Weighted determination in configuration management system

194618/2 1

WEIGHTED DETERMINATION IN CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to technologies for managing, tracking, andupdating the configurations of configurable systems such as computers inan enterprise.

Background of the Invention A Configuration Management Database ("CMDB") refers to a system which is used to track, monitor, and update the configuration or combination of components within a configurable system, such as a computer. Such configurable systems typically have a number of electronic components and options, such as motherboards, backplanes, add-in cards. They also often have a number of software components oroptions, such as operating systems, application programs, drivers,patches, upgrades, and the like. Finally, they typically have a numberof hardware options, such as brackets, cases, housings, panels, cables,etc.

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (“ITIL”) is a widelyaccepted approach to IT service management throughout the world, which ispromulgated by the United Kingdom's Office of Governance Commerce (“OGC”).ITIL employs a process-model view of controlling and managing operations.OGC works closely with public sector companies and organizations toimprove a cohesive set of best practice approaches in commercial activities. ITIL's customizable framework of practices includes, but isnot limited to, provisioning of information technology ("IT") servicequality, essential accommodation and facilities required supporting aproposed technology services, or the structures necessary for meetingbusiness demands and improving IT services. As such, ITIL aims tobenefit the IT community by providing both a comprehensive informationthat is readily accessible and creating a common vocabulary whichfacilitate communication across industries. CMDB is a term adopted byITIL, and used throughout the IT profession to refer to a general class oftools and processes which are used or followed to manage the 194618/2 2 configurations of configurable systems, which are referred to as

Configuration Items ("CI") in ITIL terms.

According to ITIL recommendations or requirements, a CMDB issupposed to contain the latest information on all CIs for which it isapplied. The CMDB data is supposed to be accurate in any given environment. In some cases the CMDB cannot be kept in synchronization withthe real world systems management environment since there are multiplepoint products involved in creating the relationships and the CIs. Forexample, some systems may update themselves, such as self-updating software applications, without updating or notifying the CMDB of the changes. In another example, a component of a CI may be removed, replaced, installed, or upgraded by a system administrator without updating or notifying the CMDB of the changes. As such, many CMDB recordsregarding particular configurable systems are only partially correct,although it is difficult to determine which details are correct and whichare incorrect.

Further, many enterprises employ a number of technologies andproducts within the enterprise, and often configuration information ismanaged by more than one CMDB tool. This occurs sometimes unintentionally, as legacy systems are grafted together, and as new products for other vendors are integrated into legacy environments.

Thus, even when strict configuration change processes are followed,often records in separate CMDB systems regarding the same CI may not be inagreement, may be partially inaccurate, and may be incompatible with beingsynchronized with each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a computer-basedmethod for providing configurable item configuration data, comprising thesteps of: receiving from a plurality of sources including at least one configuration management database a plurality of configuration data sets pertaining to a configurable item, said configurable item having a plurality of configurable elements; assigning weight values to configurable elements reported in said data sets using one or more weighting rules and preferences; creating a new configuration data set for 194618/2 3 said configurable item by selecting configurable elements having greater assigned weight values; assigning a confidence factor to configurable elements in said new configuration data set according to weight comparisons between said plurality of data sets; and updating a configuration management database entry for said configurable item according to said new data set and said confidence factors.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium comprising: a computer-readable medium suitable for storing one ormore computer-executable codes; and one or more computer-executable codesstored by said computer-readable medium for causing a computer to performsteps comprising: (a) receiving from a plurality of sources including atleast one configuration management database a plurality of configurationdata sets pertaining to a configurable item, said configurable item havinga plurality of configurable elements; (b) assigning weight values to configurable elements reported in said data sets using one or more weighting rules and preferences; (c) creating a new configuration data setfor said configurable item by selecting configurable elements havinggreater assigned weight values; (d) assigning a confidence factor toconfigurable elements in said new configuration data set according toweight comparisons between said plurality of data sets; and (e) updating aconfiguration management database entry for said configurable item according to said new data set and said confidence factors.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a system comprising:a plurality of configuration data sets pertaining to a same configurable item, said data sets being received from a plurality of sources including at least one configuration management database, said configurable item having a plurality of configurable elements; a weight value generator which employs one or more rules and preferences to assignweight values to configurable elements in said configuration data sets; anew data set creator configured to create a new data set for said configurable item by selecting configurable elements having greater weightvalues, and to assign confidence factors to selected configurable elementsby performing weight comparisons between said plurality of data sets; andan updater configured to update a configuration management database entryfor said configurable item according to said new data set and said confidence factors. 194618/2 4

The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a system, amethod, or a computer-readable medium for providing configurable itemconfiguration data by receiving a plurality of configuration data setsfrom a plurality of sources, all which pertain to the same configurableitem (CI), then using weighting rules and preferences to assign weightvalues for each option, feature, and component in each report according todiscrepancies and commonalities between the data sets, creating a new dataset for the configurable item by selecting options, features, and components having the greatest weight values among all of the data sets, assigning confidence factors to each option, feature, and component by weight comparisons between the plurality of data sets; updating a configuration management database entry for the configurable item accordingly. The confidence factors are useful for inhibiting regulated processes, such as software release processes and change control processes, and for generating human-readable configuration reports indicating confidence levels of the reports and their contents.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reported confidence factors are provided in one or more reports useful for compliance with regulations put in place by a quality or configuration control organization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, and with reference to the followingdrawings:

Figure 1 depicts a general system arrangement of components anddevices according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2a and 2b show, in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, a generalized computing platform architecture, anda generalized organization of software and firmware of such a computing platform architecture.

Figure 3a sets forth, by way of example, a logical process to deploysoftware to a client in which the deployed software embodies the methodsand processes of one embodiment of the present invention. 194618/2 5

Figure 3b sets forth, by way of example, a logical process tointegrate software to other software programs in which the integratedsoftware embodies the methods and processes of one embodiment of thepresent invention.

Figure 3c sets forth, by way of example, a logical process toexecute software on behalf of a client in an on-demand computing system,in which the executed software embodies the methods and processes of theone embodiment of present invention.

Figure 3d sets forth, by way of example, a logical process to deploysoftware to a client via a virtual private network, in which the deployedsoftware embodies the methods and processes of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, illustrate, by way of example, computerreadable media of various removable and fixed types, signal transceivers,and parallel-to-serial-to-parallel signal circuits.

Figure 5 illustrates a typical configuration management databasearrangement of systems and components.

Figure 6a shows a logical process according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention for assigning weights to configurableitem record details.

Figures 6b and 6c provide examples of configurable item recorddetails, the latter of which is annotated to including weights.

Figure 7a shows a logical process according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention for determining a confidence factorbased upon weighted configuration item details.

Figure 7b provides an example of a CMDB CI record set enhanced to include a confidence factor for each item, and optionally an overall confidence factor for the entire configurable item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 194618/2 6

The inventors of the present invention have recognized a problemunaddressed in the art regarding managing configuration information forconfigurable systems in an environment where two or more configurationmanagement tools are employed. For the convenience of the reader, throughout this disclosure, we will refer to such configurable systems, tools, and processes using ITIL terminology. However, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to applications which are ITIL compliant. Additionally, in this disclosure, the term "point product" will be used to describe any system which can be managed by a CMDB tool (e.g. a "target system"). For example, a point product may be used to distribute software applications,to monitor a software application, or to monitor a network health.

Based on these discoveries, the inventor has developed the followinglogical processes, systems, services, and computer-readable media to solvethese unrecognized problems in the art. A typical CMDB that is being populated from multiple sources (e.g.regarding or from multiple point products) cannot be kept insynchronization with all the point products in practice because it isdifficult to keep data synchronization between several products and one ormore CMDB tools up to date.

Generally speaking, the inventor has discovered that if a CMDB iscreated from multiple point products or data sources, chances are highthat CMDB does not reflect the actual exact state of a CI and its relationships at any given moment.

For example, suppose a CMDB has CIs including hardware, software,monitoring applications, and the relationship between them stored in aCMDB from point products including Tivoli® Provisioning Manager ("TPM"),Tivoli Configuration Manager ("TCM"), and IBM® Tivoli Monitor ("ITM"),which are all well-known products and systems, and which are all usedwidely through enterprise computing. (IBM and Tivoli are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United

States, other countries, or both.)

Other well known CIs include computing platforms such as servers,desktop computers, and client devices provided by companies like IBM [TM], 194618/2 7

Dell [TM], BEA Systems, Inc. [TM], and the Hewlett Packard Company [TM]; network equipment such as products by Cisco [TM]; and CMDB systems such asthose sold by Computer Associates, Inc. [TM], BMC Software, Inc. [TM], andthe Hewlett Packard Company [TM].

In such a scenario, chances are high that the CI configurationinformation is out of synchronization with reality since synchronizingsuch data real time between these products and CMDB is resource intensive.The relationship between the CIs may also be not accurate as reported bythe point product.

Such an example is illustrated in Figure 5, in which a CMDB (52)tool is used to integrate and aggregate configuration information for anumber of point products including a number of computers (C1, C2, ... Cz),switches (S1, ... S99), and routers (R7, R8, ...), via a number of actors,such as a TPM (55) system and a TCM system (57), each of which have theirown configuration database (56, 58, respectively). Also in this example,a Tivoli License Manager ("TLM") (53), and a non-IBM non-Tivoli financialsystem product (54), such as one from SAP, provide configuration information to the CMDB (52). A change management process (51), releasemanagement process, or other process is generally followed in order toattempt to manage the changes to the CIs (e.g. the point products, actors,integrated systems, etc.).

So, in summary, a CMDB system records the items, features, options,and components installed, enabled, or otherwise integrated into orcooperative with a Configurable Item, including their relationships toeach other (e.g. router to PC, PC to mouse, etc.) within the CI andbetween CI's, typically using a "relationship registry" according to ITILor other standards. Certain systems or components within the system may"act" upon an end point system (e.g. target machines, end points, pointproducts), such as "pushing" a software installation onto it, butgenerally speaking, a CMDB is not an actor, it is just a collector ofinformation.

Weight-Based Confidence Factor Generator System Overview

For the purposes of this disclosure, we will refer to the collection of things which can be configured in a CI, such as options, features, 194618/2 8 components, etc., as configurable elements of a CI. We will also refer touser- or administrator-selected logical operations, thresholds,priorities, and choices which are employed or considered by the variouslogical processes described herein as rules and preferences. As describedin further detail in the following paragraphs, each configurable elementlisted in each CI configuration report is assigned a weight based on itslikelihood of being correct or complete, and these weights are then usedto select or combine configurable elements from multiple CI configurationreports to generate a new configuration report for the CI. Optionally,confidence factors for each configurable element in the new report, aswell as an overall, unit-level confidence factor, may be generated byanalyzing the weights and range of differences (e.g. range of deviation)of weights among the reports. For example, if a configurable item of ahard drive is reported in three reports to be a 200 GB drive, while onlyone report shows that it is a 100 GB report, a high confidence factor forthat configurable item would be in order. However, if all the reports arefairly disparate, such as one report indicates the hard drive is 100 GB,another report shows a 200 GB drive, while another shows the drive asbeing removed or disabled entirely, the confidence factor for thisconfigurable element in the new report would be relatively low.

Likewise, a unit-level confidence factor for an entire CI in which most orall of the configurable elements have high confidence factors would alsobe high, but a unit-level confidence factor for a CI in which some or manyof the configurable elements have low confidence factors may also be low.

Turning to Figure 1, an example arrangement (10) of systems,including the components of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, is shown. The present invention preferably resolves configuration discrepancies or disagreements between multiple configuration databases by assigning weights to the CIs based on one or more criteria, such as the number of times a CI has been read by other systems, the number of times a CI has been written or updated by other systems, the number of relationships a CI has in a CMDB, the frequency with which a CI has been read or written, and how recently a CI has been accessed or updated.

After a weight is assigned to CIs in the CMDB based on one or more criteria such as these, a confidence factor ("CF") is then determined for each CI. This confidence factor is then used to automatically decide 194618/2 9 which details of a CI are accurate or reliable, and the confidence factors are reported for review by a system administrator to assist in determining which conflicting details are to be relied upon in a decision.

For example, information regarding a CI are collected from multiplesources, such as TCM and TPM, via a CMDB system (52). The records (11)regarding a particular configurable item CIn are retrieved (12) by a preferred embodiment of the invention, and compared for discrepancies (13), to find missing and nonequivalent details, features, or component

records (14) regarding the configurable item CIn. The details of the CI records are then weighted (15) using one or more weight analysis processesand preferences (16).

The weighted CI details are then analyzed to generate (17) aConfidence Factor ("CF") (17) for each feature or component in the CI, aswell as optionally generating an overall CF for the entire CI as a unit,using one or more confidence generator processes and preferences (18).

Optionally, one embodiment of the invention produces one or moreuser reports (19) for review by a system administrator, includingindications of the CF for each CI feature and component, as well asindicating the overall CF for the CI as a unit. Additionally, theinvention updates, in accordance with one embodiment, the records for theconfigurable item in the CMDB to include the most reliable or trustworthyCI features and components, including the confidence factors (18).

Finally, these confidence factors are preferably employed inenhanced ITIL process controls (51), such as a release control process ora change management process. For example, the processes may be re- engineered to only allow upgrades to systems for which the CF of its configuration is 85% or higher.

According to a preferred embodiment, the entire process is executedupon command from a user, or on a periodic basis, such as a timed basisexecuted by a background daemon in a Unix® environment, for example. (Unixis a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and othercountries.)

Weight Assignment Process and Annotation of CMDB Records 194618/2 10

In Figure 6a, a logical process according to a preferred embodimentof the invention is shown, in which the records for a particular CI (11)from a plurality of sources or configuration management tools are received(60), and searched for discrepancies (61). If any sources show or reportfeatures or components that are missing from the reports of other sources(62), then one or more weight analysis processes and preferences (16) areused (63) to determine which items likely or more reliably are installedin the CI. For example, if one source reports that a particular application program was known to be installed in a certain CI as of threeyears ago, but more recent reports from other sources are missing thisitem, then it may be determined that the weight of the older report islow. However, a more recent report which shows a feature or componentwhich is not reported by other sources may be given higher weight, forexample. In some other cases some point products are considered authoritative sources, meaning that irrespective of what any other point product is reporting, the information reported by the authoritative sourceis considered accurate.

Also, if any nonequivalent components or features are discovered inrecords about the CI from different sources (64), then one or more weightanalysis processes and preferences (16) are employed (66) to assign weightvalues to each item in each reported set of records. Nonequivalent, asused here, means that the items may not be reported exactly in the same format, but can be determined using one or more translation tables, thesauri, etc., to represent the same type of item. For example, one report may show an application program 'Lotus® Word Pro®", while another may just show "WordPro 2000". Since "Word Pro" is a known trademark to IBM Corporation, then it can be determined that these entries represent the same type of product, but not necessarily the same revision of the product. (Lotus and Word Pro are registered trademarks of International

Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.)

If all reported record sets for the particular CI seem to be equivalent (65), then high weight values may be assigned to all components in the CI. Finally, a temporary record superset (68) is preferably created (67), wherein each item for each record set is annotated by the assigned weight value. 194618/2 11

Turning to Figure 6b, an example of two reported record sets for ahypothetical PC number 13 are shown, one set from a first configurationmanagement tool CMT1 , the other from a second configuration managementtool CMT2 , as well as potentially other record sets from other configuration management tools. In this example, the CI's chassis or housing is reported (601, 601') in two slightly different formats, but otherwise, equivalent, except that one report (601) provides a version indication. The CI's motherboard or mainboard is also reported in both reports, but the revision levels differ. Also, an application Microsoft®Word is equivalently reported (603, 603'), although one report (603) showsa date of installation of a patch which is not shown by the other report (603'). Finally, one report shows an install Netscape Navigator [TM] application program (604), which is missing from the second report (604').(Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States,other countries, or both.)

In this relatively simple illustration, four components or details areshown for the same CI, although some level of discrepancy arises in eachof the four.

According to a preferred embodiment, weights can automatically beassigned according to a variety of rules and analyses, including but notlimited to: (a) A weight can be adjusted or determined on the basis of aknown update or synchronization rate of the source. As in theexample of Figure 1, perhaps the SAP Financial System is knownto update hourly, while the TPM and TCM systems are known to update daily or even weekly. As such, the SAP Financial

System's reports may be afforded somewhat higher weights in one embodiment. (b) A weight can be based on reported (or lack of report) ofrevision level, patch level, and update level of each featureor component, giving greater weight to later or higher revision, patch, and update levels, if appropriate, and givinglower weight to items showing older or earlierrevision/update/patch levels, or not showing these levels atall. 194618/2 12 (c) A weight can be based on the date of the report, or the date of the most recent update to the report. (d) A weight can be based on the frequency of access to a report (e.g. how often it has been read or written in a past period of time). (e) A high weight value can be based on a designation of areport or item in a report as being an authoritative source. (f) A weight value can be based on the results of examiningand parsing history logs, installation logs, release notes,etc., which may yield information corroborating one or moredetails of one or more reports. (g) Weight can be assigned based on whether the pointproduct is considered an authoritative source or not (e.g.designation of a point product which is matured in theorganization for which the information is trusted).

To follow our example of Figure 6b, an example weight-annotated setof configuration records (68) are shown in which weights have been addedto each record detail. For example, the chassis report from the first CMTis given higher weight (605) than the weight (606) for the chassis reportfrom the second CMT because a version number is provided in the firstreport. Likewise, a higher weight is given to the motherboard reportfrom the second CMT than from the first CMT because the second reportshows a later revision level, probably indicating an upgraded motherboard.

Confidence Factor Generation

Turning to Figure 7a, a logical process according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for generating the Confidence Factors("CF") is shown. The weighted CI record set (68) is received or accessed(70), and one or more confidence factor generator processes and preferences (18) are employed to select a most reliable or trustworthyitem among equivalent items in the multiple reports based upon the weightson those items and the weight differences between them. For example, theweight differences between the chassis reports (601, 601') are not great,so the highest weighted report would be used, and would be given a highCF. As such, a single list or report of options, components, and featuresis created for the CI by selecting the highest rated items from the 194618/2 13 weighted reports, and then by annotating that single report with confidence factors for each option, component and feature.

Further, optionally, an overall CF for the configurable item as aunit is determined (72) based upon the aggregation, average, or othercalculation, of all of the confidence factors of all the constituentoptions, components, and features of the CI.

Next, the CMDB records (52) are updated (73) to reflect thisconsolidated list of options, components, and features, preferablyincluding the confidence factors for each item and for the CI as a unit.Also, according to one available embodiment, a human-readable report (75),such as a paper printout or a report displayable on a computer screen, iscreated (74) including the consolidated list of options, components, andfeatures, preferably including the confidence factors.

Figure 7b illustrates an example annotated consolidated list (75)based upon the examples of Figures 6a and 6b, in which confidence factors(700, 701) are included with the selected options, components, and features listed in the report (75).

Some Example CIs

For greater understanding of the possible application of this invention, we now present some general information about some common configurable items ("CIs"). The following is not intended to be anexhaustive list, whereas there are a wide variety of configurable systemswhich may be managed by configuration management tools.

Storage Area Network. A Storage Area Network (“SAN”) is typically anetwork designed to connect computer storage devices such as tapelibraries and disk array controllers to servers. In other words, it is ahigh-speed special-purpose network that interconnects different datastorage devices with each other. There are two variations of SAN.

