Method and apparatus for providing instrumentation data to an instrumentation data source from within a managed code environment

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/217,123, filed Jul. 10, 2000, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to the field of computer systems management and, more specifically, relates to a method and apparatus for providing computer systems management instrumentation data available within a managed code runtime environment to an instrumentation data source executing outside the managed code environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A wide array of products and services are accessible through the Internet and the World Wide Web (“Web” or “WWW”). For example, a Web user can shop, get traffic conditions, read product reviews, and compare products on-line. However, there are many types of services that are still not available through the Web. While a Web user may be able to find a restaurant in their particular area, for instance, they may be unable to determine whether that restaurant has seating available at a particular time on a particular night. Likewise, if a user owns a business, they may be interested in knowing if a vendor has a particular item in stock. If more than one vendor has the item in stock, the business owner may be interested in knowing which vendor has the item for the lowest price and which one can deliver the item fastest. Users are unable to perform such tasks using services currently available on the Web.

[0004] Services like those described above do not yet exist because there are no standards in place for integrating proprietary information like available restaurant seating, vendor inventory, prices, and delivery times, and other such information. After all, each vendor most likely has a unique way of describing the items or products they sell. Moreover, it is very difficult to develop computer program code necessary for integrating such disparate data and services. However, emerging technologies, such as the extensible markup language (“XML”), make the task of describing disparate types of data in a consistent way much easier. Moreover, new application development and execution platforms can help developers create and deploy distributed applications quicker and easier than ever before.

[0005] One development and execution platform that helps software developers to create and deploy distributed applications is the Microsoft®.NET platform from Microsoft® Corporation of Redmond, Washington. The Microsoft®.NET platform is an application programming and execution platform that provides write-once, compile-once, run-anywhere application development. Microsoft®.NET platform applications may be created in any language as long as they are compiled by a compiler that targets the Microsoft®.NET universal runtime (“URT”), also known as the common language runtime engine. Such a compiler compiles .NET applications into intermediate language (“IL”), rather than directly into executable code. IL is a platform-independent and central processing unit (“CPU”)-independent intermediate language. IL is a much higher level language than most CPU machine languages.

[0006] To execute a .NET platform application, the compiled IL is interpreted, or “just-in-time” compiled, by the URT into native machine instructions. The native machine instructions can then be directly executed by the CPU. Because IL is CPU-independent, IL can execute on any CPU platform as long as the operating system running on that CPU platform hosts the Microsoft®.NET URT. Applications compiled into IL need the URT to execute, and are called “managed code” applications. By contrast, code that does not need the common language runtime to execute, such as today's Win<b>32</b> applications, are called “native code” applications.

[0007] The Microsoft®.NET platform also includes a base library that comprises a large set of class libraries and services. These libraries and services provide access to the features of the URT, and other high-level services, so that software developers do not have to code the same services repeatedly. For instance, classes may be offered to expose hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”) clients and servers, generic containers like arrays and dictionaries, and other types of classes previously available only through language-specific extensions.

[0008] The Microsoft®.NET platform also provides technologies to support rapid software development. For instance, in the Microsoft®.NET platform, all application services are offered via a common object-oriented programming model. This is unlike previous development and execution environments where some operating system facilities are accessed via dynamically linked library (“DLL”) functions and other facilities are accessed via component object model (“COM”) objects. Moreover, the Microsoft®.NET platform provides consistency in error-handling. When programming Microsoft® Windows® in a traditional fashion, some functions report Win<b>32</b> error codes, some return HRESULTS, and some raise exceptions. In the Microsoft®.NET platform, all errors are reported via exceptions. This greatly simplifies reading, writing, and maintaining code.

[0009] In order to access management information about other applications and devices, Microsoft®.NET applications need access to instrumentation data, such as the data provided by Microsoft® Windows Management Instrumentation (“WMI”). WMI is the Microsoft® Corporation's implementation of the Distributed Management Task Force's (“DMTF”) Web-Based Enterprise Management (“WBEM”) initiative. WMI is a set of system services and programming interfaces that allow applications to expose instrumentation data in a consistent way. By exposing instrumentation data in a consistent fashion, management applications can be written to a single application programming interface (“API”). WMI also provides a set of services, such as remoting, asynchronous access, and scripting, that allow applications and management tools to better access and serve management data without requiring information providers to explicitly support those features. Additionally, WMI services also include a standard query language for management objects, event publication and subscription, and standard event filtering and aggregation.

[0010] WMI currently runs in native code outside the .NET platform. Therefore, WMI does not have access to instrumentation data offered by applications executing in managed code. Because WMI is a management platform, in order to be effective it must be able to access data regarding all instrumented objects and applications, including those executing in managed code within the .NET platform. Additionally, WMI should be able to easily obtain instance information on object classes exposed from within the .NET platform, and to write properties and execute methods on instances of these classes. In order to be truly effective, provision of instrumentation data from the .NET platform to WMI should be easily implemented during or after code development and deployment.

[0011] Therefore, in light of the above, there is a need for a method and system for easily providing instrumentation data, including class, instance, and method information, from applications executing within a managed code environment, such as the .NET platform, to an instrumentation data source, such as WMI. Moreover, provision of instrumentation data should be accomplished through an easy-to-use interface that allows code to be instrumented during or after development.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention solves the above-described problems by providing an interface between instrumented data within a managed code environment, such as the .NET platform, and an instrumentation data source, such as WMI. The present invention allows event and instance information regarding instrumentation data to be easily provided to an instrumentation data source that resides outside a managed code environment. Moreover, the present invention allows methods to be invoked on instrumented data that resides within the managed code environment by an instrumentation data source executing outside the managed code environment. Additionally, the present invention provides writable properties on instances of classes exposed to the external instrumentation data source. The present invention easily allows objects to be instrumented through the use of a simple attribute. The attribute can advantageously be added during development of the instrumented application or even after deployment when no access to source code is provided.

[0013] More specifically described, the present invention provides an instrumentation API that acts as interface between code executing in managed code environment and an instrumentation data source, such as WMI. A portion of the API, the decoupled provider, executes within managed code and a portion of the API, the decoupled proxy, executes in native code. Together, these components interface with the instrumentation data source to provide access to data on managed code classes, instances, and events, to provide writable properties, and to allow events to be fired from managed code into the instrumentation data source.

[0014] In order to expose instances of objects within the managed code environment to the instrumentation data source, the instance simply needs to be marked with an “instrumented” attribute. When an instance of the object is created at run-time, the “instrumented” attribute is utilized to identify the object as one that should be instrumented. If such an object is found, a determination is made as to whether a decoupled provider has been loaded for communicating with the instrumentation data source. The decoupled provider acts as an intermediary between the managed code environment and the instrumentation data source. The decoupled provider is loaded if it has not been previously.

[0015] Once the decoupled provider is present, a determination is made as to whether schema describing the instrumented data has been previously registered with the instrumentation data source. If the schema has been previously registered with the instrumentation data source, an additional determination is made as to whether the registered schema is correct. The previously registered schema is overwritten if it is not correct. The schema is registered with the instrumentation data source if it has not been previously. Additionally, the managed code application associated with the data to be instrumented is also registered with the instrumentation data source as a provider of instrumentation data as described in the schema. The decoupled provider is also notified that instances of the object should be provided to the instrumentation data source when requested.

[0016] The decoupled provider may subsequently receive requests from the instrumentation data source for instances of the instrumentation data. When such a request is received at the decoupled provider, the decoupled provider may query provider code contained in managed code applications to identify instances matching the query. If instances satisfying the query are found, the decoupled provider converts the managed code properties for the instance into properties compatible with the instrumentation data source. The decoupled provider then passes the converted properties to the instrumentation data source.

[0017] The decoupled provider also receives and processes requests to write properties and execute methods on instances of managed code objects. If the decoupled provider receives a request to write a property or execute a method on a managed code object, the decoupled provider first identifies the proper object. The decoupled provider then calls the requested method on the object or writes the requested property. The decoupled provider then provides a confirmation to the instrumentation data source that the requested action can be taken. In this manner, an instrumentation data source, like WMI, can write properties and execute methods on objects exposed from within a managed code environment, like the .NET platform.

[0018] The present invention also provides functionality for firing events from within a managed code environment into an instrumentation data provider. In order to fire events from managed code, an object simply needs to be marked with an “event” attribute. A fire event method may then be called on the object to fire the event into the instrumentation data source. When the fire event method is executed, a determination is made as to whether an event class has previously been registered with the instrumentation data source that has the same name as the class of event to be fired. If an appropriate event class has not been registered with the instrumentation data source, the fire event method identifies the properties of the object, registers the object with the instrumentation data source, and also registers the application associated with the object as a provider of objects of that type. If a class corresponding to the object has been previously registered with the instrumentation data source, the fire event method determines whether the registered event class has identical properties as the object to be fired. If the properties are not identical, the fire event method overwrites the current registration in the instrumentation data source with the correct properties for the object to be fired.

[0019] Once the event class to be fired has been correctly registered with the instrumentation data source, the fire event method determines whether a decoupled provider has been loaded for the event class. The decoupled provider is loaded if it has not been previously, and the event class to be fired is identified to the decoupled provider. The decoupled provider then communicates with the instrumentation data source to determine whether any client applications are “listening” for events of the class type. If no client applications are listening, or if a client is listening for event types that do not match the event type to be fired, the decoupled provider does not fire the event into the instrumentation data source. If a client is listening, the decoupled provider converts the event properties from managed code properties to a format compatible with the instrumentation data source and passes the event to the instrumentation data source.

[0020] The present invention also provides a system, computer-controlled apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for providing instrumentation data to an instrumentation data source from within a managed code environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a computer that is an illustrative operating environment for an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a managed code environment, including a common language runtime, utilized in the actual embodiment of the present invention described herein.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an illustrative management instrumentation data source utilized in an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an illustrative interface between a managed code environment and a management instrumentation data source executing within a native code environment.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative routine for exposing managed code objects to an instrumentation data source according to an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative routine for processing requests for object instance data and invoking methods on managed code objects according to an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 7A is a flow diagram showing an illustrative routine for firing events from a managed code environment into an instrumentation data source according to an actual embodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 7B is a flow diagram showing an illustrative routine for firing events from a managed code environment into an instrumentation data source according to an actual embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The present invention is directed to a method, computer-readable media, and apparatus for providing instrumentation data from a managed code environment to an instrumentation data provider. Aspects of the present invention may be embodied in a managed code development and runtime environment, or through and API exposed within the managed code environment. Additionally, aspects of the present invention may be embodied in an operating system program, such as Windows® 2000, provided by Microsoft® Corporation of Redmond, Wash.

[0031] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals represent like elements, an actual embodiment of the present invention will be described. Although aspects of the invention will be described in the general context of a managed code environment that includes program modules that execute on an operating system in conjunction with a computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention also may be implemented in combination with other program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Although the invention is also described as being practiced in a distributed computing environment, where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network, other possible implementations should be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustrative operating environment for an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Aspects of the present invention are implemented as an executable software component executing on a computer, such as the computer <b>2</b>, accessible via a distributed computing network, such as the Internet <b>4</b>. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the Internet <b>4</b> comprises a collection of networks and routers that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”) to communicate with one another. The Internet <b>4</b> typically includes a plurality of local area networks (“LANs”) and wide area networks (“WANs”) that are interconnected by routers. Routers are special purpose computers used to interface one LAN or WAN to another. Communication links within the LANs may be twisted wire pair, or coaxial cable, while communication links between networks may utilize 56 Kbps analog telephone lines, Mbps digital T-1 lines, 45 Mbps T-3 lines or other communications links known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, computers, such as the computer <b>2</b>, and other related electronic devices can be remotely connected to either the LANs or the WANs via a permanent network connection or via a modem and temporary telephone link. It should be appreciated that the Internet <b>4</b> comprises a vast number of such interconnected networks, computers, and routers.

[0033] The computer <b>2</b> comprises a general purpose computer as known to those skilled in the art, including a processing unit <b>6</b>, a system memory <b>8</b>, and a system bus (not shown) that couples the system memory <b>8</b> to the processing unit <b>6</b>. The computer <b>2</b> also typically includes at least some form of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computer <b>2</b>. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile media <b>10</b> and nonvolatile media <b>12</b>, removable <b>14</b> and non-removable media <b>16</b> implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid-state memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer <b>2</b>.

[0034] As known to those skilled in the art, the system memory <b>8</b> may include a ROM and a RAM (not shown). A basic input/output system (“BIOS”), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer <b>2</b>, such as during start-up, may also be provided. A number of program modules may be stored in the computer storage media, including an operating system suitable for controlling the operation of the computer <b>2</b>, such as Windows NT® or Windows® 2000 from Microsoft®. As will be described in more detail below, the system memory <b>8</b> may also store a managed code environment, including a common language runtime, and instrumentation provider code for exposing instrumentation data available within the managed code environment to an instrumentation data source executing outside the managed code environment.

[0035] A user may control the operation of the computer <b>2</b> through input devices <b>18</b> such as a keyboard or a mouse (not shown). These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit <b>6</b> through a serial port interface (not shown) that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a universal serial bus (“USB”). Output devices <b>20</b>, such as a monitor (not shown), are also connected to the system bus via an interface, such as a video adapter (not shown). In addition to the monitor, the computer <b>2</b> may include other output devices <b>20</b>, such as a printer (not shown).

[0036] As described briefly above, the computer <b>2</b> operates in a networked environment in the actual embodiment of the invention described herein. The computer <b>2</b> communicates with other computers over the Internet <b>4</b> and connects to the Internet <b>4</b> through a network interface. Alternatively, the computer <b>2</b> may include a modem (not shown) and use an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) to establish a connection to the Internet <b>4</b>. It will be appreciated that the network connections described herein are illustrative and other means of establishing a communications link between the computer <b>2</b> and the Internet <b>4</b> may be used.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2, an illustrative managed code environment <b>24</b> will be described. As mentioned briefly above, the managed code environment <b>24</b> comprises an application development and execution environment that provides facilities to make the development and execution of distributed applications and services much easier. In the actual embodiment of the present invention described herein, the managed code environment <b>24</b> comprises the Microsoft®.NET platform, which will be described in detail below. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that while the present invention is described herein as executing on the Microsoft®.NET framework, the present invention may also be utilized in connection with other types of managed code environments that utilize an interpreter, or “just-in-time” compiler to execute applications. For instance, the present invention may be utilized in connection with a Java® virtual machine from Sun Microsystems.

[0038] According to the actual embodiment of the present invention described herein, the managed code environment <b>24</b> comprises operating system services <b>26</b>, a common language runtime <b>28</b>, a services framework <b>30</b>, and one or more application models, such as the active server pages plus (“ASP.NET”) application model <b>42</b> and the Win forms application model <b>40</b>. Each of the components of the managed code environment <b>24</b> is described in detail below.

[0039] At the lowest level of the managed code environment <b>24</b> resides operating system services <b>26</b>. As known to those skilled in the art, an operating system may provide a number of services such as memory management and hardware support through device drivers, and other types of services. These operating system services <b>26</b> are exposed to the managed code environment <b>24</b> through APIs, DLLs, or through other means known to those skilled in the art.

[0040] Built on top of the operating system services <b>26</b> is a common language runtime (“runtime”) <b>28</b> that loads and executes code written in any runtime-aware programming language. Code that targets the runtime <b>28</b> is called managed code. Managed code means that there is a defined contract of operation between executing code and the runtime <b>28</b>. Responsibility for tasks like creating objects, making method calls, and so on is delegated to the runtime <b>28</b>, which enables the runtime <b>28</b> to provide additional services to the executing code.

[0041] The runtime <b>28</b> makes use of a common type system capable of expressing the semantics of most modern programming languages. The common type system defines a standard set of types and rules for creating new types. The runtime <b>28</b> understands how to create and execute these types. Compilers and interpreters use runtime <b>28</b> services to define types, manage objects, and make method calls instead of using tool- or language-specific methods.

[0042] A primary design goal for the type system of the runtime <b>28</b> is to enable deep multi-language integration. Using the runtime <b>28</b>, code written in one language can inherit implementation from classes written in another language; exceptions can be thrown from code written in one language and caught by code written in another; and operations such as debugging and profiling work seamlessly regardless of the language used to write the code. The means that developers of reusable class libraries no longer need to create versions for each programming language or compiler, and developers using class libraries are no longer limited to libraries for the programming language they are using.

[0043] The runtime <b>28</b> also supplies integrated, pervasive security services to ensure that unauthorized users cannot access resources on a machine and that code cannot perform unauthorized actions. This improves overall system safety and reliability. Since the runtime <b>28</b> is used to load code, create objects, and make method calls, the runtime <b>28</b> can perform security checks and enforce security policy as managed code is loaded and executed. In this regard, the runtime <b>28</b> supports code access security and role-access security.

[0044] With code access security, developers can specify the required permissions their code requires. For example, code may need permission to write a file or access environment variables. At load time and on method calls, the runtime <b>28</b> verifies that the code can be granted the permissions it has asked for. If not, a security violation is reported.

[0045] Role-based security builds on the same permissions model as code access security, except that the permissions are based on user identity rather than code identity. Roles represent categories of users and can be defined at development or deployment time. Policies for granting permissions are assigned to each defined role. At run time, the identity of the user on whose behalf the code is running is determined. The runtime <b>28</b> determines what roles the user is a member of and then grants permissions based on those roles.

