Abstract: A system and method for selecting one or more real IP6 addresses from a pool of real IP6 addresses in a system. Each of the real IP6 addresses is associated with a physical interface or a virtual physical interface. A human or an application program provides into the system a symbolic IP6 address specifying a physical interface name for the one or more real IP6 address. The system stores the symbolic IP6 address in a configuration file and then passes the symbolic IP6 address to a socket API function. The socket API function checks validity of the symbolic IP6 address. If valid, an operating system function reads a control block or data file for the named physical interface. The control block or data file contains a list of one or more real IP6 addresses for the named physical interface. These real IP6 address(es) are returned to the human or application program.

Abstract: System, method and program for managing a storage server comprising first and second clusters of storage controllers. The first cluster comprises one or more storage controllers each controlling one or more storage arrays. The first cluster also comprises a first cache memory and a first nonvolatile storage (“NVS”) shared by the one or more storage controllers of the first cluster. The second cluster comprises one or more storage controllers each controlling one or more storage arrays. The second cluster also comprises a second cache memory and a second nonvolatile storage shared by the one or more storage controllers of the second cluster. There is monitoring of an amount of time that data controlled by each of the clusters is held in the cache memory of the cluster before being outpaged to the storage arrays. There is monitoring of an amount of requests to access storage arrays of a cluster that were delayed due to insufficient NVS.

Abstract: Authenticating a first user in a protected network to an application in a DMZ network shared simultaneously with a second user in an unprotected network. The first user supplies a userID and a password to a first server within the protected network for authentication for the application. The first sewer checks authentication of the first user based on the userID and password. If the first user is authentic, the first server forwards to the application an authentication key for the first user and a selection by the first user pertaining to the application. The application checks authentication of the key, and if authentic, complies with the selection by the first user. The second user supplies another userID and another password to the application. If the other userID and other password are authentic, the application complies with a selection made by the second user pertaining to the application.

Abstract: A method for communicating from a first virtual machine, defined by a virtual machine operating system, to an external device via a local area network (LAN). The virtual machine operating system also defines other virtual machines and a base portion common to all of the virtual machines. The first virtual machine writes an IP datagram to an output buffer allocated to the first virtual machine. The IP datagram comprises data and a destination IP address associated with the external device. The program functions in the base portion read the IP datagram from the output buffer to determine the destination IP address and then copy the IP datagram from the output buffer into storage allocated to the common base portion whereby the IP datagram passes from the first virtual machine into the common base portion storage without passing through any other virtual machines. Then, the program functions request a tangible adapter card for the network to send the IP datagram to the IP destination address.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for performing a remote power reset at a remote server through a network connection is disclosed. A power reset procedure is pinned to memory at a remote server. The remote server listens for a call specifying the power reset procedure pinned to memory. The call is received at the predetermined port. The power reset procedure pinned in the memory of the remote server is initiated in response to the call.

Abstract: System and method for tracking inventory of a multiplicity of products. First RFID tags are associated with respective products or groups of products. Second Active RFID tags are associated with respective first containers for the multiplicity products. A third Active RFID tag is associated with a second container for the first containers. First RFID tags broadcast their respective identifications. Second Active RFID tags hash the identities of the first RFID tags within their respective first containers and broad their hashed values. Third Active RFID tag hash the hashed values broadcast by the second Active RFID tags. An expected value is compared to a result of the third Active RFID tag hashing the hashed values broadcast by the second Active RFID tags.

Abstract: A computer system and program product for building a server according to specifications. There are a multiplicity of program objects to install a respective multiplicity of programs on the server. First program instructions determine a plurality of the program objects which currently have prerequisite software and parameters for their respective applications. Second program instructions concurrently invoke the plurality of program objects. At least one of the plurality of program objects, after execution, invokes another of the program objects, supplying a prerequisite parameter for the other program object.

Abstract: A technique to collectively manage locks by multiple virtual machines and then access shared data protected by the locks. A computer system defines first and second virtual machines and a memory shared by the first and second virtual machines. A lock structure is defined in the shared memory. The lock structure is capable of listing a holder of a lock for shared data in the shared memory. The first virtual machine acquires a lock for the shared data when available by manipulation of the lock structure. After acquiring the lock, the first virtual machine accesses the shared data. The lock structure and the shared data are directly accessible by the first virtual machine. The second virtual machine acquires a lock for the shared data when available by manipulation of the lock structure. After acquiring the lock, the second virtual machine accesses the shared data. The lock structure and shared data are directly accessible by the second virtual machine.

Abstract: A method for determining if a multiplicity of networks are authorized to communicate with each other and what IP protocol can be used for communication between each combination of two of the networks. For each network, a computer readable data base stores a record of (a) IP protocol(s) permitted to be used with said each network and (b) types of other networks permitted to communicate to said each network. For said each network, a computer readable data base stores a record of IP protocols and destination and source networks permitted by a respective firewall or router for said each network. For said each network, a computer readable data base stores a record of a type of said each network. Multiple combinations of the networks are automatically identified. Each of the combinations comprises a source network and a destination network.

Abstract: A method and program product for gathering information about a system. A user logs on to the system, and in response, computer programming automatically identifies application instances executing in the system, determines whether the system is configured for high availability, determines whether each of the identified application instances is configured for high availability, determines if the system is a node of a cluster of systems, and compiles and displays a unified report of the resulting information. The foregoing type of information is automatically compiled and displayed for other systems as well, in different respective sessions.

