Self service distribution configuration framework
First Claim
1. A method for managing downtime for software modifications to a population of networked computing systems, comprising:
- receiving a management credential of a user;
determining, based on the management credential, a subset of system management servers of an enterprise computing network permitted to be managed by the user, wherein the subset of system management servers is less than an entirety of the system management servers;
determining, based on the management credential, configuration management actions permitted to be taken by the user;
receiving a configuration change from the user, wherein the configuration change identifies a user-defined downtime window, a configuration management action, and at least one of the subset of system management servers, wherein the configuration change schedules the configuration management action during the user-defined downtime window for the at least one of the subset of system management servers;
creating different server collections on the enterprise computing network, wherein each server collection comprises respective system management servers having a respective user-defined downtime window within a common range of time;
storing the created different server collections for a subsequent software modification of the subset of system management servers in accordance with the user-defined downtime window;
authenticating management credentials of an enterprise administrator user as having elevated rights;
facilitating query and software modifications to substantially all computing systems of the enterprise computing network for the enterprise administrator; and
determining the subset of system management servers with reference to directory services database, creating different server collections in a configuration management database.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-service distribution configuration framework integrates with a directory services and Systems Management Server (SMS) of an enterprise computing system for web based self service configuration changes on a server owner defined schedule. The framework will cross reference the SMS database with the configuration framework database and dynamically update or create SMS server collections and advertisements for each unique time and day selected. For example, all systems that have had “Monday at 8 PM” selected as their scheduled date and time would become a member of the same collection. Upon opening the web site, the system owner is presented a data grid populated with a list of servers for which the individual is responsible, enabling selection of specific days and times for each server at which configuration changes sent by the SMS will occur.
25 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for managing downtime for software modifications to a population of networked computing systems, comprising:
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receiving a management credential of a user; determining, based on the management credential, a subset of system management servers of an enterprise computing network permitted to be managed by the user, wherein the subset of system management servers is less than an entirety of the system management servers; determining, based on the management credential, configuration management actions permitted to be taken by the user; receiving a configuration change from the user, wherein the configuration change identifies a user-defined downtime window, a configuration management action, and at least one of the subset of system management servers, wherein the configuration change schedules the configuration management action during the user-defined downtime window for the at least one of the subset of system management servers; creating different server collections on the enterprise computing network, wherein each server collection comprises respective system management servers having a respective user-defined downtime window within a common range of time; storing the created different server collections for a subsequent software modification of the subset of system management servers in accordance with the user-defined downtime window; authenticating management credentials of an enterprise administrator user as having elevated rights; facilitating query and software modifications to substantially all computing systems of the enterprise computing network for the enterprise administrator; and determining the subset of system management servers with reference to directory services database, creating different server collections in a configuration management database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions configured to cause a computer to perform operations for managing downtime for software modifications to a population of networked computing systems, the operations comprising:
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receiving a management credential of a user; determining, based on the management credential, a subset of system management servers of an enterprise computing network permitted to be managed by the user, wherein the subset of system management servers is less than an entirety of the system management servers; determining, based on the management credential, configuration management actions permitted to be taken by the user; receiving a configuration change from the user, wherein the configuration change identifies a user-defined downtime window, a configuration management action, and at least one of the subset of system management servers, wherein the configuration change schedules the configuration management action during the user-defined downtime window for the at least one of the subset of system management servers; creating different server collections on the enterprise computing network, wherein each server collection comprises respective system management servers having a respective user-defined downtime window within a common range of time; storing the created different server collections for a subsequent software modification of the subset of system management servers in accordance with the user-defined downtime window; authenticating management credentials of an enterprise administrator user as having elevated rights; facilitating query and software modifications to substantially all computing systems of the enterprise computing network for the enterprise administrator; and determining the subset of system management servers with reference to directory services database, creating different server collections in a configuration management database.
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15. An apparatus for managing downtime for software modifications to a population of networked computing systems, comprising:
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means for receiving a management credential of a user; means for determining, based on the management credential, a subset of system management servers of an enterprise computing network permitted to be managed by the user, wherein the subset of system management servers is less than an entirety of the system management servers; means for determining, based on the management credential, configuration management actions permitted to be taken by the user; means for receiving a configuration change from the user, wherein the configuration change identifies a user-defined downtime window, a configuration management action, and at least one of the subset of system management servers, wherein the configuration change schedules the configuration management action during the user-defined downtime window for the at least one of the subset of system management servers; means for creating different server collections on the enterprise computing network, wherein each server collection comprises respective system management servers having a respective user-defined downtime window within a common range of time; means for storing the created different server collections for a subsequent software modification of the subset of system management servers in accordance with the user-defined downtime window; means for authenticating management credentials of an enterprise administrator user as having elevated rights; means for facilitating query and software modifications to substantially all computing systems of the enterprise computing network for the enterprise administrator; and means for determining the subset of system management servers with reference to directory services database, creating different server collections in a configuration management database.
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16. An apparatus for managing downtime for software modifications to a population of networked computing systems, comprising:
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a directory services database; a self-serve configuration distribution framework for receiving a management credential of a user, and for determining, based on the management credential, a subset of system management servers of an enterprise computing network permitted to be managed by the user, wherein the subset of system management servers is less than an entirety of the system management servers by referring the directory services database, and for determining, based on the management credential, configuration management actions permitted to be taken by the user; a configuration management database for receiving a configuration change from the user, wherein the configuration change identifies a user-defined downtime window, a configuration management action, and at least one of the subset of system management servers, wherein the configuration change schedules the configuration management action during the user-defined downtime window for the at least one of the subset of system management servers for creating different server collections on the enterprise computing network, wherein each server collection comprises respective system management servers having a respective user-defined downtime window within a common range of time, and for storing the created different server collections for a subsequent software modification of the subset of system management servers in accordance with the user-defined downtime window, wherein the self-serve configuration distribution framework is further configured for authenticating management credentials of an enterprise administrator user as having elevated rights, and for facilitating query and software modifications to substantially all computing systems of the enterprise computing network for the enterprise administrator, further comprising determining the subset of system management servers with reference to directory services database, creating different server collections in a configuration management database. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification