Resource model configuration and deployment in a distributed computer network

• US 6,259,448 B1
• Filed: 06/03/1998
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McNally, Michael, Vetter, Brian Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US09/089,964
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 345/329, 345/335, 345/339, 345/348, 345/356, 345/969, 395/200.31, 395/200.33, 395/200.35, 395/200.53, 395/200.54, 709/201, 709/203, 709/205, 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 715/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/969 Network layout and operation interface

Abstract

A method of deploying a “resource model” in a distributed computer network using a computer having graphical user interface (GUI). The resource model has a number of properties associated therewith including a set of mapping rules. To deploy the resource model, an icon representing the resource model is displayed on the interface, together with a set of distribution icons. Each distribution icon, for example, represents a set of given machines in the distributed computer network. The icon representing the resource model is then associated with a selected one of the distributed icons, preferably via a drag-and-drop protocol. When the resource model icon is dropped onto the selected distribution icon, the resource model is deployed in the network by instantiating its mapping rules at each machine in the set.

Claims

1. A method of deploying a resource model in a distributed computer network using a computer having a graphical user interface, the resource model having associated therewith a set of one or more mapping rules for associating the resource model to a given resource, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying at least one distribution icon on the graphical user interface, the icon representing a subset of nodes in the distributed computer network;

associating the resource model with the distribution icon; and

in response to the association, invoking the mapping rules associated with the resource model at each node in the subset.

2. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the step of associating the resource model to the distribution icon comprises:

displaying a resource model icon on the graphical user interface; and

dragging and dropping the resource model icon onto the distribution icon.

3. The method as described in claim 1 wherein each node in the subset of nodes is associated with a machine in the distributed computer network.

4. The method as described in claim 1 further including the steps of:

discovering the subset of nodes; and

associating the distribution icon with the discovered subset of nodes prior to displaying the distribution icon on the graphical user interface.

5. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the distributed computer network is organized into one or more managed regions, each region being managed by a management server servicing one or more gateway machines, with each gateway machine servicing a plurality of endpoint machines.

6. The method as described in claim 5 wherein the resource model defines a given resource in the distributed computer network.

7. The method as described in claim 6 wherein the given resource is selected from a set of resources consisting essentially of computer and communications hardware, operating system software, application programs and systems of programs that provide given services.

8. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the resource model comprises a curre nt state, a set of state rules, a set of controls and the mapping rules.

9. A method of deploying a resource model in a distributed computer network using a computer having a graphical user interface, the resource model having associated therewith a set of one or more mapping rules that associate the resource model to a given resource, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a set of distribution icons on the graphical user interface, each icon representing a set of given machines in the distributed computer network;

(b) dragging and dropping an icon representing the resource model onto a selected one of the distribution icons; and

(c) in response to step (b), invoking the mapping rules associated with the resource model at each machine in the set.

10. The method as described in claim 9 further including the step of discovering at least one of the set of machines and associating the distribution icon with the discovered set of machines prior to displaying the distribution icon on the graphical user interface.

11. The method as described in claim 9 further including the step of modifying the set of di stribution icons displayed on the graphical user interface.

12. The method as described in claim 9 wherein the resource model defines a given resource in the distributed computer network.

13. The method as described in claim 12 wherein the given resource is selected from a set of resources consisting of computer and communications hardware, operating system software, application programs and systems of programs that provide given services.

14. The method as described in claim 12 wherein the resource model comprises a current state, a set of state rules, a set of controls and the mapping rules.

15. A method operative in a computer having a graphical user interface for managing a large, distributed computer network, comprising the steps of:

(a) discovering at least one set of machines having a resource associated therewith;

(b) displaying a distribution icon associated with the discovered set;

(c) dragging and dropping an icon representing a resource model onto the distribution icon; and

(d) in response to step (c), directing instantiation of the resource model onto the set of machines.

16. The method as described in claim 15 wherein the resource model comprises a set of state rules, a set of controls and a set of mapping rules.

17. The method as described in claim 16 wherein the step of instantiating the resource model comprises invoking the set of mapping rules on each of the set of machines.

18. In a large distributed enterprise having a management server servicing a set of gateway machines, each of which services a set of endpoint machines, a resource model deployment method comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a distribution icon associated with a set of endpoint machines;

(c) associating an icon representing a resource model with the distribution icon; and

(d) in response to step (c), instantiating the resource model onto the set of endpoint machines.

19. A computer for use in managing a large distributed computer enterprise, comprising:

a processor;

an operating system;

a graphical user interface; and

resource model deployment means, comprising;

(a) means for discovering at least one set of machines having a resource associated therewith;

(b) means for associating the discovered set of machines with a distribution icon; and

(c) means responsive to dragging and dropping an icon representing a resource model onto the distribution icon for instantiating the resource model onto the set of machines.

20. A computer program product in computer-readable media for use in a computer having a processor, an operating system, a graphical user interface, and means for connecting the computer into a large distributed enterprise, the computer program product comprising:

(a) means for discovering at least one set of machines having a resource associated therewith;

(b) means for associating the discovered set of machines with a distribution icon; and

(c) means responsive to dragging and dropping an icon representing a resource model onto the distribution icon for instantiating the resource model onto the set of machines.