Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating packages and for transferring packages between computer systems provides a graphical user interface that allows a user to define various attributes for a package. Logical packages may be defined, which specify package elements to include in the package. Physical packages may also be defined, which contain a copy of the package elements specified in the logical package. Once a user defines a logical package, the logical package may be transferred to an endpoint system. The endpoint system reads the logical package, and from the parameters in the logical package determines where to retrieve the package elements and what other actions are appropriate while retrieving the package elements and constructing a physical package. In this manner, the endpoint system retrieves the package elements as required. The preferred embodiment of the present invention defines a packager using an object oriented framework mechanism that defines both core and extensible functions.

Abstract: The present invention generally is a method of managing the process of a plurality of transactions through two or more applications in a business transaction environment. Each application has at least one associated log file. Each transaction is defined by one or more steps configured to complete the transaction. In one embodiment, for each new log entry recorded in the at least one associated log file, the method determines whether the new log entry comprises one or more required fields, e.g., a transaction identifier, a step identifier, or a time stamp. A set of information is extracted from the new log entry only if the new log entry comprises the one or more required fields. A database comprising a plurality of transaction records from the information is then created. The method then determines whether the plurality of transaction records meets a condition. An action is then executed if the plurality of transactions meets the condition.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for simultaneously displaying on handheld display devices the top-level status of network objects such as network devices, systems, firmware, etc. In one embodiment, the user can drill-down from a top-level status to determine sub-status information for the monitored network objects. In another embodiment, the user can select the network objects to monitor and display summarized status information pertaining to the selected network objects.

Abstract: A system configuration manager provides a graphical user interface that allows a system administrator to easily administer configuration settings for different computer systems and platforms on a computer network. The system configuration manager of the present invention allows identifying one system configuration or a settings profile as a “model system”. Once the model system is defined, other computer systems may be compared to the model system. Differences between the selected computer systems and the model system are then displayed, and the system configuration manager may be used to update the selected computer systems with configuration settings specified in the model system. Cross-platform support is provided by a configuration mapping mechanism that maps configuration information from one platform to corresponding configuration information for another platform.

Abstract: A syntax checker that simultaneously provides real-time feedback to the user regarding more than one syntactic requirement is disclosed. The syntax checker can be configured by the user to provide feedback about certain rules or rule sets and to omit feedback for other rules or rule sets. Also disclosed is a password validation mechanism that checks a submitted password string against the requirements of more than one password-protected resource and provides visual feedback to the user regarding success or failure. This visual feedback is provided using three different visual cues.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing software between computers are disclosed. A software fix manager compares a preferred software inventory with a software inventory from a computer that is to be synchronized and, from this comparison, creates a number of software product synchronizations. An update manager uses the software fix list to apply software product synchronizations to the computer. Preferably, the computer can be brought to the same fix level or product level, if desired, as the preferred software inventory through this process. The software fix manager can place synchronizations in a fix list. There can be multiple software product synchronizations per software product, and the synchronizations can be applied to a computer by removing a software product fix or installing a product software fix. The current invention may also be applied to software products themselves, by installing or removing software products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating packages and for transferring packages between computer systems provides a graphical user interface that allows a user to define various attributes for a package. Logical packages may be defined, which specify package elements to include in the package. Physical packages may also be defined, which contain a copy of the package elements specified in the logical package. Once a user defines a logical package, the logical package may be transferred to an endpoint system. The endpoint system reads the logical package, and from the parameters in the logical package determines where to retrieve the package elements and what other actions are appropriate while retrieving the package elements and constructing a physical package. In this manner, the endpoint system retrieves the package elements as required. The preferred embodiment of the present invention defines a packager using an object oriented framework mechanism that defines both core and extensible functions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating packages and for transferring packages between computer systems provides a graphical user interface that allows a user to define various attributes for a package. Logical packages may be defined, which specify package elements to include in the package. Physical packages may also be defined, which contain a copy of the package elements specified in the logical package. Once a user defines a logical package, the logical package may be transferred to an endpoint system. The endpoint system reads the logical package, and from the parameters in the logical package determines where to retrieve the package elements and what other actions are appropriate while retrieving the package elements and constructing a physical package. In this manner, the endpoint system retrieves the package elements as required. The preferred embodiment of the present invention defines a packager using an object oriented framework mechanism that defines both core and extensible functions.