IT Resource Discovery via Managed Object Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current IT resource management systems face challenges in managing disparate resources due to incompatible interfaces and protocols, making it difficult to identify and manage resources, especially in distributed systems, and determine operational issues when resources do not respond as expected.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes managed objects with associated management interfaces, allowing for the discovery and management of IT resources through identity interfaces, interface descriptions, and extended interfaces, enabling access to management features, attributes, and relationships among resources, using Web Services Description Language (WSDL) and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary interfaces and protocols are used for each IT resource, then specific programming can address new resources, but the system complexity increases and resources become difficult to manage when highly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a common management interface framework that can manage multiple types of IT resources (mainframe, distributed, network, storage, etc.) through standardized protocols. The management information server provides a universal interface that translates between proprietary resource interfaces and standard management protocols, allowing one system to manage diverse resources without requiring separate programming for each resource type.
Solution Approach 2:
The management information server acts as an intermediary between IT resources and management systems. It receives management requests through standardized protocols, translates them into resource-specific commands, and returns results in a unified format. This mediator layer eliminates the need for direct programming of each resource's proprietary interface while maintaining compatibility with diverse resource types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IT resources are deployed in remote locations and accessed via networks, then resource distribution increases, but resource identifiability and information access become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The management information server implements feedback mechanisms where resources periodically report their status, capabilities, and location information to the server through standardized protocols. The server maintains an updated registry of distributed resources, enabling automatic discovery and identification without requiring manual tracking. This feedback loop ensures that even highly distributed resources remain identifiable and manageable.
3Reliability
If incompatible proprietary interfaces are used across IT resources, then specific programming can manage each resource type, but the time and effort required to update programming for new resource versions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized management interface framework provides universal protocols that work across different resource types and versions. When new resource versions are deployed, the management information server handles the translation and adaptation automatically through its protocol conversion capabilities, eliminating the need to update management programming for each new resource version.
4Adaptability or versatility
If no common management facility is provided, then resource independence is maintained, but the ability to dynamically discover resources and their management features is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The management information server serves as a mediator that preserves resource independence while enabling dynamic discovery. Resources maintain their operational independence but communicate management information through standardized protocols to the server. The server aggregates this information and provides a unified view, allowing dynamic discovery of resources and their management features without compromising resource autonomy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for managing an information technology (IT) resource comprises a managed object that represents the resource. At least one management interface is associated with the managed object. The management interface is configured with at least one component that represents a management feature for the resource. An attribute associated with the at least one component in the management interface indicates the presence of the management feature to a manager. The system provides a common, consistent facility for accessing management features of resources represented by a managed object configured with one or more management interfaces. The management interfaces allow manager to access information to monitor, audit, and control various aspects of the resources. Managers can also use information in the management interfaces to determine management attributes and relationships among related managed objects.