Graphical editor for defining and creating a computer system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for defining and deploying a networked computer system features creating and storing a graphical representation using a graphical editor to drag and drop icons representing computing elements and network elements into a workspace, such that a logical configuration of the networked computer system is represented by the graphical representation. A corresponding textual representation of the computer system is automatically created and stored according to a structured markup language. Based on the textual representation, one or more commands are generated for configuring an operable computer system that conforms to the logical configuration. The commands may be directed to one or more devices that are interconnected to one or more computing elements and storage devices, to instruct the devices to logically connect the computing elements and storage devices into the computer system. In one embodiment, a graphical representation of the logical configuration of the networked computer system is created, based on a user selection from a palette of one or more graphical icons that represent computing elements and network elements of the computer system, and a user selection of graphical interconnections of the icons. As a result, a real-world virtual server farm or data center may be created and deployed.