Patent Publication Number: US-9413684-B2

Title: Provisioning legacy systems network architecture resource communications through a group of servers in a data center

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/175,037, filed Feb. 7, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosure relates generally to an improved data processing system, and, in particular, to a data processing system for managing communications between data processing systems. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for provisioning communications between client computers and systems network architecture resources over a group of servers in a data center. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Systems Network Architecture (SNA) based server applications are in use across many industries. These server applications typically run on back-end data processing systems. For example, Systems Network Architecture based financial applications are in use today executing and tracking financial transactions in back-end data processing systems. Because of the importance of business processes executing in Systems Network Architecture based server applications, these Systems Network Architecture based server applications are critical components of industry solutions. 
     Communicating with these server applications involves using Systems Network Architecture based communication protocols. Systems Network Architecture based client applications are configured to communicate with these server applications using the Systems Network Architecture based communication protocols. Systems Network Architecture based communication protocols are unique to Systems Network Architecture based solutions. Systems Network Architecture based protocols are not the same as internet protocols currently in use by web clients and web servers. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method, apparatus, and computer program product that takes into account at least some of the issues discussed above. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one illustrative embodiment, methods for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources are disclosed. An apparatus identifies distributed resources that each of a set of client computers is configured to communicate with based on configuration information stored on each of the set of client computers. The apparatus also configures a group of servers to host communications between each of the set of client computers and the distributed resources, based on server capabilities of each server in the group of servers and a policy for load balancing communications through the group of servers. The apparatus then modifies the configuration information stored on each of the set of client computers to use the group of servers for communicating with the distributed resources. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a data flow of a process for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources in a communications management environment in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process for modifying how client applications communicate with distributed resources in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a process for provisioning communications between clients and distributed resources over servers in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a process for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a process for provisioning communications between client computers and Systems Network Architecture based resources over a group of servers in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a data processing system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like; conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages; scripting languages, such as Perl, JavaScript, Rexx, and PHP; and command line interface languages, such as batch and Bash. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account a number of different considerations. For example, the illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that existing data processing systems do not provide an ability to manage communications between client computers and distributed resources, using the steps of identifying distributed resources that each of a set of client computers is configured to communicate with, configuring a group of servers to host communications between each of the set of client computers and the distributed resources, and then modifying configuration information stored on each of the set of client computers to use the group of servers for communicating with the distributed resources. As an example, existing systems do not include an ability to use client computer configuration information, server capabilities of a group of servers, and a policy for load balancing communications through the group of servers to configure the group of servers to host communications between the client computers and distributed resources, and modify the configuration of the client computers to go through the group of servers to communicate with the distributed resources. 
     Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources. For example, a number of components of a communications management environment may manage communications between client computers and distributed resources. For example, a provisioning manager may use a client provisioning system to identify distributed resources that each of a set of client computers is configured to communicate with based on configuration information stored on each of the set of client computers. The provisioning manager may also use a server provisioning system to configure a group of servers to host communications between each of the set of client computers and the distributed resources, based on server capabilities of each server in the group of servers and a policy for load balancing communications through the group of servers. In this example, the provisioning manager may then use the client provisioning system to modify the configuration information stored on each of the set of client computers to use the group of servers for communicating with the distributed resources. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a data flow of a process for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources in a communications management environment is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Communications management environment  100  is an illustrative example of an environment for implementing plan  102 . In these illustrative examples, plans, such as plan  102 , are instructions for modifying how client computers communicate with distributed resources. 
     In this illustrative example, plan  102  includes schedule  104  specifying when communications of clients  106  with distributed resources are to be modified. As depicted, plan  102  includes using servers  108  for communications between clients  106  and distributed resources according to schedule  104 . In this illustrative example, plan  102  includes selecting servers  108  to use based on policy  110 . In the illustrative example, policy  110  is one or more rules to determine which servers in servers  108  to use for clients  106 . Policy  110  may also include data used to evaluate the rules. For example, policy  110  may include at least one of a rule for load balancing communications through groups of servers in servers  108 ; a rule for ensuring availability of communications through servers  108 ; a rule for minimizing overall distance of communications based on locations of servers  108 , clients  106 , and distributed resources stored in data in policy  110 ; and other suitable rules for managing communications between clients and servers in communications management environment  100 . As an example, policy  110  may include a rule specifying how to create a group of servers from servers  108  for managing communications between clients  106  and distributed resources. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, or item C” may include, without limitation, item A, item A and item B, or item B. This example also may include item A, item B, and item C or item B and item C. Of course, any combinations of these items may be present. In other examples, “at least one of” may be, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; and other suitable combinations. The item may be a particular object, thing, or a category. In other words, at least one of means any combination of items and number of items may be used from the list but not all of the items in the list are required. As used herein, the phrase “a number of,” when used with reference to items, means one or more items. For example, a “number of rules” is one or more rules. 
     As depicted, provisioning manager  112  processes plan  102 , to implement plan  102  according to schedule  104 . Provisioning manager  112  may retrieve plan  102  from provisioning plan storage  114 . In these illustrative examples, provisioning plan storage  114  includes plans such as plan  102 . For example, provisioning plan storage  114  may be implemented using a computer readable storage device. As another example, provisioning plan storage  114  may be at least one of an in memory buffer, a database or any other suitable storage for provisioning plan storage in communications management environment  100 . For example, provisioning plan storage  114  may be a file in a computer readable storage device of a data processing system. 
     In the illustrated example, provisioning manager  112  uses client provisioning system  116  to identify configuration information about use of disturbed resources  118  by client computers  120 . Client computers  120  may include at least one of personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and other computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. Distributed resources  118  is at least one of an application, a set of processors, storage, a communication port, or other suitable types of resources in communications management environment  100 . As used herein, the phrase “a set of,” when used with reference to items, means a number of items. 
     In this illustrative example, client computer  122  is an example of a client computer in client computers  120 . As depicted, client computer  122  includes applications  124  configured to use Systems Network Architecture resources  126  in distributed resources  118 . Systems Network Architecture resources  126  are computing resources that use Systems Network Architecture protocol stacks for communications. In this illustrative example, configuration information  128  in client computer  122  includes Systems Network Architecture resources  130  as configuration information pointing to Systems Network Architecture resources  126 . 
     As depicted, client provisioning system  116  may locate, store, and retrieve configuration information  128  using client configuration information storage  132 . In these illustrative examples, client configuration information storage  132  includes configuration information such as configuration information  128 . For example, client configuration information storage  132  may be implemented using a computer readable storage device. As another example, client configuration information storage  132  may be at least one of an in memory buffer, a database or any other suitable storage for client configuration information storage in communications management environment  100 . For example, client configuration information storage  132  may be a file in a computer readable storage device of a data processing system. 
     In the illustrated example, provisioning manager  112  uses server provisioning system  134  to configure groups of servers  136  in data center  138  to manage communications between client computers  120  and distributed resources  118 . Groups of servers  136  are groups of servers in data center  138 . Server  140  is an example of a server in groups of servers  136 . 
     As depicted, provisioning manager  112  determines groups  142  of servers based on policy  110 . Group  144  in groups  142  is a group of servers generated by provisioning manger  112  based on policy  110 . In this illustrative example, group  144  is group of servers  136  in data center  138 . 
     In the illustrative example, server provisioning system  134  modifies server configuration information  148  to configure server  140  to manage communications between client computer  122  and systems network architecture resource  146 . As depicted, hosting information  150  in server configuration information  148  specifies resources  152  for which communications are being hosted between client computer  122  and Systems Network Architecture resources  126 . Resource  154  is an illustrative example of server configuration information for hosting communications between client computer  122  and system network architecture resource  146 . As depicted, physical units  156  in resource  154  identify network nodes that support communication sessions between logical units. Logical units  158  in resource  154  are references pointing to Systems Network Architecture resources  126 . In this illustrative example, after configuring server configuration information  148  logical units  158  may include a logical unit pointing to Systems Network Architecture resource  146 . 
