Abstract: Model-based virtual system provisioning includes accessing a model of a workload to be installed on a virtual machine of a system as well as a model of the system. A workload refers to some computing that is to be performed, and includes an application to be executed to perform the computing, and optionally includes the operating system on which the application is to be installed. The workload model identifies a source of the application and operating system of the workload, as well as constraints of the workload, such as resources and/or other capabilities that the virtual machine(s) on which the workload is to be installed must have. An installation specification for the application is also generated, the installation specification being derived at least in part from the model of the workload and the model of the virtual system.

Abstract: Model-based configuration management and modeling identifies violations of configuration constraints. A system includes multiple components and multiple applications defined by a model of the system. A process identifies configuration settings associated with the components and configuration settings associated with the applications. A configuration policy is created for the system based on information contained in the model of the system and the configuration settings.

Abstract: Model-based system monitoring includes accessing a model of a system that includes multiple components and executing a monitoring policy to monitor performance of the system. A notification of a problem is received from a first component. A determination is made regarding the cause of the problem. The determination is made, at least in part, based on the model of the system. At least one component associated with the cause of the problem is then identified.

Abstract: Model-based system monitoring includes identifying multiple monitors configured to monitor multiple components in a system, and accessing multiple health models associated with the multiple monitors. A monitoring policy is generated to monitor the system. The monitoring policy is derived, at least in part, from the multiple health models.

Abstract: Model-based system monitoring includes accessing a model of a system that includes multiple components and identifying relationships among the multiple components based on the model of the system. A proposed change to at least one of the multiple components is identified. A determination is made regarding an expected impact on the system caused by the proposed change. This determination is made, at least in part, based on the model of the system.

Abstract: Model-based capacity planning includes accessing a model of a planned system that includes multiple components. Relationships among the multiple components are identified based on the model of the system. Transactions to be performed by the planned system are identified along with a cost associated with each of the identified transactions. Operation of the planned system is simulated using the model of the planned system and the identified costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are generally disclosed for maintaining data integrity across distributed computer systems. In one embodiment, the method of the invention includes the step of transmitting an object from a server application to a client application. The method also includes the step of transmitting an object state from the server application to the client application. The method further includes the steps of synchronizing the object and object state between the server application and the client application, and updating the object by invoking a server application method after the step of synchronizing. An apparatus and article of manufacture for carrying out the steps of the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are generally disclosed for maintaining data integrity across distributed computer systems. In one embodiment, the method of the invention includes the step of transmitting an object from a server application to a client application. The method also includes the step of transmitting an object state from the server application to the client application. The method further includes the steps of synchronizing the object and object state between the server application and the client application, and updating the object by invoking a server application method after the step of synchronizing. An apparatus and article of manufacture for carrying out the steps of the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Model-based provisioning of test environments includes accessing a model of an application to be installed in a test environment of a system and further accessing a model of the system and a model of the test environment. An installation specification for the application is also generated, the installation specification being derived at least in part from the model of the application, the model of the system, and the model of the test environment.

Abstract: Model-based system provisioning includes accessing a model of an application to be installed in a system and further accessing a model of the system. An installation specification for the application is also generated, the installation specification being derived at least in part from the model of the application and the model of the system.

Abstract: A model of a system is generated and used as a basis for managing the system. As the system is managed, the system model can be updated to reflect changes to the system. Managing of the system can include one or more of provisioning applications in the system, provisioning applications in virtual systems, provisioning test environments, monitoring the configuration of the system, monitoring the system including the health of the system, performing capacity planning for the system, and propagating attributes to different components in the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are generally disclosed for presenting predictively and graphically administering a networked system in a time dimension. The method of the invention presents a status of each of a set of networked components. The method includes the step of determining time data. The time data represents a reference time associated with the status information. The method also includes the step of identifying which of the network system components to present. The method further includes the steps of determining status data associated with each of the identified network system components based on the time data, and outputting a depiction of each identified network system component based on the status data. An apparatus and article of manufacture for carrying out the steps of the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus intuitively to administer all components of a networked computer system by use of real multi-dimensional views of any component or any set of components, including components related to a specific business interest, and with customizable and fully extensible functionality, across heterogenous platforms and applications. Navigation and configuration tools are provided, with an intelligent cursor, to travel to and address any component part thereof, or subset of components, with status and abnormalities identified, monitored and controlled, and by hierarchical filtration, and aggregation correlation with asynchronous notification. Graphical presentation tools are also provided employing an enhanced zooming graphical display.

Abstract: A method for reporting the context of an alert condition is disclosed which includes reporting an alert condition associated with a subject system object, and analyzing one or more system objects associated with the alert condition to obtain context data. The method further includes generating a context message based on the context data, and outputting the context message.

Abstract: A method for reporting alert conditions is disclosed which includes defining alert filter criteria, identifying an alert condition, analyzing one or more properties of the alert condition based on the alert filter criteria, and determining whether to report the alert condition. Systems and computer-readable storage media for reporting an alert condition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for generating audio alerts is disclosed. The method includes detecting an alert condition, and determining a notification path associated with the alert condition. The method also includes constructing an audio notification message based on at least one parameter associated with the alert condition, and outputting the audio notification message via the notification path. A method for processing audio commands is also disclosed. This method includes receiving an audio command from a user and processing the audio command to derive command data. The method further includes constructing a command based on the command data, and storing the command in an object repository. Systems and computer-readable storage media for generating an audio alert and processing an audio command are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for network analysis by presenting a layered network diagram is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving input associated with a level of abstraction and extracting information relating to such level of abstraction based on the input. The method also includes the step of filtering network links for display based on the level of abstraction. The filtered network links are displayed to present the layered network diagram. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for presenting a user selected status of an object in a three dimensional graphic display is disclosed. The method includes the step of receiving a request to select a property of an object for display. The method further includes the step of displaying at least one property which may be displayed for the object. A selection of a property is received and the value of the selected property for the object is determined. The method further includes the step of generating a status indicator based on the value of the selected property. The status indicator is then displayed relative to the object. In a preferred embodiment, the form of the status indicator is automatically determined by the system. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A network management system allows a network administrator to intuitively manage all components of a heterogeneous networked computer system using views of any component or any set of components. These views are generated in a multi-dimensional, virtual reality environment. Navigation tools are provided that allow an operator to travel through the network hierarchy's representation in the virtual environment using an automatic flight mode. Automatic flight mode determines a reasonable trajectory to a network component that avoids collisions with intervening objects in the virtual environment. Since the system is capable of managing a world-wide network, city, building, subnet, segment, and computer, a view may also display internal hardware, firmware, and software of any network component. Views of network components may be filtered so only components pertaining to a specific business or other interest are displayed.

Abstract: Pattern recognition of common modes by neural networks and other techniques are used to monitor and determine or predict the state of networks, computers, software systems, logical networks or other components of an information system, to report actual or predicted states, and to report other state characteristics.