First, SAN can be a network whose primary purpose is to provide data transfer between computer systems and storage elements. Second, SAN can be a storage system composed of storage elements, devices, computer systems, appliances including control software communicating over a network. SAN differs from other forms of network storage like network 194618/2 14 attached storage (“NAS”) because it uses low-level access methods. Thismeans that SAN uses a method called block storage, which when the serverissues a request, it is meant for specified blocks or data segments from adisk drive. SAN storage is a one-to-one relationship. In other words,each device of Logical Unit Number (“LUN”) on the SAN is owned by a singlecomputer to access the same set of files over a network. Contrarily, NASenables multiple computers to access the same set of files over a network.One of the many benefits of SAN is its ability to allow servers to bootfrom the SAN itself. This enables a quicker and easier method to replacefaulty servers since SAN can be reconfigured so that a replacement servercan use the LUN of the faulty server. In addition, SAN can provideincrease in storage capacity utilization because multiple servers canshare the same growth reserve. With improvement in technology, it is nowpossible to incorporate subnetworks with NAS systems.

Network Attached Storage. A Network Attached Storage (“NAS”) is typicallya hard disk storage arrangement with its own network address rather thanattached to a department computer that is servicing applications to anetwork's workstation users. It includes multi-disk Redundant Array ofIndependent Disks (“RAID”) which allows storing the same data in differentplaces on multiple hard disks. A NAS storage element can be made-up of anengine that implements the file services and one or more devices whichdata is stored. By using NAS, it allows multiple computers to share thesame storage space at once which reduces the amount of overhead requiredand allow information to be accessed faster since there is no competitionfor same processor resources. NAS uses file based protocols such asMicrosoft's Internetwork Packet Exchange and NetWEUI, Novell's NetwareInternetwork Packet Exchange [TM], Sun Microsystem's [TM] Network FileSystem, Server Message Block [“SMB”] which was later named Common InternetFile System [“CIFS”]. Between NAS and SAN, NAS is a logical choice forlocal file system storage in a local area network (“LAN”). Therefore,much of NAS relies heavily on cached memory for performance. NAS providemany advantages such as the ability to deliver with significant ease inusage, provide heterogeneous data sharing and allow organizations toautomate and simplify data management.

Personal Computers . A Personal Computer (“PC”) is typically a microcomputer designed to be used by one person at a time. It is usually use for general purpose work such as word processing, programming, sending 194618/2 15 messages or digital documents. In the modern usage, PC refers to an IBMPC compatible because it utilizes the basic framework designed originallyby IBM. There are several types of computers such as desktop, laptop,personal digital assistants (“PDA”), portable, and tablet computers.Generally, a motherboard, central processing unit, memory, hard disk driveand graphic card are the basic components that make-up a computer. PCsare the point of contact users use to access data via a network whether itis SAN or NAS.

Servers . A Server is typically a software application that carries outtasks on behalf of a client such as a PC. Using the Internet as anexample, a server can be an APACHE web server that runs functionsinitiated by browsers such as Internet Explorer, a Web client, to accessHTML pages or files. Client-server relationship also exits for servicesinvolving electronic messaging, remote login, and graphical outputdisplays. This is using file serving, which users store and accessinformation on a PC, and an application server that runs various programsto carry out a specified task for the users. In general, a serverdescribes a machine that have high-capacity power supplies, a motherboardbuilt for durability in a round-the-clock operation, large quantities oferror-correcting code, random access memory (“RAM”), and fast input/output(“I/O”). Servers utilize both SAN and NAS for accessibility betweenmachines. Some examples of servers are mail, FTP, news, peer-to-peer,image, instant-messaging, and dedicated servers.

Routers . A router is typically a network device that forwards data packetacross a network toward destinations through a process called routing.Routing occurs on layer three, known as Network Layer, of the Open SystemsInterconnection (“OSI”) seven layers model. A router acts as a connectorbetween two networks in order for data transfer. Typically, routers areoften confused with switches. A simple illustration to distinguish onefrom another is that switches are like neighborhood streets, while routersare the intersections with street signs. Routers connect networkstogether so packets know where it needs to flow. There are several typesof routers. An edge router is a router that connects clients to theInternet. A core router is one whose sole purpose is transmitting databetween routers inside a network. With ease in technology, routers areused even in homes and small offices setup a small network. These routersprovide a wide range of services such as Dynamic Host Configuration 194618/2 16

Protocol (“DHCP”), Network Address Translation (“NAT”), Demilitarized Zone(“DMZ”), Firewall, content filtering and Virtual Private Network (“VPN”).

Suitable Computing Platform

In one embodiment of the invention, including the previously described logical processes, are performed partially or entirely byexecuting software on a computer, such as a personal computer, a webserver, a web browser, or even an appropriately capable portable computingplatform, such as a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a web-enabledwireless telephone, or another type of personal information management("PIM") device.

Therefore, it is useful to review a generalized architecture of acomputing platform which may span the range of implementation, from ahigh-end web or enterprise server platform, to a personal computer, to aportable PDA or web-enabled wireless phone.

Turning to Figure 2a, a generalized architecture is presentedincluding a central processing unit (21) ("CPU"), which is typicallycomprised of a microprocessor (22) associated with random access memory("RAM") (24) and read-only memory ("ROM") (25). Often, the CPU (21) isalso provided with cache memory (23) and programmable FlashROM (26). Theinterface (27) between the microprocessor (22) and the various types ofCPU memory is often referred to as a “local bus”, but also may be a moregeneric or industry standard bus.

Many computing platforms are also provided with one or more storagedrives (29), such as a hard-disk drives ("HDD"), floppy disk drives,compact disc drives (CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), and proprietarydisk and tape drives (e.g., Iomega Zip [TM] and Jaz [TM], AddonicsSuperDisk [TM], etc.). Additionally, some storage drives may beaccessible over a computer network.

Many computing platforms are provided with one or more communicationinterfaces (210), according to the function intended of the computingplatform. For example, a personal computer is often provided with a highspeed serial port (RS-232, RS-422, etc.), an enhanced parallel port("EPP"), and one or more universal serial bus ("USB") ports. Thecomputing platform may also be provided with a local area network ("LAN") 194618/2 17 interface, such as an Ethernet card, and other high-speed interfaces suchas the High Performance Serial Bus IEEE-1394.

Computing platforms such as wireless telephones and wirelessnetworked PDA's may also be provided with a radio frequency ("RF")interface with antenna, as well. In some cases, the computing platformmay be provided with an infrared data arrangement ("IrDA") interface, too.

Computing platforms are often equipped with one or more internalexpansion slots (211), such as Industry Standard Architecture ("ISA"),Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture ("EISA"), Peripheral ComponentInterconnect ("PCI"), or proprietary interface slots for the addition ofother hardware, such as sound cards, memory boards, and graphics accelerators.

Additionally, many units, such as laptop computers and PDA's, areprovided with one or more external expansion slots (212) allowing the userthe ability to easily install and remove hardware expansion devices, suchas PCMCIA cards, SmartMedia cards, and various proprietary modules such asremovable hard drives, CD drives, and floppy drives.