     As depicted, server provisioning system  134  may locate, store, and retrieve server configuration information  148  using server configuration information storage  160 . In these illustrative examples, server configuration information storage  160  includes server configuration information such as server configuration information  148 . For example, server configuration information storage  160  may be implemented using a computer readable storage device. As another example, server configuration information storage  160  may be at least one of an in memory buffer, a database or any other suitable storage for server configuration information storage in communications management environment  100 . For example, server configuration information storage  160  may be a file in a computer readable storage device of a data processing system. 
     In this illustrative example, at least one server in group of servers  136  sends contact information  162  to client computers in client computers  120  to modify configuration information  128  stored in client computers  120 . In the illustrative example, after modifying configuration information  128  with contact information  162 , applications  124  use contact information  162  in communications  164  with server  140  to reach Systems Network Architecture resource  146 . In this illustrative example, client computers  120  and group of servers  136  may use internet protocols for communications  164 . 
     The illustration of communications management environment  100  in  FIG. 1  is not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in which different illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Other components in addition to and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Some components may be unnecessary. Also, the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. One or more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into different blocks when implemented in an illustrative embodiment. 
     In some illustrative examples, additional groups of servers in addition to group of servers  136  in data center  138  may be present within communications management environment  100 . For example, another group of servers other than group of servers  136  may be located in another data center other than data center  138 . In this example, provisioning manager may determine which group of servers to host communications for system network architecture resource  146  based on a rule in policy  110 . As an example, the rule may be based the location of the data center and location of client computer  122 . In this example, the rule may be for minimizing the overall distance traveled by all communications between client computers  120  and distributed resources  118 . 
     Also, although components of communications management environment  100  are shown as separate blocks in communications management environment  100 , all or a portion of these may also be implemented in client computers  120 , group of servers  136 , or other suitable components in communications management environment  100 . In these illustrative examples, communications management environment  100  may be implemented by any combination of hardware and software products, and may also be implemented in one or more computer systems or a cluster of computer systems. 
     With reference next to  FIG. 2 , an illustration of a flowchart of a process for modifying how client applications communicate with distributed resources is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Process  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2  may be implemented in communications management environment  100  in  FIG. 1  using provisioning manager  112 , client provisioning system  116 , and server provisioning system  134  in  FIG. 1 . 
     In this illustrative example, process  200  shows an example of initial configuration  202  of communications management environment  100  and subsequent configuration  204  of communications management environment  100 . As depicted, initial configuration  202  comprises application  206  communicating with Systems Network Architecture resources  210  over Systems Network Architecture network  208 . As also depicted, subsequent configuration  204  has application  212  communicating over internet protocol network  214  with servers  216  which in turn communicate over Systems Network Architecture network  208  with Systems Network Architecture resources  220 . For example, plan  102  in  FIG. 1  may be to modify communications management environment  100  from initial configuration  202  to subsequent configuration  204 . 
     In this illustrative example, application  212  is an example of application  206  modified to send communications to servers  216  over internet protocol network  214  in lieu of sending communications to Systems Network Architecture resources  210  over Systems Network Architecture network  208  as was done in configuration  202 . Application  206  and application  212  are examples of an application in applications  124  in client computer  122  in  FIG. 1 . Servers  216  is an example of group of servers  136  in data center  138  in  FIG. 1  and Network Architecture resources  210  and Systems Network Architecture resources  220  are examples of Systems Network Architecture resources  126  in  FIG. 1 . In this illustrative example, Systems Network Architecture network  218  is an example of Systems Network Architecture network  208  where communications that were with application  206  in configuration  202  are now with servers  216  in configuration  204 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , an illustration of a flowchart of a process for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Process  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be implemented in communications management environment  100  in  FIG. 1  using client computers  120 , group of servers  136 , and Systems Network Architecture resources  126  in  FIG. 1 . 
     In this illustrative example, process  300  shows an example of subsequent configuration  204  in  FIG. 2  of communications management environment  100 . In this illustrated example, client computers  302  communicating over internet protocol network  304  to group of servers  306  is an example of client computers  120  communicating in  FIG. 1  with group of servers  136 . Group of servers  306  communicating over Systems Network Architecture network  308  with Systems Network Architecture resources  310  is an example of group of servers  136  communicating with Systems Network Architecture resources  126 . 
     As depicted, client computer  312 , client computer  314 , client computer  316 , and client computer  318  in client computers  302  each include a remote Systems Network Architecture application that communicates with host Systems Network Architecture applications running on Systems Network Architecture resource  328 , Systems Network Architecture resource  330 , and Systems Network Architecture resource  332  in Systems Network Architecture resources  310 . In this illustrative example, the communications between the remote Systems Network Architecture application in client computers  302  and host Systems Network Architecture applications in Systems Network Architecture resources  310  are implemented using transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) messages over internet protocol network  304  to group of servers  306 . As depicted, the transmission control protocol/internet protocol messages are received by group of servers  306  using transmission control protocol port number 1553 in each server in group of servers  306 . The received messages are then routed by group of servers  306  to Systems Network Architecture resources  310  over Systems Network Architecture network  308 . 
     In the illustrative example, server  320  in group of servers  306  is configured as a master configuration server for group of servers  306 . As used herein, when a particular server of a group of servers is configured as the master configuration server, the particular server performs the function of maintaining an internal data store about all resources being managed by the group of servers. 
     As depicted, server  322  and server  326  are configured as backup configuration servers in group of servers  306 . As used herein, when a particular server of a group of servers is configured as a backup configuration server, the particular server performs the function of maintaining a backup of the internal data store stored in the master server for taking over the master server in the event the master server fails. 
     In the illustrative example, server  324  in group of servers  306  is shown managing a remote Systems Network Architecture application logical unit that points to one of the resources in Systems Network Architecture resources  310 . For example, the remote Systems Network Architecture application logical unit may be in use by a remote Systems Network Architecture application in client computers  302 . 
     Turning next to  FIG. 4 , an illustration of a flowchart of a process for provisioning communications between client computers and distributed resources is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Process  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4  may be implemented in communications management environment  100  in  FIG. 1  using provisioning manager  112 , client provisioning system  116 , and server provisioning system  134  in  FIG. 1 . 
     In this illustrative example, process  400  shows an example of a process for provisioning data processing systems in data center  402 . As depicted, data center  402  is an example of data center  138  in  FIG. 1 . Systems Network Architecture provisioning tool  404  is an example of provisioning manager  112  and provisioning server  406  is an example of server provisioning system  134 . In the illustrated example, Systems Network Architecture provisioning tool  404  configures application  408 , application  410 , and application  412  to communicate over internet protocol network  414  with server  416  identified uniquely as SNA Server A, server  418  identified uniquely as SNA Server B, and server  420  identified uniquely as SNA Server C. For example, Systems Network Architecture provisioning tool  404  may communicate with application  408 , application  410 , and application  412  over internet protocol network  414  to modify configuration information for application  408 , application  410 , and application  412  stored in data center  402 . Application  408 , application  410 , and application  412  are examples of applications  124  in client computers  120  in  FIG. 1  and server  416 , server  418 , and server  420  is an example of group of servers  136  in  FIG. 1 . 
     As depicted, provisioning server  406  configures server  416 , server  418 , and server  420  to communicate over Systems Network Architecture network  422  with host Systems Network Architecture applications  424 . For example, provisioning server  406  may communicate with server  416 , server  418 , and server  420  over internet protocol network  414  to modify configuration information for server  416 , server  418 , and server  420  stored in data center  402 . 
