Abstract: A method for allocation metering for virtual machines and containers includes gathering virtual structure (“VS”) allocation data for one or more virtual structures running on one or more servers at a customer location of a customer. a virtual structure includes a virtual machine (“VM”) or a container. The VS allocation data is for a virtual structure of the one or more virtual structures that include allocation of virtual resources for the virtual structure. The customer leases computing resources from an owner. The method includes periodically transmitting VS allocation data to an owner server of the owner over a management network different than a computer network servicing workloads of the virtual structures. The owner server is located off-premises from the customer location. Billing information is calculated at the owner server from the VS allocation data and includes a cost for virtual resources allocated to the virtual structures for the billing period.

Abstract: A computer program product includes program instructions configured to be executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform various operations. The operations include identifying a network component within a network infrastructure, wherein the network component operates with a current configuration of network security parameters. The operations further include periodically accessing the current configuration of network security parameters for the network component, accessing a most-recent authenticated configuration of network security parameters for the network component, identifying that the current configuration of the network component differs from the most-recent authenticated configuration of the network component, and automatically remediating the current configuration of the network component. A corresponding method may include the steps implementing the operations.

Abstract: A method and computer program product to reduce users from falling victim of ransomware is disclosed. The method includes periodically administering, by a processor, a security awareness test to a user and generating a security awareness score based on user performance. The security awareness test assesses knowledge of the user with respect to ransomware and cybersecurity protocols of a computer system. The method includes monitoring compliance of the user with the ransomware and cybersecurity protocols and updating the security awareness score in response to changes to the performance and/or compliance. The updated security awareness score is embedded into a security chip of a hardware device of the computer system.

Abstract: A method for dynamic test suite creation from event communications from customers includes receiving an event communication from a customer about an adverse event. The customer receives support for computing equipment over a management network from a support provider and the adverse event is regarding the computing equipment. The method includes analyzing the event communication using natural language processing to identify a potential cause of the adverse event and selecting one or more tests from a test library based on the identified potential cause of the adverse event. Each test of the tests is configured to test a portion of the computing equipment to lead to identification of a cause of the adverse event. The method includes automatically initiating the selected one or more tests through the management network and analyzing test results from execution of the selected one or more tests to identify a cause the adverse event.

Abstract: A method for data storage metering and billing includes receiving, at an owner server on a periodic basis, storage utilization data. The storage utilization data includes one or more measurements of data storage usage for data storage at a customer location of a customer where the customer location is remote from the owner server. The method includes calculating, from the storage utilization data, average storage utilization data that includes an average of the storage utilization data from the customer location for a billing period. The method includes calculating billing information for the average storage utilization data for the billing period where the billing information is calculated from the average storage utilization data and a calculated storage billing rate, and providing, to the customer, access to the billing information.

Abstract: A method for dynamic test suite creation from event communications from customers includes receiving an event communication from a customer about an adverse event. The customer receives support for computing equipment over a management network from a support provider and the adverse event is regarding the computing equipment. The method includes analyzing the event communication using natural language processing to identify a potential cause of the adverse event and selecting one or more tests from a test library based on the identified potential cause of the adverse event. Each test of the tests is configured to test a portion of the computing equipment to lead to identification of a cause of the adverse event. The method includes automatically initiating the selected one or more tests through the management network and analyzing test results from execution of the selected one or more tests to identify a cause the adverse event.

Abstract: A method for allocation metering for virtual machines and containers includes gathering virtual structure (“VS”) allocation data for one or more virtual structures running on one or more servers at a customer location of a customer. a virtual structure includes a virtual machine (“VM”) or a container. The VS allocation data is for a virtual structure of the one or more virtual structures that include allocation of virtual resources for the virtual structure. The customer leases computing resources from an owner. The method includes periodically transmitting VS allocation data to an owner server of the owner over a management network different than a computer network servicing workloads of the virtual structures. The owner server is located off-premises from the customer location. Billing information is calculated at the owner server from the VS allocation data and includes a cost for virtual resources allocated to the virtual structures for the billing period.

Abstract: A method for data storage metering and billing includes receiving, at an owner server on a periodic basis, storage utilization data. The storage utilization data includes one or more measurements of data storage usage for data storage at a customer location of a customer where the customer location is remote from the owner server. The method includes calculating, from the storage utilization data, average storage utilization data that includes an average of the storage utilization data from the customer location for a billing period. The method includes calculating billing information for the average storage utilization data for the billing period where the billing information is calculated from the average storage utilization data and a calculated storage billing rate, and providing, to the customer, access to the billing information.

Abstract: A method for collecting metering data of on-premises computing resources without a network connection includes generating a unique signature at an off-premises server with a billing system configured to process metering data for a remote server at an on-premises site and to generate a bill based on the metering data. The off-premises server is not connected via a data network to an on-premises site with the remote server. The method includes inputting the unique signature at the on-premises site, encrypting the metering data of the remote server using the unique signature, downloading the encrypted metering data to a portable storage device at the on-premises site, and decrypting, by the off-premises server, the encrypted metering data using the unique signature. The portable storage device is disconnected from a server at the on-premises site when connected to the off-premises server. The method includes uploading the metering data using the off-premises server.