Often, the storage drives (29), communication interfaces (210),internal expansion slots (211) and external expansion slots (212) areinterconnected with the CPU (21) via a standard or industry open busarchitecture (28), such as ISA, EISA, or PCI. In many cases, the bus (28)may be of a proprietary design. A computing platform is usually provided with one or more user inputdevices, such as a keyboard or a keypad (216), and mouse or pointer device(217), and/or a touch-screen display (218). In the case of a personal computer, a full size keyboard is often provided along with a mouse or pointer device, such as a track ball or TrackPoint [TM]. In the case of aweb-enabled wireless telephone, a simple keypad may be provided with oneor more function-specific keys. In the case of a PDA, a touch-screen (218) is usually provided, often with handwriting recognition capabilities.

Additionally, a microphone (219), such as the microphone of a web-enabled wireless telephone or the microphone of a personal computer, is 194618/2 18 supplied with the computing platform. This microphone may be used forsimply reporting audio and voice signals, and it may also be used forentering user choices, such as voice navigation of web sites or auto-dialing telephone numbers, using voice recognition capabilities.

Many computing platforms are also equipped with a camera device(2100), such as a still digital camera or full motion video digitalcamera.

One or more user output devices, such as a display (213), are alsoprovided with most computing platforms. The display (213) may take manyforms, including a Cathode Ray Tube ("CRT"), a Thin Flat Transistor(“TFT”) array, or a simple set of light emitting diodes ("LED") or liquidcrystal display ("LCD") indicators.

One or more speakers (214) and/or annunciators (215) are oftenassociated with computing platforms, too. The speakers (214) may be usedto reproduce audio and music, such as the speaker of a wireless telephoneor the speakers of a personal computer. Annunciators (215) may take theform of simple beep emitters or buzzers, commonly found on certain devicessuch as PDAs and PIMs.

These user input and output devices may be directly interconnected(28', 28'') to the CPU (21) via a proprietary bus structure and/orinterfaces, or they may be interconnected through one or more industryopen buses such as ISA, EISA, PCI, etc.

The computing platform is also provided with one or more softwareand firmware (2101) programs to implement the desired functionality of thecomputing platforms.

Turning to now Figure 2b, more detail is given of a generalizedorganization of software and firmware (2101) on this range of computingplatforms. One or more operating system ("OS") native applicationprograms (223) may be provided on the computing platform, such as wordprocessors, spreadsheets, contact management utilities, address book,calendar, email client, presentation, financial and bookkeeping programs.

Additionally, one or more "portable" or device-independent programs(224) may be provided, which must be interpreted by an OS-native platform- 194618/2 19 specific interpreter (225), such as JavaTM scripts and programs. (Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks of Sun Microsystems,

Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both.)

Often, computing platforms are also provided with a form of webbrowser or micro-browser (226), which may also include one or moreextensions to the browser such as browser plug-ins (227).

The computing device is often provided with an operating system(220), such as Microsoft Windows® , UNIX, IBM OS/2®, IBM AIX®, open sourceLINUX®, Apple's MAC OS [TM], or other platform specific operating systems.Smaller devices such as PDA's and wireless telephones may be equipped withother forms of operating systems such as real-time operating systems ("RTOS") or Palm Computing's PalmOS [TM]. (Windows is a trademark of

Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both; OS/2and AIX are registered trademarks of International Business MachinesCorporation in the United States, other countries, or both; Linux is aregistered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both; Other company, product or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.) A set of basic input and output functions ("BIOS") and hardwaredevice drivers (221) are often provided to allow the operating system(220) and programs to interface to and control the specific hardwarefunctions provided with the computing platform.

Additionally, one or more embedded firmware programs (222) arecommonly provided with many computing platforms, which are executed byonboard or "embedded" microprocessors as part of the peripheral device,such as a micro controller or a hard drive, a communication processor,network interface card, or sound or graphics card.

As such, Figures 2a and 2b describe in a general sense the varioushardware components, software and firmware programs of a wide variety ofcomputing platforms, including but not limited to personal computers,

PDAs, PIMs, web-enabled telephones, and other appliances such as WebTV

[TM] units. As such, we now turn our attention to disclosure of processesand methods preferably implemented as software and firmware on such acomputing platform. It will be readily recognized by those skilled in the 194618/2 20 art that the following methods and processes may be alternatively realized as hardware functions, in part or in whole, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Service-based Embodiments

Alternative embodiments of the present invention include of some orall of the foregoing logical processes and functions being provided byconfiguring software, deploying software, downloading software,distributing software, or remotely serving clients in an on-demandenvironment. For example, some or all of logical processes for collectingmultiple configuration reports about a CI from multiple sources, foranalyzing the configurable elements in each report and assigning weightsto each element, and for producing a new configuration report for a CIincluding a confidence factor, can be provided as an online, on-demandservice accessible remotely by other CMDB products. Alternatively, one ormore of these logical processes could be downloaded on-demand forexecution by a client, or could be dynamically configured on-demand in agrid computing environment in order to handle an instant need for suchprocessing. In another embodiment, one or more of the collection, weightassignment, and confidence factor generating logical processes can beintegrated into a computing environment, as a cooperative program, alibrary function, or an integral portion of another program.

Software Deployment Embodiment. According to one embodiment of theinvention, the methods and processes disclosed are distributed or deployedas a service to by a service provider to a client's computing system(s).

Turning to Figure 3a, the deployment process begins (3000) bydetermining (3001) if there are any programs that will reside on a serveror servers when the process software is executed. If this is the casethen the servers that will contain the executables are identified (309).The process software for the server or servers is transferred directly tothe servers storage via FTP or some other protocol or by copying throughthe use of a shared files system (310). The process software is theninstalled on the servers (311).

Next a determination is made on whether the process software is tobe deployed by having users access the process software on a server or 194618/2 21 servers (3002). If the users are to access the process software on servers then the server addresses that will store the process software are identified (3003).

In step (3004) a determination is made whether the process softwareis to be developed by sending the process software to users via e-mail.The set of users where the process software will be deployed are identified together with the addresses of the user client computers (3005). The process software is sent via e-mail to each of the user's client computers. The users then receive the e-mail (305) and then detachthe process software from the e-mail to a directory on their clientcomputers (306). The user executes the program that installs theprocess software on his client computer (312) then exits the process(3008). A determination is made if a proxy server is to be built (300) tostore the process software. A proxy server is a server that sits betweena client application, such as a Web browser, and a real server. It intercepts all requests to the real server to see if it can fulfill the requests itself. If not, it forwards the request to the real server. Thetwo primary benefits of a proxy server are to improve performance and tofilter requests. If a proxy server is required then the proxy server isinstalled (301). The process software is sent to the servers either via aprotocol such as FTP or it is copied directly from the source files to theserver files via file sharing (302). Another embodiment would be to senda transaction to the servers that contained the process software and havethe server process the transaction, then receive and copy the process software to the server's file system. Once the process software is storedat the servers, the users via their client computers, then access theprocess software on the servers and copy to their client computers filesystems (303). Another embodiment is to have the servers automaticallycopy the process software to each client and then run the installationprogram for the process software at each client computer. The user executes the program that installs the process software on his client computer (312) then exits the process (3008).

Lastly, a determination is made on whether the process software willbe sent directly to user directories on their client computers (3006). Ifso, the user directories are identified (3007). The process software is 194618/2 22 transferred directly to the user's client computer directory (307). Thiscan be done in several ways such as but not limited to sharing of the filesystem directories and then copying from the sender's file system to therecipient user's file system or alternatively using a transfer protocolsuch as File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”). The users access the directorieson their client file systems in preparation for installing the processsoftware (308). The user executes the program that installs the processsoftware on his client computer (312) then exits the process (3008).

Software Integration Embodiment. According to another embodiment of thepresent invention, software embodying the methods and processes disclosedherein are integrated as a service by a service provider to other softwareapplications, applets, or computing systems.

Integration of the solution disclosed generally includes providingfor the process software to coexist with applications, operating systemsand network operating systems software and then installing the processsoftware on the clients and servers in the environment where the processsoftware will function.

Generally speaking, the first task is to identify any software onthe clients and servers including the network operating system where theprocess software will be deployed that are required by the processsoftware or that work in conjunction with the process software. Thisincludes the network operating system that is software that enhances abasic operating system by adding networking features. Next, the softwareapplications and version numbers will be identified and compared to thelist of software applications and version numbers that have been tested towork with the process software. Those software applications that aremissing or that do not match the correct version will be upgraded with thecorrect version numbers. Program instructions that pass parameters fromthe process software to the software applications will be checked toensure the parameter lists matches the parameter lists required by theprocess software. Conversely parameters passed by the software applications to the process software will be checked to ensure the parameters match the parameters required by the process software. The client and server operating systems including the network operating systems will be identified and compared to the list of operating systems, version numbers and network software that have been tested to work with 194618/2 23 the process software. Those operating systems, version numbers and network software that do not match the list of tested operating systems and version numbers will be upgraded on the clients and servers to the required level.

After ensuring that the software, where the process software is tobe deployed, is at the correct version level that has been tested to workwith the process software, the integration is completed by installing theprocess software on the clients and servers.

Turning to Figure 3b, details of the integration process accordingto the invention are shown. Integrating begins (320) by determining ifthere are any process software programs that will execute on a server orservers (321). If this is not the case, then integration proceeds to (327). If this is the case, then the server addresses are identified (322). The servers are checked to see if they contain software that includes the operating system (“OS”), applications, and network operatingsystems (“NOS”), together with their version numbers, that have beentested with the process software (323). The servers are also checked todetermine if there is any missing software that is required by the processsoftware (323). A determination is made if the version numbers match the versionnumbers of OS, applications and NOS that have been tested with the processsoftware (324). If all of the versions match and there is no missing required software the integration continues in (327).

If one or more of the version numbers do not match, then theunmatched versions are updated on the server or servers with the correctversions (325). Additionally if there is missing required software, thenit is updated on the server or servers (325). The server integration iscompleted by installing the process software (326).

Step (327) which follows either (321), (324), or (326) determines ifthere are any programs of the process software that will execute on theclients. If no process software programs execute on the clients the integration proceeds to (330) and exits. If this is not the case, then the client addresses are identified (328). 194618/2 24

The clients are checked to see if they contain software thatincludes the operating system (“OS”), applications, and network operatingsystems (“NOS”), together with their version numbers, that have beentested with the process software (329). The clients are also checked todetermine if there is any missing software that is required by the processsoftware (329). A determination is made if the version numbers match the versionnumbers of OS, applications and NOS that have been tested with the processsoftware 331. If all of the versions match and there is no missingrequired software, then the integration proceeds to (330) and exits.

If one or more of the version numbers do not match, then theunmatched versions are updated on the clients with the correct versions(332). In addition, if there is missing required software then it isupdated on the clients (332). The client integration is completed byinstalling the process software on the clients (333). The integrationproceeds to (330) and exits.

On-Demand Computing Services Embodiment. According to another embodimentof the present invention, the processes and methods disclosed herein areprovided through an on-demand computing architecture to render service toa client by a service provider.

Turning to Fig. 3c, generally speaking, the process softwareembodying the methods disclosed herein is shared, simultaneously servingmultiple customers in a flexible, automated fashion. It is standardized,requiring little customization and it is scalable, providing capacity ondemand in a pay-as-you-go model.

The process software can be stored on a shared file systemaccessible from one or more servers. The process software is executed viatransactions that contain data and server processing requests that use CPUunits on the accessed server. CPU units are units of time such as minutes, seconds, hours on the central processor of the server.

Additionally the assessed server may make requests of other servers thatrequire CPU units. CPU units are an example that represents but onemeasurement of use. Other measurements of use include but are not limited 194618/2 25 to network bandwidth, memory usage, storage usage, packet transfers, complete transactions, etc.

When multiple customers use the same process software application,their transactions are differentiated by the parameters included in thetransactions that identify the unique customer and the type of service forthat customer. All of the CPU units and other measurements of use thatare used for the services for each customer are recorded. When the numberof transactions to any one server reaches a number that begins to effectthe performance of that server, other servers are accessed to increase thecapacity and to share the workload. Likewise when other measurements ofuse such as network bandwidth, memory usage, storage usage, etc. approacha capacity so as to effect performance, additional network bandwidth, memory usage, storage etc. are added to share the workload.

The measurements of use used for each service and customer are sentto a collecting server that sums the measurements of use for each customerfor each service that was processed anywhere in the network of servers that provide the shared execution of the process software. The summed measurements of use units are periodically multiplied by unit costs and the resulting total process software application service costs are alternatively sent to the customer and or indicated on a web site accessedby the computer which then remits payment to the service provider.

In another embodiment, the service provider requests paymentdirectly from a customer account at a banking or financial institution.

In another embodiment, if the service provider is also a customer ofthe customer that uses the process software application, the payment owedto the service provider is reconciled to the payment owed by the serviceprovider to minimize the transfer of payments.

Figure 3c sets forth a detailed logical process which makes solutiondisclosed available to a client through an On-Demand process. Atransaction is created that contains the unique customer identification,the requested service type and any service parameters that further specifythe type of service (341). The transaction is then sent to the mainserver (342). In an On Demand environment the main server can initially 194618/2 26 be the only server, then as capacity is consumed other servers are addedto the On Demand environment.

The server central processing unit (“CPU”) capacities in the OnDemand environment are queried (343). The CPU requirement of thetransaction is estimated, then the servers available CPU capacity in theOn Demand environment are compared to the transaction CPU requirement tosee if there is sufficient CPU available capacity in any server to processthe transaction (344). If there is not sufficient server CPU availablecapacity, then additional server CPU capacity is allocated to process thetransaction (348). If there was already sufficient available CPU capacitythen the transaction is sent to a selected server (345).

Before executing the transaction, a check is made of the remainingOn Demand environment to determine if the environment has sufficientavailable capacity for processing the transaction. This environmentcapacity consists of such things as but not limited to network bandwidth,processor memory, storage etc. (345). If there is not sufficientavailable capacity, then capacity will be added to the On Demandenvironment (347). Next the required software to process the transactionis accessed, loaded into memory, then the transaction is executed (349).

The usage measurements are recorded (350). The usage measurementsconsists of the portions of those functions in the On Demand environmentthat are used to process the transaction. The usage of such functions as,but not limited to, network bandwidth, processor memory, storage and CPUcycles are what is recorded. The usage measurements are summed,multiplied by unit costs and then recorded as a charge to the requestingcustomer (351).

If the customer has requested that the On Demand costs be posted toa web site (352) then they are posted (353). If the customer hasrequested that the On Demand costs be sent via e-mail to a customeraddress (354) then they are sent (355). If the customer has requestedthat the On Demand costs be paid directly from a customer account (356)then payment is received directly from the customer account (357). Thelast step is to exit the On Demand process. 194618/2 27 VPN Deployment Embodiment. According to another embodiment of thepresent invention, the methods and processes described herein may beembodied in part or in entirety in software which can be deployed to thirdparties as part of a service, wherein a third party VPN service is offeredas a secure deployment vehicle or wherein a VPN is build on-demand asrequired for a specific deployment. A virtual private network (“VPN”) is any combination of technologiesthat can be used to secure a connection through an otherwise unsecured oruntrusted network. VPNs improve security and reduce operational costs.

The VPN makes use of a public network, usually the Internet, to connectremote sites or users together. Instead of using a dedicated, real-worldconnection such as leased line, the VPN uses “virtual” connections routedthrough the Internet from the company's private network to the remote siteor employee. Access to the software via a VPN can be provided as aservice by specifically constructing the VPN for purposes of delivery orexecution of the process software (i.e. the software resides elsewhere)wherein the lifetime of the VPN is limited to a given period of time or agiven number of deployments based on an amount paid.

The process software may be deployed, accessed and executed througheither a remote-access or a site-to-site VPN. When using the remote-access VPNs the process software is deployed, accessed and executed viathe secure, encrypted connections between a company's private network andremote users through a third-party service provider. The enterpriseservice provider (“ESP”) sets a network access server (“NAS”) and providesthe remote users with desktop client software for their computers. Thetelecommuters can then dial a toll-free number to attach directly via acable or DSL modem to reach the NAS and use their VPN client software toaccess the corporate network and to access, download and execute theprocess software.

When using the site-to-site VPN, the process software is deployed,accessed and executed through the use of dedicated equipment and large-scale encryption that are used to connect a companies multiple fixed sitesover a public network such as the Internet.

The process software is transported over the VPN via tunneling which is the process of placing an entire packet within another packet and 194618/2 28 sending it over the network. The protocol of the outer packet is understood by the network and both points, called tunnel interfaces, where the packet enters and exits the network.

Turning to Figure 3d, VPN deployment process starts (360) bydetermining if a VPN for remote access is required (361). If it is notrequired, then proceed to (362). If it is required, then determine if theremote access VPN exits (364).

If a VPN does exist, then the VPN deployment process proceeds (365)to identify a third party provider that will provide the secure, encryptedconnections between the company's private network and the company's remoteusers (376). The company's remote users are identified (377). The thirdparty provider then sets up a network access server (“NAS”) (378) thatallows the remote users to dial a toll free number or attach directly viaa broadband modem to access, download and install the desktop clientsoftware for the remote-access VPN (379).

After the remote access VPN has been built or if it has beenpreviously installed, the remote users can access the process software bydialing into the NAS or attaching directly via a cable or DSL modem intothe NAS (365). This allows entry into the corporate network where theprocess software is accessed (366). The process software is transportedto the remote user's desktop over the network via tunneling. That is theprocess software is divided into packets and each packet including thedata and protocol is placed within another packet (367). When the processsoftware arrives at the remote user's desktop, it is removed from thepackets, reconstituted and then is executed on the remote users desktop(368). A determination is made to see if a VPN for site to site access isrequired (362). If it is not required, then proceed to exit the process(363). Otherwise, determine if the site to site VPN exists (369). If itdoes exist, then proceed to (372). Otherwise, install the dedicatedequipment required to establish a site to site VPN (370). Then build thelarge scale encryption into the VPN (371).

After the site to site VPN has been built or if it had beenpreviously established, the users access the process software via the VPN 194618/2 29 (372). The process software is transported to the site users over thenetwork via tunneling. That is the process software is divided intopackets and each packet including the data and protocol is placed withinanother packet (374). When the process software arrives at the remoteuser's desktop, it is removed from the packets, reconstituted and isexecuted on the site users desktop (375). Proceed to exit the process(363).

Computer-Readable Media Embodiments

In another embodiment of the invention, one or more logicalprocesses, such as the configuration report gathering process, theconfigurable element weight assignment process, and the confidence factorgenerating process are encoded on or in one or more computer-readablemedia. Some computer-readable media are read-only (e.g. they must beinitially programmed using a different device than that which isultimately used to read the data from the media), some are write-only(e.g. from a the data encoders perspective they can only be encoded, butnot read simultaneously), or read-write. Still some other media arewrite-once, read-many-times.

Some media are relatively fixed in their mounting mechanisms, whileothers are removable, or even transmittable. All computer-readable mediaform two types of systems when encoded with data and/or computer software:(a) when removed from a drive or reading mechanism, they are memorydevices which generate useful data-driven outputs when stimulated withappropriate electromagnetic, electronic, and/or optical signals; and (b)when installed in a drive or reading device, they form a data repositorysystem accessible by a computer.

Figure 4a illustrates some computer readable media including acomputer hard drive (40) having one or more magnetically encoded plattersor disks (41), which may be read, written, or both, by one or more heads(42). Such hard drives are typically semi-permanently mounted into acomplete drive unit, which may then be integrated into a configurablecomputer system such as a Personal Computer, Server Computer, or the like.

Similarly, another form of computer readable media is a flexible, removable "floppy disk" (43), which is inserted into a drive which houses 194618/2 30 an access head. The floppy disk typically includes a flexible, magnetically encodable disk which is accessible by the drive head through a window (45) in a sliding cover (44). A Compact Disk ("CD") (46) is usually a plastic disk which isencoded using an optical and/or magneto-optical process, and then is readusing generally an optical process. Some CD's are read-only ("CD-ROM"),and are mass produced prior to distribution and use by reading-types ofdrives. Other CD's are writable (e.g. "CD-RW", "CD-R"), either once ormany time. Digital Versatile Disks ("DVD") are advanced versions of CD'swhich often include double-sided encoding of data, and even multiple layerencoding of data. Like a floppy disk, a CD or DVD is a removable media.

