Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing a variety of polling agent functions in a client management tool. Users at a central manager are prompted to select either a central polling function or a resident polling function for the collection of client management data from a number of computer objects. Additionally, the polling agent functions of the present invention are capable of distinguishing between critical data and non-critical data and determining an appropriate transmission interval for the data.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for implementing a user interface in a client management tool. A user interface allows a user to select a number of polling agent configurations in the client management tool. Another interface allows a user to issue and modify various client attributes without having to terminate a measurement. A further user interface allows a user to archive client management data within the client management tool.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing service chain measurement and monitoring in a client management tool. A central monitor establishes a performance threshold for two or more components forming a service chain. One or more management templates, corresponding to the performance threshold, are issued to the components for monitoring. If the performance fails to meet the performance threshold, an indication of the failure is provided to a computer system operator.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A method and structure for calculating transaction costs as a function of one or more services provided by a computer system. Each user/computer transaction utilizes one or more computer system services to execute the transaction. Each computer system service provided by an IT department incurs a cost in terms of the equipment, software, personnel and facilities utilized to provide distinct levels of availability and response time. By identifying one or more IT services utilized to execute a transaction and by calculating the actual cost incurred to provide one or more of the services, a transaction cost is calculated by summing up the service costs. Thus, the transaction cost is a function of the service costs of the one or more services utilized to execute the transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A system and method for managing database files in a client management tool are provided. A computer system utilizes a standardized format for storing and recalling client management data. To utilize data not stored in the standardized format, the client management tool accepts alternatively formatted database files and converts them to the standardized format. Additionally, the client management tool accepts inputs defining one or more correlations from a database file to the standardized format for converting. The client management tool also manipulates client management files to allow additional management data to be incorporated into the file.

Abstract: A system and method for editing active measurements in a client management tool are provided. One or more clients in a computer network measure a variety of attributes associated with the function of the client. A monitor process establishes and collects a subset of the client attributes to measure for client management. Without terminating the collection of the initial subset of client attributes, the monitor process establishes and begins collecting a modified subset of client attributes.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for archiving data within a client management tool. The archiving methods include accessing a set of client management data and creating an archive file. The method may further include reactivating an archive file, deleting an archive file, and reactivating a deleted archive file.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing a variety of polling agent functions in a client management tool. Users at a central manager are prompted to select either a central polling function or a resident polling function for the collection of client management data from a number of computer objects. Additionally, the polling agent functions of the present invention are capable of distinguishing between critical data and non-critical data and determining an appropriate transmission interval for the data.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for archiving data within a client management tool. The archiving methods include accessing a set of client management data and creating an archive file. The method may further include reactivating an archive file, deleting an archive file, and reactivating a deleted archive file.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing a variety of polling agent functions in a client management tool. Users at a central manager are prompted to select either a central polling function or a resident polling function for the collection of client management data from a number of computer objects. Additionally, the polling agent functions of the present invention are capable of distinguishing between critical data and non-critical data and determining an appropriate transmission interval for the data.

Abstract: A system and method for managing database files in a client management tool are provided. A computer system utilizes a standardized format for storing and recalling client management data. To utilize data not stored in the standardized format, the client management tool accepts alternatively formatted database files and converts them to the standardized format. Additionally, the client management tool accepts inputs defining one or more correlations from a database file to the standardized format for converting. The client management tool also manipulates client management files to allow additional management data to be incorporated into the file.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for caching client management data in a capacity planner. Client management data is collected and cached over a selected time period. The collected data is averaged over that time period and is then transmitted to a central collection location. The client management data may be either written into cache directly or into tables contained in the cache.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for caching client management data in a capacity planner. Client management data is collected and cached over a selected time period. The collected data is averaged over that time period and is then transmitted to a central collection location. The client management data may be either written into cache directly or into tables contained in the cache.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing a variety of polling agent functions in a client management tool. Users at a central manager are prompted to select either a central polling function or a resident polling function for the collection of client management data from a number of computer objects. Additionally, the polling agent functions of the present invention are capable of distinguishing between critical data and non-critical data and determining an appropriate transmission interval for the data.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for integrating multiple client management polling functions. A polling agent serves as an integrated capacity planning polling agent and a performance monitoring polling agent and a central monitoring system issues capacity planning management data templates and performance monitoring data templates to the integrated polling agent. In response, the integrated polling agent requests capacity planning and performance monitoring data from a client and returns responsive data to the central monitoring system.