Systems and methods for improved multisite management and reporting of converged communication systems and computer systems

摘要

The present invention discloses improved systems and methods for multisite management of computer server systems and in particular converged communication systems based on a decentralized architecture. Certain and various aspects relating to atomic error handling, transaction-based authentication/security, intelligent bandwidth management, decoupled data/configuration messaging, improved scalability, auto-detection functions, business metrics, etc., also are disclosed. A console is disclosed that communicates with each of a plurality of converged communications systems, e.g., preferably through the use of sockets. The actual traffic load is decentralized among the computer server systems, as each one uses direct connections (e.g., via an enhanced file transfer protocol) to access update/configuration data as needed. In addition, an improved communication protocol is disclosed that is optimized for the multisite management architecture of the present invention. An improved set of graphical user interface (GUI) features are described that improve the efficiency of the management of multiple systems.

主权项

1. A method for providing a report database comprising reporting information gathered from a plurality of localized devices comprising the steps of:
providing a server system to coordinate management activities for the plurality of localized devices; providing an abstraction layer that references the plurality of localized devices as “locations” rather than physical equipment, wherein the “locations” are defined by location identification information distinct from an IP address; wherein the server system communicates with an individual device of the plurality of localized devices via the abstraction layer to request software distribution information without requiring user initiation at the individual device; wherein the software distribution information provides the server system with information sufficient to generate reporting information comprised of “locations”; wherein the reporting information is gathered from two or more localized devices and imported into the report database, wherein the reporting information comprises geographic advertisement response information, wherein communications between the server system and the individual device are performed using a protectable communications protocol that includes an atomic error handling capability to enable one or more transaction instructions to be reversed upon an error in one of the plurality of transaction instructions.