US7380177B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for comparing individual computers to cluster representations of their peers
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 2004-06-25
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Granted: 2008-05-27
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Expires: 2024-06-25
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a system or method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers. The system, for example, comprises a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, and also a tracker database containing configuration information values gathered from and relating to one or more computers. The system further comprises a computer and cluster comparison routine having access to the cluster and tracker databases that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd Mitchell Goin
- 👤 Randall Bruce Campbell
- 👤 James Richard Stinger
- 👤 Thomas Elliott Fawcett
- 👤 Douglas William Steele
- 👤 Nina Mishra
- 👤 Henri Jacques Suermondt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/34; G06F11/3466; G06F11/3495; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0709; G06F11/3447; G06F11/0751; G06F2201/00; G06F2201/86; G06F2201/865
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to a plurality of computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of each cluster; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; and a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that first compares cluster descriptions to descriptions gathered from at least one given computer, to thereby select one or more of the clusters whose descriptions most closely match that of the at least one given computer, and that then compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from the at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to a plurality of computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of each cluster; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; and a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that first compares cluster descriptions to descriptions gathered from at least one given computer, to thereby select one or more of the clusters whose descriptions most closely match that of the at least one given computer, and that then compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from the at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the representations of configuration information values relating to the plurality of clusters comprise one or more statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the comparison routine comprises a display routine that displays or prints or otherwise utilizes one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more statistical information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising: a global statistical information value database residing in a memory containing one or more global statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and wherein the display routine also displays or prints or otherwise utilizes the one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more global statistical information values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the representations of configuration information values relating to the plurality of clusters comprise one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the comparison routine comprises a display routine that displays or prints or otherwise utilizes one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
269 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, these representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters comprising one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the comparison routine comprising a display routine that displays or prints or otherwise utilizes one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to one or more of the clusters and highlights the given computer's configuration information values that fall outside of ranges defined by limit values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
269 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, these representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters comprising one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the comparison routine comprising a display routine that displays or prints or otherwise utilizes one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to one or more of the clusters and highlights the given computer's configuration information values that fall outside of ranges defined by limit values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the highlighting is done by means of coloration in a drill-down style display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
271 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters comprising one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; and a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the comparison routine comprising an analyzer that identifies as issues at least some instances when one or more of the given computer's configuration information values fall outside of ranges defined by limit values; and which further comprises a report generator that obtains the identified issues from the comparison routine and that generates one or more reports of such instances.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
271 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters comprising one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; and a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the comparison routine comprising an analyzer that identifies as issues at least some instances when one or more of the given computer's configuration information values fall outside of ranges defined by limit values; and which further comprises a report generator that obtains the identified issues from the comparison routine and that generates one or more reports of such instances.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the report generator produces a report which summarizes the status of the given computer, reports at least some instances when one or more configuration information values fall outside of ranges defined by limit values, and also presents recommendations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
268 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, the cluster descriptions relating to one or more of the clusters comprising logical expressions that specify the settings of a subset of one or more configuration information values which settings characterize typical computer members of a related cluster; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; and a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the comparison routine comprising a best match mechanism that determines, through application of these logical expressions to the settings of the subset of one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer, which one or more clusters the given computer's configuration matches most closely.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
268 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, the cluster descriptions relating to one or more of the clusters comprising logical expressions that specify the settings of a subset of one or more configuration information values which settings characterize typical computer members of a related cluster; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; and a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the comparison routine comprising a best match mechanism that determines, through application of these logical expressions to the settings of the subset of one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer, which one or more clusters the given computer's configuration matches most closely.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the comparison routine further comprises a description display actuated by the best match mechanism that displays or prints or otherwise utilizes at least one or more of the cluster descriptions relating to the most closely matching one or more clusters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters further comprise one or more cluster statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and wherein the system further comprises a display routine that displays or prints or otherwise utilizes one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more statistical information values relating to the one or more clusters selected as the best match by the best match mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 11 further comprising: a global statistical information value database residing in a memory containing one or more global statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and wherein the display routine also displays or prints or otherwise utilizes the one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more global statistical information values.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters comprise one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and wherein the system further comprises a display routine that displays or prints or otherwise utilizes one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to the one or more clusters selected as the best match by the best match mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the display routine highlights in some manner the given computer's configuration information values that fall outside of ranges defined by limit values.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the highlighting is done by means of coloration in a drill-down style display.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters comprise one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more cluster configuration information values; the comparison routine further comprises an analyzer that identifies as issues at least some instances when one or more of the given computer's configuration information values fall outside of ranges defined by limit values; and which further comprises a report generator that obtains the identified issues from the comparison routine and that generates one or more reports of such instances.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the report generator produces a report which summarizes the status of the given computer, reports at least some instances when one or more configuration information values fall outside of ranged defined by limit values, and also presents recommendations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