Abstract: A method for communication between first and second computer programs having a shared memory. The first computer program has a first work dispatcher for a first work queue. The second computer program has a second work dispatcher for a second work queue. Without causing an interrupt, a message or data is written for the second program from the first program to the shared memory and the second work queue is updated with a work item indicating a message or data for the second program. In association with the updating step, it is determined if the second program is currently busy. If so, the second program is not interrupted regarding the message or data. When the second program subsequently becomes not busy, the second program receives, without an interrupt, and executes the work item to receive the message or data. If the second program was not currently busy, the second program is interrupted to process the message or data on its work queue. This imposes a minimal burden on the second program.

Abstract: A technique for utilizing resources in a virtual machine operating system. The virtual machine operating system comprises a multiplicity of virtual machines. A share of resources is allocated to each of the virtual machines. Utilization by one of the virtual machines of the resources allocated to the one virtual machine is automatically monitored. If the one virtual machine needs additional resources, the one virtual machine is automatically cloned. The clone is allocated a share of the resources taken from the shares of other of the virtual machines, such that the resultant shares allocated to the one virtual machine and the clone together are greater than the share allocated to the one virtual machine before the one virtual machine was cloned. The clone performs work with its resources that would have been performed by the one virtual machine if not for the existence of said clone.

Abstract: A computer program product and system for deleting objects used or managed by an application or application instance is disclosed. First program instructions identify the objects. Second program instructions write an executable program to delete the objects which were identified. There are wide variety of objects than can be deleted such as local queues, alias queues, remote queues, security objects, channel objects, process objects, etc. The first program instructions identify a queue object and determine whether the queue object contains a work item. If so, the second program instructions write into the executable program a command to clear the work item. A computer program product, system and method for deleting a queue object managed by an application or application instance is also disclosed. Channels used by other applications or other application instances to lock and access a queue defined by the queue object are identified. Then, the channels are stopped.

Abstract: A system, method and program for troubleshooting a problem with an application. An application server which is supposed to be executing the application and a database or a server which manages the database are identified. The application, when executing, obtains data from the database to respond to a client request. The application server, database or database server, and a connection between the application server and the database or database server are generated and displayed or printed. Also, one or more hyperlinks to automatically send a hardware, software, or network status inquiry to the application server to test operability of the application server and/or a connection to the application server and automatically send a hardware, software, or network status inquiry to the database server to test operability of the database server and/or a connection to the database server are generated and displayed or printed.

Abstract: System, method and computer program for displaying an image with a blinking portion. A first virtual image layer is defined in a first file to comprise a first background region. A second virtual image layer is defined in a second file to comprise a background region in one state and a transparent region in another state. The second background region is different in appearance than the first background region. The second virtual image layer is logically located on top of the first virtual image layer. The file defines that the second virtual image layer repeatedly alternates between the one and other states. A third file defines a third virtual image layer to comprise a symbol surrounded by a transparent region. The third virtual image layer is logically located on top of the second virtual image layer.

Abstract: A computer system and program product for managing events. Program instructions, respond to notification of an event, by determining if a problem ticket can be automatically generated for the event. If so, the program instructions make a request to generate the problem ticket. The program instructions determine if the problem ticket can be automatically generated based in whole or in part on (a) a type of the event and a customer who owns or uses a computer system in which the event occurred, (b) a type of the event, a customer who owns or uses a computer system in which the event occurred, and a severity of the event, (c) a type of the event, a customer who owns or uses a computer system in which the event occurred, and a magnitude of the event, or (d) a type of the event and whether other events of a same type occur at approximately a same time.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for migrating a first virtual machine from a first real computer to a second real computer or from a first LPAR to a second LPAR in a same real computer. Before migration, the first virtual machine comprises an operating system and an application in a first private memory private to the first virtual machine. A communication queue of the first virtual machine resides in a shared memory shared by the first and second computers or the first and second LPARs. The operating system and application are copied from the first private memory to the shared memory. The operating system and application are copied from the shared memory to a second private memory private to the first virtual machine in the second computer or second LPAR. Then, the first virtual machine is resumed in the second computer or second LPAR.

Abstract: A technique for shutting down virtual machines in a computer system which comprises a real computer and a virtual machine operating system. The virtual machine operating system comprises a common base portion and a plurality of virtual machines sharing the common base portion. According to one feature of the present invention, the common base portion receives a shutdown signal from the real computer. The shutdown signal specifies a time period for shutdown of the common base portion or the virtual machine operating system. Next, the common base portion determines a time period for shutdown of the virtual machines by subtracting a time required to shutdown the common base portion from the specified time period. Next, the common base portion sends requests to the virtual machines to shut down in an orderly manner within the time period determined for shutdown of the virtual machines. The common base portion determines when and if each of the virtual machines shuts down in an orderly manner.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method for dispatching work items in a virtual machine operating system. The virtual machine operating system defines first and second virtual machines. First and second work queues are created in a memory. The first virtual machine assigns a first work item to the first work queue and a second work item to the second work queue. The first virtual machine schedules work items from the first work queue for execution by the first virtual machine. The first and second work items originate from the first virtual machine. The first and second work queues are directly accessible by the first virtual machine. The second virtual machine assigns a third work item to the first work queue and a fourth work item to the second work queue. The second virtual machine schedules work items from the second work queue for execution by the second virtual machine. The third and fourth work items originate from the second virtual machine.

Abstract: System, method and program product for tracing first, second and third processes for producing a product. First, second and third process instances for the first, second and third processes, respectively, are generated. Tracing information is stored in association with the first, second and third process instances to indicate respective execution conditions. The third process instance is executed after the second process instance, and the second process instance is executed after the first process instance. The first process instance yields a product which is subject to the second process instance, and the second process instance yields a product which is subject to the third process instance. A first pointer indicates that the second process instance follows the first process instance, and a second pointer indicates that the third process instance follows the second process instance.