System and method for providing intelligence to network devices

摘要

A system and method are disclosed which enable devices communicatively coupled to a communication network to each have a relational context that specifies how such device relates to other devices within the communication network. For example, a device may include a relational context that specifies how its operational capabilities measure up to the operational capabilities of other devices within the communication network. In one embodiment, a server is communicatively coupled to a communication network, and aggregate context information specifying operational parameters available via the communication network is communicatively accessible by the server. A network device is communicatively coupled to the communication network and includes operational specification information specifying individual operational parameters thereof stored locally thereto. The device further includes relational context information stored locally thereto, which specifies the relation of its individual operational parameters to the aggregate of operational parameters available via the communication network.