245 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, wherein one or more representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters, hereinafter called rule related clusters, comprise one or more desired or mandated configuration information value settings expressed as rules which require the desired or mandated settings to be maintained if one or more of certain other configuration information value settings are in designated states; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; and a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
245 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: a cluster database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, wherein one or more representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters, hereinafter called rule related clusters, comprise one or more desired or mandated configuration information value settings expressed as rules which require the desired or mandated settings to be maintained if one or more of certain other configuration information value settings are in designated states; a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from and relating to one or more computers; and a cluster analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases upon which computer is installed a computer and cluster comparison routine that compares one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 18 wherein the comparison routine further comprises an analyzer that applies one or more rules relating to such rule related clusters to configuration information values gathered from the given computer to identify when one or more of the configuration information value settings of the given computer fall outside of the requirements of the rules; and which further comprises a report generator that generates one or more reports of any departures from any rule's requirements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 19 wherein the report generator produces a report which summarizes the status of the given computer, reports any departure from any rule's requirements, and also presents recommendations.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of such rule related clusters further comprise statistical information values indicating a rate of compliance with the requirements of one or more rules, and the report generated by the report generator includes such statistical information values, when available, when it generates reports of departures from any rule's requirements.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to a plurality of computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of each cluster; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing first cluster descriptions to descriptions gathered from at least one given computer, to thereby select one or more of the clusters whose descriptions most closely match that of the at least one given computer, and then comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from the at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to a plurality of computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of each cluster; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing first cluster descriptions to descriptions gathered from at least one given computer, to thereby select one or more of the clusters whose descriptions most closely match that of the at least one given computer, and then comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from the at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein the establishing step establishes in the cluster database one or more statistical information values as representations of configuration information values relating to the plurality of clusters, the one or more statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the comparing step comprises displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer along with the corresponding one or more statistical information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 comprising, in addition, establishing a global statistical information value database containing one or more global statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and wherein the comparing step further comprises displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more global statistical information values.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein the establishing step further comprises establishing in the cluster database one or more limit values as representations of configuration information values relating to the plurality of clusters, the one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the comparing step further comprises displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, the establishing step further comprising establishing in the cluster database one or more limit values as representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters, the one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the comparing step comprising displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to one or more of the clusters, and the comparing step further comprising highlighting a given computer's configuration information values that fall outside of ranges defined by limit values.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, the establishing step further comprising establishing in the cluster database one or more limit values as representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters, the one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the comparing step comprising displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to one or more of the clusters, and the comparing step further comprising highlighting a given computer's configuration information values that fall outside of ranges defined by limit values.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein the displaying step comprises presenting the information in a drill-down style display, and the highlighting step comprises coloring configuration information values of the given computer falling outside of the ranges defined by limit values.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
224 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, this establishing step establishing one or more limit values in the cluster database as representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters, the one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, and this comparing step comprising analyzing the given computer's configuration information values and the limit values relating to one or more clusters and identifying as issues at least some instances when one or more of the given computer's configuration information values fall outside of ranges defined by limit values, and generating one or more reports of such instances.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
224 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, this establishing step establishing one or more limit values in the cluster database as representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters, the one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, and this comparing step comprising analyzing the given computer's configuration information values and the limit values relating to one or more clusters and identifying as issues at least some instances when one or more of the given computer's configuration information values fall outside of ranges defined by limit values, and generating one or more reports of such instances.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method in accordance with claim 28 wherein the report generating step comprises producing a report which summarizes the status of the given computer, reports at least some instances when one or more configuration information values fall outside of ranges defined by limit values, and also presents recommendations.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, this establishing step establishing in the cluster database one or more cluster descriptions comprising logical expressions that specify the settings of a subset of one or more configuration information values which characterize typical computer members of the related cluster; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, this comparing step comprising determining, through application of these logical expressions to the settings of the subset of one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer, which related one or more clusters the given computer's configuration matches most closely.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, this establishing step establishing in the cluster database one or more cluster descriptions comprising logical expressions that specify the settings of a subset of one or more configuration information values which characterize typical computer members of the related cluster; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, this comparing step comprising determining, through application of these logical expressions to the settings of the subset of one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer, which related one or more clusters the given computer's configuration matches most closely.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein the comparing step comprises displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more of the cluster descriptions relating to the one or more most closely matching clusters.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein the establishing step further comprises establishing in the cluster database one or more statistical information values as representations of configuration information values, the one or more statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the comparing step comprises displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more statistical information values relating to the one or more most closely matching clusters.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method in accordance with claim 32 wherein the establishing step further comprises establishing a global statistical information value database containing one or more global statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the comparing step further comprises displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more global statistical information values.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein the establishing step further comprises establishing in the cluster database one or more limit values as representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters, the one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the comparing step further comprises displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values gathered from the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to the one or more most closely matching clusters.