# US 10,310,881 B2 · Compositing data model information across a network > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,881 B2 - Document ID: US10310881B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/927,097 - Filed: 2015-10-29 - Published: 2017-05-04 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-29 - Assignees: VMware, Inc. - Applicants: VMware, Inc. - Inventors: David Byard; Wit Riewrangboonya; Nick Tenczar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310881B2 ## CPC - G06F 9/45558: {Hypervisor-specific management and integration aspects} - G06F 2009/45591: {Monitoring or debugging support} - G06F 2009/45595: {Network integration; Enabling network access in virtual machine instances} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A method for managing a virtual infrastructure is described. The method includes: generating a configuration information model representing a virtual infrastructure based on known virtual machines and network settings thereon; querying one or more sources of truth other than the known virtual machines, wherein the one or more sources of truth includes a data storage that stores at least one data object that answers a particular question; and comparing the data from the one or more sources of truth with a store of configuration model information, wherein the configuration model information comprises a time stamp and a source identifier; based on the comparing, generates a set of rules; and based on the set of rules, updates the configuration information model. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to: generate a configuration information model representing a virtual infrastructure based on known virtual machines and network settings thereon; retrieve a data object stored in a data storage, the data object associated with an unconfigured computer service that is not represented by the configuration information model; compare the data object to the configuration information model, wherein said configuration information model comprises a time stamp and a source identifier; determine, based on the comparison, that the configuration information model does not include the unconfigured computer service; and based on the determination, update the configuration information model to include the unconfigured computer service. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1, the instructions further causing the computing device to receive a request for said configuration information model and sends an updated configuration information model. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1, the instructions further causing the computing device to retrieve a data object associated with an out-of-network service that is not represented by the configuration information model, and further updating the configuration information model to include the out-of-network service. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1, the instructions further causing the computing device to: initiate at least one triggering action, wherein a triggering action of said at least one triggering action comprises: monitoring a state of said data object; and updating said configuration information model if said state of said data object changes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The non-transitory, computer-readable medium article of manufacture of claim 1, the instructions further causing the computing device to receive a set of rules, wherein said set of rules associates an update to the configuration information model with the data object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1, the instructions further causing the computing device to update a portion of the configuration information model based on receiving a request to update the portion of the configuration information model. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1, the instructions further causing the computing device to send the updated configuration information model to one or more nodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 7, the instructions further causing the computing device to maintain a list of nodes and select at least one node from said list of nodes to which to send the updated configuration information model. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8, the instructions further causing the computing device to select at least one node from said list of nodes using a random selection algorithm. ### Claim 10 A method for managing a virtual infrastructure, the method comprising: generating a configuration information model representing a virtual infrastructure based on known virtual machines and network settings thereon; retrieving a data object stored in a data storage, the data object associated with an unconfigured computer service that is not represented by the configuration information model; comparing the data object to the configuration information model, wherein said configuration information model comprises a time stamp and a source identifier; determine, based on the comparison, that the configuration information model does not include the unconfigured computer service; and based on the determination, update the configuration information model to include the unconfigured computer service. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving a request for said configuration information model; and sending the updated configuration information model. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising retrieving a data object associated with an out-of-network service that is not represented by the configuration information model, and further updating the configuration information model to include the out-of-network service. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: initiating at least one triggering action, wherein said at least one triggering action comprises: monitoring a state of said data object; and updating said configuration information model if said state of said data object changes. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving a set of rules that associates an update to the configuration information model with the data object. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising updating a portion of the configuration information model based on receiving a request to update the portion of the configuration information model. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising causing the computing device to send the updated configuration information model to one or more nodes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising: maintaining a list of nodes; and selecting at least one node from said list of nodes to which to send the updated configuration information model. ### Claim 18 An apparatus for managing a virtual infrastructure, said apparatus comprising: a memory store; and a hardware processor configured to execute a non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause the processor to: generating a configuration information model representing a virtual infrastructure based on known virtual machines and network settings thereon; retrieve a data object stored in a data storage, the data object associated with an unconfigured computer service that is not represented by the configuration information model; comparing the data object to the configuration information model, wherein said configuration information model comprises a time stamp and a source identifier; determining, based on the comparison, that the configuration information model does not include the unconfigured computer service; and based on the determination, updating the configuration information model to include the unconfigured computer service.