Method and apparatus for providing topology based enterprise management services

摘要

A method and apparatus with associated data structures for providing management of topological associations (204) between objects (202). The methods define an application programs interface (API) which specifies a consistent approach for the design of application programs (126) to manage topological associations (204) between objects (202). Objects (202) each represent an aspect of a resource (200) which is useful to a particular application program (126). Application programs (126) define a resource aspect type (212) for each object (202) to be managed by the API. Objects (202) are specified to the APl by application programs (126) along with resource names (206) to identify a resource (200). The methods and structures of the present invention automatically recognize when the resource names (206) of an object (202) to be managed identify the same resource (200) as other managed objects (202) to thereby allow information to be more readily shared among disparate application programs (126) and to reduce redundant storage of information by those programs. <IMAGE>