Abstract: A reference instance for use in a configuration management system is a configuration item that may be associated with a number of assets, all of which share a common set of attributes. The use of reference instances permits a single configuration item to identify a potentially large number of assets. This may be particularly useful for identifying and tracking low-priority assets where the detail or amount of information needed to effectively track and manage the asset is relatively small. Use of reference instance configuration items allows an organization to identify and manage virtually all of their assets without the cost and effort of creating large numbers of substantially identical configuration items.

Abstract: A database federation mechanism permits one or more applications external to the database to be registered. Applications so registered may be automatically invoked in response to database queries—where such invocation utilizes data from specific database entries.

Abstract: A system and method for automated database management are provided. Statistics relating to operation of a database may be collected, wherein the database comprises one or more database objects. Characteristics of the database objects may be determined, either automatically or by user intervention, using the collected statistics, one or more policies, and/or one or more definitions. The policies and definitions may be defaults or may be customized by a user. Actions to be performed on the database objects may be determined, either automatically or by user intervention, based on the characteristics of the database objects. A schedule for performing the actions on the database objects may be automatically determined. The actions may be performed on the database objects based on the schedule. The actions on the database objects may be confirmed. The results of the actions on the database objects may be analyzed or monitored. Policies and/or definitions may be reconfigured based on the results.

Abstract: An improved method and system for controlling free space distribution by key range within a database. In one embodiment, a data structure including key ranges of a plurality of database tables and indexes, and a plurality of key range free space parameters is created. The plurality of database tables and indexes may include a plurality of page sets, which may include rows of data and keys. Time values may be associated with the plurality of free space parameters. The key range free space parameters may have values assigned to them. The key range free space parameters may be user-defined or automatically generated using growth trend analysis, based on key range growth statistics. The rows of data and keys within the plurality of page sets may be redistributed by a reorganization process. The redistributing may reference the key ranges of the data structure and the key range free space parameters.

Abstract: In a content update method, a device sends information to a server about an initial index related to a directory of content stored in the device's nonvolatile non-disk memory (e.g., flash memory). Upon receiving a modification list from the server, the device builds an updated index in flash memory that matches the server's master index by using the device's RAM to sequentially modify the initial index with the listed modifications. The device also builds an updated content list in flash memory using the device's RAM to sequentially compare the initial and updated indexes. The device sends requests for updated content in the updated content list to the server. Upon receiving requested content, the device modifies the directory in flash memory by using the device's RAM to sequentially compare the initial and updated indexes so that the requested content can be installed into the modified directory.

Abstract: A system and method packages sets of information so that they may be used to install the set of information. The packaging is performed by one of several client computer systems using the set of information and metadata describing the set of information, requested from a server.

Abstract: Initially, a table in the database is baselined. The baselining function is usually built into the database system program which manages the database itself. This baselining procedure generates storage information like the number of rows in the table, the average length of a row, the number of chained/migrated rows, and the average free space per page in the table. This storage information is transferred to a monitoring routine via a transaction log. The monitoring routine accepts the storage information for the table. Next, the monitoring routine monitors the transaction log for entries which alter the storage information initially passed to it. At some point, an entity may wish to know the current storage information for the table. When this occurs, a message is passed to the monitoring routine, and the monitoring routine transfers the storage information to the requesting entity, without accessing the database.

Abstract: An improved method and system for WAP server management using a single console. A plurality of servers for wireless communication may provide wireless services to one or more clients using a wireless protocol (e.g., WAP). A management console coupled to the plurality of servers may provide integrated management of the plurality of servers. Each agent of a plurality of agents may execute on a corresponding server of the plurality of servers. Each agent may gather information about execution of the respective server and/or execution of the wireless services provided by its respective server. Each agent may provide the gathered information to the management console. The management console may display the gathered information in a number of user-configurable ways (e.g., aggregate information regarding the execution of the plurality of servers, individualized information regarding the execution of individual servers of the plurality of servers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer implemented technique for discovering the information technology resources that are involved in a particular networked business transaction. The system comprises three basic components. A robotic transaction playback client records the various steps in a particular transaction and can repetitively execute these steps to analyze the results. A network record collector observes the traffic throughout the network in response to the repeated instances of the transaction executed by the robotic transaction playback client. A backend processor analyzes the observations of network traffic to determine which ones are possibly tied to the transaction, and from this information determine which network components are part of the transaction being analyzed. Event timing information from a plurality of executions of a particular transaction are used to determine resource usage and paths.

