Abstract: Systems and methods for testing interfaces to a server object are provided. A translator object is placed between a client object and the server object for which the interface is to be tested. The client and server objects communicate utilizing tested interfaces, however, the translator object communicates requests between the two utilizing the interface under test. In this manner, an existing test suite for static interfaces may be utilized to test dynamic interfaces without requiring that a new test suite be developed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communication between different implementations of object request brokers are provided. A bridge including a proxy object allows communication between the object request brokers. The proxy object within the bridge stores the server object reference in its reference data. The proxy object translates messages (e.g., requests and responses/exceptions) to the transfer protocol of the server object and redirects these messages according to the server object reference stored in the proxy object's reference data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing computer network services from a central management console program residing on an administration server is disclosed. A service, such as an e-mail program, is installed, typically by a system administrator, on a host server computer. During installation, data relating to the service's management module is stored in a well-known location on the host server computer. A central management console program residing on an administration server causes the retrieval of the data relating to the management module from the well-known location. The central management console program stores the data relating to the management module in a storage area accessible by the console program and the host server computer and thereby facilitates the management and modification of the service from the central management console program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of securing access to a service manager for the administration of services residing on multiple service host computers from an administration server computer is described. A user identifier, such as a user name, and a corresponding password are provided to the service manager. The user identifier is associated with a system administrator having administrative access to the services. The service manager authenticates the user by comparing the user identifier and password against a list of user identifiers and corresponding passwords stored in a persistent memory. A list of services to which the system administrator has administrative access is derived from the data in persistent memory. When the system administrator makes a request to administer one or more services from the list of services, the administrator's access control is verified at the service host computers on which the requested services reside by examining access control data in the persistent memory.