Network object frameworks

Abstract

A computer network is disclosed as including at least one network client memory, a network operating system executing in the network client memory for operating the computer network and for providing access to network services, and a network application executing in the network client memory for performing an application function. The computer network also has a plurality of network devices interfaced to the network operating system and available to the network application and the network operating system for performing the network services. Each network device provides at least one specific network service and has an object component in the network client memory representative of the network device. Each object component includes an interface such that the network application is in direct communication with the interface of each object component. Accordingly, the network application communicates directly with each of the object components. The network application need only communicate with a respective object component to request a respective network service, and the respective object component carries out all further communications necessary to have the requested network service performed.