     With reference next to  FIG. 5 , an illustration of a flowchart of a process for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The steps illustrated in  FIG. 5  are examples of steps that may be used to process plan  102  in  FIG. 1  for managing communications  164  between client computers  120  and distributed resources  118  over group of servers  136 . These steps may be implemented in provisioning manager  112  in  FIG. 1 , client provisioning system  116  in  FIG. 1 , server provisioning system  134  in  FIG. 1  and in other data processing systems in  FIG. 1 . 
     The process begins by identifying resources that client computers are configured to communicate with, based on configuration information stored in the client computers (step  500 ). The configuration information in step  500  is an example of configuration information  128  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The process also configures a group of servers to host communications between the client computers and the resources based on a policy for load balancing communications through the group of servers (step  502 ). The policy in step  502  is an example of policy  110  in  FIG. 1 . As depicted, the process may then modify the configuration information stored on the client computers to use the group of servers for communicating with the distributed resources (step  504 ), with the process terminating thereafter. 
     The processing performed in steps  500  and  504  may be performed by provisioning manager  112 , client provisioning system  116 , client computers  120 , and other suitable data processing systems in communications management environment  100 . The processing performed in step  502  may be performed by provisioning manager  112 , server provisioning system  134 , group of servers  136 , and other suitable data processing systems in communications management environment  100 . 
     The process in  FIG. 5  may be repeated any number of times to process based on schedule  104  in  FIG. 1 . For example, schedule  104  may include options for migrating communications between sets of client computers in client computers  120  and sets of distributed resources in distributed resources  118  at different times. In this example, the process may be repeated until all communications between client computers  120  and distributed resources  118  have been modified to go over groups of servers  136  in data center  138 . 
     Additionally, the process may be repeated responsive to determination of a change to one or more of policy  110 , distributed resources  118 , client computers  120 , and group of servers  136 . For example, the steps may be repeated responsive to provisioning manager  112  determining that a change occurred to at least one of policy  110 , availability of distributed resources  118 , availability of group of servers  136 , a change to how many client computers are in client computers  120 , or other suitable type of changes. 
     With reference next to  FIG. 6 , an illustration of a flowchart of a process for provisioning communications between client computers and Systems Network Architecture based resources over a group of servers is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The steps illustrated in  FIG. 6  are examples of steps that may be used to process plan  102  in  FIG. 1  for managing communications  164  between client computers  120  and Systems Network Architecture resources  126  over group of servers  136 . These steps may be implemented in provisioning manager  112  in  FIG. 1 , client provisioning system  116  in  FIG. 1 , server provisioning system  134  in  FIG. 1  and in other data processing systems in  FIG. 1 . 
     The process begins by retrieving a set of configuration files in a set of client computers (step  600 ). The set of configuration files in step  600  is an example of configuration information  128  in  FIG. 1 . The process also parses the set of configuration files to identify Systems Network Architecture resources the set of client computers are configured to communicate with (step  602 ). 
     As depicted, the process groups the identified resources to form groups of resources for groups of servers according to a policy for load balancing communications through the groups of servers (step  604 ). The policy in step  604  is an example of policy  110  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Next the process generates server configuration information for the groups of servers specifying which of the identified resources each server will be hosting communications for (step  606 ). As depicted, the steps of the process then include sending contact information from each server in the group of servers in requests to the client computers to modify the set of configuration files with the contact information for using the contact information for all communications with the identified resources (step  608 ), with the process terminating thereafter. 
     The processing performed in steps  600  and  602  may be performed by provisioning manager  112 , client provisioning system  116 , client computers  120 , and other suitable data processing systems in communications management environment  100 . The processing performed in steps  604 ,  606 , and  608  may be performed by provisioning manager  112 , server provisioning system  134 , group of servers  136 , and other suitable data processing systems in communications management environment  100 . 
