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`PATENT
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` lU /06» 0/5
`
`. orne Docket No.: HP10008102-1
`
`'al No. 09/703,942
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant:
`
`Pulsipher, et al.
`
`Examiner:
`
`Schultz, William C.
`
`Serial No.:
`
`09/703,942
`
`Art Unit:
`
`2664
`
`Filed:
`
`10/31/2000
`
`For:
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING AND PROCESSING
`CHANGES TO A NETWORK TOPOLOGY
`
`Box Non-Fee Amendment
`Commissioner of Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`V
`
`RECEIVED
`OCT 1 3 2004
`echnology Center 2600
`
`AMENDMENT AND REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
`
`Sir:
`
`In response to the July 6, 2004; Office Action, Applicant hereby submits the
`
`following Amendment and Request for Reconsideration. Please amend the above-identified
`
`application as follows:
`
`Amendments to the Claims are reflected in the listing of claims which begins on
`
`page 2 of this paper.
`
`Remarks/Arguments begin on page 5 of this paper.
`
`I hereby certify that the document is being deposited with the United States Postal
`Service as express mail post office to addressee in an envelope addressed to: Mail
`Stop Non-Fee Amendment, Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria,
`VA 22313-1450 on:
`£2 2 4?; H465‘ as
`we-.!r~a:v?
`(Date of Deposit and Express Mail No.)
`540»: E Cu /I'M‘-7
`?
`§:ame)
`
`Signature
`
`1
`
`HP 2001
`
`SerViceNow V. HP
`
`IPR2015—007 17
`
`

`
`Serial No. 09/703,942
`
`This listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the application:
`
`LISTING OF CLAIMS
`
`I. (currently amended)
`
`In a network having interconnected nodes with data
`
`tuples that represent nodal connections, a method for mapping a network topology by
`
`identifying changes between an existing topology and a new topology, the method
`
`comprising:
`
`creating a pluralig of tuples for a topology of a network, wherein the tuples represent
`
`nodal connections of the network and wherein each of the tuples comprises a host identifier,
`
`interface information, and a port spiecification;
`
`
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`receiving new tuples that represent new nodal connections; and
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`comparing the list of existing tuples with the new tuples to identify changes to the
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`topology.
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`2. (original) The method of claim 1, further comprising updating a topology
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`database with a new topology.
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`3. (original) The method of claim 1, further comprising taking action on the
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`changes to the topology.
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`4. (canceled)
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`5. (original) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing comprises
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`identifying duplicate tuples that appear both in the list of existing tuples and in the new
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`tuples, and maintaining a current status of the topology for these tuples.
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`6. (original) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing comprises
`
`identifying a swapped port condition on a connector.
`
`7. (original) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing comprises
`searching for a host of a new singly-heard host link tuple or a new multi-heard host link tuple
`
`in the list of existing tuples.
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`

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`Serial No. 09/703,942
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`8. (currently amended)
`
`A system for mapping a network topology by
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`identifying changes between an existing topology and a new topology, based on changes to
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`data tuples that represent nodal connections comprising:
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`a topology database that stores an existing topology of a network using tuples,
`
`wherein each tuple includes a host identifier, interface information, and a port specification
`
`for a node in the network; and
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`a topology converter connected to the topology database that receives new tuples that
`
`represent new nodal connections; and compares the new tuples with the existing topology to
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`identify changes in the network by comparing the host identifiers, the interface information,
`
`and the port specifications.
`
`9. (currently amended)
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`The system of claim 8, wherein the topology converter
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`creates the tuples for the topology of the network.
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`.
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`.
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`I
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`I
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`I
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`I
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`'
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`10. (original) The system of claim 8, wherein the topology converter updates the
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`topology database with a new topology based on the new tuples.
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`11. (original) The system of claim 8, wherein the topology converter attempts to
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`identify swapped ports on connectors.
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`12. (original) The system of claim 8, wherein the topology converter identifies
`
`duplicate tuples that appear both in the list of existing tuples and in the new tuples, and
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`maintains a current status of the topology for these tuples.
`
`13. (original) The system of claim 8, wherein the topology converter searches for a
`
`host of a new singly-heard host link tuple or a new multi-heard host link tuple in the list of
`
`existing tuples.
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`14. (original) The system of claim 8, wherein the topology converter searches for a
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`connector of a new conflict links tuple in the list of existing tuples.
`
`15. (currently amended)
`
`A computer-readable medium having computer-
`
`executable instructions for perfonning a method for mapping a network topology by
`
`