Another common type of removable media are several types ofremovable circuit-based (e.g. solid state) memory devices, such as Compact

Flash ("CF") (47), Secure Data ("SD"), Sony's MemoryStick [TM], UniversalSerial Bus ("USB") FlashDrives and "Thumbdrives" (49), and others. Thesedevices are typically plastic housings which incorporate a digital memory chip, such as a battery-backed random access chip ("RAM"), or a FlashRead-Only Memory ("FlashROM"). Available to the external portion of themedia is one or more electronic connectors (48, 400) for engaging aconnector, such as a CF drive slot or a USB slot. Devices such as a USBFlashDrive are accessed using a serial data methodology, where otherdevices such as the CF are accessed using a parallel methodology. Thesedevices often offer faster access times than disk-based media, as well asincreased reliability and decreased susceptibility to mechanical shock andvibration. Often, they provide less storage capability than comparablypriced disk-based media.

Yet another type of computer readable media device is a memorymodule (403), often referred to as a SIMM or DIMM. Similar to the CF, SD,and FlashDrives, these modules incorporate one or more memory devices(402), such as Dynamic RAM ("DRAM"), mounted on a circuit board (401)having one or more electronic connectors for engaging and interfacing toanother circuit, such as a Personal Computer motherboard. These types ofmemory modules are not usually encased in an outer housing, as they areintended for installation by trained technicians, and are generallyprotected by a larger outer housing such as a Personal Computer chassis. 194618/2 31

Turning now to Figure 4b, another embodiment option (405) of thepresent invention is shown in which a computer-readable signal is encodedwith software, data, or both, which implement logical processes accordingto one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4b is generalized to representthe functionality of wireless, wired, electro-optical, and opticalsignaling systems. For example, the system shown in Figure 4b can berealized in a manner suitable for wireless transmission over RadioFrequencies ("RF"), as well as over optical signals, such as Infrared DataArrangement ("IrDA"). The system of Figure 4b may also be realized inanother manner to serve as a data transmitter, data receiver, or datatransceiver for a USB system, such as a drive to read the aforementionedUSB FlashDrive, or to access the serially-stored data on a disk, such as aCD or hard drive platter.

In general, a microprocessor or microcontroller (406) reads, writes,or both, data to/from storage for data, program, or both (407). A datainterface (409), optionally including a digital-to-analog converter,cooperates with an optional protocol stack (408), to send, receive, ortransceive data between the system front-end (410) and the microprocessor(406). The protocol stack is adapted to the signal type being sent,received, or transceived. For example, in a Local Area Network ("LAN")embodiment, the protocol stack may implement Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP"). In a computer-to-computer orcomputer-to-periperal embodiment, the protocol stack may implement all orportions of USB, "FireWire", RS-232, Point-to-Point Protocol ("PPP"), etc.

The system's front-end, or analog front-end, is adapted to thesignal type being modulated, demodulate, or transcoded. For example, inan RF-based (413) system, the analog front-end comprises various localoscillators, modulators, demodulators, etc., which implement signalingformats such as Frequency Modulation ("FM"), Amplitude Modulation ("AM"),Phase Modulation ("PM"), Pulse Code Modulation ("PCM"), etc. Such an RF-based embodiment typically includes an antenna (414) for transmitting,receiving, or transceiving electro-magnetic signals via open air, water,earth, or via RF wave guides and coaxial cable. Some common open airtransmission standards are BlueTooth, Global Services for MobileCommunications ("GSM"), Time Division Multiple Access ("TDMA"), AdvancedMobile Phone Service ("AMPS"), and Wireless Fidelity ("Wi-Fi"). 194618/2 32

In another example embodiment, the analog front-end may be adaptedto sending, receiving, or transceiving signals via an optical interface(415), such as laser-based optical interfaces (e.g. Wavelength DivisionMultiplexed, SONET, etc.), or Infra Red Data Arrangement ("IrDA") interfaces (416). Similarly, the analog front-end may be adapted to sending, receiving, or transceiving signals via cable (412) using a cableinterface, which also includes embodiments such as USB, Ethernet, LAN,twisted-pair, coax, Plain-old Telephone Service ("POTS"), etc.

Signals transmitted, received, or transceived, as well as dataencoded on disks or in memory devices, may be encoded to protect it fromunauthorized decoding and use. Other types of encoding may be employedto allow for error detection, and in some cases, correction, such as byaddition of parity bits or Cyclic Redundancy Codes ("CRC"). Still othertypes of encoding may be employed to allow directing or "routing" of datato the correct destination, such as packet and frame-based protocols.

Figure 4c illustrates conversion systems which convert parallel datato and from serial data. Parallel data is most often directly usable bymicroprocessors, often formatted in 8-bit wide bytes, 16-bit wide words,32-bit wide double words, etc. Parallel data can represent executable orinterpretable software, or it may represent data values, for use by a computer. Data is often serialized in order to transmit it over a media,such as an RF or optical channel, or to record it onto a media, such as adisk. As such, many computer-readable media systems include circuits, software, or both, to perform data serialization and re-parallelization.

Parallel data (421) can be represented as the flow of data signalsaligned in time, such that parallel data unit (byte, word, d-word, etc.)(422, 423, 424) is transmitted with each bit D0 - Dn being on a bus or signal carrier simultaneously, where the "width" of the data unit is n - 1. In some systems, D0 is used to represent the least significant bit ("LSB"), and in other systems, it represents the most significant bit ("MSB"). Data is serialized (421) by sending one bit at a time, such thateach data unit (422, 423, 424) is sent in serial fashion, one afteranother, typically according to a protocol.

As such, the parallel data stored in computer memory (407, 407') isoften accessed by a microprocessor or Parallel-to-Serial Converter (425, 194618/2 33 10 425') via a parallel bus (421), and exchanged (e.g. transmitted, received,or transceived) via a serial bus (421'). Received serial data isconverted back into parallel data before storing it in computer memory,usually. The serial bus (421') generalized in Figure 4c may be a wiredbus, such as USB or FireWire, or a wireless communications medium, such asan RF or optical channel, as previously discussed.

In these manners, various embodiments of the invention may berealized by encoding software, data, or both, according to the logicalprocesses of the invention, into one or more computer-readable mediums,thereby yielding a product of manufacture and a system which, whenproperly read, received, or decoded, yields useful programminginstructions, data, or both, including, but not limited to, the computer-readable media types described in the foregoing paragraphs. 15