Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using directory services to manage resources in a virtual execution environment. A directory repository is populated with resource, administration, roles, policy, and service-level agreement (SLA) objects. A service request is received by a virtual machine manager (VMM) administrator, which determines its requirements. The directory repository is queried with a directory service to identify available resources to fulfill the service request. The service request is routed to the VMM of the virtual machine (VM) host comprising the available resources. If an active VM comprises the available resources, then its roles, policy, and SLA objects are retrieved from the directory repository. The objects are then used to respectively determine if the service request has sufficient authentication and authorizations, if the VM's configuration meets the service request's resource requirements, and if service-levels requirements can be maintained.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the transcoding of data from a first format to a second format. A data format transcoder receives a request for data from a requester. The desired format of the requested data is determined. A descriptor file containing formatting information describing the requested format is loaded into the data format transcoder. The requested data is retrieved in its native format along with its corresponding common descriptor. The requested data is read in its native format, using the formatting information from its associated common descriptor. The data format transcoder then uses the formatting information in the common descriptor of the requested format to perform transcoding operations to convert the requested data from its native format into the requested format.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and product for selecting an iSCSI target for us in automatically booting a remote initiator is disclosed. A policy engine is created for use in a discovery domain of an iSCSI device. A boot attribute setting within the policy engine is set for selecting an iSCSI target to allow the remote initiator to automatically log onto the selected target for booting.

Abstract: A system, method, and module for reducing power states for storage devices and associated logical volumes are disclosed. In one form, a method of altering an operating state of a storage device can include detecting a request to access a first logical volume over an interval. The method can also include determining an association of a storage device to the first logical volume. The method can further include determining if the storage device is operably associated with a second logical volume, and altering an operating state of the storage device in response to detecting the request and determining the association with the second logical volume.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for Common Information Model (CIM) management clients to predetermine a data provider's support for localization, select an available locale implementation, and receive the provider's indications and responses in the selected locale. A registered locale class is added to the CIM schema for instantiating predetermined locales within an Interop namespace and a referenced locale class is added to associate registered locale class instances to a registered profile class. Instances of the registered locale class are created by a CIM data provider in the Interop namespace for each supported locale. Element Conforms To Profile (ECTP) association classes are then implemented to create associations between registered locale classes with top level scoping classes and their corresponding locale namespace. The top level scoping class comprising its associated locale namespace is then established as the locale implemented by the data provider.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the transcoding of data from a first format to a second format. A data format transcoder receives a request for data from a requester. The desired format of the requested data is determined. A descriptor file containing formatting information describing the requested format is loaded into the data format transcoder. The requested data is retrieved in its native format along with its corresponding common descriptor. The requested data is read in its native format, using the formatting information from its associated common descriptor. The data format transcoder then uses the formatting information in the common descriptor of the requested format to perform transcoding operations to convert the requested data from its native format into the requested format.

Abstract: An information handling system having a processor and a computer readable medium accessible by the processor and having stored thereon a data structure operable as a directory service. The data structure includes a field comprising a service level object representing a service and comprising data defining roles for the service level object, policies for service level object, and service oriented architecture polices for the service level object. The data structure also includes a field comprising a hardware-level map object subordinate to and in relationship with the service level object, representing hardware or software supporting the service, and comprising data defining roles for the hardware-level map object, policies for the hardware-level map object, and service oriented architecture polices for the hardware-level map object.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using directory services to manage resources in a virtual execution environment. A directory repository is populated with resource, administration, roles, policy, and service level agreement (SLA) objects. A service request is received by a virtual machine manager (VMM) administrator, which determines its requirements. The directory repository is queried with a directory service to identify available resources to fulfill the service request. The service request is routed to the VMM of the virtual machine (VM) host comprising the available resources. If an active VM comprises the available resources, then its roles, policy, and SLA objects are retrieved from the directory repository. The objects are then used to respectively determine if the service request has sufficient authentication and authorizations, if the VM's configuration meets the service request's resource requirements, and if service levels requirements can be maintained.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for managing objects in accordance with the Common Information Model. A CIMOM installation utility identifies directory services that are coupled to or included within the network or computing environment. Once identified, the directory services are extended to include an additional managed object of the Common Information Model. After the schema of the directory service is extended, the managed object is created in at least one of the directory services. Following these steps, a client of the network is able to execute a discovery process to locate the directory services and managed objects of the directory services, thereby allowing the client to communicate with the managed objects of the directory services, including the managed object that was added as part of the extension of the schema of one or more of the directory services.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and product for selecting an iSCSI target for us in automatically booting a remote initiator is disclosed. A policy engine is created for use in a discovery domain of an iSCSI device. A boot attribute setting within the policy engine is set for selecting an iSCSI target to allow the remote initiator to automatically log onto the selected target for booting.

