Abstract: Provided in an example is a cloud computing service catalog which enables a cloud computing user to prepare and implement a blueprint of service items across multiple different clouds of computing resources. An example method includes discovering a plurality of computer resources which are available from at least one of a first platform and a second platform, and receiving data describing a plurality of service items. The service items include instructions configured to control one or more tangible computing devices. A first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform. A second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform. The method also includes adding the service items to the blueprint.

Abstract: Provided are examples of apparatus and methods which relate to action-based computing resource configuration. In an example, an instruction indicating an action to be executed by a plurality of computing resources is received. An identification is made that input of data indicating values of one or more user-specified configuration parameters of the plurality of computing resources is required to configure the plurality of computing resources to execute the action. The identifying can include retrieving configuration information from at least a portion of the plurality of computing resources and formatting the retrieved configuration information to present the user with a dynamically-generated graphical user interface which restricts the user to entering only certain values for the data. A description of the one or more user-specified configuration parameters is displayed with a video display.

Abstract: Provided are example methods and apparatus for orchestrating cloud computing resources which enable customizing cloud management software to add, via user-provided code, features and functionality which go beyond base features built into the cloud management software, without otherwise modifying the cloud computing management software. The user-provided code can include a plug-in, a script, a webhook, a callout, the like, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are examples of apparatus and methods which relate to enforcing compliance with one or more administrative requirements relating to using computing resources. In an example, one or more objects being used on one or more cloud computing platforms are identified with a computing device. Data describing the one or more objects is received. One or more rules restricting the use of the one or more objects is received. One or more violations of the one or more rules are searched for by comparing the received data to the rules. In response to identifying one or more violations, a response to the one or more violations is executed.

Abstract: Provided are example methods and apparatus for orchestrating cloud computing resources which enable customizing cloud management software to add, via user-provided code, features and functionality which go beyond base features built into the cloud management software, without otherwise modifying the cloud computing management software. The user-provided code can include a plug-in, a script, a webhook, a callout, the like, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are examples of apparatus and methods which relate to enforcing compliance with one or more administrative requirements relating to using computing resources. In an example, one or more objects being used on one or more cloud computing platforms are identified with a computing device. Data describing the one or more objects is received. One or more rules restricting the use of the one or more objects is received. One or more violations of the one or more rules are searched for by comparing the received data to the rules. In response to identifying one or more violations, a response to the one or more violations is executed.

Abstract: Provided are examples of apparatus and methods which relate to action-based computing resource configuration. In an example, an instruction indicating an action to be executed by a plurality of computing resources is received. An identification is made that input of data indicating values of one or more user-specified configuration parameters of the plurality of computing resources is required to configure the plurality of computing resources to execute the action. The identifying can include retrieving configuration information from at least a portion of the plurality of computing resources and formatting the retrieved configuration information to present the user with a dynamically-generated graphical user interface which restricts the user to entering only certain values for the data. A description of the one or more user-specified configuration parameters is displayed with a video display.

Abstract: Provided are examples of cloud computing form generators which enable data-driven configuring of cloud computing resources. A configuration form is generated, for example, by an administrator, based at least in part on computing resources available from two or more disparate computing clouds and preconfiguring objects available from the two or more disparate computing clouds. A subsequent cloud user (a “user”) can select one or more preconfigured objects and a candidate cloud from the configuration form. Then, computing resource attributes are automatically determined, based on the selected cloud and the selected preconfigured objects. The computing resource attributes can be translated into application program interfaces (APIs) appropriate for the selected cloud, and the APIs can be called from the selected cloud to implement the selected preconfigured objects.

Abstract: Provided in an example is a cloud computing service catalog which enables a cloud computing user to prepare and implement a blueprint of service items across multiple different clouds of computing resources. An example method includes discovering a plurality of computer resources which are available from at least one of a first platform and a second platform, and receiving data describing a plurality of service items. The service items include instructions configured to control one or more tangible computing devices. A first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform. A second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform. The method also includes adding the service items to the blueprint.