Abstract: In a distributed system comprising a plurality of nodes, each node is provided with the same set of generic configuration rules which configures the resources for the node according to the application requirements and the hardware configuration of the node. The resource server modules are configurable at run-time by node-based configuration management processes in accordance with information contained in resource definition messages. A resource definition message is derived from a resource template message in accordance with the information contained in the node definition message. Accordingly, adding or modifying resources at a given node can be accomplished at start-up or at run time without affecting the remainder of the system.

Abstract: A distributed data processing system is provided comprising a plurality of processes which communicate with one another using messages. When a process is created or terminated anywhere in the system a notification message may be requested. Such requests may be made regarding different organizational levels of the system, for example the entire system, one node, or a group of related processes.