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`Serial No. 09/703,942
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`identifying changes between an existing topology and a new topology in a network having a
`
`interconnected nodes, the method comprising:
`
`creating a pluralig of tuples for a topology of a network, wherein the tuples represent
`
`nodal connections of the network and wherein each of the tuples comprises a host identifier,
`
`interface information, and a port specification;
`
`
`
`receiving new tuples that represent new nodal connections;
`
`comparing the list of existing tuples with the new tuples to identify changes to the
`
`topology; and
`
`updating a topology database with a new topology based on the comparing.
`
`16. (currently amended)
`
`The medium method of claim 15, wherein a topology
`
`converter receives the new tuples from a connection calculator that calculates connections
`
`between nodes.
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`17. (currently amended)
`
`The medium method of claim 15, wherein the step of
`
`comparing comprises identifying duplicate tuples that appear both in the list of existing tuples
`
`and in the new tuples, and maintaining a current status of the topology for these tuples.
`
`18. (currently amended)
`
`The medium method of claim 15, wherein the step of
`
`comparing comprises identifying a swapped port condition on a connector.
`
`19. (currently amended)
`
`The medium method of claim 15, wherein the step of
`
`comparing comprises searching for a host of a new singly-heard host link tuple or a new
`
`multi-heard host link tuple in the list of existing tuples.
`
`20. (currently amended)
`
`The medium method of claim 15, wherein the step of
`
`comparing comprises searching for a connector of a new conflict links tuple in the list of
`
`existing tuples.
`
`

`
`Serial No. 09/703,942
`
`REMARKS
`
`Claims 1-3 and 5-20 are pending. Claims 1-20 are rejected. Claims 1-7, 9, and 15-20
`
`are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, 1] 1 as lacking enablement. Claims 8, 10, and 12-14 are
`
`rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 4,644,532 to
`
`George, et al. (hereinafier “George”). Claim 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § l03(a) as being
`
`unpatentable over George in view of U.S. Patent No. 5,023,873 to Stevenson, et al.
`
`(hereinafter “Stevenson”). By this amendment, claims 1, 8, 9, and 15-20 are amended.
`
`Claim 4 is canceled. No new claims are added. No new matter is added. Reconsideration
`
`and allowance is requested.
`
`Claim 1 is amended to recite the step of “creating a plurality of tuples for a topology
`
`of a network” in place of the current step of “converting.. ..” Claim 1 is rejected under
`
`section 112 for lacking enablement for the term “converting.” Applicant respectively
`
`disagrees with the examiner’s assertion that the term “converting” lacks enablement. The
`
`converting process is described with respect to Figures 18a-b, also referred to as the “morph
`
`topo” phase of the process. However, the above amendments replace the term “converting”
`
`in favor of the step of “creating” to more particularly claim the invention. Support for this
`
`amendment is found, for example, on pages 16-17 of the specification and in Figures 17 and
`
`18a-b. As amended, claim 1 overcomes the section 112 rejection. Reconsideration is
`
`requested.
`
`Claim 1 is further amended to define the tuples as comprising “a host identifier,
`
`interface information, and a port specification.” As amended, claim 1 overcomes the cited
`
`references. The cited references do not teach or suggest a tuple containing these items. As
`
`amended, claim 1 is allowable. Claims 2-3, and 5-7 depend from claim 1 and for this reason
`
`and the other limitations they recite, are also allowable.
`
`Claim 4 is hereby canceled without prejudice or disclaimer.
`
`Claim 8 has been amended to recite that the tuples comprise “a host identifier,
`
`interface information, and a port specification” and that the system compares new tuples with
`
`the existing topology by “comparing the host identifiers, the interface information, and the
`
`port specifications.” The cited references do not teach or suggest these particular elements of
`
`the tuple. Nor do the cited references teach or suggest comparing these elements to identify
`
`changes to the network topology. In contrast, George monitors data in the topology database
`
`

