Introduces cooperative systems and highlights the various forms of computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) system which have emerged to date. Examines the cooperative nature of distributed systems management by highlighting the various cooperative activities of systems managers which are open to computer support. The role of a shared system model within distributed systems management is examined and a configuration language which allows the structure of distributed systems to be modelled is introduced. The various tools which the authors are developing to support cooperation in distributed systems management and the architecture used to integrate them are identified.