Abstract: A credit card stacker holding up to a predetermined number of cards in a lower section. Cards are supplied by a separator mechanism from the upper section of the card stacker, as they are depleted from the lower section by the issuing mechanism. The separator mechanism supports one edge of a card in the upper section only while the other edge of the card is supported by a predetermined number of cards in the lower section. When the number of cards in the lower section drops below the predetermined number, the separator mechanism allows cards to drop to the lower section.

Abstract: Enables a processor to quickly recover reliable use of a multi-cycle index used in a branch prediction mechanism for certain types of flush events occurring in the processor pipeline, whether the flush event occurs for a non-branch instruction or for a branch instruction contained in the same dispatch group. A GHV (global history vector) value is used in the generation of a multi-cycle index required for locating a prediction in a GBHT (global branch history table) for the instruction associated with the GHV value. The GHV value is captured in a BIQ (branch information queue) element representing each branch instruction selected for execution of a program. The BIQ element also captures an associated GHV count when the GHV value is captured.

Abstract: A collaborative workload management system comprises a workload scheduler cooperable with a schedule to submit work units for processing on a computer system according to the schedule; and a workload manager adapted to monitor work units being submitted for processing and to allocate resources for processing respective work units on the computer system according to a respective service class of the work units. The workload scheduler further provides the workload manager with work unit attributes as each work unit is submitted for processing, the attributes comprising at least one indicator of the resources typically required by the work unit. The workload manager retrieves the work unit attributes and tunes the resources required to process the work unit according to the work unit's attributes without exceeding the resources allowed for processing work units of the work unit's service class.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product for determining a required processing capacity to accommodate a computational workload migration from a first computer system to a second computer system is described herein. A processing benchmark for the workload on the first computer system is determined along with a scaling factor for converting the processing benchmark to the second computer system. An adjusted processing benchmark is then determined for the workload on the second computer system and is multiplied by the number of computers in the second system on which the workload is to be run to provide a total processing benchmark for workloads on the second computer system. From the total processing benchmark a mean and maximum utilization factor may be derived to determine the average and peak use of the workload during a predetermined time period. A skew factor may further be derived to represent the excess capacity required on the first system due to the imbalance of the workload across multiple computers.

Abstract: Defines and handles segments in messages to place pauses and interruptions within the communication of a message between transmitted segments of the message. A port cache of the destination node of each transmitted message obtains a message control block (MCB) which is used to control the reception of inbound segments within each message sent or received by the node. Each MCB stays in the cache only while its message is being communicated to the port and may be castout between segments in its message when there is no empty cache entry to receive a MCB for a current message being communicated but not having its MCB in the cache.

Abstract: A power supply to be tested is placed in a vacuum chamber; the power supply is turned on and gas pressure in the chamber is reduced. As the gas pressure is reduced below 1 atmosphere, the breakdown voltage decreases; when the breakdown voltage decreases to the value of the applied voltage, arcing occurs as long as the applied voltage is greater than a minima. When a site arcs, the site is noted; the power supply is removed from the vacuum chamber; the arc site is conformally coated and the coated cured. Thereafter, the power supply is returned to the vacuum chamber and the test process repeated until the power supply no longer arcs. Thus the partial pressure test can identify the sites that have a possibility of arcing in the field and the design of the power supply modified by use of one or more conformal coatings or by otherwise changing the configuration of the power supply.

Abstract: A dual-timer process control system (10) includes a process control timer (28) used to limit the number of iterations of a procedure whose duration is controlled by an iteration timer (22). At system (10) startup, the iteration timer (22), process control timer (28) and procedure are started. The iteration timer (22) times out after a first predetermined amount of time and provides an iteration stop signal to stop the procedure. The iteration timer (22) and procedure are started again if the process control timer (28) has not timed out. If the iteration timer (22) and the process control timer (28) have timed out, the process is performed n−1 additional times, where n is the minimum number of iterations of the procedure.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for cooling a logic module includes an evaporator housing including an evaporator block in thermal communication with the logic module. The evaporator housing includes a humidity sensor for detecting a humidity within the evaporator housing. The system further comprises a controller for controlling a refrigeration unit supplying cold refrigerant to the evaporator block in response to the operating conditions of the logic module and the temperature of the evaporator block. In another aspect of the invention, two modular refrigeration units are independently operable to cool the evaporator block, and each refrigeration unit is controllable in various modes of operation including an enabled mode in which it is ready to cool the evaporator and an on mode in which it is actively cooling the evaporator. In another aspect of the invention, the evaporator block and a heater on a reverse side of the circuit board are particularly controlled during concurrent repair operations.

Abstract: A backing out capability backs out a component of a computing environment, while maintaining the availability of the computing environment. In particular, a component of the computing environment which is associated with at least a portion of a unit of work is backed out from one version to another version. In addition, the backed out component is capable of emulating the other version.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for optimizing an IT environment, the method incorporating relational databases in conjunction with unique data acquisition and querying techniques providing a flexible query feedback of IT software, hardware and network parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and program product for resubmitting queries encompassed by a Query Management Subsystem (QMS) responsive to high availability recovery actions within itself and a database subsystem it is designed to serve. The invention includes a work queue, a database subsystem, and a first QMS server which invokes and tracks queries in the work queue (received through traditional client interface means) as delivered to the database subsystem. A Query Resubmittal Mechanism (QRM) in the QMS is responsive to the database, client, and high availability recovery actions for both the QMS and database subsystem. The QRM modifies the status of queries in the work queue depending on whether a query has been submitted to the database or a database query response has been received. Incoming client queries are placed in the work queue (with queued status Q). Completed queries from the database are removed from the work queue and answer sets returned to the originating client.

Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration of a quorum group of processors and recovery procedure therefore are provided for a shared nothing distributed computing system. Dynamic reconfiguration proceeds notwithstanding unavailability of at least one processor of the quorum group of processors assuming that a quorum of the remaining processors exists. Recovery processing is implementing by the group of processors so that the at least one processor which was unavailable during the dynamic reconfiguration of the group is able to obtain current state information once becoming active. Each processor of the group of processors includes an incarnation number and a list of member processors which participated in a commit process resulting in its incarnation number. The recovery processing includes exchanging the processors' incarnation numbers and lists of processors for propagation of the current state of the quorum group of processors to the at least one processor now becoming available.

Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration of a quorum group of processors and recovery procedure therefore are provided for a shared nothing distributed computing system. Dynamic reconfiguration proceeds notwithstanding unavailability of at least one processor of the quorum group of processors assuming that a quorum of the remaining processors exists. Recovery processing is implementing by the group of processors so that the at least one processor which was unavailable during the dynamic reconfiguration of the group is able to obtain current state information once becoming active. Each processor of the group of processors includes an incarnation number and a list of member processors which participated in a commit process resulting in its incarnation number. The recovery processing includes exchanging the processors' incarnation numbers and lists of processors for propagation of the current state of the quorum group of processors to the at least one processor now becoming available.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for determining the value to an enterprise of a proposed technology modification is presented herein. The information technology resources of an enterprise are partitioned into segments along any number of various lines such as business process, geography, etc. The partitioning creates one or more sets of partitioned segments. Within a given segment the resources are profiled in accordance with the information technology priorities of the enterprise and mapped against the complexity of the proposed modification to derive an opportunity score. The opportunity scores for the profiled segments are examined to determine if the partitioning has been effective and if not, the process is repeated. Once an effective partitioning has been effected the opportunity scores of the segments indicate a measure of the respective value of the proposed modification within each segment.

Abstract: A method for making and testing the thermal compression bond between a wire and a contact or terminal lead of a connector wherein the wire and contact/terminal lead are positioned between opposing electrodes, and a direct current is passed through the electrodes, wire and contact/terminal lead to make a direct attach thermocompression bond. Sample bonds are subjected to a peel test to determine if the thermocompression bonds are within specification. The peel test includes securing the contact/terminal lead, bend the wire 90 degrees from the contact/terminal lead, and applying force to the wire at a constant rate of pull until thermocompression bond is broken and the wire is separated from the contact/terminal lead. The peel force required to break the bond is then compared to a standard to determine if the thermocompression bonds are within determined specifications. Additionally, an axial pull test may also be performed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing configuration information without using a configuration file and using a Queued-Direct Input-Output device in a network computing environment having a plurality of hosts and at least one Gateway attachment and a channel interface. A set of special tables and commands at is provided at initialization time over the channel interface which in turn provides all configuration information. The information can be updated dynamically in these tables and for these commands at any time after initialization when information needs to be added, deleted or modified.

Abstract: A solid state circuit breaker is disclosed for use in connection with a voltage bus, the voltage bus supplying electrical current to a load. The solid state circuit breaker includes a current controller for controlling the magnitude of current supplied by the voltage bus. A first current sensor senses the magnitude of the electrical current supplied by the voltage bus, the first current sensor having an output in communication with the current controller. An inductor is included within the first current sensor, the inductor providing a back electromotive force on the voltage bus. The back electromotive force is proportional to the rate of change of current flowing through the voltage bus.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant frame structure which is shippable in a fully populated condition has abase member, a plurality of support members extending from the base member, a top portion disposed over the ends of the support members, a extension member disposed over the top portion, side stiffeners positioned perpendicularly between the support members, and a tie down assembly system positioned between the base member and a flooring surface. The extension member has a platform section and at least two legs depending substantially perpendicularly therefrom that slidingly engage the support members. The two legs have slots therethrough configured to receive fasteners that, when secured to support members, secure and maintain the extension member in position. First and second panels protrude laterally from the frame structure to form an extension area, from which a bracket hingedly depends. A variety of pin arrangements are used to prevent the removal of the bracket from the hinge.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a fixture for securing hard stops to a substrate. The fixture has a base which provides support to the fixture. The base has a cavity configured for nestably supporting a substrate. A top plate is mounted on the base, the top plate is configured for mounting the substrate. An alignment plate is disposed on the top plate separate from the base. An adjusting plunger assembly is coupled to the base. The adjusting plunger assembly is configured for use with attaching a hard stop to the substrate. A plunger is coupled to the base substantially perpendicular to the adjusting plunger assembly. The plunger is configured for use with supporting the substrate. A method of using a fixture is disclosed comprising disposing a substrate in a base of the fixture and mounting a hard stop to the substrate. An adhesive is disposed between the hard stop and the substrate. The substrate is mounted between a plunger and a top plate. The hard stop on the substrate is aligned with an alignment plate.

Abstract: A cable strain relief device is provided and includes a first support structure, the first support structure having a first support length, a first support width and a first support height and wherein the first support structure includes at least one first support channel for receiving at least one transmission cable, a second support structure, the second support structure having a second support length, a second support width and a second support height and wherein the second support structure includes at least one second support channel for receiving at least one transmission cable and a mounting device, the mounting device having a first side, a second side, a mounting device front, a mounting device rear, a mounting device top and a mounting device bottom, wherein the first support structure is disposed adjacent the first side and wherein the second support structure is disposed adjacent the second side.