System and method for managing distributed objects as a single representation

Abstract

An architecture and method for managing at least two distinct machines (or objects) in which resources are shared as a single entity (or object) in an agent-based system. The agent-based system comprising a controller, a local agent coupled to the controller, and at least one clustered machine. The at least one clustered machine includes at least two individual agents, the at least two individual agents sharing at least one shared resource/service. The system also includes a virtual non-persistent connection for coupling the at least two individual agents to the local agent. The at least one shared resource/service is accessed by the local agent through the virtual non-persistent connection using a virtual IP address to enable the at least two individual agents of the at least one clustered machine to be represented as a single object.

1 . An agent-based management system, comprising:
 a controller;   a local agent coupled to the controller;   at least one clustered machine, the at least one clustered machine comprising at least two individual agents, the at least two individual agents sharing at least one shared resource/service; and   a virtual non-persistent connection for coupling the at least two individual agents to the local agent, wherein the at least one shared resource/service is accessed by the local agent through the virtual non-persistent connection using a virtual IP address to enable the at least two individual agents of the at least one clustered machine to be represented as a single object.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two individual agents comprises at least one non-clustered resource/service, the system further comprising at least two persistent connections, each of the at least two persistent connections coupled to the controller and to one of the at least two individual agents, the at least two persistent connections for enabling the controller to access the at least one non-clustered resource/service on each of the at least two individual agents separately, enabling the at least two individual agents of the at least one clustered machine to be represented as at least two objects. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one non-clustered machine having an agent and at least one non-clustered resource/service, the at least one non-clustered machine coupled to the controller using a persistent connection for enabling the controller to access information from the at least one non-clustered resource/service. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein access to the shared resource/service is only accessible from one of the at least two individual agents. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is coupled to the Internet for enabling administrators and clients to communication with the controller.