unspecified, assigning an inherited value of said subnet scheduling parameter for said particular subnet to said unspecified node scheduling parameter;performing said node-specific task for said particular network node in accordance with said node scheduling parameter of said particular network node only if a relevant input parameter is positive for all higher levels in the hierarchy of said hierarchical computer network, such that a negative value for task type input parameters is inherited;wherein said accepting further comprises accepting input specifying exclusion time periods when said node-specific task should not occur; andwherein said performing farther comprises inhibiting performance of said node-specific task during said exclusion time periods, and overriding inherited positive scheduling information.