Abstract: A method is provided for allocating tasks amongst system computing resources by using polling tournaments. The method includes receiving a request to schedule a task. The task is associated with a constraint identifying an amount of computing resources needed to perform the task. A subset of candidate devices from a plurality of server computing devices is randomly selected to compete in a polling tournament for scheduling the task. The subset includes a predetermined maximum number of candidate devices. The candidate devices of the subset are polled to determine an amount of computing capacity currently available in each candidate device. A winning candidate device of the polling tournament is determined based on the amount of computing capacity currently available in each of the polled candidate devices and the constraint. Thereafter, the task is scheduled to be run by the winning candidate device.

Abstract: A method is provided for allocating tasks amongst system computing resources by using polling tournaments. The method includes receiving a request to schedule a task. The task is associated with a constraint identifying an amount of computing resources needed to perform the task. A subset of candidate devices from a plurality of server computing devices is randomly selected to compete in a polling tournament for scheduling the task. The subset includes a predetermined maximum number of candidate devices. The candidate devices of the subset are polled to determine an amount of computing capacity currently available in each candidate device. A winning candidate device of the polling tournament is determined based on the amount of computing capacity currently available in each of the polled candidate devices and the constraint. Thereafter, the task is scheduled to be run by the winning candidate device.