`
`Serial No. 09/703,942
`
`by monitoring the weights of the data and by comparing time references for the data. As
`
`amended, claim 8 is allowable. Claims 9-14 depend from claim 8 and for this reasons and the
`
`other limitations they recite are also allowable. Reconsideration is requested.
`
`Claim 15 is amended to recite that the method performs the step of “creating a
`
`plurality of tuples for a topology of a networ ” in place of the current step of “converting. . ..”
`
`Claim 15 is rejected under section 112 for lacking enablement for the term “converting.”
`
`Applicant respectively disagrees with the examiner’s assertion that the term “converting”
`
`lacks enablement. The converting process is described with respect to Figures 18a—b, also
`
`referred to as the “morph topo” phase of the process. However, the above amendments
`
`replace the term “converting” in favor of the step of “creating” to more particularly claim the
`
`invention. Support for this amendment is found, for example, on pages 16-17 of the
`
`specification and in Figures 17 and 18a-b. As amended, claim 15 overcomes the section 1 12
`
`rejection. Reconsideration is requested.
`
`Claim 15 is further amended to define the tuples as comprising “a host identifier,
`
`interface information, and a port specification.” As amended, claim 15 overcomes the cited
`
`references. The cited references do not teach or suggest a tuple containing these items.
`Claim 15 is further amended to clarify that the “updating” step is based on the “comparing”
`
`step. As amended, claim 15 is allowable. Claims 16-20 depend from claim 15 and for this
`
`reason and the other limitations they recite, are also allowable.
`
`Claims 16-20 are also amended for reasons unrelated to patentability to make clear
`
`that claims 16-20 are dependent claims to a medium rather than a method. As amended,
`
`claims 16-20 are allowable.
`
`In view of the above amendments and remarks, Applicant respectfully asserts that the
`
`application is in condition for allowance. The above amendments should generate no
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`additional fees. However, if any such fees are necessary, the Office is hereby authorized to
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`charge any fee deficiency associated with this communication to Deposit Account 04-1420.
`
`Prompt reexamination and allowance of claims 1-3, and 5-20 is respectfully requested.
`
`

`
`Serial No. 09/703,942
`
`Date: October 4, 2004
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`% [
`
`*
`
`:
`
`Shane P. Coleman, Reg. No. 44,623
`DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
`
`125 Bank Street, Suite 600
`Missoula, MT 59802-4407
`
`Tel. (406) 721-6025
`Fax (406) 543-0863
`
`4832-8856-9600\l 9/14/2004 3:00 PM
`
`7
`
`

`
`
`
`Express Mail Label No.: # ER 264911265 US
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Examiner:
`
`Schultz, William C.
`
`Art Unit:
`
`2664
`
`RECEIVED
`
`OCT 1 3 2004
`
`
`
`In re Patent Application of:
`Pulsipher, et al.
`
`Application No.: 09/703,942
`
`Filed:
`
`F ,
`
`or.
`
`
`
`October 31, 2000
`
`I
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`IDENTIFYING AND PROCESSING
`CHANGES TOA NETWORK TOPOLOGY
`
`Technology Center 2600
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY EXPRESS MXIL
`
`
`
`Box Non-Fee Amendment
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Sir:
`
`The undersigned hereby certifies that the following documents:
`
`1.
`.
`3.
`
`Amendment and Request for Reconsideration (7 pages);
`Certification of Mailing by Express Mail (1 page); and
`Return Card.
`
`relating to the above application, were deposited as “Express Mail,” Mailing Label No. ER
`264911265 US with the United States Postal Service, addressed to Box Non-Fee
`Amendment, Commissioner of Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450, on this
`4”‘ day of October, ‘2004.
`
`Date: October 4, 2004
`
`;/arr C. /Mr-av
`Mailer
`
`Dorsey & Whitney LLP
`
`%«/-ck
`
`Signature of Mailer
`
`8