Patents Assigned to BMC Software
  • Patent number: 7024420
    Abstract: Techniques to provide run-time access to a database image through a target database management system (DBMS) are described. An empty database in the target DBMS (the “target database”) is created having substantially the same schema as the database image. At run-time, queries directed to the target database are intercepted and redirected to the database image. Information returned in response to the redirected query is modified so that internal database identifiers retrieved from the database image are replaced with like database identifiers associated with the target database management system. Thus, run-time access to database image content is provided without the need to load the database image's data content into a target database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda S. Ball, William R. Cunningham, Stanley James Dee, Thomas G. Price
  • Patent number: 7020706
    Abstract: A system and method updates multiple servers automatically without taking all of the multiple servers off-line at the same time. The system and method selects a group of servers, takes the group off-line, updates the group taken off-line, and then brings on-line those members of the group that were on-line prior to the update and for which the update was installed successfully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Cates, Bruce Wang, Sami Shaio
  • Patent number: 6996576
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Melody Vos, Jeff Slavin
  • Publication number: 20060004846
    Abstract: A low-overhead relational database backup operation includes creating a single output file object in which a plurality of database tablespaces are stored. The number of tablespaces may be arbitrarily large. Because multiple output file objects are not created, the backup operation eliminates the overhead associated with allocating, opening, deallocating and closing multiple output file objects. Where the number of tablespaces is large, this reduced overhead processing can significantly the speed of backup operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Applicant: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Murley, Stanley Dee, Richard Cline
  • Patent number: 6983321
    Abstract: A system architecture and a method for management using a cellular architecture to allow multi-tier management of events such as the managing of the actual impact or the potential impact of IT infrastructure situations on business services. A preferred embodiment includes a high availability management backbone to frame monitoring operations using a cross-domain model where IT Component events are abstracted into IT Aggregate events. By combining IT Aggregate events with transaction events, an operational representation of the business services is possible. Another feature is the ability to connect this information to dependent business user groups such as internal end-users or external customers for direct impact measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Trinon, Philippe Moitroux, Bernard Lemercier, Olivier Pignault
  • Publication number: 20050283501
    Abstract: Constraint processing for a relational database generates primary (e.g., based on primary key values) and constraint index records (e.g., based on foreign key values) during table load operations that are then sorted in a manner that rapidly and unambiguously identifies rows that fail the specified constraint test. Rows so identified may be deleted to maintain the constraint (e.g., referential) integrity of a child table. In one case, child table row data may be processed in constraint key order, eliminating the need first load the child table with row data and then delete those rows that subsequently fail the integrity test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Blaicher, Kerry Tenberg, Randol Bright
  • Publication number: 20050283485
    Abstract: A time-efficient means for identifying and processing cascading deletes due to referential constraint violations includes: logging, to an error file, all primary key (“PK”) errors detected during table load operations; building a foreign key (“FK”) index for each child table; recursively probing each relevant FK index to identify all loaded rows that violate a referential constraint due to a PK error; logging all identified FK errors to the error file; and using the (preferably sorted) error file contents to identify, mark and physically delete table rows that violate a referential constraint. The described cascade delete processing methods make only a single pass through the table data, using ordinary computer files to track and organize rows identified for deletion. Use of error files rather than tablescans (multiple passes through the loaded table data) can provide a significant reduction in table load times, especially for large or intricately “related” tables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Blaicher, Kerry Tenberg, Randol Bright
  • Patent number: 6976133
    Abstract: A system and method updates a device by storing into nondisk nonvolatile storage such as flash memory, the files used to update the device, using data structures that are swapped, a portion at a time, into available RAM of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Wynn, Johan Eriksson, Arthur A van Hoff
  • Patent number: 6954783
    Abstract: A system and method for mediating a web page at an intermediate server. The system and method can include receiving a web page from a target web server, ensuring that the web page is not cached and changing links in the web page to refer to the intermediate server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Bodwell, Clay Davis, Michael C. Klobe
  • Patent number: 6944630
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: BMC Software
    Inventors: Melody Vos, Jeff Slavin
  • Publication number: 20050165818
    Abstract: Techniques to repair overflow rows in a relational database table are described. In one implementation, a source table's physical memory pages are interrogated to identify overflow rows. In another implementation, overflow rows generated during database update operations are identified from non-table sources (e.g., log files). In general, overflow rows are repaired by: unloading one or more rows identified as overflow rows; locking the source table from outside access; disabling or deleting any associations associated with the unloaded rows; deleting the identified overflow/unloaded rows from the source table; reloading the previously unloaded rows back into the source table; restoring any associations previously disabled/deleted; and unlocking the tables. Rows may be processed in groups small enough not to significantly impact users accessing either the source or associated tables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Cole, Michael McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20050160074
