Abstract: A system and method of emulating network communications between applications executing in different partitions of a partitionable computer system is provided. A connection is established between a first partition and a second partition of a computer system, through a memory region of the computer system shared by both the first partition and the second partition. The connection emulates a network connection. A network message is transmitted from a first application in the first partition using a network application interface and intended for transmission to a second application in the second partition. The network message transmitted by the first application is transmitted to the second application via the connection established through the shared memory region.

Abstract: A method for efficiently saving data to tape, preferably within the ANSI X3.27 standard format sends signals to the tape drive to allow the tape drive to buffer the required tape marks, which the standard requires. Although the standard presumed these would be required for synchronization and would be written when produced, we do not adhere to that thinking. Instead we synchronize only at the logical end of the application constructed file, or at the end of the tape in one embodiment, saving time in writing through avoiding stop-start activities of the tape drive, thus allowing newer tape drives to take advantage of the features of the ANSI X3.27 standard. We also provide an embodiment, which allows for non-ANSI standard (i.e., unlabeled) tapes to be used.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling the performance of a data processing system is disclosed. According to one method, a level of system performance is purchased for use with the data processing system. This purchased performance level is described in Millions of Instructions Per Second (MIPS) or a similar unit of measure. A system administrator selects which resources within the data processing system will be enabled, as well as how those resources will be configured. The enabled system resources will include one or more instruction processors. The performance of each of the enabled processors is then scaled to achieve the purchased system performance level. Performance scaling is performed in a manner that takes into account characteristics associated with the selected configuration as well as the system architecture.

Abstract: A method for efficiently saving data to tape, preferably within the ANSI X3.27 standard format sends signals to the tape drive to allow the tape drive to buffer the required tape marks, which the standard requires. Although the standard presumed these would be required for synchronization and would be written when produced, we do not adhere to that thinking. Instead we synchronize only at the logical end of the application constructed file, or at the end of the tape in one embodiment, saving time in writing through avoiding stop-start activities of the tape drive, thus allowing newer tape drives to take advantage of the features of the ANSI X3.27 standard. We also provide an embodiment, which allows for non-ANSI standard (i.e., unlabeled) tapes to be used.

Abstract: The current invention provides an improved system and method for locking shared resources. The invention may operate in a data processing environment including a main memory system coupled to multiple instruction processors (IPs). Lock-type instructions are included within the hardware instruction set of ones of the IPs. These lock-type instructions are executed to gain access to a software-lock stored at a predetermined location within the main memory. After activating the software-lock, further, indivisible execution of the lock-type instruction causes one or more addresses associated with the software-lock to be retrieved. These addresses are used as pointers to, in turn, retrieve the data signals protected by the software-lock. Requests for the protected data signals are issued automatically by the hardware on behalf of the requesting IP, and the IP is allowed to continue instruction execution.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing processing performance in a computer system by asynchronously performing system activities that do not conflict with normal instruction processing, during inactive memory access periods. The computer system includes at least one instruction processor to process instructions of an instruction stream, and a memory to store data. One or more inactive data blocks in the memory are identified, and a list of addresses corresponding to the identified inactive data blocks is generated. Available computing cycles occurring during processing in the computer system are identified, such as processing stalls and idle memory write periods. The inactive data blocks associated with the list of addresses are initialized to a predetermined state, during the available computing cycles. Addresses corresponding to those initialized data blocks are then made available to the computing system to facilitate use of the data blocks.

Abstract: A system and method of emulating network communications between applications executing in different partitions of a partitionable computer system is provided. A connection is established between a first partition and a second partition of a computer system, through a memory region of the computer system shared by both the first partition and the second partition. The connection emulates a network connection. A network message is transmitted from a first application in the first partition using a network application interface and intended for transmission to a second application in the second partition. The network message transmitted by the first application is transmitted to the second application via the connection established through the shared memory region.

Abstract: A system and method for interprocess communication between concurrently executing, cooperating sequential processes in a digital computer system uses a shared memory queue as a mechanism for message passing and process synchronization. Data to be transferred from a sending process to a receiving process is stored in a queue entry which is visible in the virtual address space of the first process. The queue entry is added to a queue by the sending process directing the processor to execute an enqueue instruction. The receiving process removes the queue entry from the queue by directing the processor to execute a dequeue instruction. The receiving process then has direct access and visibility to the contents of the queue entry without having to copy the data into its virtual address space. Instead of sending data in a queue entry, a sending process may send an event indicator and no data.

Abstract: A network input/output processing system for sending and receiving messages between a large scale computer system and associated communications networks. Executive operating system services provide access to a control table, an input queue, and an output queue stored in the computer system's main memory. A network input/output processor responds to requests by application programs, through a communications program, for receiving input from and sending output to a network, concurrently with requests to communicate with directly attached peripheral devices such as disk drives, tape drives, and printers. The network input/output processor receives initialization, reset, and termination requests via the control table. Requests to receive input are received from the input queue. Input data is stored into buffers as directed by the input request. Requests to send output are received from the output queue. Output data is read from the buffers as directed by the output request.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing a number of data processing resources to produce one or more independent and separate data processing partitions. Each partition is defined as a proper subset of the total inventory of available data processing resources. Each partition is controlled by a system control facility. All system control facilities communicate with a site configuration management system, which defines and redefines the composition of each partition. The site configuration management system can move resources from one partition to another as required. Preferably, the system control facilities and the site configuration management system are industry standard personal computers which communicate via a local area network.