Abstract: Collectors are provided to network devices of an existing computer network. A reference network type associated with the existing computer network is determined. Based at least in part on telemetry and configuration information received from the collectors and the reference network type, an intent-based network model of the existing computer network is generated. The existing computer network is validated using the generated intent-based network model.

Abstract: A method for configuring a computing infrastructure is disclosed. The method comprises representing at least a portion of the computing infrastructure as a graph representation of computing infrastructure elements including a computing infrastructure node and a computing infrastructure edge, detecting a change in the graph representation of computing infrastructure elements, and determining whether the change affects a graph representation query pattern. In the event the change affects the graph representation query pattern, the change is notified to a query agent associated with the graph representation query pattern.

Abstract: Collectors are provided to network devices of an existing computer network. A reference network type associated with the existing computer network is determined. Based at least in part on telemetry and configuration information received from the collectors and the reference network type, an intent-based network model of the existing computer network is generated. The existing computer network is validated using the generated intent-based network model.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software described herein enhance connectivity between computing systems and containers. In one implementation, a method of allocating virtual network interfaces to containers on a host includes transferring, from the host, a request to at least one configuration resource to obtain an address configuration for one or more containers to be executed on the host. The method further provides for receiving an addressing configuration for the one or more containers to be executed on the host, and assigning a virtual network interface to each of the one or more containers based on the addressing configuration.

Abstract: A blueprint is an executable document that describes a real object and includes the expertise to create and operate that object. A “parent” blueprint can include a “child” blueprint, e.g., by reference. When the parent blueprint is deployed to configure a computing architecture for a customer application, the child blueprint is requested for deployment. A check of an update table is made. If there is an update of the child blueprint that is compatible with the parent blueprint, then the most-recent compatible update of the child blueprint is deployed in lieu of the requested child blueprint.

Abstract: A blueprint is a program/document that describes a real object and includes the expertise to create and operate that object. Example objects include machines (e.g., computer or server), and systems, such as an e-commerce site, in which computers are nodes or elements. A “parent” blueprint can include, e.g., by reference, a “child” blueprint. Customizable parameters of the child blueprint are imported and instantiated into the parent blueprint so that a developer of the parent blueprint can edit the values of the customizable parameters through an application program interface (API) of the parent blueprint without affecting the child blueprint. When the parent blueprint is deployed, the provisioning of the child blueprint follows the customized parameter values rather than the original values for those parameters. The ability to modify instantiated parameters greatly simplifies the development of complex blueprints.

Abstract: A method for configuring a computing infrastructure is disclosed. The method comprises representing at least a portion of the computing infrastructure as a graph representation of computing infrastructure elements including a computing infrastructure node and a computing infrastructure edge, detecting a change in the graph representation of computing infrastructure elements, and determining whether the change affects a graph representation query pattern. In the event the change affects the graph representation query pattern, the change is notified to a query agent associated with the graph representation query pattern.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software described herein enhance connectivity between computing systems and containers. In one implementation, a method of allocating virtual network interfaces to containers on a host includes transferring, from the host, a request to at least one configuration resource to obtain an address configuration for one or more containers to be executed on the host. The method further provides for receiving an addressing configuration for the one or more containers to be executed on the host, and assigning a virtual network interface to each of the one or more containers based on the addressing configuration.

Abstract: A deployment system enables a developer to define a logical, multi-tier application blueprint that can be used to create and manage (e.g., redeploy, upgrade, backup, patch) multiple applications in a cloud infrastructure. The deployment system supports the use of nested policies to manage a deployment plan. Upon determining compliance to the nested policies, the application can be deployed according to an application blueprint, which means any needed VMs are provisioned from the cloud infrastructure, and application components and software services are installed.

Abstract: A system for guest customization includes a processor and a data storage device. A service operating system is stored on the data storage device that, when executed by the processor, boots a virtual machine into maintenance mode. A response file creation module is stored on the storage device that, when executed by the processor, creates a response file. A customization agent is embedded within the service operating system that when executed by the processor on its startup, automatically performs customizations based on the response file including at least one of including adding or removing files within the data storage device and injecting main operating system or virtual machine agent startup scripts to complete customization once the virtual machine is rebooted into the main operating system.

Abstract: A deployment system enables a developer to define a logical, multi-tier application blueprint that can be used to create and manage (e.g., redeploy, upgrade, backup, patch) multiple applications in a cloud infrastructure. The deployment system supports the use of nested policies to manage a deployment plan. Upon determining compliance to the nested policies, the application can be deployed according to an application blueprint, which means any needed VMs are provisioned from the cloud infrastructure, and application components and software services are installed.

