Abstract: Embodiments of system upgrade management in a cloud computing system are disclosed therein. In one embodiment, a computing device is configured to transmit, to a server in the cloud computing system, data representing an available upgrade applicable to a component of the server on which a virtual machine is executed to provide a corresponding cloud computing service to a tenant. The computing device is also configured to receive, from the server, a message containing a preferred time by the tenant to apply the available upgrade to the component of the server and in response to receiving the message, determine a time for applying the available upgrade to the component of the server in view of the preferred time by the tenant included in the received message and instruct the server to apply the upgrade to the component of the server according to the determined time.

Abstract: Providing a uniform security model to heterogeneous devices in a distributed computing environment. A method includes storing information about a plurality of device security models, including device credentials. The method further includes storing information about a uniform security model, including access rights for various principals. The method further includes identifying a principal. Based on the identified principal, access is provided to the principal according to the uniform security model, based on the device security model credentials.

Abstract: Providing a uniform security model to heterogeneous devices in a distributed computing environment. A method includes storing information about a plurality of device security models, including device credentials. The method further includes storing information about a uniform security model, including access rights for various principals. The method further includes identifying a principal. Based on the identified principal, access is provided to the principal according to the uniform security model, based on the device security model credentials.