Abstract: An information technology (IT) system of interest is analyzed using collaborative, community-based sharing of expert knowledge, analysis and advice through user-submitted analysis rules and/or user-submitted report templates. Users may submit rules that have been found to be useful in analyzing or managing IT systems. A rule may analyze a particular item of configuration data or performance data according to a predetermined criterion. Other users may apply these rules to their own systems' data and, thereby, utilize the collective expertise of the people who submitted the rules. Performance and configuration data from IT systems or components of the systems in various enterprises is collected and then sanitized by removing or masking identifying information before storing the sanitized data in a data warehouse.

Abstract: A system produces a storage area network resource management report view by obtaining at least one report definition containing report parameters that specify a report layout for presentation of data in the graphical user interface. The system receives a report request to view data in a report view and obtains a data set corresponding to the report request. The data set includes data values to be presented as the data in the graphical user interface. The system applies the data values in the data set to the corresponding report parameters in the at least one report definition to populate the report layout specified by the at least one report definition to dynamically generate at least one report view. The system provides the at least one report view for rendering in the graphical user interface. The system also provides the ability to create custom report views without requiring programming language skills.

Abstract: A storage area network uniform integrated backup reporting and verification mechanism displays backup reporting information at an enterprise level while showing uniformity among heterogeneous backup applications of different vendors. The backup management application coalesces data from different backup applications by scanning status data from backup applications, and identifying data corresponding to common output fields. Further storage array specific aspects, information, or commands are attainable via the linkages to the native backup applications specific to the individual storage arrays. The backup management application provides uniform reporting and verification of satisfactory backup completion across the SAN, or otherwise pinpoints and clarifies problems or other anomalies associated with the backup.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) management application generates device allocation reports displaying foundation variables, device specific parameters, and computed, derived fields for different types of storage arrays, without burdening the allocation report with extraneous parameters through the use of a layout indicative of the information included on the report, providing a streamlined and seamless allocation report. The SAN management application defines a layout indicative of the foundation variables, device attributes, and derived fields requested in an allocation report. The user selected layout indicates the requested allocation parameters for a report, indicative of the foundation variable, device attributes, and derived fields, and also indicates the device usage metrics for computing the derived fields from the foundation variables and device attributes.

Abstract: An information technology (IT) system of interest is analyzed using collaborative, community-based sharing of expert knowledge, analysis and advice through user-submitted analysis rules and/or user-submitted report templates. Users may submit rules that have been found to be useful in analyzing or managing IT systems. A rule may analyze a particular item of configuration data or performance data according to a predetermined criterion. Other users may apply these rules to their own systems' data and, thereby, utilize the collective expertise of the people who submitted the rules. Performance and configuration data from IT systems or components of the systems in various enterprises is collected and then sanitized by removing or masking identifying information before storing the sanitized data in a data warehouse.