Abstract: A run-book automation system is provided having a run-book repository having one or more run-books stored thereon. The automation system can include process logic for implementing an automation workflow including one or more automated tasks. The system can also include at least one invokable run-book document comprising procedural information related to the workflow and comprising at least one actionable link. The system may also include a run-book process module configured to initiate execution of the process logic of a first run-book and to provide the run-book document for display to a user. The system can include an automation engine in communication with the run-book process module and configured to initiate at least a first automated task of the one or more the automated tasks in response to user selection of the at least one actionable link.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a route of an application in a network. The network includes a number of interconnected nodes, between a source node and a destination node. A sequence of application packets, being transmitted over an application port, are configured to expire at each one of a succession of nodes in the application route. Upon expiration, an error notification is generated by the node according to protocol, and received back at the source node. The error notification identifies the node from which it came, and a collection of error notification identifies the entire route of nodes.

Abstract: A network discovery and monitoring apparatus and method of using the same. An apparatus includes an agent configured for being hosted on one of a plurality of interconnected network elements that form at least a portion of a communication network. A method includes the agent gathering application data representing a network-based application that is accessible from the network element hosting the agent. The agent monitors application traffic between each discovered application and any network element having a relationship to the application. A result of the monitoring is a relational topology, at the application layer, of the network elements in the network.