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: BMC Software
    Inventors: Melody Vos, Jeff Slavin
  • Patent number: 6901435
    Abstract: A method that involves receiving a message from a remote device, the message comprising either a definition, a state change, a command or some combination thereof; processing the definition (if any) before the state change (if any); and processing the state change (if any) before processing the command (if any). Another method that involves recognizing a dependence on a remote device; and sending a message to the remote device, the message comprising either a definition, a state change, a command or some combination thereof. Also apparati having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the above methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Sulcer, Lawrence M. Ackner, Donna S. Lowe-Cleveland
  • Patent number: 6901438
    Abstract: A system and method for replaying a predefined path through a set of web pages. The system and method comprises selecting in chronological order a saved request in a request history. The saved requests correspond to a set of user requests made at a web page from the set of web pages. Furthermore, the present invention comprises determining whether the saved request is a form request, and if so finding a best fit form on the web page from the set of web pages and sending a replay request to the best-fit form. If the saved request is not a form request, making the replay request to a best-fit URL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: BMC Software
    Inventors: Clay Davis, Walter R. Bodwell, Michael C. Klobe
  • Patent number: 6900822
    Abstract: A system and method are used for visually representing performance and flow analysis of a communication network having devices connected by links. The system includes a first memory for storing a graphical representation of the communication network and showing the devices connected by links and a second memory storing data representing performance and flows in the communication network. A processing system is operatively connected to the first and the second memory and to a display. The processing system selectively maps the data on the graphical representation of the communication network by varying visual characteristics of the devices and the links for viewing on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Germain, Philippe Nicolal
  • Publication number: 20050114404
    Abstract: Techniques to extract, or unload, data from a database table based on a specific version of the table are described. Modern database management systems permit a user to change a databases' table structure or schema in response to changing operating conditions without blocking users' access to the underlying table or its data. Once modified, these database management systems permit data retrieval only in terms of a table's most recent version. Applications written to process a table's data in a first version may not be able to process data when that data is conformed to a later version. By providing a means to extract data from a table based on prior versions of that table, the invention permits users to evolve their database structure as needs require, while maintaining the ability to unload data for historical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Pintar, Kenneth Ziervogel, James Magill
  • Patent number: 6895586
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an improved namespace and object description system for enterprise management are disclosed. The system and method employ a hierarchical namespace with objects including prototypes and instances where an instance inherits traits from a prototype, such as attribute values and/or child objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: BMC Software
    Inventors: Michael Eugene Brasher, Roger Glenn Huebner
  • Patent number: 6873989
    Abstract: A method and system for graphically displaying space management data of IMS databases. In one embodiment, the method involves receiving a plurality of records from an IMS database. The plurality of records may comprise ranges of free space within the IMS database, and may be processed to generate database information. The database information may comprise information concerning the condition of blocks in the IMS database and space usage information. Calculations of view ratios may be made. A working storage array may be built to consolidate the plurality of records. A plurality of view envelopes may be constructed. The size for each view envelope may be measured in blocks or in bytes. The plurality of view envelopes may be graphically displayed on a display. A legend may also be displayed on the display. User input may be received to request “inspection” or “identification” of a selected view envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Martin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050039132
    Abstract: A system and method are used for visually representing performance and flow analysis of a communication network having devices connected by links. The system includes a first memory for storing a graphical representation of the communication network and showing the devices connected by links and a second memory storing data representing performance and flows in the communication network. A processing system is operatively connected to the first and the second memory and to a display. The processing system selectively maps the data on the graphical representation of the communication network by varying visual characteristics of the devices and the links for viewing on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Applicant: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Germain, Philippe Nicolal
  • Publication number: 20050010590
    Abstract: Techniques for sorting data include (1) obtaining records containing variable length key fields, (2) expanding the variable length key fields into fixed length key fields in a temporary structure, (3) sorting the temporary structure based on the fixed length key fields, and (4) reorganizing the data containing the variable length key fields in accordance with the sorted temporary structure. Reorganized data can replace the original data or be saved to temporary storage where it can later be merged with other reorganized data. Temporary storage of reorganized data does not incorporate the expanded fixed length key information used in the temporary structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Blaicher