System and method for managing environment configuration using snapshots
First Claim
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1. A method for managing configuration of an environment of composite configuration items (CIs), the method comprising, with a processor:
- obtaining a snapshot of the configuration of the environment comprising current configuration data about the CIs in the environment at a time of the snapshot;
logging the snapshot of the configuration of the environment in a configuration database, where the configuration database stores the snapshot;
identifying a set of changes to the environment using the configuration database;
storing the identified changes in a change database, wherein the change database is accessible from an external device through a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the change database is provided to the external device in a format that includes selectable filters, wherein the filters of the change database are preset in the GUI based on content of the change database;
receiving a request for a plurality of snapshots from the external device for comparison using the GUI and providing configuration data associated with the plurality of snapshots to the external device through the GUI;
with the GUI, automatically displaying a list of CIs associated with the requested plurality of snapshots;
with the GUI, automatically displaying a first indicator in a first location of the GUI corresponding to a first CI of the list of CIs to represent whether a change occurred in the first CI among snapshots of the requested plurality of snapshots and to represent a type of change, wherein the first indicator visually represents the first CI being modified, the first CI being new, or the first CI being deleted; and
with the GUI, automatically displaying a second indicator in a second location of the GUI corresponding to a second CI of the list of CIs to represent a compliance level associated with the second CI.
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Abstract
The method may include periodically obtaining snapshots of the configuration of an environment. The method may also include logging the snapshots of the configuration of the environment in composite CI level. The method may further include causing display of configuration information relating to a first snapshot of the snapshots in composite CI level, while indicating configuration changes in that snapshot with respect to a second earlier snapshot of said snapshots.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for managing configuration of an environment of composite configuration items (CIs), the method comprising, with a processor:
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obtaining a snapshot of the configuration of the environment comprising current configuration data about the CIs in the environment at a time of the snapshot; logging the snapshot of the configuration of the environment in a configuration database, where the configuration database stores the snapshot; identifying a set of changes to the environment using the configuration database; storing the identified changes in a change database, wherein the change database is accessible from an external device through a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the change database is provided to the external device in a format that includes selectable filters, wherein the filters of the change database are preset in the GUI based on content of the change database; receiving a request for a plurality of snapshots from the external device for comparison using the GUI and providing configuration data associated with the plurality of snapshots to the external device through the GUI; with the GUI, automatically displaying a list of CIs associated with the requested plurality of snapshots; with the GUI, automatically displaying a first indicator in a first location of the GUI corresponding to a first CI of the list of CIs to represent whether a change occurred in the first CI among snapshots of the requested plurality of snapshots and to represent a type of change, wherein the first indicator visually represents the first CI being modified, the first CI being new, or the first CI being deleted; and with the GUI, automatically displaying a second indicator in a second location of the GUI corresponding to a second CI of the list of CIs to represent a compliance level associated with the second CI. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data processing system for evaluating changes to a network environment, the system comprising:
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an external device including a processor; a graphical user interface (GUI) on the external device to, in response to a user request through the external device; receive a request for a plurality of snapshots of the network environment from the external device for comparison; provide configuration data associated with the plurality of snapshots to the external device; display a list of composite configuration items (CIs) associated with the request of plurality of snapshots; automatically display a first indicator in a first location of the GUI corresponding to a first CI of the list of CIs to represent whether a change occurred in the first CI among snapshots of the requested plurality of snapshots and to represent a type of change, wherein the first indicator visually represents the first CI being modified, the first CI being new, or the first CI being deleted; and automatically display a second indicator in a second location of the GUI corresponding to a second CI of the list of CIs to represent a compliance level associated with the second CI. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to:
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obtain a snapshot of a configuration of an environment, in which the environment comprises a plurality of composite configuration items (CIs), each of the CIs comprising a plurality of configuration items; store data from the snapshot in a configuration database; store data related to changes in the configuration of the environment in a CI-level database, wherein the CI-level database stores less configuration data than is stored in the configuration database; and provide user access to the CI-level database through a graphical user interface (GUI) on an external device, wherein the GUI allows a user to; receive a request for a plurality of snapshots of the network environment from the external device for comparison; provide configuration data associated with the plurality of snapshots to the external device; display a list of composite configuration items (CIs) associated with the request of plurality of snapshots; automatically display a first indicator in a first location of the GUI corresponding to a first CI of the list of CIs to represent whether a change occurred in the first CI among snapshots of the requested plurality of snapshots and to represent a type of change, wherein the first indicator visually represents the first CI being modified, the first CI being new, or the first CI being deleted; and automatically display a second indicator in a second location of the GUI corresponding to a second CI of the list of CIs to represent a compliance level associated with the second CI. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification