Configuration management system & method

#The present invention relates generally to the management of computer-system configuration, including patch management and other system configuration management, for server computer systems, other computer systems and the like.

#A computer system, such as a server, other computer or the like, can have a required set of patches to operate within acceptable limits. A patch can include, e.g., a repair job for a piece of programming. For example, during a software product's beta test distribution, try-out period and/or after a product is formally released, problems (e.g., bugs or the like) may occur. A patch can be a solution that is provided to users. For example, patches can sometimes be downloaded from a software maker's Web site. Patches are sometimes improved and/or updated. Product developers sometimes find better solutions that are released in later patches or provided when they package the product for its next release. In some instances, a patch is developed and distributed as a replacement for or an insertion in compiled code (such as, e.g., in a binary file or object module). A patch can include, e.g., an actual piece of object code that is inserted into (i.e., patched into) an executable program. In large operating systems, special programs are sometimes provided to manage and keep track of the installation of patches. Failure to update product patches can cause, e.g., reliability, availability and/or serviceability issues.

#In some instances, patches can be retrieved from a Web page via a Web server or via an FTP server. In some instances, patch clusters (including, e.g., a plurality of patches) can be downloaded. In some instances, patch reports are provided that provide listings of all patches for a given operating system release. In some instances, the patch reports may contain links to each patch for easier download. In some cases, for example, patch reports may be distributed periodically (e.g., twice a month).

#The attached figures are shown by way of example and not limitation, in which:

#FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an illustrative computer system according to some embodiments;

#FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an illustrative computer system according to some embodiments;

#In preferred embodiments, a configuration management system and process is provided. In illustrative embodiments, the system and process includes computer-company baseline matrices (such a company may include, e.g., a manufacturer, retailer or the like, such as, e.g., SUN MICROSYSTEMS® [“SUN”] as merely one illustrative example) and/or customer approved baseline matrices. These matrices include, e.g., approved patch sets. Preferably, the system and process enables the auditing of configuration and/or patch levels of individual systems or a plurality of systems within wide-area environments, such as, for example, entire data centers and/or global environments.

#Illustrative embodiments of the present invention can be employed in a computer system having one or more computers. FIGS. 1A-1C show illustrative computer systems with which some embodiments of the present invention can be employed.

#FIG. 1A is an illustrative schematic diagram showing a system 10 that can be accessed by multiple users 20 via a Web site or other computer interface at client computers or the like executing browser software or the like, which system 10 is adapted to monitor a plurality of servers 30 (e.g., which may for example be affiliated with different data centers or the like, such as centers A, B, C in illustrative embodiments). FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram that shows that the system 10 may include, for example, one or more server(s) connected via a computer network (e.g. such as the World Wide Web [Web], the Internet, a wide area network [WAN], an intranet, a virtual private network [VPN], any other network of computers, a combination of such networks, or the like) to at least one client user computer 21 (e.g., a personal computer [such as shown in the illustrative example], lap top computer, personal digital assistant or any other computer device or system) such that the at least one server(s) may provide information to the client computers via the network. As shown, at least one application computer can be provided in various embodiments of the invention to carry out one or more aspect of the invention. The application computer(s), client computers and server(s) can include any appropriate computers. Illustrative computers can include, e.g.: a central processing unit; memory (e.g., RAM, etc.); digital data storage (e.g., hard drives, etc.); input/output ports (e.g., parallel and/or serial ports, etc.); data entry devices (e.g., key boards, etc.); etc. The client computers may contain browser software for interacting with the server(s), such as, for example, using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) to make requests of the server(s) via the Internet or the like.