Abstract: The present invention is a system or method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers. The system, for example, comprises a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, and also a tracker database containing configuration information values gathered from and relating to one or more computers.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying clusters of similarly-configured computers. The method, for example, comprises gathering system and business configuration information values from a set of computers. Next, at least a portion of the system and business configuration information values gathered from the set of computers is analyzed along with the numbers of computers that are configured in various ways. Then, using the result of the analysis as a guide, logical expressions of configuration information values are selected for use as definitions of one or more clusters of similarly-configured computers, the selection process generally maximizing the number of computers included within each cluster and also generally maximizing the number of configuration information value specifications included within the definition of each cluster.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for proposing advice consisting of corrective actions and enhancements to address a detected problem or measured degradation in the operation of a computer based on collected configuration and performance data. After the advice is proposed, the method and/or system automatically detects when and in what form the advice was implemented, and rates the efficacy of the implementation action based on subsequent collection and measurement of performance. The method and/or system is then able to adjust the importance of the advice relative to other advice.