Method and apparatus for heterogeneous network management

A method of managing a heterogenous network, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) operating a first service on a heterogenous network having a first computer system having a first operating system and a second computer system having a second operating system, the first service having access to a first set of objects on the first computer system;
• b) operating on the second computer system a management service distinct from the first service;
• c) creating a second set of objects accessible to the management service for representing the first set of objects;
• d) modifying the second set of objects through the management service;
• e) detecting the modification to the second set of objects;
• f) transmitting to the first computer system information about the modification to the second set of objects;
• and
• g) modifying the first set of objects on the first computer system to correspond to the modification to the second set of objects in the second computer system.

An administration system for a heterogenous network, the administration system comprising:

• a) a first computer system comprising one or more identities;
• b) a management service on a second computer system for managing objects on the second computer system, the second computer system being distinct from the first computer system;
• c) one or more objects on the second computer system representing and being distinct from the one or more identities, said one or more objects being adapted to be managed by the management service;
• d) an event monitor operating on the second computer system, said event monitor being operative to send messages relating to changes to the one or more objects;
• and
• e) a replication agent operating on the first computer system, said replication agent being operative to receive messages from the event monitor and being operative to synchronize the one or more identities to the changes made to the one or more objects.