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 34 wherein the comparing step further comprises highlighting the given computer's configuration information values that fall outside of ranges defined by limit values.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with claim 35 wherein the displaying step comprises presenting the information in a drill-down style display, and the highlighting step comprises coloring configuration information values of the given computer falling outside of ranges defined by limit values.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein the establishing step further comprises establishing in the cluster database one or more limit values as representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters, the one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the comparing step comprises analyzing a computer's configuration information values and the corresponding limit values and identifying as issues at least some instances when a computer's configuration information values fall outside of ranges defined by limit values, and generating reports of such instances.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein the report generating step comprises producing a report which summarizes the status of the given computer, reports at least some instances when one or more configuration information values fall outside of ranged defined by limit values, and also presents recommendations.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, this establishing step further comprising establishing, in the cluster database, representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters, hereinafter called rule related clusters, said representations comprising one or more desired or mandated configuration information value settings expressed as rules which require the desired or mandated settings to be maintained if one or more of certain other configuration information value settings are in designated states; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: establishing a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, this establishing step further comprising establishing, in the cluster database, representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters, hereinafter called rule related clusters, said representations comprising one or more desired or mandated configuration information value settings expressed as rules which require the desired or mandated settings to be maintained if one or more of certain other configuration information value settings are in designated states; gathering from one or more computers configuration information values; and comparing one or more of the representations of information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer, and then giving an indication of how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein the comparing step comprises applying one or more rules relating to such rule related clusters to configuration information values gathered from the given computer to identify when one or more of the configuration information value settings of the given computer fall outside of the requirements of the rules, and generating one or more reports of any departures from any rule's requirements.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 40 wherein the generating reports step further comprises generating one or more reports summarizing the status of the given computer, reporting any departure from any rule's requirements, and also presenting recommendations.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method in accordance with claim 40 wherein the establishing step further comprises establishing in the cluster database one or more statistical information values as representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of such rule related clusters, the one or more statistical information values corresponding to the rate of compliance with the requirements of one or more rules; and the generating reports step further comprises generating a report that includes such statistical information values, when available, as part of its reports of departures from any rule's requirements.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
223 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: means for defining a database residing in a memory containing information relating to a plurality of computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of each cluster; means for defining a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from one or more computers; and means installed upon a cluster and analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases for first comparing cluster descriptions to descriptions gathered from at least one given computer, to thereby select one or more of the clusters whose descriptions most closely match that of the at least one given computer, and for then comparing one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from the at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
223 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: means for defining a database residing in a memory containing information relating to a plurality of computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of each cluster; means for defining a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from one or more computers; and means installed upon a cluster and analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases for first comparing cluster descriptions to descriptions gathered from at least one given computer, to thereby select one or more of the clusters whose descriptions most closely match that of the at least one given computer, and for then comparing one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from the at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 43 wherein the representations of configuration information values relating to the plurality of clusters comprise one or more statistical information values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the means for comparing comprises means for displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more statistical information values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 43 wherein: the representations of configuration information values relating to the plurality of clusters comprise one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and the means for comparing comprises means for displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values of the given computer along with the corresponding one or more limit values relating to the selected one or more of the clusters.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
251 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: means for defining a database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, the cluster descriptions relating to one or more of the clusters comprising logical expressions that specify the settings of one or more configuration information values which characterize typical computer members of the related cluster; means for defining a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from one or more computers; and means installed upon a cluster and analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases for comparing one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the means for comparing comprising means for determining a best match that determines, through application of these logical expressions to the given computer's configuration information values, which one or more clusters the given computer's configuration matches most closely.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
251 words
A computer-implemented system for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers comprising: means for defining a database residing in a memory containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, the cluster descriptions relating to one or more of the clusters comprising logical expressions that specify the settings of one or more configuration information values which characterize typical computer members of the related cluster; means for defining a tracker database residing in a memory containing configuration information values gathered automatically by one or more computers configured as collectors from one or more computers; and means installed upon a cluster and analysis computer having access to a display or printer and to the cluster and tracker databases for comparing one or more of the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more of the clusters to one or more of the corresponding configuration information values gathered from at least one given computer and that then indicates in a displayed or printed report how closely the given computer's configuration conforms with the configuration of typical computer members of the one or more clusters, the means for comparing comprising means for determining a best match that determines, through application of these logical expressions to the given computer's configuration information values, which one or more clusters the given computer's configuration matches most closely.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 46 wherein the means for comparing further comprises a means for displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing at least one or more of the cluster descriptions relating to the most closely matching one or more clusters.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer-implemented system in accordance with claim 46 wherein the representations of configuration information values relating to one or more clusters comprise one or more limit values corresponding to each of one or more configuration information values; and wherein the means for comparing further comprises means for displaying, printing, or otherwise utilizing one or more configuration information values of a given computer along with corresponding one or more limit values relating to the one or more clusters selected as the best match by the means for determining a best match.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2011-05-27 | 2011-11-26 | 2012-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-05-27 | 2015-11-26 | 2016-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-05-27 | 2019-11-26 | 2020-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |