Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for failure detection with minimal bandwidth usage. A method for failure detection in a multi-node system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of associating all connections between a first node and a second node with a last receipt value and a maximum idle value, calculating a difference between the last receipt value and a current time, and establishing a heartbeat connection from the first node to the second node if the difference between the last receipt value and the current time exceeds the maximum idle value. A heartbeat process is then initiated over the heartbeat connection to determine the condition of the second node.

Abstract: A method of dynamic performance balancing in a distributed computer system including collecting average service time statistics for application requests distributed from multiple application servers and collecting application server CPU utilization statistics from multiple hosts where each host is associated with at least one of the application servers. In addition, the method includes periodically calculating scaled routing weights from the average service time and CPU utilization statistics and distributing server requests to the application servers in accordance with the scaled routing weights. Also disclosed is a distributed computer system configured to accomplish dynamic performance balancing as described above, and an article of manufacture for use in programming a distributed computer system containing instructions to accomplish dynamic performance balancing of server requests as described above.

Abstract: A process and system for externalizing classloader information to non-application modules such as tool modules that do not reside within the same Application server virtual machine such as a J2EE AppServer JVM. Tools that read and display classloader information typically need to co-reside within the AppServer because of the virtual machine security mechanisms that prevent classes outside the virtual machine itself to introspect the classloaders. This presents a problem for tooling vendors because most server owners do not want anything other than their applications running within the AppServer virtual machine. The invention allows tooling vendors to create a classloader tool that is external to the AppServer virtual machine, and which is running in a completely separate virtual machine, thus having minimal overhead on production systems, but which allows classloading through standard or open (e.g. non-proprietary) interfaces.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring events occurring at respective servers of a configuration of nodes, a first server located at a first node receives information from a messaging system pertaining to events at servers located at other nodes. The messaging system usefully comprises a highly available (HA) bulletin board or the like. When the first server receives a start event notification pertaining to a second server located at a second node, a direct communication path is established between the first and second servers. The first server identifies events in the second server that affect or are of interest to services of the first server. The first server then registers with the second server, to receive notification through the direct communication path when respective identified events occur.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for leveraging bandwidth and processor utilization to advantageously influence response time performance. The objective of such leveraging is to maximize transaction throughput (e.g., requests per second) between a pair of servers when the servers are connected through less than optimal networks and/or network connections. Such an optimization is accomplished by determining whether or not adjusting request and/or reply sizes by applying a compression factor (i.e., to facilitate compression) will have a desirable influence on response time performance. Such determination is based on decision criteria including, but are not limited to, network protocol performance, CPU utilization, bandwidth utilization, and estimates of the CPU time and network time costs of sending compressed verses uncompressed data.

Abstract: Under the present invention a node agent of a node in a cell will post state (event) information pertaining to the applications server(s) it controls to a messaging service such as a Highly Available (HA) messaging system (e.g., to bulletin board). Also, from the messaging service, the node agent will obtain the identities of other node agents running in the cell. Thereafter, the node agent can establish a direct communication link with those other node agents, and obtain state information pertaining to the application server(s) they control directly therefrom. Alternatively, the node agent can obtain state information for the other node agents directly from the bulletin board.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media are disclosed for clustering. One embodiment includes receiving, by a configuration manager server, a request to create a dynamic cluster member for a dynamic cluster, wherein the request is for work load balancing and the dynamic cluster member is a process. Further, the embodiment includes parameterizing, by the configuration manager server, to create parameters for a dynamic cluster server template based on configuration files of nodes within a nodegroup. The configuration files and the dynamic cluster server template are stored in a central location associated with the configuration manager server. The embodiment also includes populating, by the configuration manager server, the parameters of the dynamic cluster server template with values associated with the nodes.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to propagate application software to a virtual deployment target are contemplated. More specifically, a user may create multiple virtual deployment targets in a software system such as WebSphere™ and deploy applications to multiple the virtual deployment targets without having to manually fit policy-driven applications into each virtual deployment target. Embodiments are particularly advantageous when the application software is a business solution that needs to be deployed multiple times such as during the development and testing of the business solution. For example, application software of a business solution typically includes a group of applications designed to cooperatively function as a single entity. An application bundle such as an Enterprise Application Solution (EAS) file describes the application software and includes pertinent information about the application software, application configuration data, and runtime configuration data to implement the business solution.