[0046] A services framework <b>30</b> resides on top of the runtime <b>28</b>. The services framework <b>30</b> provides classes that can be called from any modem programming language. In particular, the services framework <b>30</b> includes a base class library <b>32</b>, a data access class library <b>34</b>, and a debugging class library <b>36</b>. The base class library <b>32</b> includes a set of class libraries that developers would expect in a standard language library, such as collections, input/output, string, and numerical classes. In addition, the base class library <b>32</b> provides classes to access operating system services <b>26</b>, such as graphics, networking, threading, globalization, and cryptography. The data access class library <b>34</b> provides classes for connecting to, issuing commands against, and retrieving results from data stores. Other class libraries <b>38</b> may also be provided. It should also be appreciated that each of these class libraries complies with a set of naming and design guidelines to further reduce the learning curve for developers.

[0047] Conceptually, on top of the services framework <b>30</b>, sit two application models: the ASP.NET application model <b>42</b> and the Win forms application model <b>40</b>. Developers writing client applications for the Microsoft Windows® operating system can use the Win forms application model <b>40</b> to take advantage of the rich user interface features of the Windows® operating system, including existing ActiveX controls and features of the Windows® 2000 operating system, such as transparent, layered, and floating windows.

[0048] The ASP.NET application model <b>42</b> takes advantage of the common language runtime <b>28</b> and the services framework <b>30</b> to provide a reliable, robust, scalable hosting environment for distributed applications. To provide such functionality, the ASP.NET application model <b>42</b> includes forms <b>44</b> that are responsible for generating a user interface, typically in the form of hyper-text markup language (“HTML”). The ASP.NET application model <b>42</b> comes with a set of Web forms <b>44</b> that mirror typical HTML user interface widgets (including list boxes, text boxes, and buttons), and an additional set of Web controls that are more complex (such as calendars and advertising rotators). The ASP.NET application model also includes Web services <b>46</b> that provide a high-level programming model for building Web services with ASP.NET.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 3, an illustrative management instrumentation data source will be described. As mentioned briefly above, aspects of the present invention provide access to instrumentation data contained within a managed code runtime environment, such as the Microsoft®.NET platform, to a management instrumentation data source. In the actual embodiment of the present invention described herein, the management instrumentation data source is Microsoft® Windows Management Instrumentation.

[0050] As mentioned briefly above, WMI is the Microsoft® Corporation's implementation of the Desktop Management Task Force's Web-Based Enterprise Management initiative. As known to those skilled in the art, WMI is a set of system services and programming interfaces that allow applications to expose instrumentation data in a consistent way. By exposing instrumentation data in a consistent fashion, management applications can be written to a single API.

[0051] WMI also provides a set of services, such as remoting, asynchronous access, and scripting, that allow applications and management tools to better access and serve management data without requiring information providers to explicitly support those features. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the actual embodiment of the present invention described herein provides access to instrumentation data contained within a managed code environment to WMI, the present invention may also be practiced with other types of instrumentation data sources, including other implementations of WBEM.

[0052] In WMI, a service, WINMGMT <b>48</b>, provides all of the WMI functionality. According to an actual embodiment of the present invention, the WINMGMT <b>48</b> service is implemented as a single executable process, in concert with several in-process DLLs that assist the executable process in areas such as delivering or filtering events. In accordance with another actual embodiment of the present invention, the WINMGMT <b>48</b> service is hosted in-process to another executable. This WINMGMT <b>48</b> service supports a Common Information Model (“CIM”) object repository <b>50</b> that provides a central storage area for management data, a CIM object manager <b>52</b> (“CIMOM”) that provides applications with uniform access to management data, and the APIs that together deliver WMI. Applications depend on the CIMOM <b>52</b> to handle the interface between a management application <b>58</b> and data providers <b>54</b>A-<b>54</b>N. WMI facilitates these communications by supporting a common programming interface, the Component Object Model (“COM”) interface. The WMI COM API supplies event notification and query processing services and can be used in several programming language environments, such as ‘C’ and ‘C’.

[0053] The CIM repository <b>50</b> holds the CIM and associated schema, along with data information or data source details. The CIMOM <b>52</b> uses the schema data contained in the CIM repository <b>50</b> when servicing requests from a management application <b>58</b> for data regarding managed objects <b>56</b>A-<b>56</b>N. A management application <b>58</b> is an application or operating system service that uses or processes information originating from managed objects <b>56</b>A-<b>56</b>N. Through the use of the present invention, the management application <b>58</b> may obtain instance information, write properties, and execute methods on managed objects within a managed code environment. A management application <b>58</b> can access managed object information by making a requests to the CIMOM <b>52</b> through one of the methods provided in the WMI API. As known to those skilled in the art, the CIMOM <b>52</b> may also use the schema data in the CIM repository <b>50</b> when servicing requests from a management console <b>60</b> received through “snap-ins” <b>62</b>A-<b>62</b>N.

