Method and system for remotely monitoring device status and internet connectivity on a computer network

摘要

A method and system are disclosed for remotely monitoring devices and Internet connectivity on a computer network. The method uses and the system includes at least two units, i.e., a monitoring station, which is a client device local to the network being monitored, and a centralized server which receives status updates and configuration requests from the monitoring station.

主权项

1. A method of monitoring a local computer network's Internet connectivity and status of at least one network device connected to the local computer network, the method comprising:
providing a monitoring unit connected to the local computer network for monitoring the local computer network's Internet connectivity and the status of the at least one network device connected to the local computer network, providing a remote server not connected to the local computer network, the monitoring unit being capable of reporting information to and requesting information from the remote server over the Internet, the remote server being only capable of responding to requests from the monitoring unit over the Internet, providing at least one power distribution unit to the at least one network device connected to the local computer network that can be detected and power-cycled off and then on by the monitoring unit, having the monitoring unit query the at least one local network device using a network protocol compatible with the local computer network to determine the status of the at least one network device, where the monitoring unit determines that the at least one network device is no longer detectable on the local network, having the monitoring unit power-cycle the at least one network device to attempt to bring the at least one network device back on-line on the local computer network, having the monitoring unit report the at least one network device's status to the remote server over the Internet, having the monitoring unit query a predetermined number of Internet sites to determine Internet connectivity, where the monitoring unit determines that Internet connectivity has been lost due to not being able to connect a predetermined number of times to the predetermined number of Internet sites, having the monitoring unit power-cycle at least one power distribution unit of Internet connection equipment that connect the local computer network, and thereby the at least one network device to the Internet,
having the monitoring unit, where the monitoring unit determines that Internet connectivity has been regained after being lost, report the Internet connectivity loss to the remote server, where the remote server receives a status trouble report from the monitoring unit, having the remote server generate and send an alert to an operator of the remote server regarding Internet connection status.