Techniques for managing configuration for a system of devices arranged in a network
A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely. The remote components, such as the integrated management console, the backup server, and the configuration repository, may communicate with the system through a wide area network, such as the Internet, or directly through a dial-up connection.
1. A method for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, the method comprising the steps of:
gathering and storing in a centralized repository metadata that reflects configuration information about said system, and about each device of said plurality of devices, wherein said configuration information dictates a manner of operation for one or more of said plurality of devices within said network;
modifying metadata within said centralized repository to initiate configuration changes within said network; and
modifying the operation of one or more of said plurality of devices within said network by propagating said configuration changes from said centralized repository to the devices on said network to cause said configuration changes to take place.
2. A method for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, the method comprising the steps of:
gathering and storing in a centralized repository metadata that reflects configuration information about said system, and about each device of said plurality of devices, wherein said configuration information dictates a manner of operation for one or more of said plurality of devices within said network; and
in response to a failure of the system, recovering the centralized repository from a backup, using the metadata within the centralized repository to configure the system, and after the system is configured, recovering the system.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of gathering and storing in a centralized repository includes gathering and storing metadata in a centralized repository that resides outside said system.
4. A method for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, the method comprising the steps of:
gathering and storing in a centralized repository metadata that reflects configuration information about said system, and about each device of said plurality of devices, wherein said configuration information dictates a manner of operation for one or more of said plurality of devices within said network;
managing configuration of said system based upon the metadata within said centralized repository; and
in response to a failure of the system,
configuring the system based on the metadata restored in the centralized repository, and
after the system is configured, recovering the system.
5. A method for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, the method comprising the steps of:
gathering and storing in a centralized repository metadata that reflects configuration information about said system, and about each device of said plurality of devices, wherein said configuration information dictates a manner of operation for one or more of said plurality of devices within said network; and
replicating said system by performing the steps of,
copying said metadata to a second centralized repository associated with a second system, and
configuring said second system based on the metadata contained in said second centralized repository.
6. A method for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, the method comprising the steps of:
gathering and storing in a centralized repository metadata that reflects configuration information about said system, and about each device of said plurality of devices, wherein said configuration information dictates a manner of operation for one or more of said plurality of devices within said network; and
managing configuration of at least two of an application layer, an operating systems layer, and a hardware layer of said system based upon the metadata within said centralized repository.
7. A computer readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 1 .
8. A computer readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 2 .
9. A computer readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 3 .
10. A computer readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 4 .
11. A computer readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 5 .
12. A computer readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for managing a system that includes a plurality of devices arranged in a network, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 6 .