[0054] The managed objects <b>56</b>A-<b>56</b>N are either physical or logical enterprise components that are modeled using CIM. For example, a managed object can be hardware such as a cable, or software such as a database application. Managed objects <b>56</b>A-<b>56</b>N may include a Windows Driver Model (“WDM”) kernel object <b>56</b>A, a Simple Network Management Protocol (“SNMP”) object <b>56</b>B, a Desktop Management Interface (“DMI”) object <b>56</b>C, a WIN<b>32</b> object <b>56</b>D, or other type of object <b>56</b>N. As will be described in detail below, managed objects may also include objects resident in a managed code environment.

[0055] The CIMOM <b>52</b> communicates with the managed objects <b>56</b>A-<b>56</b>N through the data providers <b>54</b>A-<b>54</b>N. The data providers <b>54</b>A-<b>54</b>N are standard COM and distributed COM (“DCOM”) servers that function as mediators between the managed objects <b>56</b>A-<b>56</b>N and the CIMOM <b>52</b>. The data providers <b>54</b>A-<b>54</b>N supply instrumentation data for parts of the CIM schema. If the CIMOM <b>52</b> receives a request from a management application <b>58</b> for data that is not available from the CIM object repository <b>50</b>, or for event notifications that are not supported by the CIMOM, the CIMOM <b>52</b> forwards the request to the appropriate one of the data providers <b>54</b>A-<b>54</b>N. The data providers <b>54</b>A-<b>54</b>N can then supply data and event notifications for the specific managed object <b>56</b>A-<b>56</b>N to the CIMOM <b>52</b>. In turn, this data can be returned by the CIMOM <b>52</b> to the management application <b>58</b>. As will be described below, a decoupled provider and decoupled proxy communicate to the CIMOM through a COM or DCOM interface and allow the provision of instrumentation data from a managed code environment.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 4, an illustrative interface between a managed code environment <b>24</b> and an instrumentation data source, such as WMI, executing within a native code environment will be described. As described above, an instrumentation data source, such as WMI, executes within a native code environment, such as WIN<b>32</b>. In WMI, the CIMOM <b>52</b> receives requests from management applications regarding managed objects, such as objects exposed by the managed code application <b>64</b>. In order to respond to such requests, the CIMOM <b>52</b> may query the CIM object repository <b>50</b>, or may query a data provider associated with the particular managed object for which data is needed. For instance, the CIMOM <b>52</b> may query the WIN<b>32</b> data provider <b>54</b>F for instrumentation data regarding the managed object <b>56</b>F. If the requested data relates to an object existing in the managed code environment <b>24</b>, the CIMOM <b>52</b> may query a decoupled provider <b>68</b> executing in managed code. Once the requested instrumentation data is received, the CIMOM <b>52</b> can respond to the request from the management application <b>58</b>.

[0057] In order to provide access to instrumented objects that exist within the managed code environment <b>24</b>, the present invention provides a decoupled provider <b>68</b>, a managed provider <b>66</b>, and a decoupled proxy <b>70</b>. As will be described in greater detail below, the decoupled provider <b>68</b> and the decoupled proxy <b>70</b> facilitate communication with the CIMOM <b>52</b>. In particular, these objects assist the managed provider <b>66</b> in dynamically registering objects to be instrumented with the CIMOM <b>52</b>, respond to requests from the CIMOM <b>52</b> for instance data, and also respond to requests to write properties or execute methods on instrumented objects.

[0058] Turning now to FIG. 5, an illustrative Routine <b>500</b> will be described for exposing objects to an instrumentation data source according to an actual embodiment of the present invention. According to the actual embodiment of the invention described herein, the Routine <b>500</b> is executed at run-time and provides functionality for dynamically registering instrumented objects with the instrumentation data source. In this manner, these objects can be made available to interested management applications, or clients. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that while Routine <b>500</b> provides functionality for dynamically registering objects to be instrumented at run-time, such objects may also be registered with the instrumentation data source when an application utilizing such objects is deployed, or at another time.

[0059] The Routine <b>500</b> begins at block <b>502</b>, where an indication is received that an object should be made available to an instrumentation data source. According to one embodiment of the present invention an attribute is provided in the code at development time that indicates that a particular object should be made available to an instrumentation data source. For instance, the attribute “[instrumented]”may be provided in or before a class definition to indicate that the class should be instrumented and made available to an instrumentation data source. Instrumenting objects through attribution provides a very easy way for programmers to expose object data. Previously, a programmer would have to create a complex COM provider to expose instrumentation data. By using attribution, however, a programmer can expose instrumentation data by simply adding the appropriate attribute on the objects to be exposed. In a similar way, instrumentation data may be exposed through a call to a routine exposed by an API for exposing instrumentation data.

