Abstract: A method and system for representing an object in a network environment. The system uses web technology, preferably XML-technology, to receive and store information related to back-end resources and the objects managed by the resources. Initially a first schema document conforming to a property sheet definition, such as an XML document type definition, is used to define a property sheet, the property sheet having object-type information. Next, the two or more schema documents that conform to a property page definition, such as an XML document type definition, to thereby define a plurality of property pages are incorporated into the property sheet and the different property pages may originate from different resources. Using the property sheet and its associated property pages, a representation of the object may then be displayed.

Abstract: A method and system for management of a plurality of resources in a network environment. The system uses web technology, preferably XML-technology, to receive and store information related to back-end resources and to provide a framework by which client computer systems can manage the plurality of back-end resources in a uniform manner. Using these communications, the management system uniformly associates information from the various resources via various multi-step, scenario-based functions, such as, for example, searches, monitoring, scripting, software deployment, etc. That is, the management system is able to provide easier, higher-level operation options to the administrator based on the associated information related to the various resources.

Abstract: Portable packages containing encodings of processes are applied to software stacks. The packages are portable and distinct from the software stacks. The packages may be in the form of declarative code for configuring the software stack and can be plugged into the software stack to allow the technology stack to play the packages, thereby configuring the stacks to be capable of automating the processes encoded by the packages. An application or software component can be provided to read a package and apply parts thereof to appropriate corresponding software stack components.

Abstract: Described is sharing of portable packages containing encodings of processes. The packages can be provided to and shared among organizations or firms so that the packages can be applied to their software stacks. The packages are portable and distinct from the technology stacks. The packages can cross reference each other. The packages may be in the form of declarative code for configuring the technology stacks and can be plugged into the technology stacks to allow the technology stack to play the packages, thereby automating the processes encoded by the packages. The packages can be digitally signed or provided with certificates that can be used to verify their authenticity. The packages can be distributed over a network as requested by the various firms or organizations.

Abstract: Described are software stacks for accepting and implementing portable packages containing encodings of processes. The packages are portable and distinct from the technology stacks. The packages may be in the form of declarative code for configuring the technology stacks and can be plugged into the technology stacks to allow the technology stack to play the packages, thereby automating the processes encoded by the packages. The technology stacks have components that are declaratively configurable such that they can provide their functionality autonomously and yet can also, as a unit, in performing their respective functions, cooperatively perform the processes encoded by the packages.

Abstract: Described are portable packages containing encodings of processes. The packages are portable and distinct from a technology stack. The packages may be in the form of declarative code for configuring the technology stack and can be plugged into the technology stack to allow the technology stack to play the packages, thereby automating the processes encoded by the packages. Also described are methods for authoring packages, technology stacks for playing packages, an application for loading (“plugging in”) packages and also possibly controlling the playing of packages.

Abstract: A configuration management database for storing configuration information about an IT system. The configuration management database may have representations of configuration items that correspond to configuration items in the IT system, indicia of relations between the configuration items, and attributes of the configuration items. The configuration management database may also have configuration state information of the configuration items, where the configuration state information has information indicating whether a configuration item, relation, or attribute is in a state of pending approval or in a state of planned deployment. The configuration management database may also have temporal information indicating a temporal state of a configuration item, relation, or attribute.

Abstract: Described is a method and system providing a dynamic, live (active) surface and/or model elements to complement and enhance what is being modeled or visualized, enabling the addition of new features and functionality to visualization and modeling tools. A dynamic surface is accomplished by extending traditional HTML, rendering APIs and/or components to enable visualization and modeling functionality. The surface background and model elements may comprise HTML elements, and the surface can include a Web site. The model elements are HTML elements layered dynamically atop the surface, as the user interacts with them, and completed designs may be saved in a non-proprietary format, (e.g., HTML). The live surface bases its services on HTML rendering engine services, and further provides a visualization and modeling engine that wraps and extends the rendering engine through multiple interfaces.

Abstract: Model-based propagation of attributes allows a user to define one or more attributes, policies associated with the system and particular components, constraints associated with various components, and dependencies between components of the system. The user also defines the manner in which the attributes are to be propagated throughout a model of the system. The attributes are then propagated to the appropriate components in the model using information associated with the model of the system.

Abstract: Model-based configuration management and modeling identifies violations of configuration constraints. A system includes multiple components and multiple applications defined by a model of the system. A process identifies configuration settings associated with the components and configuration settings associated with the applications. A configuration policy is created for the system based on information contained in the model of the system and the configuration settings.

Abstract: Model-based system monitoring includes accessing a model of a system that includes multiple components and executing a monitoring policy to monitor performance of the system. A notification of a problem is received from a first component. A determination is made regarding the cause of the problem. The determination is made, at least in part, based on the model of the system. At least one component associated with the cause of the problem is then identified.

Abstract: Model-based system monitoring includes accessing a model of a system that includes multiple components and identifying relationships among the multiple components based on the model of the system. A proposed change to at least one of the multiple components is identified. A determination is made regarding an expected impact on the system caused by the proposed change. This determination is made, at least in part, based on the model of the system.

Abstract: Model-based system monitoring includes identifying multiple monitors configured to monitor multiple components in a system, and accessing multiple health models associated with the multiple monitors. A monitoring policy is generated to monitor the system. The monitoring policy is derived, at least in part, from the multiple health models.

Abstract: In connection with an operations management system, a vendor feedback system reports on operational events that occur on customer data centers. The operations management system provides a standardized environment for providing feedback to a vendor of components installed at the customer data centers. Methods supported by the vendor feedback system can include directing the operations management system to report on predefined operational events involving the components installed by the vendor at the customer data centers. Event reports are then stored at the customer data centers in response to occurrences of the predefined operational events. The event reports can be generated in cooperation with the operations management system. The event reports are transmitted to the vendor as feedback relating to the components, and the vendor receives the event reports from the customer data centers.

Abstract: Described is a method and system that enables open, non-proprietary and extensible visualization and modeling tools by providing multiple-way negotiations between model element end points (nodes) and a connecting model element (arc). Based on these negotiations, a user is guided to make appropriate interconnections between model elements. A protocol is provided for intelligent model elements (objects) to communicate their information to one another, e.g., an arc communicates its capabilities and requirements to a node, and vice-versa, whereby the model element objects themselves decide whether they can interconnect, and if so, how they need to interconnect. The objects themselves enforce semantics and rules. According to the protocol, either object can reject the interconnection (break off the negotiation) with the other object if it determines it is not compatible with the other object, or is otherwise unable to connect to it.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying information related to a plurality of resources in a network environment. The system uses web technology to receive and store information related to back-end resources and to provide a framework by which client computer systems can manage the plurality of back-end resources in a uniform manner. In accordance with one method, a request is received to display object information from different network resources. In response, attribute and task information is retrieved from the appropriate different network resources and this information is displayed. A graphical user interface (GUI) displays information related to network resource objects. The GUI includes a console displaying a tool zone and a work zone. A module is displayed in the work zone having an object zone displaying a list of objects and a task zone displaying a list of tasks.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying information related to a plurality of resources in a network environment. The system uses web technology to receive and store information related to back-end resources and to provide a framework by which client computer systems can manage the plurality of back-end resources in a uniform manner. In accordance with one method, a request is received to display object information from different network resources. In response, attribute and task information is retrieved from the appropriate different network resources and this information is displayed. A graphical user interface (GUI) displays information related to network resource objects. The GUI includes a console displaying a tool zone and a work zone. A module is displayed in the work zone having an object zone displaying a list of objects and a task zone displaying a list of tasks.

Abstract: A model of a system is generated and used as a basis for managing the system. As the system is managed, the system model can be updated to reflect changes to the system. Managing of the system can include one or more of provisioning applications in the system, provisioning applications in virtual systems, provisioning test environments, monitoring the configuration of the system, monitoring the system including the health of the system, performing capacity planning for the system, and propagating attributes to different components in the system.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying information related to a plurality of resources in a network environment. The system uses web technology to receive and store information related to back-end resources and to provide a framework by which client computer systems can manage the plurality of back-end resources in a uniform manner. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is employed in a computer system for selecting the visual arrangement of workspaces and modules in a network management console GUI. The console includes a first zone and a second zone. The method involves receiving a list of workspace names and, in response, displaying an explorer tool including the list of workspace names in the first zone. Upon indication from a user that a first workspace name from the list of workspace names has been selected, a first workspace associated with the first workspace name is displayed in the second zone.

Abstract: Described is a method and system providing a dynamic, live (active) surface and/or model elements to complement and enhance what is being modeled or visualized, enabling the addition of new features and functionality to visualization and modeling tools. A dynamic surface is accomplished by extending traditional HTML, rendering APIs and/or components to enable visualization and modeling functionality. The surface background and model elements may comprise HTML elements, and the surface can include a Web site. The model elements are HTML elements layered dynamically atop the surface, as the user interacts with them, and completed designs may be saved in a non-proprietary format, (e.g., HTML). The live surface bases its services on HTML rendering engine services, and further provides a visualization and modeling engine that wraps and extends the rendering engine through multiple interfaces.