Abstract: Provided are a method, system, article of manufacture, and a computer readable medium, wherein a plurality of user defined schedules are received for collecting data on a plurality of resources. A schedule is generated for data collection on at least one resource, based on processing the plurality of user defined schedules to eliminate redundant data collection on the at least one resource. Operations are executed on the at least one resource in accordance with the generated schedule.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a plurality of resources are grouped into a plurality of groups, wherein one group may be included in another in the plurality of groups, and wherein the plurality of resources and the plurality of groups comprise items. A recursive determination is made of valid items in a group by excluding those items that have already been determined to be included in the group.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for presenting relationships. An example of the method includes specifying a set of objects. This example also includes designating a root node of the set of objects. This example also includes selecting a first level object type for a first level. This example further includes, for at least one object having the first level object type, providing and associating therewith a corresponding first level container tree node connected to the root node. Additionally, this example includes adding a child container tree node at a level below the first level, wherein the child container tree node is added only if an object associated with the child container tree node is not in a path between the child container tree node and the root node.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for providing real-time feedback regarding the effect of applying a policy definition used for management in a computing system. An example of the method includes receiving the policy definition, and accessing stored information regarding at least one managed entity in the computing system. This example also includes applying the policy definition to the information regarding the at least one managed entity. This example further includes outputting information providing real-time feedback regarding the effect of applying the policy definition to the information regarding the at least one managed entity. Another aspect of the invention is a method for defining a policy used for management in a computing system.