[0060] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an attribute may be added to shipped code to instrument objects within the code even where the source code is unavailable. In the Microsoft®.NET platform, metadata is emitted when source code is compiled. The metadata is used by the runtime to locate and load class types, lay out object instances in memory, resolve method invocations and field references, translate IL to native code, enforce security, and perform other features. By adding an instrumentation attribute to the metadata for each object to be exposed to the instrumentation data source, these objects may be instrumented without having access to the application source code.

[0061] From block <b>502</b>, the Routine <b>500</b> continues to block <b>504</b>, where a determination is made as to whether a decoupled provider is present. As described briefly above, the decoupled provider facilitates communication between the managed provider executing within the managed code application and the instrumentation data source. If the decoupled provider has not been loaded, the Routine <b>500</b> branches to block <b>506</b>, where the decoupled provider is loaded. The Routine <b>500</b> then continues from block <b>506</b> to block <b>508</b>.

[0062] If, at block <b>504</b>, it is determined that the decoupled provider has been loaded, the Routine <b>500</b> continues to block <b>508</b>. At block <b>508</b>, a determination is made as to whether schema describing the object class to be instrumented has been previously registered with the instrumentation data source. As known to those skilled in the art, such schema describes the properties and methods exposed by and object, much like a class definition. If such schema has been previously registered, the Routine <b>500</b> branches to block <b>510</b>, where a determination is made as to whether the previously registered schema correctly describes the object class. If the previously registered schema correctly describes the object class to be instrumented, the Routine <b>500</b> branches to block <b>520</b>. If the previously registered schema does not correctly describe the object class to be instrumented, the Routine <b>500</b> continues from block <b>510</b> to block <b>512</b>, where the previously registered schema is overwritten with schema correctly describing the object class. The Routine <b>500</b> then continues from block <b>512</b> to block <b>518</b>.

[0063] If, at block <b>508</b>, it is determined that schema describing the object class to be instrumented has not been registered with the instrumentation data source, the Routine <b>500</b> continues to block <b>514</b>. At block <b>514</b>, schema describing the object class to be instrumented is registered with the instrumentation data source. According to the actual embodiment of the present invention described herein, this process may comprise creating the schema in the managed object format (“MOF”) used by WMI based upon the class definition, or based upon schema describing the class in the XML format used by the Microsoft®.NET platform.

[0064] From block <b>514</b>, the Routine <b>500</b> continues to block <b>516</b>, where the application program associated with the instrumentation data is registered with the instrumentation data source as a provider of instances of such instrumentation data. From block <b>516</b>, the Routine <b>500</b> continues to block <b>518</b>, where the decoupled provider is also notified that instances of instrumentation data of the object class type are available to be instrumented. The Routine <b>500</b> then continues from block <b>518</b> to block <b>520</b>, where it ends.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 6, an illustrative Routine <b>600</b> will be described for processing requests for object instance data, for writing properties, and for executing methods on instrumented objects. As described briefly above, once loaded the decoupled provider communicates with the instrumentation data source and responds to requests from the instrumentation data source. For instance, the instrumentation data source may request all instances of an instrumented object, may request to write a property on an instrumented object, or may request to execute a method on an instrumented object. The decoupled provider receives these requests and processes them according to the Routine <b>600</b>.

[0066] The Routine <b>600</b> begins at block <b>602</b>, where a request is received from the instrumentation data source at the decoupled provider. The Routine <b>600</b> then continues to block <b>604</b>, where the decoupled provider determines whether the request received from the instrumentation data source was a request for an instance of an instrumented object. If a request for an instance was received, the Routine <b>600</b> branches to block <b>606</b> where the decoupled provider queries the managed providers executing within managed code applications for instances that meet the criteria provided with the request. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the decoupled provider queries the available managed providers in a round-robin fashion for matching instances.

[0067] From block <b>606</b>, the Routine <b>600</b> continues to block <b>608</b>, where the instances satisfying the request are identified to the decoupled provider. The Routine <b>600</b> then continues to block <b>610</b>, where the identified instances are converted to a format compatible with the instrumentation data source by the decoupled provider. This process may involve converting instance properties compatible with the managed code environment to properties compatible with the instrumentation data source. The Routine <b>600</b> then continues to block <b>612</b>, where the converted instances are transmitted to the instrumentation data source as a reply to the request. The Routine <b>600</b> then returns to block <b>602</b>, where another request may be processed as described above.

