Configuration management via constraint programming

1 Abstract As the complexity of computer systems has increased, the task of managing those systems has grown to the point where the assistance of the computer itself is required. The diversity of management tasks has, in turn, lead to a diversity of software. In Unix, for example, make(1), rcs(1) and cron(8) each address this issue. Distributed systems expand the realm of connguration management through emphasis on issues such as communication, dynamic reconnguration, and consistency between information maintained at diierent sites. The Raven Connguration Management System (RCMS) provides a uniform means for performing many of these tasks. Connguration information is expressed as constraints in rst order predicate logic. The constraints indicate acceptable states of the system. When the system enters a prohibited state, an expert system generates a series of commands to correct the situation. This paper ooers a preliminary overview of the RCMS, including a sample application and a description of noteworthy implementation issues. 2 Introduction Connguration management is not something that just happens to other people. It affects the casual user of a personal computer and the the system manager responsible for maintaining a diverse collection of hardware interconnected via networks and internets.