Patent ID: 7802144

Claim:
A computer implemented method comprising: storing, in a memory, instructions for performing the method; executing the instructions on a processor; according to the instructions being executed: identifying a plurality of health monitors configured to monitor a plurality of components in a system, wherein the plurality of health monitors are defined by a common system definition model that describes the system and wherein each of the monitored components includes an associated plurality of pages of data associated with each monitored component, the plurality of pages comprising: an installation page, wherein the installation page comprises data describing how to install the associated monitored component onto another monitored component; a constraints page, wherein the constraints page comprises data describing constraints imposed on the associated monitored component, constraints to be imposed on the system in which the associated monitored component is being utilized and a description of how the associated monitored component is to be discovered; a monitoring page, wherein the monitoring page comprises rules describing how the associated monitored component is to be monitored and actions to take when a particular rule is satisfied; a service level agreement page, wherein the service level agreement page defines a service level agreement between a purchaser of the monitored component and a party associated with the sale of the monitored component; and a description page, wherein the description page comprises data describing characteristics of the associated monitored component, wherein the characteristics comprise: name of the associated monitored component; manufacturer of the associated monitored component; installation date of the associated monitored component; and performance characteristics of the associated monitored component; accessing a plurality of health models associated with the plurality of monitors; generating a monitoring policy to monitor the system, the monitoring policy being derived at least in part from the plurality of health models; identifying a service level agreement associated with the system, wherein identifying a service level agreement associated with the system comprises utilizing the service level agreement page associated with each component; determining relationships between the plurality of components, wherein determining relationships between the plurality of components comprises utilizing data contained within the plurality of pages; determining an aggregate performance of a plurality of components in the system; and determining whether the aggregate performance of the plurality of components satisfies the service level agreement associated with the system and whether each of the plurality of components satisfies its associated service level agreement.