Abstract: Techniques to create physically and transactionally consistent copies of one or more database objects without impacting the availability of the target database objects are described. In one technique, a consistent copy is created as of the time a copy utility is executed. In another technique, a consistent copy is created as of an arbitrary specified time. This approach modifies a prior copy to bring it “up-to-date.” In yet another technique, a consistent copy is created by starting with a current snapshot of the target database objects and selectively removing updates from it back to a user specified arbitrary point-in-time. Each of the described techniques generate consistent copies of the target database objects without blocking users from accessing the target objects during the copy operation.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for importing data in a network-based customer relationship application is provided. First, data to be imported to a customer relationship application utilizing a network is identified. A set of predetermined rules associated with the customer relationship application are identified. The data is imported to the customer relationship application utilizing the network in accordance with the set of predetermined rules. The data is stored in memory accessible to the customer relationship application. The fields in which the data is stored in the memory are customized by a user. A system, method and computer program product for exporting data in a network-based customer relationship application is also provided. Data to be exported from a customer relationship application utilizing a network is identified. The data is stored in memory accessible to the customer relationship application, in fields which are user-customizable.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for importing data in a network-based customer relationship application is provided. First, data to be imported to a customer relationship application utilizing a network is identified. A set of predetermined rules associated with the customer relationship application are identified. The data is imported to the customer relationship application utilizing the network in accordance with the set of predetermined rules. The data is stored in memory accessible to the customer relationship application. The fields in which the data is stored in the memory are customized by a user. A system, method and computer program product for exporting data in a network-based customer relationship application is also provided. Data to be exported from a customer relationship application utilizing a network is identified. The data is stored in memory accessible to the customer relationship application, in fields which are user-customizable.

Abstract: A method using statistical parameters (e.g. mean, standard deviation, exceptional values) of performance monitoring metrics to substantially reduce the quantity of performance monitoring data collected and reported, make system performance monitoring scalable and enhance the readability of the system performance display. The number of metrics monitored may be reduced by monitoring only one of any two metrics that are closely correlated.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for importing data in a network-based customer relationship application is provided. First, data to be imported to a customer relationship application utilizing a network is identified. A set of predetermined rules associated with the customer relationship application are identified. The data is imported to the customer relationship application utilizing the network in accordance with the set of predetermined rules. The data is stored in memory accessible to the customer relationship application. The fields in which the data is stored in the memory are customized by a user. A system, method and computer program product for exporting data in a network-based customer relationship application is also provided. Data to be exported from a customer relationship application utilizing a network is identified. The data is stored in memory accessible to the customer relationship application, in fields which are user-customizable.

Abstract: The present invention reconstructs and illustrates incomplete change records by initially selecting an initial change record. The initial change record describes a change made to a target data object located at a target location in an electronic database. Next, a transaction log associated with the electronic database is searched for change records which modify the target data object. Eventually, a particular change record is located which contains a complete copy of the data object. Finally, the change records are applied to the complete copy of the data object, thereby bringing the complete copy of the target data object to a state as it existed before the change described by the initial change record was made to the target data object.

Abstract: A method using statistical parameters (e.g. mean, standard deviation, exceptional values) of performance monitoring metrics to substantially reduce the quantity of performance monitoring data collected and reported, make system performance monitoring scalable and enhance the readability of the system performance display. The number of metrics monitored may be reduced by monitoring only one of any two metrics that are closely correlated.

Abstract: A method to reconcile multiple instances of a single computer resource identified by resource discovery operations includes: (1) accessing information describing one or more resources; (2) identifying, via the accessed information, at least one resource that has been detected or discovered by at least two of the discovery operations; and (3) merging attributes associated with the identified resource from each of the at least two discovery operations into a single, reconciled resource object. Illustrative “resources” include, but are not limited to, computer systems, components of computer systems, data storage systems, switches, routers, memory, software applications (e.g., accounting and database applications), operating systems and business services (e.g., order entry or change management and tracking services).

Abstract: A two-phase method to perform root-cause analysis over an enterprise-specific fault model is described. In the first phase, an up-stream analysis is performed (beginning at a node generating an alarm event) to identify one or more nodes that may be in failure. In the second phase, a down-stream analysis is performed to identify those nodes in the enterprise whose operational condition are impacted by the prior determined failed nodes. Nodes identified as failed as a result of the up-stream analysis may be reported to a user as failed. Nodes identifies as impacted as a result of the down-stream analysis may be reported to a user as impacted and, beneficially, any failure alarms associated with those impacted nodes may be masked. Up-stream (phase 1) analysis is driven by inference policies associated with various nodes in the enterprise's fault model.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and computer program products to capture discovery task information are described. More specifically, a graphical user interface is described that simplifies the task of defining what types of components (hardware and software), domains and methods are to be used during an IT infrastructure discovery operation. One benefit of using the described user interface is that the user is relieved of the burden of determining what aspects of the discovery action need be defined. Another benefit is that a user may be asked for input for only those elements necessary to the discovery—based on the user's prior input. For example, if the only type of component identified for discovery are JAVA® platforms, only those discovery methods (e.g., JMX) related to JAVA® platforms will be proffered to the user during that phase of specifying the discovery operation.

Abstract: A generic discovery methodology collects data pertaining to components of a computer network using various discovery technologies. From the collected data, the methodology identifies, filters and analyzes information related to inter-component communications. Using the communication and application information, the methodology determines reliable relationships for those components having sufficient information available. To qualify more components, the methodology implements a decision service to generate hypothetical relationships between components that are known and components that are unqualified or unknown. The hypothetical relationships are presented to a user for selection, and each hypothetical relationship is preferably associated with an indication of its reliability.