Abstract: A management system is provided for the generation of a management object model for performing management of a computer system. The object model includes a structured hierarchy of objects representing components of a computer system. The management system can include component modules operable to define mappings from instrumentation of the components to objects representing those components and configuration modules operable to configure associations between the component modules for the generation of the management object model.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and mechanism represents system management information for components of a system as instances of managed object classes. A plurality of tables are provided with at least one table including instance entries for instances of physical object classes representing physical entities. Attribute entries for attributes of the physical object classes are mapped to instance entries in the tables. The allocation of attributes to attribute entries can be effected so as to mirror a class inheritance hierarchy. Also, attributes of logical object classes representing logical entities are mapped to the tables to represent associations between the physical object classes and the logical object classes.

Abstract: A method of automatic configuration of field replaceable units in a system includes steps of accessing configuration management system (CMS) class information from a field replaceable unit (FRU) and using the accessed information for deriving an initial configuration for the FRU. The FRU can contain information defining one or more configuration management system classes for the FRU. One or more management classes may be identified for managing one or more resources for the FRU. The CMS class information is then be used to derive the initial configuration information for the FRU for managing the device(s) of that FRU. The CMS class information can be held in non-volatile memory in the FRU. This information can be read on inserting the FRU into the system and can be used to establish the initial configuration prior to full integration of the FRU into the system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and mechanism represents system management information for components of a system as instances of managed object classes. A plurality of tables are provided with at least one table including instance entries for instances of physical object classes representing physical entities. Attribute entries for attributes of the physical object classes are mapped to instance entries in the tables. The allocation of attributes to attribute entries can be effected so as to mirror a class inheritance hierarchy. Also, attributes of logical object classes representing logical entities are mapped to the tables to represent associations between the physical object classes and the logical object classes.

Abstract: The health of a process is monitored in a computer system by a process monitor. The monitored process (a configuration management system daemon (CMSD)) is not a child of the process monitor. The process monitor uniquely determines the identity of a monitored process and verifies the correct operation of the monitored process. In the absence of verification of the correct operation of the monitored process, the monitored process is caused to initiate. On successful initiation of the monitored process, the monitored process is uniquely identified to the system and is detached from the process monitor. Each monitored process is arranged to write, on initiation, its unique process identification information (PID) to a file, which file is then accessed by the process monitor to identify the process monitor. The process monitor can interrogate the operating system to verify correct operation of the CMSD.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus represents system management information for components of the system as instances of object classes within a defined inheritance hierarchy. The class inheritance hierarchy includes multiple levels below a root object class including at least a first level below the root object class and a second level below the first level. At least one first level object class at the first level forms an instance of the root class and at least one second level object class at the second level forms an instance at the first level object class. Each instance of an object class has at least one attribute with a value representing a characteristic of that instance of the object class. The method and apparatus involve populating a plurality of tables. The tables are allocated to respective object classes at the multiple levels. The tables are populated with instance entries for instances of the object classes to which the tables are allocated.

Abstract: The health of a process is monitored in a computer system by a process monitor. The monitored process (a configuration management system daemon (CMSD)) is not a child of the process monitor. The process monitor uniquely determines the identity of a monitored process and verifies the correct operation of the monitored process. In the absence of verification of the correct operation of the monitored process, the monitored process is caused to initiate. On successful initiation of the monitored process, the monitored process is uniquely identified to the system and is detached from the process monitor. Each monitored process is arranged to write, on initiation, its unique process identification information (PID) to a file, which file is then accessed by the process monitor to identify the process monitor. The process monitor can interrogate the operating system to verify correct operation of the CMSD.

Abstract: A method of automatic configuration of field replaceable units in a system includes steps of accessing configuration management system (CMS) class information from a field replaceable unit (FRU) and using the accessed information for deriving an initial configuration for the FRU. The FRU can contain information defining one or more configuration management system classes for the FRU. One or more management classes may be identified for managing one or more resources for the FRU. The CMS class information is then be used to derive the initial configuration information for the FRU for managing the device(s) of that FRU. The CMS class information can be held in non-volatile memory in the FRU. This information can be read on inserting the FRU into the system and can be used to establish the initial configuration prior to full integration of the FRU into the system.