Managing technology resources across multiple platforms

• US 9,509,564 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2015
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Burns, Steven P., Abel, Todd J., Meleshuk, Vadim, Tu, Weiqing, Sheinker, Dov, Flashner, Amit
• Primary Examiner(s): Gillis, Brian J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Gil H.
• Application Number:
  US14/866,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20160020950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/08 Configuration management of networks or network elements address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing technology resources across multiple platforms. Embodiments of the invention can be used to manage the configuration of a plurality of different devices. A management server/service can utilize native management capabilities of different devices to provide configuration management without requiring agents to be installed on the devices. In general, the management server/service adapts to the unique characteristics and behaviors of different devices, platforms, and external systems to provide configuration management for the different devices, platforms, and external systems. As such, configuration management can be provided in a unified fashion across different platforms, both on-premise and off-premise, and indirectly. When client agents are present, the management server/service can adjust to compatibly operate with the client agents.

Claims

1. A processor implemented method for use at a computer system, the processor implemented method for managing a target device, the processor implemented method comprising:

receiving a device-neutral configuration directive, the device-neutral configuration directive having been modified by one or more directive processors based on operational data collected from one or more other target devices that previously attempted to apply the device-neutral configuration directive, the operational data providing feedback for use in modifying the device-neutral configuration directive for the target device, the operational data including information relevant to success or failure of applying the device-neutral configuration directive at the one or more other target devices;

translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration directive for the target device based on the feedback; and

sending the device-specific configuration directive to the target device to implement a configuration change for the target device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a device-neutral configuration directive comprises receiving a device-neutral configuration directive routed from a distribution component to the computer system via network communication, the device-neutral configuration directive routed to the computer system based on the device-neutral configuration directive being directed to the target device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving a device-neutral configuration comprises receiving a device-neutral configuration directive issued by a directive dispatcher, the device-neutral configuration directive having been modified by the one or more directive processors subsequent to receiving the device-neutral configuration directive.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving a device-neutral configuration directive comprises receiving a device-neutral configuration wherein the one or more directive processors have performed one or more of:

tabulating results, analyzing the device-neutral configuration directive, predicting the impact of implementing the device-neutral configuration directive, and determining an historical trend with respect to the device-neutral configuration directive.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration directive for the target device comprises translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by a legacy device agent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration directive for the target device comprises translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by a 3^rd party intermediary, the 3^rd party intermediary in communication with a 3^rd party device agent.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration directive for the target device comprises translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by an off-premises external system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration directive for the target device comprises translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by an on-premises adaptor, the on-premises adaptor in communication with an on-premises external system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration directive for the target device comprises translating the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by a native device agent.

10. A processor implemented method for use a computer system, the processor implementing method for managing a target device, the processor implemented method comprising:

collecting operational data from the target device in response to the target device attempting to apply a device-specific configuration directive to change configuration, the device-specific configuration directive having been translated from a corresponding device-neutral configuration directive, the operational data in a device-specific format specific to the device, the operational data including information relevant to success or failure of applying the device-neutral configuration directive at the target device;

translating the operational data from the device-specific data format into a device-neutral data format; and

sending the operational data in the device-neutral data format to a data collection service, the operational data providing feedback for use in modifying the device-neutral configuration directive for implementation at one or more other target devices.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein sending the operational data in the device-neutral data format to a data collection service comprises sending the operational data for storage in a data persistence store along with further operational data collected from a further target device, the further operational data collected from the further target device in response to applying a further device-specific configuration directive at the further target device, the further device-specific configuration directive translated from the device-neutral configuration directive.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein translating the operational data from the device-specific data format into a device-neutral data format comprises translating operational data from a legacy device client agent into the device-neutral data format.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein translating the operational data from the device-specific data format into a device-neutral data format comprises translating operational data from an external system into the device-neutral data format.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein translating the operational data from the device-specific data format into a device-neutral data format comprises translating the operational data in accordance with a device-neutral data schema.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein sending the operational data in the device-neutral data format to a data collection service comprises sending operational data providing feedback for use in modifying one or more other device-neutral configuration directives.

16. A processor implemented method for use a computer system, the processor implementing method for managing a target device, the processor implemented method comprising:

receiving operational data in a device-neutral data format, the operational data in the device-neutral data format translated from operational data in a device-specific data format specific to the target device, the operational data in the device-specific data format having been collected in response to the target device attempting to apply a device-specific configuration directive to change configuration, the device-specific configuration directive having been translated from a corresponding device-neutral configuration directive, the operational data in a device-specific format specific to the device, the operational data including information relevant to success or failure of applying the device-neutral configuration directive at the target device;

storing the operational data in a device-neutral data format along with other operational data, the other operational data previously collected from one or more other target devices in response to applying one or more other corresponding device-specific configuration directives at the one or more other target devices, the one or more other device-specific configuration directives each translated from the device-neutral configuration directive, the other operational data including information relevant to success or failure of applying the device-neutral configuration directive at the one or more other target devices; and

providing the operational data and the other operational data in the device-neutral data format as feedback to one or more directive processors for use in modifying the device-neutral configuration directive for implementation at one or more further target devices.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving operational data in a device-neutral data format comprises receiving operational data from a platform-specific gateway for the target device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving operational data in a device-neutral data format comprises receiving operational data translated into the device-neutral data format by a translational module in accordance with a schema.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the operational data in the device-neutral data format comprises providing the operational data to one or more of:

a policy computation directive processor, a remote task directive processor, and a software distribution directive processor.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the operational data in the device-neutral data format comprises providing the operational data for use in modifying a device-neutral configuration directive from a directive dispatcher.