Abstract: A system for guest customization includes a processor and a data storage device. A service operating system is stored on the data storage device that, when executed by the processor, boots a virtual machine into maintenance mode. A response file creation module is stored on the storage device that, when executed by the processor, creates a response file. A customization agent is embedded within the service operating system that when executed by the processor on its startup, automatically performs customizations based on the response file including at least one of including adding or removing files within the data storage device and injecting main operating system or virtual machine agent startup scripts to complete customization once the virtual machine is rebooted into the main operating system.

Abstract: A method of creating a customized virtual machine comprises, with a processor, booting a virtual machine into a service operating system, with a customization agent, customizing a main operating system while the virtual machine is in maintenance mode, and rebooting the virtual machine into the main operating system of the virtual machine. A computer program product for creating a customized virtual machine comprises a computer readable storage medium comprising computer usable program code embodied therewith, the computer usable program code comprising computer usable program code to, when executed by a processor, boot a virtual machine into a service operating system, and computer usable program code to, when executed by a processor, customize a main virtual operating system while the virtual machine is in maintenance mode.

Abstract: A method of creating a customized virtual machine comprises, with a processor, booting a virtual machine into a service operating system, with a customization agent, customizing a main operating system while the virtual machine is in maintenance mode, and rebooting the virtual machine into the main operating system of the virtual machine. A computer program product for creating a customized virtual machine comprises a computer readable storage medium comprising computer usable program code embodied therewith, the computer usable program code comprising computer usable program code to, when executed by a processor, boot a virtual machine into a service operating system, and computer usable program code to, when executed by a processor, customize a main virtual operating system while the virtual machine is in maintenance mode.

Abstract: A fax account is described and creates an association between users and documents that are faxed. A fax account allows a user to secure their faxed documents and organize and streamline fax communication via different transports. In at least some embodiments, security is enhanced through the use of an authentication model that authenticates individual users before giving them access to the fax functionality or, more accurately, their fax account. In at least some embodiments, fax accounts also provide users with an infrastructure through which they can manage their documents. In addition, in at least some embodiments, fax accounts can be used to manage and direct received faxes to the intended recipient, thus reducing the possibility of an unintended recipient gaining access to the fax.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, computer program products, and data structures for efficiently storing and accessing electronic messages representing fax transmissions. The messages are extended according to a fax schema that defines formats for adding fax protocol specific and/or or fax application specific data fields to an electronic message. According to the fax schema, the messages have relationships with other data fields stored using other schemas that define the accounting services, message content, and message participants associated with the fax transmission. The fax schema promotes efficient storage and access of electronic messages representing fax transmissions, while also facilitating integrating messages received by fax transmission with other types of existing message protocols and message applications.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention extend to efficiently and reliably providing message related data. Generally, data fields of electronic messages and attachments are created in accordance with an electronic message schema hierarchy. An electronic message can include links to folder items that represent message folders. An electronic message can also include links to contact items that represent message participants. Message applications can register for folder spaces such that each message application is aware of folders that are primarily controlled by other message applications. A link to a contact item can be selected to access current contact related data for a message participant, even when the contact related data has changed since an electronic message containing the link was received.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, computer program products, and data structures for efficiently storing and accessing electronic messages. Generally, electronic messages are created and transformed in accordance with an electronic message schema hierarchy. Electronic messages can be created according to a general message schema that defines a format for data fields that are common to all types of electronic messages (e.g. electronic mail, instant message, fax message). Electronic messages can also be extended according to message extension schemas that define formats for adding protocol specific and/or or application specific data fields to an electronic message. Data fields added in accordance with message extension schemas can differ between electronic messages types.

Abstract: A fax account is described and creates an association between users and documents that are faxed. A fax account allows a user to secure their faxed documents and organize and streamline fax communication via different transports. In at least some embodiments, security is enhanced through the use of an authentication model that authenticates individual users before giving them access to the fax functionality or, more accurately, their fax account. In at least some embodiments, fax accounts also provide users with an infrastructure through which they can manage their documents. In addition, in at least some embodiments, fax accounts can be used to manage and direct received faxes to the intended recipient, thus reducing the possibility of an unintended recipient gaining access to the fax.

Abstract: A code review tool system includes a developer on a developer node, a reviewer on a reviewer node, and a server on a server node. The developer node and the reviewer node include an integrated code review tool. The integrated code review tool includes functionality for a developer to specify source code files to be reviewed and a list of reviewer identifiers. The integrated code review tool also includes functionality to associate the reviewer's comments and/or proposed code changes with context information identifying a location in the source code files. The reviewer's comments, proposed code changes, and associated context information is sent to the developer. The developer may then see the reviewer's comments and proposed code changes in context with the location in the source code to which the comments and code changes pertain.