     The steps described in the process in  FIG. 6  are not meant to limit the number of different ways the process may be performed. For example, in step  608  instead of each server in the group of servers sending the contact information for the communications they are hosting communications for, any one or more of the servers may send the contact information for the other servers. In this example, a first server may send contact information for a second server to a client computer to use the second server for communications with a particular Systems Network Architecture resource. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , an illustration of a data processing system is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Data processing system  700  is an example of a data processing system that may be used to implement managing application patterns in an application pattern management environment. Data processing system  700  is also an example of a data processing system that may be used to implement clients in client computers  120 , servers in group of servers  136 , and resources in distributed resources  118  in  FIG. 1 . Data processing system  700  may be used to implement provisioning plan storage  114 , client configuration information storage  132 , and server configuration information storage  160  in  FIG. 1 . More particularly, data processing system  700  may be used to implement provisioning manager  112 , client provisioning system  116 , and server provisioning system  134  in  FIG. 1 . 
     In this illustrative example, data processing system  700  includes communications framework  702 , which provides communications between processor unit  704 , memory  706 , persistent storage  708 , communications unit  710 , input/output (I/O) unit  712 , and display  714 . In these examples, communications frame work  702  may be a bus system. 
     Processor unit  704  serves to execute instructions for software that may be loaded into memory  706 . Processor unit  704  may be a number of processors, a multiprocessor core, or some other type of processor, depending on the particular implementation. A number, as used herein with reference to an item, means one or more items. Further, processor unit  704  may be implemented using a number of heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is present with secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative example, processor unit  704  may be a symmetric multiprocessor system containing multiple processors of the same type. 
     Memory  706  and persistent storage  708  are examples of storage devices  716 . A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable of storing information, such as, for example, without limitation, data, program code in functional form, and/or other suitable information either on a temporary basis and/or a permanent basis. Storage devices  716  may also be referred to as computer readable storage devices in these examples. Memory  706 , in these examples, may be, for example, a random access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Persistent storage  708  may take various forms, depending on the particular implementation. 
     For example, persistent storage  708  may contain one or more components or devices. For example, persistent storage  708  may be a hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, or some combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage  708  also may be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage  708 . 
     Communications unit  710 , in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, communications unit  710  is a network interface card. Communications unit  710  may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. 
     Input/output unit  712  allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to data processing system  700 . For example, input/output unit  712  may provide a connection for user input through a keyboard, a mouse, and/or some other suitable input device. Further, input/output unit  712  may send output to a printer. Display  714  provides a mechanism to display information to a user. 
     Instructions for the operating system, applications, and/or programs may be located in storage devices  716 , which are in communication with processor unit  704  through communications framework  702 . In these illustrative examples, the instructions are in a functional form on persistent storage  708 . These instructions may be loaded into memory  706  for execution by processor unit  704 . The processes of the different embodiments may be performed by processor unit  704  using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such as memory  706 . 
     These instructions are referred to as program code, computer usable program code, or computer readable program code that may be read and executed by a processor in processor unit  704 . The program code in the different embodiments may be embodied on different physical or computer readable storage media, such as memory  706  or persistent storage  708 . 
     Program code  718  is located in a functional form on computer readable media  720  that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto or transferred to data processing system  700  for execution by processor unit  704 . Program code  718  and computer readable media  720  form computer program product  722  in these examples. In one example, computer readable media  720  may be computer readable storage media  724  or computer readable signal media  726 . Computer readable storage media  724  may include, for example, an optical or magnetic disk that is inserted or placed into a drive or other device that is part of persistent storage  708  for transfer onto a storage device, such as a hard drive, that is part of persistent storage  708 . Computer readable storage media  724  also may take the form of a persistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flash memory, that is connected to data processing system  700 . In some instances, computer readable storage media  724  may not be removable from data processing system  700 . In these examples, computer readable storage media  724  is a physical or tangible storage device used to store program code  718  rather than a medium that propagates or transmits program code  718 . Computer readable storage media  724  is also referred to as a computer readable tangible storage device or a computer readable physical storage device. In other words, computer readable storage media  724  is a media that can be touched by a person. 
