Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for analyzing the layout of computer equipment racks in a datacenter. One embodiment involves obtaining the position relative to the computer room of each of a plurality of temperature sensors distributed among a plurality of computer components mounted between opposing intake and exhaust ends of each computer equipment rack. The layout of the computer equipment racks is automatically determined from the positions of the temperature sensors, and a representation of the layout of the computer equipment racks is electronically stored or displayed. The actual layout is compared to target layout parameters to score the layout.

Abstract: Thermal diagnostic systems and methods are provided for improved detection of airflow anomalies in a computer system. In particular, processor load is selectively increased to amplify the effects caused by any airflow anomaly that may be present in the computer system. Workload migration may be used to shift processor load from another node to a target node. Artificial load may also be generated on the target node. The processor load increased to a level sufficient that an airflow anomaly would cause a detectable temperature difference at the selected node. The processor load may be increased by an amount computed to generate this detectable temperature difference. Alternatively, the processor load may be increased by a predetermined amount of between 40% and 100% of full processor utilization. While at the increased processor load, actual temperature sensed by temperature sensors may be compared to temperatures predicted from the model to detect the presence or absence of an airflow anomaly.

Abstract: A method of operating a data processing system includes predicting values for a set of thermal sensors based on an assumed inlet air temperature and a selected configuration state. Additional values are predicted for a plurality of assumed inlet air temperatures and a plurality of configuration states. Actual thermal sensor values are then determined. A measure of the difference between each set of predicted values and the set of actual values is determined and, based thereon, a most likely configuration state is identified. The plurality of thermal sensors preferably includes an inlet air thermal sensor suitable for determining air temperature at an inlet to the system. The configuration states includes a state in which one of the thermal sensors is malfunctioning. The measure of difference is determined by squaring a difference between each actual thermal sensor values and a corresponding predicted thermal sensor value and summing the squares.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for recovery of application faults in a mirrored application environment. Application events are recorded at a primary system executing an instruction for an application. The recorded events are transferred to a buffer. The recorded events are transferred from the buffer to a secondary system, wherein the secondary system implements processes indicated in the recorded events to execute the instructions indicated in the events. An error is detected at the primary system. A determination is made of a primary order in which the events are executed by processes in the primary system. A determination is made of a modified order of the execution of the events comprising a different order of executing the events than the primary order in response to detecting the error. The secondary system processes execute the instructions indicated in the recorded events according to the modified order.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for managing workload on a multi-server computer system. In one embodiment, a subset of servers is selected according to an anticipated net workload. The remaining servers in the system may be powered off to conserve energy and prolong equipment life. Workload is dynamically apportioned among the subset of servers at selected intervals to more uniformly distribute the mean and variance of the workload among the subset of servers. More particularly, the mean and the variance for each of a plurality of workload units are equally weighed in determining a ranking of the workload units. The workload units may be ordered according to a mathematical combination of the mean and variance, such as the sum or product of mean and variance for each workload unit. The workload units are allocated among the subset of servers in according to rank, such as by assigning the workload units to the servers in a reverse round-robin fashion according to rank.

Abstract: Management of a virtual machine is enhanced by establishing an initial availability policy for the machine. Once the virtual machine is invoked, the real environment for the virtual machine is monitored for the occurrence of predetermined events. If a real environment event is detected that could affect the availability of the virtual machine, the availability policy of the virtual machine is automatically adjusted to reflect the new or predicted state of the real environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing elevated temperatures at a component rack to identify and characterize air recirculation anomalies. In one embodiment, temperatures are sensed in proximity to an air intake of the component rack. Temperature sensors communicate with a workstation having system management software including a thermal management component for analyzing air intake temperatures. Predefined temperature differentials (PTD) are established, corresponding to expected temperature differentials between the selected locations in the absence of any appreciable recirculation. The PTD provides a threshold for comparing with “actual” temperature differentials (ATD) to identify the presence and/or mode of recirculation. If an ATD exceeds a corresponding PTD for a predefined time interval, a signal is output. The mode of recirculation, such as left-side, right-side, or dual-surface recirculation, may be determined using as few as four temperature sensors positioned at a zone of interest (ZOI).

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing elevated temperatures at a component rack to identify and characterize air recirculation anomalies. In one embodiment, temperatures are sensed in proximity to an air intake of the component rack. Temperature sensors communicate with a workstation having system management software including a thermal management component for analyzing air intake temperatures. Predefined temperature differentials (PTD) are established, corresponding to expected temperature differentials between the selected locations in the absence of any appreciable recirculation. The PTD provides a threshold for comparing with “actual” temperature differentials (ATD) to identify the presence and/or mode of recirculation. If an ATD exceeds a corresponding PTD for a predefined time interval, a signal is output. The mode of recirculation, such as left-side, right-side, or dual-surface recirculation, may be determined using as few as four temperature sensors positioned at a zone of interest (ZOI).

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing elevated temperatures at a component rack to identify and characterize air recirculation anomalies. In one embodiment, temperatures are sensed in proximity to an air intake of the component rack. Temperature sensors communicate with a workstation having system management software including a thermal management component for analyzing air intake temperatures. Predefined temperature differentials (PTD) are established, corresponding to expected temperature differentials between the selected locations in the absence of any appreciable recirculation. The PTD provides a threshold for comparing with “actual” temperature differentials (ATD) to identify the presence and/or mode of recirculation. If an ATD exceeds a corresponding PTD for a predefined time interval, a signal is output. The mode of recirculation, such as left-side, right-side, or dual-surface recirculation, may be determined using as few as four temperature sensors positioned at a zone of interest (ZOI).