Abstract: A method for applying quality of service in a storage network comprises registering a target with a server, and setting a quality of service priority for the target on the server, on the target, or on both the server and the target. An initiator registers with the server, and the initiator utilizes the quality of service priority to send data to the target.

Abstract: A system, method, and module for reducing power states for storage devices and associated logical volumes are disclosed. In one form, a method of altering an operating state of a storage device can include detecting a request to access a first logical volume over an interval. The method can also include determining an association of a storage device to the first logical volume. The method can further include determining if the storage device is operably associated with a second logical volume, and altering an operating state of the storage device in response to detecting the request and determining the association with the second logical volume.

Abstract: An information handling system having a processor and a computer readable medium accessible by the processor and having stored thereon a data structure operable as a directory service. The data structure includes a field comprising a service level object representing a service and comprising data defining roles for the service level object, policies for service level object, and service oriented architecture polices for the service level object. The data structure also includes a field comprising a hardware-level map object subordinate to and in relationship with the service level object, representing hardware or software supporting the service, and comprising data defining roles for the hardware-level map object, policies for the hardware-level map object, and service oriented architecture polices for the hardware-level map object.

Abstract: A system and method for Common Information Model (CIM) management clients to predetermine a data provider's support for localization, select an available locale implementation, and receive the provider's indications and responses in the selected locale. A registered locale class is added to the CIM schema for instantiating predetermined locales within an Interop namespace, and a referenced locale class is added to associate registered locale class instances to a registered profile class. Instances of the registered locale class are created by a CIM data provider in the Interop namespace for each locale (e.g., language, units of measure, etc.) supported by the provider. Element Conforms To Profile (ECTP) association classes are implemented to create associations between registered locale classes with top level scoping classes and their corresponding locale namespace.

Abstract: A directory service architecture simplifies management of operations of plural server information handling systems. A server object associated with each server information handling system applies an associated server policy to perform tasks of a task list at the associated server information handling system. The tasks call tool box objects from a tool box, the tool box objects having tool distinguished names that point to tool objects. The tool objects have tools that deploy to the server information handling system to perform the tasks of the task lists, such as updating applications, running diagnostics, running virus scans or otherwise executing applications at the server information handling system. A policy class set up to do a task with a tool object for a server object is applied to other server objects by copying the service to the other server object policies.

Abstract: An improved system and method for providing updates, drivers and other utilities to target systems utilizes a directory service. A target object, a policy object and a virtual media image object are provided within the directory service. The virtual media image object includes one or more updates needed by the associated target system. The target system may automatically access the directory service and interface with the target object and policy object to locate the virtual media image object and gain access to the virtual media image object.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically installing an operating system from a deployment server to a target server utilizing a directory service. The directory service utilizes target objects and policy objects to authenticate the identity of a particular target and then to direct the target system to a deployment server that maintains a validated image of a desired operating system. The target system then communicates with the deployment server in order to install the appropriate operating system.

Abstract: Virtual media images of actual physical media resources, such as O/S boot files and software installation disks, are provided in a remote directory structure. The remote directory structure stores the virtual media images along with access rights of multiple authorized users, such that control is provided over the retrieval of the virtual media images and use of data/programs within the images. The virtual media images may be stored in blocks, or multiple sub-blocks/children, corresponding the actual media resources. Moreover, the remote directory server may simply store virtual media pointers, or location identifiers, which point to another storage location (i.e., a remote computer) having the actual data content of the virtual media image. Accordingly, the directory server processes a user request for a desired portion of the virtual media images by evaluating whether the user is one of the plurality of authorized users and whether the access rights of the user encompass the desired portion.

Abstract: A technique is provided for managing network devices and computer systems via a remote directory environment. The remote directory environment organizes various resources, such as servers, in a directory structure and provides access rights and restrictions to the resources based on groups or roles. A user with the proper access rights is then able to access the desired resource, such as a server, and create or modify management operations, device configurations, and other tasks. The subject device may then be notified of the new or modified operation, configuration, or task. The subject device also may routinely or periodically retrieve various management tasks from the remote directory environment.

Abstract: A technique is provided for managing network devices and computer systems via a remote directory environment. The remote directory environment organizes various resources, such as servers, in a directory structure and provides access rights and restrictions to the resources based on groups or roles. A user with the proper access rights is then able to access the desired resource, such as a server, and create or modify management operations, device configurations, and other tasks. The subject device may then be notified of the new or modified operation, configuration, or task. The subject device also may routinely or periodically retrieve various management tasks from the remote directory environment.