Importance

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Abstract

A new system and method allow a Manager in a network to control, monitor and receive accounting from its Agents. The system and method comprise the unique provision and use of an accounting file which is used by each Agent for maintaining the accounting information database for the Manager. The agent collects the accounting data specified by the Manager and stores it in the accounting data file. The Agent further maintains a status record based upon the status of the accounting data collection activity. If the Agent has completed collecting the accounting data as specified by the Manager, the status record indicates that the file is in a full state, or COMPLETE. Alternatively, if the Agent is still in the process of collecting and storing the accounting data, the status record will indicate that the accounting file is in an active state, or ACTIVE. In operation, the Manager first issues a command to each of its Agents to begin collecting and storing a particular type and amount of accounting data. Periodically, the Manager polls its Agents to determine which of them has completed the collecting and storing of the accounting data as indicated by a COMPLETE status record. The Manager then issues a request for receiving the accounting data file, using a file transfer protocol (FTP), from those Agents which have complete accounting files.

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First Claim