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the position of a component rack within a data center and/or the positions of components within the component rack. In one embodiment, a plurality of ultrasonic reference transponders are disposed in fixed locations throughout a data center. The reference transponders communicate with one another to establish a reference coordinate system for the data center. Each component rack in the data center is provided with an ultrasonic rack transponder that can be triangulated with the reference transponders to determine the position of a component rack. This “rack position” information can be used by a system controller to control the components and to help regulate the data center within pre-specified operating parameters. If a problem occurs in the data center, information about the position of the affected components and component racks may be used by the system controller or a system administrator to help remedy the problem.

Abstract: Thermal diagnostic systems and methods are provided for improved detection of airflow anomalies in a computer system. In particular, processor load is selectively increased to amplify the effects caused by any airflow anomaly that may be present in the computer system. Workload migration may be used to shift processor load from another node to a target node. Artificial load may also be generated on the target node. The processor load increased to a level sufficient that an airflow anomaly would cause a detectable temperature difference at the selected node. The processor load may be increased by an amount computed to generate this detectable temperature difference. Alternatively, the processor load may be increased by a predetermined amount of between 40% and 100% of full processor utilization. While at the increased processor load, actual temperature sensed by temperature sensors may be compared to temperatures predicted from the model to detect the presence or absence of an airflow anomaly.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering and aggregating log streams. Log streams for events from different sources are received. If different sources have different recording cycles, or time epochs, that lead to different temporal granularities, then all of the log streams are combined into a single time epoch that is equal to the longest time epoch. Log streams from sources having shorter time epochs continue to retain information about their original time epochs, in order to retain information about the order of the events in those log streams. The log streams are reordered, both before and after being integrated into the aggregate log, by acquiring additional data from the different sources, thus permitting the likely cause/effect relationship between events.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering and aggregating log streams. Log streams for events from different sources are received. If different sources have different recording cycles, or time epochs, that lead to different temporal granularities, then all of the log streams are combined into a single time epoch that is equal to the longest time epoch. Log streams from sources having shorter time epochs continue to retain information about their original time epochs, in order to retain information about the order of the events in those log streams. The log streams are re-ordered, both before and after being integrated into the aggregate log, by acquiring additional data from the different sources, thus permitting the likely cause/effect relationship between events.

Abstract: Thermal diagnostic systems and methods are provided for improved detection of airflow anomalies in a computer system. In particular, processor load is selectively increased to amplify the effects caused by any airflow anomaly that may be present in the computer system. Workload migration may be used to shift processor load from another node to a target node. Artificial load may also be generated on the target node. The processor load increased to a level sufficient that an airflow anomaly would cause a detectable temperature difference at the selected node. The processor load may be increased by an amount computed to generate this detectable temperature difference. Alternatively, the processor load may be increased by a predetermined amount of between 40% and 100% of full processor utilization. While at the increased processor load, actual temperature sensed by temperature sensors may be compared to temperatures predicted from the model to detect the presence or absence of an airflow anomaly.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for autonomously determining a set of destinations. A landmark module stores a plurality of landmarks from a database. An identification module identifies a first current location and direction of the vehicle. In response to receiving a help command from the help button, a destination module determines a first set of destinations from the plurality of landmarks, the first current location, and the first current direction. A prompt module audibly prompts a driver to navigate the vehicle to the first set of destinations. A navigation module determines if the driver is navigating towards the first direction. In response to the driver not navigating the vehicle toward at least one destination of the first set of destinations, the navigation module may direct the identification module to identify a second current location and direction of the vehicle and the destination module to determine a second set of destinations.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering and aggregating log streams. Log streams for events from different sources are received. If different sources have different recording cycles, or time epochs, that lead to different temporal granularities, then all of the log streams are combined into a single time epoch that is equal to the longest time epoch. Log streams from sources having shorter time epochs continue to retain information about their original time epochs, in order to retain information about the order of the events in those log streams. The log streams are re-ordered, both before and after being integrated into the aggregate log, by acquiring additional data from the different sources, thus permitting the likely cause/effect relationship between events.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling sound level of a computer system within a selected zone. In one embodiment, the sound level within an enclosed space is detected and an electronic signal representative of the sound level is generated in response. The presence of one or more person within the enclosed space is detected, and an electronic signal is generated responsive to the detected presence. The airflow rate and processor load are both decreased in response to the detected presence when the sound level exceeds a predefined sound-level setpoint.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting recirculation within a rack server system. A heat transfer model is constructed for a rack server system. A recirculation zone is specified, and hypothetical recirculation temperatures are input at the recirculation zone. The heat transfer model predicts temperatures elsewhere in the rack severe system, and a predicted temperature profile is computed. Actual temperatures in the rack server system are sensed, and an actual temperature profile is also generated. The actual temperature profile is compared with the predicted temperature profile to detect potential recirculation.

Abstract: A method (and system) of reducing warranty costs includes discriminating between hardware- and software-induced problems or outages in a computer system.

Abstract: A method (and system) of reducing a time for a computer system to recover from a degradation of performance in a hardware or a software in at least one first node of the computer system, includes monitoring a state of the at least one first node, and based on the monitoring, transferring a state of the at least one first node to a second node prior to the degradation in performance of the hardware or the software of the at least one first node.