     Alternatively, program code  718  may be transferred to data processing system  700  using computer readable signal media  726 . Computer readable signal media  726  may be, for example, a propagated data signal containing program code  718 . For example, computer readable signal media  726  may be an electromagnetic signal, an optical signal, and/or any other suitable type of signal. These signals may be transmitted over communications links, such as wireless communications links, optical fiber cable, coaxial cable, a wire, and/or any other suitable type of communications link. In other words, the communications link and/or the connection may be physical or wireless in the illustrative examples. 
     In some illustrative embodiments, program code  718  may be downloaded over a network to persistent storage  708  from another device or data processing system through computer readable signal media  726  for use within data processing system  700 . For instance, program code stored in a computer readable storage medium in a server data processing system may be downloaded over a network from the server to data processing system  700 . The data processing system providing program code  718  may be a server computer, a client computer, or some other device capable of storing and transmitting program code  718 . 
     The different components illustrated for data processing system  700  are not meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrative embodiments may be implemented in a data processing system including components in addition to or in place of those illustrated for data processing system  700 . Other components shown in  FIG. 7  can be varied from the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may be implemented using any hardware device or system capable of running program code. As one example, the data processing system may include organic components integrated with inorganic components and/or may be comprised entirely of organic components excluding a human being. For example, a storage device may be comprised of an organic semiconductor. 
     In another illustrative example, processor unit  704  may take the form of a hardware unit that has circuits that are manufactured or configured for a particular use. This type of hardware may perform operations without needing program code to be loaded into a memory from a storage device to be configured to perform the operations. For example, when processor unit  704  takes the form of a hardware unit, processor unit  704  may be a circuit system, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, or some other suitable type of hardware configured to perform a number of operations. With a programmable logic device, the device is configured to perform the number of operations. The device may be reconfigured at a later time or may be permanently configured to perform the number of operations. Examples of programmable logic devices include, for example, a programmable logic array, a field programmable logic array, a field programmable gate array, and other suitable hardware devices. With this type of implementation, program code  718  may be omitted because the processes for the different embodiments are implemented in a hardware unit. 
     In still another illustrative example, processor unit  704  may be implemented using a combination of processors found in computers and hardware units. Processor unit  704  may have a number of hardware units and a number of processors that are configured to run program code  718 . With this depicted example, some of the processes may be implemented in the number of hardware units, while other processes may be implemented in the number of processors. 
     In another example, a bus system may be used to implement communications framework  702  and may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a system bus or an input/output bus. Of course, the bus system may be implemented using any suitable type of architecture that provides for a transfer of data between different components or devices attached to the bus system. 
     Additionally, a communications unit may include a number of more devices that transmit data, receive data, or transmit and receive data. A communications unit may be, for example, a modem or a network adapter, two network adapters, or some combination thereof. Further, a memory may be, for example, memory  706 , or a cache, such as found in an interface and memory controller hub that may be present in communications framework  702 . 
     Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources. In some examples, a program identifies distributed resources that each of a set of client computers is configured to communicate with based on configuration information stored on each of the set of client computers. In these examples, the program configures a group of servers to host communications between each of the set of client computers and the distributed resources, based on server capabilities of each server in the group of servers and a policy for load balancing communications through the group of servers. The program then modifies the configuration information stored on each of the set of client computers to use the group of servers for communicating with the distributed resources, in these examples. 
     By automatically provisioning a group of servers for managing communications between client computers and distributed resources, and also automatically provisioning the client computers to use the group of servers in all communications between the client computers and the distributed resources, migrations of existing communications between client computers and distributed resources can be done more efficiently and with less human error. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be performed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be performed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.