Abstract: A hierarchy of computer resources is represented on a display using frames. Each frame is constituted by a top banner, a left sidebar, a right edge, and a bottom edge. The banner includes text identifying the resource it represents. The banner and the left sidebar have sufficient width to bear the text; the edges have insufficient width to bear the text.

Abstract: A method, and a corresponding system, provide for configuring nodes in a computer system according to a user's intent. The computer system includes one or more nodes. The method includes receiving a configuration command from a user, including an identification of one or more of the nodes to be configured; determining available programs for configuring the one or more nodes; determining requirements for applying the available programs to the one or more nodes and displaying the requirements to the user for selection; receiving user selections from the displayed requirements; and executing the requirements to configure the one or more nodes.

Abstract: A system includes a server environment and a management station. The server environment includes hardware servers. At least some of the servers can be characterized by a hierarchy of partitions. The management station provides an administrative interface. The administrative interface provides a display that displays alternate views of a graphical representation of the server environment. Each of the views has graphical partition elements corresponding to at least some of the partitions nested with graphic server elements corresponding to at least some of the hardware servers. At least some of the graphical partition elements include links that, when activated, cause the graphical representation to switch to another of its views in which is highlighted a graphical partition element that was not highlighted in the previous view.

Abstract: An administrator selects a representation of a logical server on a display. The logical server is stored in a logical-server database. The logical-server database stores logical-servers and specifies their resource requirements and network identities. The logical servers are deployable to physical and/or virtual real servers. A logical-server manager program responds to the selection by displaying a warning symbol. The administrator interacts with the warning symbol, and the logical-server manager program responds by displaying a message specifying that the real server is unsuitable or impaired as a host for deployment of the logical server.

Abstract: A method for executing a web application comprising sending at least one query to at least one data source. After receiving data in response to the query, a web page is created having separate portions. A first of said portions provides for displaying received data, while a second of said portions provides for displaying a first placeholder for yet to be received data. A refresh code is inserted in the second portion. The web page is then transmitted.

Abstract: A hardware based utilization metering device, and a corresponding method are used in a computer system having one or more central processor units (CPUs) to provide a measure of CPU utilization. The device includes a state indicator coupled to a CPU. The state indicator receives an indication when the CPU is in a first state, which may be a busy state. A counter coupled to the state indicator and coupled to a system clock, receives a measure of system time from the system clock and receives data related to the indication when the CPU is in the first state, and generates a counter value indicative of time the CPU is in the first state. A data usage provider coupled to the counter maintains a non-volatile value of the counter value.

Abstract: When a user drags a mobile icon, ratings indications are displayed for target icons on which said mobile icon can be dropped.

Abstract: Computer operations whose execution would increase usage costs may require use of authorization and notification to prevent unauthorized execution. The computer operations may be designed to execute only if a authorization and notification routines are properly registered. The computer system customer establishes the authorization and notification requirements based on standard application programming interfaces to suit the customer's business practices and links the requirements to the computer operation. The computer operation determines if the authorization and notification are proper. If authorization is granted, the computer operation checks to see that the notification is proper, executes the computer operation, and then executes a notification module to notify the necessary personnel. Both authorization and notification routines return errors that are passed to the user through the computer operation.

Abstract: A system includes a server environment and a management station. The server environment includes hardware servers. At least some of the servers can be characterized by a hierarchy of partitions. The management station provides an administrative interface. The administrative interface provides a display that displays alternate views of a graphical representation of the server environment. Each of the views has graphical partition elements corresponding to at least some of the partitions nested with graphic server elements corresponding to at least some of the hardware servers. At least some of the graphical partition elements include links that, when activated, cause the graphical representation to switch to another of its views in which is highlighted a graphical partition element that was not highlighted in the previous view.

