Abstract: A cluster arrangement having a first network, at least two data processing systems which each form an application node and which each have an operating system, and an application agent on each application node, which application agent is operable to monitor and identify entities executed on the application node; start a new entity or restart an entity which has been terminated prematurely on the application node; assess and decide whether it is possible to execute a new entity on the application node; send a request for execution of an entity to application agents at application nodes connected to the network; and report to application agents at application nodes connected to the network following an acceptance of the request for execution of an entity.

Abstract: A method for managing and monitoring the operation of several distributed hardware and/or software systems that are integrated into at least one communications network. A central programming element, which is stored in a data processing device, processes system-related data that are contained in the data processing device or that have been received by the device via a communications network. The programming element then autonomously derives operation-related decisions from the data and, based on the decisions, generates decision-specific control data to influence the operation of one or more hardware and/or software systems. The element subsequently transmits the control data to data processing devices that are assigned to the respective hardware and/or software systems.

Abstract: A cluster arrangement having a first network (NW1), at least two data processing systems which each form an application node (AK) and which each have an operating system (OS), and an application agent (AA) on each application node (AK), which has the following functions: monitoring (UB) and identifying entities (I1, I2, I3) executed on the application node (AK); starting (ST) a new entity (I3) or restarting an entity which has been terminated prematurely on the application node; assessing (BE) and deciding whether it is possible to execute a new entity (I3) on the application node (AK); putting a request (AF) for execution of an entity to application agents (AA) at application nodes connected to the network (NW1); and reporting (ME) to application agents (AA) at application nodes (AK) connected to the network (NW1) following an acceptance of the request (AF) for execution of an entity (I3).