Automated CORBA-based application management

Enterprises are more and more dependent on business processes which are based on distributed computer applications. Business processes are adapted frequently to the changing enterprise needs. In order to support such requirements, middleware-based distributed multi-tier application architectures have been developed. Managing such complex distributed environments with respect to availability, performance etc, is a complicated task. The integration of traditional systems and network management disciplines together with application management is a first step towards necessary solutions. This paper describes an architecture and the current project status of a flexible management environment primarily used for configuration, event and performance management of distributed applications. The CORBA middleware is used for integrating the management objects, relying on gateways for incorporating traditional environments. like SNMP. CORBA services are used to build higher-level management functions, e.g. for representing the information model or for distributing events. Thus, delegated management functionality and flexibility in configuring management applications is achieved. For automating standard management procedures, which is considered critical for the future acceptance of distributed systems, an automata-based approach has been selected. The overall approach is currently applied for the management of CORBA applications.