Patent ID: 7899892
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for managing applications or services from a management computer server, the method comprising: discovering an extensibility application, located on an extensibility computer server, by using a management application on the management computer server; creating a task, on the management computer server, for managing the discovered extensibility application, wherein the task is created via a task template, wherein the task template is in a format defined by a schema, wherein the task template comprises a location variable, and wherein the location variable identifies a graphical user interface window of the extensibility application; displaying, in a user interface of the management application, a user interface element for invoking the task; receiving, from a user of the user interface of the management application, a selection of the user interface element for invoking the task; as a result of the selection, displaying, at the management computer server, the graphical user interface window of the extensibility application identified by the location variable of the task template, wherein the graphical user interface window of the extensibility application is displayed remotely at the management computer server from the extensibility application running on the extensibility computer server; tracking, by the management computer server, a pattern of task usage by the user; associating, by the management computer server, a software manufacturer profile with the user, wherein the software manufacturer profile, selected from a plurality of software manufacturer profiles, is associated with the user based on the tracked pattern of task usage; downloading a task template from a remote task update server, wherein the downloaded task template is recommended by the remote task update server based on the software manufacturer profile associated with the user, wherein the downloaded task template is operable to cause display of a second graphical user interface window of the extensibility application remotely at the management computer server, and wherein the downloaded task template is downloaded in the format defined by the schema; and installing an extensibility agent on an extensibility computer server from the management computer server, wherein the extensibility agent is configured to provide status information about the extensibility computer server, wherein the status information comprises software patch update information, health information, and performance information for the extensibility computer server, wherein the extensibility agent is also configured to allow a different computer server to backup one or more computer storage devices of the extensibility computer server, and wherein the extensibility application is located on the extensibility computer server.