Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to selecting a path for navigation based on a node signature and a device signature. The node signature is directly related to node attribute data. The device signature is directly related to device data. A route is selected based on a match or near match of the node and device signatures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to selecting a path for navigation based on a node signature and a device signature. The node signature is directly related to node attribute data. The device signature is directly related to device data. A route is selected based on a match or near match of the node and device signatures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to selecting a path for navigation based on a node signature and a device signature. The node signature is directly related to node attribute data. The device signature is directly related to device data. A route is selected based on a match or near match of the node and device signatures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to selecting a path for navigation based on a node signature and a device signature. The node signature is directly related to node attribute data. The device signature is directly related to device data. A route is selected based on a match or near match of the node and device signatures.

Abstract: A system, method, and medium for providing configurable item configuration data by receiving a plurality of configuration data sets from a plurality of sources, all which pertain to the same configurable item (CI), then using weighting rules and preferences to assign weight values for each option, feature, and component in each report according to discrepancies and commonalities between the data sets, creating a new data set for the configurable item by selecting options, features, and components having the greatest weight values among all of the data sets, assigning confidence factors to each option, feature, and component by weight comparisons between the plurality of data sets; updating a configuration management database entry for the configurable item accordingly.

Abstract: An automatic patch deployment system is provided that deploys a patch according to an assessed risk and a policy. The policy may specify actions to be taken to deploy the patch for different categories of risk. The automatic patch deployment system receives a patch notification, an assessment of the risk, and the policy and deploys the patch accordingly. For example, installation of a patch may be indefinitely delayed for high risk patches, rescheduled for medium risk patches, or installed immediately for low risk patches.

Abstract: An automatic risk assessment system is provided that determines a risk for the patch based on collected activity metrics, file weights, a list of files affected by the patch, and other factors. An application monitor collects metrics from the application to determine the level of activity of the application or other component to be patched. The patch may have associated therewith metadata including a list of files that will be affected by the patch. Policies may store information about how risk is to be assessed. This information may include, for example, file weights and information defining categories of risk.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable code for deploying software in a data center and desktop computers. A set of software distribution applications within the data center or IT infrastructure are identified. In response to receiving a request to install software, installation parameters associated with the software to be installed are compared to characteristics for the set of software distribution applications. A software distribution application is selected from the set of software distribution applications based on comparing the installation parameters associated with the software to the characteristics for the set of software distribution applications. The selected software distribution application is used to install the software.

Abstract: Enabling automated provisioning on a data processing network includes providing the network with access to an automated provisioning controller. The controller enables a user to specify resource allocation priorities and uses the user-specified priorities, in conjunction with a resource stabilization policy, to resolve conflicting resource requests. The resource allocation priorities include priorities for demand-based resource requests and maintenance-based resource requests. The stabilization policy includes a policy for constraining allocation of a resource based on forecasted demand and a policy for constraining allocation of a resource based on a scheduled maintenance task.

Abstract: A method and software for fulfilling a resource request in a data processing network includes specifying characteristics of the requested resource responsive to detecting the resource request. A set of attributes is then derived from the specified characteristics. The specified characteristics indicate broad or general properties of the needed resource while the derived attributes preferably indicate the hardware and software components of a resource ideally suited to fulfill the resource request. Attribute information associated an available resource is then evaluated against the attributes derived from the specified characteristics. An available resource is then selected, based on the evaluation, to satisfy the resource request. The attributes of the selected resource best match the attributes derived from the specified characteristics.

Abstract: Automated software provisioning based upon a set of role definitions for a user of a configurable device such as a computer or personal digital assistant. The present invention may be realized as an enhancement or extension to currently available software distribution tools which are used to distribute software to remote and local machines, and to permit unattended software installation and maintenance. The invention provides role-based software provisioning which automatically distributes the appropriate software programs and updates to computers that are owned by users based on the role of each user, thereby avoiding the need for intensive manual efforts to determine which computers need what software. The invention may also be interfaced to a License Management system in order to accomplish automatic recovery of unused software licenses, and to obtain permission for installing new licenses, based on user role changes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing the display of a new document. In response to receiving a user input indicating that the new document is to be displayed, a list of browser windows including an indication of a presently displayed document in each respective browser window in the list of browser windows is displayed; and a document displayed in the browser window is replaced with the new document responsive to a user selection of a browser window from the list of browser windows.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for installing software in a network data processing system. An event is detected in the network data processing system indicating that a software module is to be installed in a set of data processing systems in the network data processing system. A configuration of each data processing system in the set of data processing systems is discovered, and a set of instructions is created using a knowledge base of prior installations. The set of instructions is tailored for each data processing system in the set of data processing systems based on the configuration for the each data processing system in the set of data processing systems. The set of instructions for the software module to be installed is sent to the set of data processing systems.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for identifying signal strength in a wireless network card. The wireless network card includes a housing, a bus interface, a transceiver, a data buffer, a display device, and a control unit. The bus interface is located inside the housing, wherein the bus interface provides a connection to a data processing system. The transceiver is located inside the housing. The transceiver sends and receives data from a wireless connection. The data buffer is connected to the bus interface and the transceiver, wherein the data buffer holds data for transfer between the bus interface and the transceiver. The display device is located on the exterior housing of the wireless network apparatus in a location for viewing by a human user. A control unit, located within the housing, controls the transfer of data through the data buffer, identifies the signal strength for the wireless connection, and displays the signal strength on the display device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for testing compatibility of software versions, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of performing an inventory on an existing set of software modules resident in the data processing system responsive to an installation of a new software module in a data processing system; referring to a knowledge base of versions of respective software modules to determine whether the new software module is compatible with the existing set of software modules; and testing the new software module in a test data processing system in combination with the existing set of software modules in response to a negative determination.