Managing technology resources across multiple platforms

Abstract

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing technology resources across multiple platforms. Embodiments of the invention can be used to manage the configuration of a plurality of different devices. A management server/service can utilize native management capabilities of different devices to provide configuration management without requiring agents to be installed on the devices. In general, the management server/service adapts to the unique characteristics and behaviors of different devices, platforms, and external systems to provide configuration management for the different devices, platforms, and external systems. As such, configuration management can be provided in a unified fashion across different platforms, both on-premise and off-premise, and indirectly. When client agents are present, the management server/service can adjust to compatibly operate with the client agents.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A computer system, the computer system comprising:
 one or more hardware processors;   system memory coupled to the one or more hardware processors, the system memory storing instructions that are executable by the one or more hardware processors;   the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to manage a device, including the following:
 receive a device-neutral configuration directive, the device-neutral configuration directive having been modified based on operational data from one or more other devices, the operational data including information relevant to the success or failure of applying the device-neutral configuration directive at the one or more other devices; 
 translate the device-neutral directive into a device-specific configuration directive for the device; and 
 send the device-specific configuration directive to implement a configuration change for the device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to receive a device-neutral configuration comprise the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to receive the device-neutral configuration, wherein one or more directive processors have modified the device-neutral configuration by one or more of: tabulating results, analyzing the device-neutral configuration directive, predicting the impact of implementing the device-neutral configuration directive, and determining an historical trend with respect to the device-neutral configuration directive. 
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by a legacy device agent. 
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by a 3 rd  party intermediary, the 3 rd  party intermediary in communication with a 3 rd  party device agent. 
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by an off-premises external system. 
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by an on-premises adaptor, the on-premises adaptor in communication with an on-premises external system. 
     
     
         7 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a device-specific configuration comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the device-neutral configuration directive into a form suitable for execution by a native device agent. 
     
     
         8 . A computer system, the computer system comprising:
 one or more hardware processors;   system memory coupled to the one or more hardware processors, the system memory storing instructions that are executable by the one or more hardware processors;   the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to manage a device, including the following:
 collect operational data in a device-specific format from the device in response to the device attempting to apply a configuration directive to change configuration, the device-specific operational data including information relevant to the success or failure of applying the configuration directive at the device; 
 translate the operational data in the device-specific format into operational data in a device-neutral format; and 
 send the operational data in the device-neutral format for storage, the operational data providing feedback for use in modifying the device-neutral configuration directive for implementation at one or more other devices. 
   
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to collect operational data in a device-specific format from the device comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to collect operational data in the device-specific format including details related to the success or failure of the device attempting to apply a device-specific configuration directive at the device. 
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the operational data in the device-specific format into operational data in a device-neutral format comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the operational data from a device client agent into the device-neutral data format. 
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the operational data in the device-specific format into operational data in a device-neutral format comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the operational data from an external system into the device-neutral data format. 
     
     
         11 . The computer system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the operational data in the device-specific format into operational data in a device-neutral format comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to translate the operational data in accordance with a device-neutral data schema. 
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to send the operational data in the device-neutral format comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to send operational data providing feedback for use in modifying one or more device-neutral configuration directives. 
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to send operational data in the device-neutral format comprises the one or more hardware processors executing the instructions stored in the system memory to send operational data in the device-neutral format to provide feedback for use in modifying one or more device-neutral configuration directives by one or more of: tabulating results, analyzing the device-neutral configuration directive, predicting the impact of implementing the device-neutral configuration directive, and determining an historical trend with respect to the device-neutral configuration directive. 
     
     
         14 . A processor implemented method for use a computer system, the processor implementing method for managing a device, the processor implemented method comprising:
 a gateway adaptor collecting operational data in a device-specific format from the device in response to the device attempting to apply a configuration directive to change configuration, the device-specific operational data including information relevant to the success or failure of applying the configuration directive at the device;   the gateway adaptor translating the operational data in the device-specific format into operational data in a device-neutral format; and   the gateway adaptor sending the operational data in the device-neutral format for storage, the operational data providing feedback for use in modifying the device-neutral configuration directive for implementation at one or more other devices.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a gateway adaptor collecting operational data in a device-specific format comprises the gateway adaptor collect operational data in the device-specific format including details related to the success or failure of the device attempting to apply a device-specific configuration directive at the device 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the gateway adaptor translating the operational data in the device-specific format into operational data in a device-neutral format comprises the gateway adaptor translating operational data from an external system into the device-neutral data format. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the gateway adaptor translating the operational data in the device-specific format into operational data in a device-neutral format comprises the gateway adaptor translating the operational data in accordance with a device-neutral data schema. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the gateway adaptor translating the operational data in the device-specific format into operational data in a device-neutral format comprises the gateway adaptor translating the operational data from a device client agent into the device-neutral data format. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the gateway adaptor sending the operational data in the device-neutral format comprises the gateway adaptor sending the operational data in the device-neutral format for use by one or more of: a policy computation directive processor, a remote task directive processor, and a software distribution directive processor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the gateway adaptor sending the operational data in the device-neutral format for storage comprises the gateway adaptor sending the send operational data in the device-neutral format to provide feedback for use in modifying one or more device-neutral configuration directives by one or more of: tabulating results, analyzing the device-neutral configuration directive, predicting the impact of implementing the device-neutral configuration directive, and determining an historical trend with respect to the device-neutral configuration directive.