Patent ID: 6993657

Claim:
A method for managing databases, the method comprising the steps of: registering a plurality of databases at a community server; wherein each database of said plurality of databases is controlled by a different party of a plurality of parties; wherein the community server is accessible over a first network to which one or more users from each party of said pluralities have access; wherein each database of said plurality of databases is installed on a different network than said first network; receiving from a user, at the community server, over said first network, a request to perform a management operation relating to a particular database of said plurality of databases that is controlled by a particular party of said plurality of parties; determining that the particular database is registered with said community server; determining whether the user is authorized to perform said management operation relating to said particular database; and if said user is authorized to perform said management operation relating to said first database, then the community server causing said management operation to be performed.