A performance manager and method for managing the performance of a
computer system based on a system model that includes measured entities
representing the operational characteristics of the system components and
relationships among the measured entities. The performance manager
includes data producers for interacting with the interface agents of the
components, an engine for exchanging information with the data producers
and the system model, and an interaction model for determining relevant
measured entities in the system model. The system model and interaction
model are maintained in a repository where data might be accessed via an
access interface. Incoming performance data is analyzed by an analyzer in
the background to detect trends and relationships among the entities. An
operator might review the relevant entities and apply controls to
selected entities to manage the overall system performance as well as to
resolve problems affecting the performance of the components in the
system.