Method and apparatus for resolving network users to network computers

摘要

A naming service manager (46) is provided for resolving mapping information regarding a plurality of computers connected to a local area network (LAN 24) and their users. The naming service manager 46 collects mapping information, i.e., user login names, domain names, computer names and IP addresses, from a plurality of naming service agents 50 located on the LAN (24) and correlates the mapping information into a current computer-to-user assignment or "mapping" for each user of the LAN 24 and/or a current IP address-to-computer assignment or "mapping" for each computer connected to the LAN 24. The naming service manager (46) serves the correlated mapping information to a plurality of naming service applications (48) which process the correlated mapping information in accordance with their own needs and requirements.