Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing a variety of polling agent functions in a client management tool. Users at a central manager are prompted to select either a central polling function or a resident polling function for the collection of client management data from a number of computer objects. Additionally, the polling agent functions of the present invention are capable of distinguishing between critical data and non-critical data and determining an appropriate transmission interval for the data.

Abstract: A computing component is provided for use in a client computer which has a client processor. The computing component includes a remote management processor that is operable to selectively control the client computer independently of the client's own processor or processors. The computing component also includes a network component that facilitates communication between the computing component and a remote management machine. A method of managing one or more clients in a computer system is also provided, where the clients have a client processor and a computing component installed on client. The computing component is independent of the client processor and is operable to selectively control the client. A network component is installed on the computing component. The method includes remotely controlling the client by communicating with the computing component through the network component utilizing a remote manager.

Abstract: A computing component is provided for use in a client computer which has a client processor. The computing component includes a remote management processor that is operable to selectively control the client computer independently of the client's own processor or processors. The computing component also includes a network component that facilitates communication between the computing component and a remote management machine. A method of managing one or more clients in a computer system is also provided, where the clients have a client processor and a computing component installed on client. The computing component is independent of the client processor and is operable to selectively control the client. A network component is installed on the computing component. The method includes remotely controlling the client by communicating with the computing component through the network component utilizing a remote manager.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for implementing a user interface in a client management tool. A user interface allows a user to select a number of polling agent configurations in the client management tool. Another interface allows a user to issue and modify various client attributes without having to terminate a measurement. A further user interface allows a user to archive client management data within the client management tool.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing service chain measurement and monitoring in a client management tool. A central monitor establishes a performance threshold for two or more components forming a service chain. One or more management templates, corresponding to the performance threshold, are issued to the components for monitoring. If the performance fails to meet the performance threshold, an indication of the failure is provided to a computer system operator.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A method and structure for calculating transaction costs as a function of one or more services provided by a computer system. Each user/computer transaction utilizes one or more computer system services to execute the transaction. Each computer system service provided by an IT department incurs a cost in terms of the equipment, software, personnel and facilities utilized to provide distinct levels of availability and response time. By identifying one or more IT services utilized to execute a transaction and by calculating the actual cost incurred to provide one or more of the services, a transaction cost is calculated by summing up the service costs. Thus, the transaction cost is a function of the service costs of the one or more services utilized to execute the transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a computing device control interface are provided. A system administrator accesses a graphical user interface and selects a group of actions that are to be executed by a number of computing devices. The actions selected by the system administrator are embodied in a graphical action icon and displayed on the graphical user interface. The system administrator initiates the actions by manipulating the action icon such that it overlaps a computer icon, which embodies one or more computing devices within the network that will execute the selected actions. The computing device icon is also displayed on the user interface. The user interface executes the selected action on the selected computer and then generates an archive file embodying the execution of the selected actions on the selected group of computing devices.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exchanging data at irregular intervals between a sender and a receiver. The sender transmits to the receiver reports containing subject data along with information regarding the next interval at which subject data will be transmitted to the receiver. The receiver may create an expectation window corresponding to the interval information. In a network environment, the level of non-management traffic is monitored, and an average interval value for exchanging management data is selected as a function of the level of non-management traffic. Then, interval values are randomly generated based on the selected average interval value, and the management data is transmitted from the sender to the receiver at irregular intervals corresponding to the interval values.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exchanging data at irregular intervals between a sender and a receiver. The sender transmits to the receiver reports containing subject data along with information regarding the next interval at which subject data will be transmitted to the receiver. The receiver may create an expectation window corresponding to the interval information. In a network environment, the level of non-management traffic is monitored, and an average interval value for exchanging management data is selected as a function of the level of non-management traffic. Then, interval values are randomly generated based on the selected average interval value, and the management data is transmitted from the sender to the receiver at irregular intervals corresponding to the interval values.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exchanging data at irregular intervals between a sender and a receiver. The sender transmits to the receiver reports containing subject data along with information regarding the next interval at which subject data will be transmitted to the receiver. The receiver may create an expectation window corresponding to the interval information. In a network environment, the level of non-management traffic is monitored, and an average interval value for exchanging management data is selected as a function of the level of non-management traffic. Then, interval values are randomly generated based on the selected average interval value, and the management data is transmitted from, the sender to the receiver at irregular intervals corresponding to the interval values.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing a variety of polling agent functions in a client management tool. Users at a central manager are prompted to select either a central polling function or a resident polling function for the collection of client management data from a number of computer objects. Additionally, the polling agent functions of the present invention are capable of distinguishing between critical data and non-critical data and determining an appropriate transmission interval for the data.

Abstract: A computing component is provided for use in a client computer which has a client processor. The computing component includes a remote management processor that is operable to selectively control the client computer independently of the client's own processor or processors. The computing component also includes a network component that facilitates communication between the computing component and a remote management machine. A method of managing one or more clients in a computer system is also provided, where the clients have a client processor and a computing component installed on client. The computing component is independent of the client processor and is operable to selectively control the client. A network component is installed on the computing component. The method includes remotely controlling the client by communicating with the computing component through the network component utilizing a remote manager.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for implementing a user interface in a client management tool. A user interface allows a user to select a number of polling agent configurations in the client management tool. Another interface allows a user to issue and modify various client attributes without having to terminate a measurement. A further user interface allows a user to archive client management data within the client management tool.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exchanging data at irregular intervals between a sender and a receiver. The sender transmits to the receiver reports containing subject data along with information regarding the next interval at which subject data will be transmitted to the receiver. The receiver may create an expectation window corresponding to the interval information. In a network environment, the level of non-management traffic is monitored, and an average interval value for exchanging management data is selected as a function of the level of non-management traffic. Then, interval values are randomly generated based on the selected average interval value, and the management data is transmitted from the sender to the receiver at irregular intervals corresponding to the interval values.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exchanging data at irregular intervals between a sender and a receiver. The sender transmits to the receiver reports containing subject data along with information regarding the next interval at which subject data will be transmitted to the receiver. The receiver may create an expectation window corresponding to the interval information. In a network environment, the level of non-management traffic is monitored, and an average interval value for exchanging management data is selected as a function of the level of non-management traffic. Then, interval values are randomly generated based on the selected average interval, value, and the management data is transmitted from, the sender to the receiver at irregular intervals corresponding to the interval values.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for implementing a variety of polling agent functions in a client management tool. Users at a central manager are prompted to select either a central polling function or a resident polling function for the collection of client management data from a number of computer objects. Additionally, the polling agent functions of the present invention are capable of distinguishing between critical data and non-critical data and determining an appropriate transmission interval for the data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exchanging data at irregular intervals between a sender and a receiver. The sender transmits to the receiver reports containing subject data along with information regarding the next interval at which subject data will be transmitted to the receiver. The receiver may create an expectation window corresponding to the interval information. In a network environment, the level of non-management traffic is monitored, and an average interval value for exchanging management data is selected as a function of the level of non-management traffic. Then, interval values are randomly generated based on the selected average interval value, and the management data is transmitted from the sender to the receiver at irregular intervals corresponding to the interval values.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for implementing a user interface in a client management tool. A user interface allows a user to select a number of polling agent configurations in the client management tool. Another interface allows a user to issue and modify various client attributes without having to terminate a measurement. A further user interface allows a user to archive client management data within the client management tool.