Abstract: A method for securely authenticating users of a device which uses pairings of a verbal passphrase and user interactions. The user interactions may be finger position on an interface of the device, number of taps on the interface of the device, or touching of the interface in a predefined area. Alternatively, the user can provide a verbal passphrase with inflection points.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a pre-authentication mechanism that allows a user to define a pre-authentication sequence that includes actions such as movement of the device, taps on the screen, key presses, etc., or any suitable combination of these. Correctly entering the pre-authentication sequence gives the user access to the main authentication screen for the device, while a failure to enter the pre-authentication sequence correctly keeps the device locked. Multiple pre-authentication sequences can be defined, each having a corresponding sleep time threshold. This requires the user to enter the appropriate authentication information corresponding to the time the device has been asleep. Multiple pre-authentication sequences can also be defined, each having corresponding authentication information. Thus, the authentication information the user needs to enter can be a function of the corresponding pre-authentication sequence.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a pre-authentication mechanism that allows a user to define a pre-authentication sequence that includes actions such as movement of the device, taps on the screen, key presses, etc., or any suitable combination of these. Correctly entering the pre-authentication sequence gives the user access to the main authentication screen for the device, while a failure to enter the pre-authentication sequence correctly keeps the device locked. Multiple pre-authentication sequences can be defined, each having a corresponding sleep time threshold. This requires the user to enter the appropriate authentication information corresponding to the time the device has been asleep. Multiple pre-authentication sequences can also be defined, each having corresponding authentication information. Thus, the authentication information the user needs to enter can be a function of the corresponding pre-authentication sequence.

Abstract: A method for securely authenticating users of a device which uses pairings of a verbal passphrase and user interactions. The user interactions may be finger position on an interface of the device, number of taps on the interface of the device, or touching of the interface in a predefined area. Alternatively, the user can provide a verbal passphrase with inflection points.

Abstract: Analyzing one or more physical infrastructure elements of a data center by generating a plurality of outputs from a stochastic process for a set of inputs to the stochastic process. The inputs comprise one or more inputs of certainty and one or more inputs of uncertainty. A statistical output analysis of the outputs is utilized to generate one or more threshold reaching projections for each of the physical infrastructure elements of the data center.

Abstract: Techniques are described for scheduling received tasks in a data center in a manner that accounts for operating costs of the data center. Embodiments of the invention generally include comparing cost-saving methods of scheduling a task to the operating parameters of completing a task—e.g., a maximum amount of time allotted to complete a task. If the task can be scheduled to reduce operating costs (e.g., rescheduled to a time when power is cheaper) and still be performed within the operating parameters, then that cost-saving method is used to create a workload plan to implement the task. In another embodiment, several cost-saving methods are compared to determine the most profitable.

Abstract: Techniques are described for scheduling received tasks in a data center in a manner that accounts for operating costs of the data center. Embodiments of the invention generally include comparing cost-saving methods of scheduling a task to the operating parameters of completing a task—e.g., a maximum amount of time allotted to complete a task. If the task can be scheduled to reduce operating costs (e.g., rescheduled to a time when power is cheaper) and still be performed within the operating parameters, then that cost-saving method is used to create a workload plan to implement the task. In another embodiment, several cost-saving methods are compared to determine the most profitable.

Abstract: Assessing resiliency of facility configuration strategies, in one aspect, may employ a mathematical model representation of facility configuration. Organization environment factors and one or more desired performance metrics associated with the organization may be determined. A technical model specification that defines the configuration of facilities of the organization may be received, and a mathematical model representation of the configuration may be created. The mathematical model representation is solved for steady-state characteristics, and one or more values may be estimated respectively of the desired performance metrics based on the steady-state characteristics. The resiliency may be measured based on the estimated one or more values.

Abstract: Analyzing one or more physical infrastructure elements of a data center by generating a plurality of outputs from a stochastic process for a set of inputs to the stochastic process. The inputs comprise one or more inputs of certainty and one or more inputs of uncertainty. A statistical output analysis of the outputs is utilized to generate one or more threshold reaching projections for each of the physical infrastructure elements of the data center.

Abstract: Analyzing one or more physical infrastructure elements of a data center by generating a plurality of outputs from a stochastic process for a set of inputs to the stochastic process. The inputs comprise one or more inputs of certainty and one or more inputs of uncertainty. A statistical output analysis of the outputs is utilized to generate one or more threshold reaching projections for each of the physical infrastructure elements of the data center.

Abstract: Assessing resiliency of facility configuration strategies, in one aspect, may employ a mathematical model representation of facility configuration. Organization environment factors and one or more desired performance metrics associated with the organization may be determined. A technical model specification that defines the configuration of facilities of the organization may be received, and a mathematical model representation of the configuration may be created. The mathematical model representation is solved for steady-state characteristics, and one or more values may be estimated respectively of the desired performance metrics based on the steady-state characteristics. The resiliency may be measured based on the estimated one or more values.

Abstract: Techniques are described for scheduling received tasks in a data center in a manner that accounts for operating costs of the data center. Embodiments of the invention generally include comparing cost-saving methods of scheduling a task to the operating parameters of completing a task—e.g., a maximum amount of time allotted to complete a task. If the task can be scheduled to reduce operating costs (e.g., rescheduled to a time when power is cheaper) and still be performed within the operating parameters, then that cost-saving method is used to create a workload plan to implement the task. In another embodiment, several cost-saving methods are compared to determine the most profitable.

Abstract: Analyzing one or more physical infrastructure elements of a data center by generating a plurality of outputs from a stochastic process for a set of inputs to the stochastic process. The inputs comprise one or more inputs of certainty and one or more inputs of uncertainty. A statistical output analysis of the outputs is utilized to generate one or more threshold reaching projections for each of the physical infrastructure elements of the data center.