METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND MANIPULATING THE FLOW OF PRIVATE INFORMATION ON PUBLIC NETWORKS

A Mid-Level Manager (MLM) network information management system monitors and manipulates the flow of private information on public networks. The MLM system begins by retrieving and storing information about subscribers to the public networks. The MLM also queries the computers of the public networks to obtain information about network configuration and status. Upon receiving network information, the MLM system uses the stored subscriber information to analyze the network information and to determine the subscribers to which the network information pertains. If network information pertains to a subscriber and the subscriber is authorized to receive that information, the MLM systems adds that network information to a subscriber-specific data storage location. In addition, network status information of interest to administrators of the public network is stored in a separate data storage location. The MLM system supplies the subscriber-specific network information to subscribers to allow them to monitor their networks in a real-time manner, ensuring that a subscriber receives only that information for which they are authorized and that only authorized parties will receive a subscriber's private data. The MLM system also provides the current network status information to public network administrators. Subscribers are also allowed to manipulate their flow of information, such as by changing the bandwidth on a PVC, in a real-time manner. The MLM system handles requests from subscribers to modify their levels of MLM service or their levels of service provider's public network service, and takes appropriate action to effect the change.