[0068] If, at block <b>604</b>, the decoupled provider determines that the request was not a request for instance data, the Routine <b>600</b> continues to block <b>614</b>. At block <b>614</b>, the decoupled provider determines whether the request was a request to execute a method on an instance of an instrumented object or to write a property on an instance of an instrumented object. If such a request was not received, the Routine <b>600</b> branches from block <b>614</b> to block <b>602</b>, where another request may be processed. If such a request was received, the Routine <b>600</b> continues to block <b>616</b>.

[0069] At block <b>616</b>, the decoupled provider identifies the object upon which the requested action is to be taken. The Routine <b>600</b> then continues to block <b>618</b>, where the decoupled provider executes the requested method or writes the requested property on the identified object. The Routine <b>600</b> then continues to block <b>620</b>, where the decoupled provider provides a confirmation to the instrumentation data source that the requested action has been taken. The Routine <b>600</b> then returns to block <b>602</b>, where another request may be processed in a similar manner.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 7A, an illustrative Routine <b>700</b> for processing requests to fire events regarding instrumented objects from within a managed code environment to an instrumentation data source will be described. As mentioned briefly above, a fire method is exposed within the managed code environment through an API. In order to fire an event into the instrumentation data source, the event object to be fired is first instrumented with an attribute indicating that the object is an event object. The fire method is then called on the object. The object is then fired into the instrumentation data source as described below with regard to the Routine <b>700</b>.

[0071] The Routine <b>700</b> begins at block <b>702</b> where the object to be fired is identified. The Routine <b>700</b> then continues to block <b>704</b>, where the namespace within the instrumentation data source corresponding to the object to be fired is identified. From block <b>704</b>, the Routine <b>700</b> continues to block <b>706</b>, where a determination is made as to whether schema describing the object class has previously been registered with the instrumentation data source. If schema has not previously been registered, the Routine continues to block <b>712</b>, where the object properties are identified and schema is registered with the instrumentation data source for the object. From block <b>712</b>, the Routine <b>700</b> continues to block <b>714</b>, where the application associated with the event object to be fired is also registered with the instrumentation data source as a provider of such objects. The Routine <b>700</b> then continues from block <b>714</b> to block <b>716</b>.

[0072] If, at block <b>706</b>, it is determined that the schema has been previously registered, the Routine <b>700</b> branches to block <b>708</b>. At block <b>708</b>, a determination is made as to whether the registered schema is correct. If the previously registered schema is correct, the Routine <b>700</b> branches to block <b>716</b>. If the previously registered schema is incorrect, the previously registered schema is overwritten with the new schema at block <b>710</b>. The Routine <b>700</b> then continues from block <b>710</b> to block <b>716</b>. In this manner, schema corresponding to the event class may be dynamically registered with the instrumentation data source.

[0073] At block <b>716</b>, a determination is made as to whether the decoupled provider has previously been loaded. If the decoupled provider has not been previously loaded, the Routine <b>700</b> branches from block <b>716</b> to block <b>718</b> where the decoupled provider is loaded. From block <b>718</b>, the Routine <b>700</b> continues to block <b>720</b>.

[0074] If, at block <b>716</b>, it is determined that the decoupled provider has been previously loaded, the Routine <b>700</b> continues to block <b>720</b>, where the decoupled provider is instructed to fire an event for the identified object class. The Routine <b>700</b> then continues to block <b>722</b>, where the decoupled provider communicates to the instrumentation data source to determine whether the event should be fired. This may include querying the instrumentation data source to determine if any client applications are listening for events of the type to be fired.

[0075] The Routine <b>700</b> then continues to block <b>724</b> (shown in FIG. 7B), where a determination is made as to whether the event should be fired. If the event should not be fired, the Routine <b>700</b> branches to block <b>730</b>, where it ends. In this manner, the event will not be fired if no client is listening for the event thereby saving message bandwidth. If, at block <b>724</b>, it is determined that the event should be fired, the Routine <b>700</b> continues to block <b>724</b> to block <b>726</b>, where the object is converted from a format compatible with the managed code environment to a format compatible with the instrumentation data source. The Routine then continues to block <b>728</b>, where the converted event object is fired into the instrumentation data source. The Routine <b>700</b> then continues to block <b>730</b>, where it ends.

[0076] In light of the above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing instrumentation data available within a managed code environment to an external instrumentation data source. While an actual embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.