Abstract: A tamper-evident data management system uses public-private digital signature keys to control use of data and to ensure the fidelity of data that is stored on a customer's system for later collection by a computer vendor or that is sent to the vendor over a network. A computer system includes an application for collecting usage or metrics data from the computer system, for example. The metering application uses an application private key to digitally sign all metrics data prior to optionally storing the data in a data log file. The vendor can then use an application public key to validate the digitally signed entries. The digitally signed data entries may also be encrypted using a vendor public key prior to storage in the data log and may be decrypted using a vendor private key prior to validating the digitally signed data. The application and application private key may be stored on a smart card to discourage and detect tampering or may be stored on the computer system itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer management method. This method involves responding to a “get web page” request by generating a web page with graphic representation of computer system objects and embedded script-based context-sensitive menu control. Once the web page is displayed, the method provides for responding to selection of one of said graphic representations by activating and inactiving menu items in accordance with properties of said objects embedded in said web page with said objects under control of said script-based context-sensitive menu control.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of indicating measurement values involves: receiving a plurality of measurement values; dynamically determining a normal range for a current one of the measurement values; and displaying and dynamically updating a gauge having 1) a normal range indicia that indicates the normal range for the current one of the measurement values, and 2) an indicia of the current one of the measurement values. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pay-per-use (PPU) software system uses reads metrics data from one or more PPU products and transmits the metrics data to a remote location for processing. The PPU system uses a utility metering appliance that monitors PPU software products on a given internal network through the use of software metering agents that reside on different computers. Metric gathering tools are supplied with the PPU software products and are registered with an agent. The utility metering appliance polls all of the software metering agents, which collect software metrics data from the registered tools. Each agent transmits the data back to the utility metering appliance, where it is stored for periodic transmission to a usage collection and billing system. The usage collection and billing system then forwards the metrics data to a billing computer so that a bill can be issued to the software product user. The software metrics data may also be forwarded to a portal for customer tracking of PPU product usage.

Abstract: Computer operations whose execution would increase usage costs may require use of authorization and notification to prevent unauthorized execution. The computer operations may be designed to execute only if a authorization and notification routines are properly registered. The computer system customer establishes the authorization and notification requirements based on standard application programming interfaces to suit the customer's business practices and links the requirements to the computer operation. The computer operation determines if the authorization and notification are proper. If authorization is granted, the computer operation checks to see that the notification is proper, executes the computer operation, and then executes a notification module to notify the necessary personnel. Both authorization and notification routines return errors that are passed to the user through the computer operation.

Abstract: Computer operations whose execution would increase usage costs may require use of authorization and notification plug-ins to prevent unauthorized execution. The command may be designed to only execute properly if the authorization and notification plug-ins are properly registered. The computer system customer designs the authorization and notification plug-ins based on standard application programming interfaces to suit the customer's business practices and links them to the computer operation. The computer operation executes the authorization plug-in to determine if the proper authorization plug-in parameters have been specified and verify that the command is authorized. If authorization is granted, the computer operation checks to see that the notification plug-in is given the correct parameters, executes the computer operation, and then executes the notification module to notify the necessary personnel.

Abstract: A method for electronic tracking of an electronic device. Identifying information is received about the electronic device, wherein the identifying information uniquely identifies the electronic device. An electronic transmission is received from the electronic device. Provided the electronic transmission is a request to access a component of the electronic device, an access key is transmitted to a system contact, wherein the access key is for providing access to the component.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method allow for capping processor utilization in a computer system. The processors are typically central processing units (CPUs) under control of a system scheduler. The system scheduler controls which of the CPUs will run specific processes. The processes may run according to a predefined priority assigned to each of the processors. A processor bandwidth waster includes a software routine that operates as an infinite loop in one or more of the CPUs. The bandwidth waster may have the highest priority of any process in the computer system such that the bandwidth waster always runs on the CPUs unless a specific action is taken to turn off, or stop, the bandwidth waster. Data are gathered from the CPUs, including time of operation of any bandwidth waster, and the gathered data are used to compute a bill for operation of the computer system.

Abstract: A generic wait utility apparatus, and corresponding method, may be used with one or more application programs to provide flexible waiting functions. Because the wait utility is generic, the wait utility may be used with different application programs, and need not be custom designed for a specific application program or operation of a particular application program. The wait utility may be used with an application program to provide improved processing status information displays and options related to the processing. The wait utility integrates previous wait utility solutions into one generic, multi-purpose wait utility program that is capable of providing a general purposes refreshable status display.

Abstract: A problem detection system detects problems related with operation of a computer system, its hardware components, application programs, and databases. The problem detection system begins by gathering or discovering initial data from one or more of the hardware components, application programs, and databases. The problem detection system may then update this data over time. The problem detection system includes mechanism for discovering problems in the computer system. The problem detection system also includes mechanisms for reporting problems to a user of the computer system or to a system administrator. The problem detection system may report the problems to other components of the computer system, may store data related to the problems, and may present the problem information to the user through a separate display.

Abstract: A hardware based utilization metering device, and a corresponding method are used in a computer system having one or more central processor units (CPUs) to provide a measure of CPU utilization. The device includes a state indicator coupled to a CPU. The state indicator receives an indication when the CPU is in a first state, which may be a busy state. A counter coupled to the state indicator and coupled to a system clock, receives a measure of system time from the system clock and receives data related to the indication when the CPU is in the first state, and generates a counter value indicative of time the CPU is in the first state. A data usage provider coupled to the counter maintains a non-volatile value of the counter value.