Graphical editor for defining and creating a computer system
First Claim
1. A method of defining and deploying a networked computer system, the method comprising:
- creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system bygenerating a display of a graphical workspace that can receive the graphical representation;
receiving user input representing selecting one or more icons that represent nodes of the networked computer system and moving the one or more icons into the graphical workspace;
receiving user input representing connecting one or more of the icons with one or more other icons;
receiving user input representing configuring one or more parameter values associated with one or more of the nodes; and
using the graphical representation, instantiating an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for defining and deploying a networked computer system features creating and storing a graphical representation using a graphical editor to drag and drop icons representing computing elements and network elements into a workspace, such that a logical configuration of the networked computer system is represented by the graphical representation. A corresponding textual representation of the computer system is automatically created and stored according to a structured markup language. Based on the textual representation, one or more commands are generated for configuring an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration. The commands may be directed to one or more devices that are interconnected to one or more computing elements and storage devices, to instruct the devices to logically connect the computing elements and storage devices into the computer system. In one embodiment, a graphical representation of the logical configuration of the networked computer system is created, based on a user selection from a palette of one or more graphical icons that represent computing elements and network elements of the computer system, and a user selection of graphical interconnections of the icons. As a result, a real-world virtual server farm or data center may be created and deployed.
197 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of defining and deploying a networked computer system, the method comprising:
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creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system by generating a display of a graphical workspace that can receive the graphical representation; receiving user input representing selecting one or more icons that represent nodes of the networked computer system and moving the one or more icons into the graphical workspace; receiving user input representing connecting one or more of the icons with one or more other icons; receiving user input representing configuring one or more parameter values associated with one or more of the nodes; and using the graphical representation, instantiating an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of graphically defining and deploying a networked computer system, the method comprising:
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creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system; based on the graphical representation, automatically creating and storing a textual representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system, wherein the textual representation conforms to a structured markup language; and based on the textual representation, generating one or more commands for one or more switch devices that are interconnected to one or more computing elements and storage devices, wherein the commands instruct the switch devices to logically connect the computing elements and storage devices into an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of defining and deploying a computer system, comprising the steps of:
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creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the computer system based on selecting one or more first icons representing computing elements of the computer system; based on the graphical representation, automatically generating one or more commands for one or more switch devices that are interconnected to one or more computing elements and storage devices, wherein the commands instruct the switch devices to logically connect the computing elements and storage devices into an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A tangible computer-readable medium carrying instructions for defining and deploying a computer system, wherein execution of the instructions by one or more processors causes:
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creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system; based on the graphical representation, automatically creating and storing a textual representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system, wherein the textual representation conforms to a structured markup language; based on the textual representation, generating one or more commands for one or more switch devices that are interconnected to one or more computing elements and storage devices, wherein the commands instruct the switch devices to logically connect the computing elements and storage devices into an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration.
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38. A tangible computer-readable medium carrying instructions for defining and deploying a computer system, wherein execution of the instructions by one or more processors causes:
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creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the computer system based on selecting one or more first icons representing computing elements of the computer system; and based on the graphical representation, automatically generating one or more commands for one or more switch devices that are interconnected to one or more computing elements and storage devices, wherein the commands instruct the switch devices to logically connect the computing elements and storage devices into an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration.
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39. A tangible computer-readable medium carrying instructions for defining and deploying a networked computer system, wherein execution of the instructions by one or more processors causes:
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creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system by generating a display of a graphical workspace that can receive the graphical representation; receiving user input representing selecting one or more icons that represent nodes of the networked computer system and moving the one or more icons into the graphical workspace; receiving user input representing connecting one or more of the icons with one or more other icons; receiving user input representing configuring one or more parameter values associated with one or more of the nodes; and using the graphical representation, instantiating an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration.
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40. An apparatus for defining and deploying a networked computer system, comprising:
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means for creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system by generating a display of a graphical workspace that can receive the graphical representation; receiving user input representing selecting one or more icons that represent nodes of the networked computer system and moving the one or more icons into the graphical workspace; receiving user input representing connecting one or more of the icons with one or more other icons; receiving user input representing configuring one or more parameter values associated with one or more of the nodes; and means for using the graphical representation to instantiate an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration.
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41. An apparatus for defining and deploying a networked computer system, comprising:
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a processor; a network interface accessible to the processor and configured to receive information from a computer network in which the processor participates; a tangible computer-readable medium accessible to the processor and carrying instructions defining and deploying a networked computer system, wherein execution of the instructions by the processor causes creating and storing a graphical representation of a logical configuration of the networked computer system by generating a display of a graphical workspace that can receive the graphical representation; receiving user input representing selecting one or more icons that represent nodes of the networked computer system and moving the one or more icons into the graphical workspace; receiving user input representing connecting one or more of the icons with one or more other icons; receiving user input representing configuring one or more parameter values associated with one or more of the nodes; and using the graphical representation, instantiating an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration.
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Specification