Abstract: A processor-based method for creating a persistent directory signature file, comprising: selecting a private key, a certificate identifier and a hash algorithm identifier for the directory signature file; concatenating one or more persistent, independent signatures wherein a persistent independent signature includes a file name, sub-directory indicator, or meta-data indicator, and a certificate identifier, and a hash identifier, and an encrypted hash; creating an encrypted hash of the one or more concatenated signatures using the hash algorithm and private key chosen for the directory signature file; and concatenating the encrypted hash of the one or more concatenated signatures with the concatenated signatures and the certificate identifier, and hash algorithm identifier chosen for the directory signature file to create a persistent, independent signature for the directory signature file.

Abstract: A processor-based method for securing files through a persistent signature includes: selecting a file of any file type; selecting a private key, a certificate identifier and a hash algorithm identifier for the file; creating an encrypted hash of the file using the hash algorithm and private key for the file; and creating a persistent, independent signature for each selected file that identifies the file, certificate identifier, hash algorithm identifier, and the encrypted hash value for the file.

Abstract: A processor-based method for securing meta-data through a persistent signature, comprising: identifying meta-data for a file; selecting a private key, a certificate identifier and a hash algorithm identifier for the meta-data; creating an encrypted hash of the meta-data using the hash algorithm and private key; and creating a persistent, independent signature for the meta-data that identifies the meta-data, certificate identifier, hash algorithm identifier, and the encrypted hash value for the meta-data.

Abstract: A processor-based method for securing directories through a persistent signature, comprising: selecting a directory; selecting a private key, a certificate identifier and a hash algorithm identifier for each selected directory; creating an encrypted hash of the directory using the hash algorithm and private key; and creating a persistent, independent signature for the directory that identifies the directory, certificate identifier, hash algorithm identifier, and the encrypted hash value for that directory.

Abstract: A processor-based method for verifying a secured file, directory, or meta-data, comprising: extracting a persistent, independent signature for a secured file, directory, or meta-data from a directory signature file, the signature identifying a certificate identifier, a hash algorithm identifier, and an encrypted hash value for that secured file, directory, or meta-data; retrieving a public key corresponding to the certificate identifier; decrypting the encrypted hash using the public key and a decryption tool, resulting in a clear text hash value; creating a new hash value for the secured file, directory, or meta-data, the hash creation corresponding to the hash algorithm identifier; and verifying the signature when the new hash value for the secured file, directory, or meta-data matches the unencrypted hash value from the persistent, independent signature for the secured file, directory, or meta-data,

Abstract: A method of identifying a unique object nested within a hierarchy of objects in a computing system. The computing system identifies the unique object by its class and instance in a syntax readable by the computing system. The method identifies at least one parent object by its class and instance in the syntax and defines a relationship between the unique object and the parent object in the syntax. An computing system is used for identifying a unique object nested within a hierarchy of objects in the computing system. The computing system includes a first identify module, a second identify module, and a define module, The first identify module identifies the unique object by its class. The second identify module identifies at least one parent object by its class and instance in the syntax. And, the define module that defines a relationship between the unique object and the parent object in the syntax. An alert can be issued for the unique object.

Abstract: An apparatus creates a user-defined .NET class within an operational control environment of distributed computing systems. The apparatus includes a define module that allows a user to create a new class and define properties for the new class in a specification. After the user creates the new class, the define module creates a .NET class based on the specification. In addition, a method for creating a user-defined .NET class within an operational control environment of distributed computing systems includes receiving a user-defined class; receiving user-defined properties for the user-defined class; and creating a .NET class based on the user-defined class and properties.

Abstract: A method for providing information regarding a monitored distributed computer system includes applying an object filter to a plurality of monitored objects, the object filter specifying an object state that is more complex than a single property value, and raising an alert upon at least one of the monitored objects satisfying the object state.

Abstract: A user display window for visually indicating a monitored connection state of a managed object in a computing system includes a display pane for displaying visual representations of views, systems, or objects of the computing system, wherein the managed object is represented with a first icon and the connection state is represented with an outline around the first icon. A user can visually see the connection state of any managed object within the computing system by viewing the display plane and seeing the outline around the first icon. A method for visually indicating a monitored connection state of a managed object in a computing system includes representing the managed object with a first icon; representing the connection state with a first representation; and superimposing the first icon on the first representation.

Abstract: A user display window that displays a managed object and its state within a single image includes a display pane for displaying a visual image, wherein a first icon represents the managed object and a second icon represents the state of the managed icon and the first icon is superimposed over the second icon to create the visual image. A user can visually see the managed object and its state within the computing system. A method for visually indicating a managed object and its state within a single image in a computing system includes representing the managed object with a first icon; representing the state of the managed object with a second icon; and superimposing the first icon on the second icon such that the resulting image provides a visual indication of the managed object and its state.

Abstract: An apparatus creates a user-defined .NET class within an operational control environment of distributed computing systems. The apparatus includes a define module that allows a user to create a new class and define properties for the new class in a specification. After the user creates the new class, the define module creates a .NET class based on the specification. In addition, a method for creating a user-defined .NET class within an operational control environment of distributed computing systems includes receiving a user-defined class; receiving user-defined properties for the user-defined class; and creating a .NET class based on the user-defined class and properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for reporting an alert state at any level of a hierarchy of managed objects in a computing system includes an arrange module that arranges the managed objects in a hierarchy. The hierarchy includes a top view and at least one sub-view, wherein the top view visually indicates an alert state representing the highest alert state of all managed objects and sub-views under the top view. A method for reporting an alert state at any level of a hierarchy of managed objects in a computing system includes arranging the managed objects in a hierarchy, having a top view and at least one sub-view, wherein the top view visually indicates an alert state representing the highest alert state of all managed objects and sub-views under the top view. A user display window for displaying an alert state at any level of a hierarchy of managed objects includes a navigation pane, a display pane, and a detail pane.

Abstract: A method of identifying a unique object nested within a hierarchy of objects in a computing system includes identifying the unique object by its class and instance in a syntax readable by the computing system; identifying at least one parent object by its class and instance in the syntax; and defining a relationship between the unique object and the parent object in the syntax; wherein an alert can be issued for the unique object. An apparatus for identifying a unique object nested within a hierarchy of objects in a computing system includes a first identify module, a second identify module, and a define module. The first identify module identifies the unique object by its class and instance in a syntax readable by the computing system. The second identify module identifies at least one parent object by its class and instance in the syntax. And, the define module that defines a relationship between the unique object and the parent object in the syntax. An alert can be issued for the unique object.

Abstract: Various approaches for managing a plurality of instances of an object model are disclosed. At least a first and a second instance of the object model are established in first and second data processing systems. Each instance includes a plurality of objects, and each object includes a first attribute that is a globally unique identifier (GUID). Objects are associated other objects of the plurality of objects, and for each association between a first and a second one of the plurality of objects, the first object includes a second attribute that is the GUID of the second object. Established in each system are first and second versions of a data set that includes the GUIDs of the plurality of objects and associated pointers to memory locations of the objects in the first and second memory arrangements.