Abstract: A multicasting apparatus that broadcasts messages to at least some of the clients in a computing network environment having a plurality of clients and at least one host connected to these clients via a gateway device. A multicast routing table is created for registering any host and clients requesting registration. The table will include one entry per host/client and includes their relevant information. A connectivity platform is used for controlling all communications so that all information packets is first received by the platform. Upon the receipt of a packet, the table is searched and if an match is found the packet will be routed using the entry information; otherwise, the packet will be dropped.

Abstract: Syncpoint processing is performed for a distributed transaction. The distributed transaction includes a plurality of units of recovery, and syncpoint processing is performed for at least a portion of the units of recovery, without passing messages between the units of recovery of the at least a portion of the plurality of units of recovery. Instead, syncpoint processing (including transactional logging) is controlled by one syncpoint manager associated with one of the units of recovery, and that unit of recovery collects information representative of the other units of recovery.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of transferring information in a network computing system environment. The network environment includes a main storage coupled to a channel subsystem with a plurality of channels which is in processing communication with a control unit capable of coupling to a plurality of input/output devices. At first the packets of data are sent concurrently to and from the main storage. Next execution of certain channel functions are transferred to the control unit so that certain commands can be combined with the data packets in one sequence. Finally only one start data command and only one end command notification needs to be sent before and after a plurality of data packets is transferred respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a bus hang with identification and capturing of errors in a network computing environment having at least one bus. A first and a second unit are in processing communication with one another in the environment and both units are capable of transferring data between one another. A status circuit is provided for monitoring the first and second units as well as a counting circuit that is measuring periods of bus inactivity during an active bus transfer sequences. A compare circuit is in processing communication with the first and second units for comparing threshold counts provided with a threshold value circuit. Finally, an error detector mechanism that is responsive to the threshold circuit is provided, capable of detecting a bus hang condition, where the detector asserts an error indication when appropriate.

Abstract: Workload management of a computing environment is facilitated. A location service agent located within a server instance of the computing environment is used to facilitate workload management of the computing environment. The location service agent receives a request for an object of the computing environment. The location service agent then requests a workload manager of the server instance to determine which server instance of a plurality of server instances is to handle the request. The request is forwarded to the selected server instance using a direct reference.

Abstract: Controlling the flow of information between senders and receivers across links being used as channels. In one example, a self-timed interface link is adapted to be used as a channel. Such an interface is referred to as an integrated cluster bus. The flow control for the integrated cluster bus includes, for instance, a Data Request packet that indicates to the transmitter of data that it can now send the data; a continue indicator that specifies that more data is to follow; and a sequence indicator that is used to determine if a particular message is in proper sequence order. The integrated cluster bus does not require large data buffers and offers low latency messaging.

Abstract: An initialization facility is provided for a fiber optic data link wherein the link can be initialized in one of a plurality of fiber control modes, including one or more open fiber control (OFC) modes and a non-OFC mode. Initialization may be automatic, being responsive to received optical signals, or user determined. Along with the initialization facility, safety logic is presented which allows the facility to be fully compliant with industry standard laser safety requirements for inherently safe Class 1 operation. Further, logic is provided for controlling resetting of an OFC chip. In one embodiment, the facility can be implemented in an auto-sense circuit coupled between a conventional OFC chip and a transceiver of the fiber optic data link.

Abstract: The frequency at which a multisystem log stream is compressed by a system of a multisystem environment is adjusted in real-time. The rate at which the multisystem log stream is compressed by the system is ascertained. That rate is relative to how frequently the multisystem log stream is compressed by other systems of the multisystem environment. The frequency with which the system compresses the multisystem log stream is then adjusted in real-time. Thus, the frequency at which one system of the multisystem environment compresses the log stream is relative to the frequency at which other systems of the multisystem environment are compressing the log stream.

Abstract: An object factory is registered under multiple interface names. The interface names have an inheritance relationship with an object implementation associated with the object factory. The names are registered in a repository of a name space, such as a Life Cycle Repository. Thus, an object factory can be located using any one of the interface names.

Abstract: A mode conditioning patch (MCP) is provided for conditioning a single mode fiber optic signal for propagation within a multimode optical fiber. The MCP includes a single mode optical fiber section and a transition region with increasing diameter. The transition region diameter preferably increases to approximately that of a multimode fiber section through which the conditioned signal is to propagate. In one embodiment, the transition region is a flared end of the single mode optical fiber section, which is fabricated of plastic. The single mode optical fiber section with the flared end can be fusion splice joined to the multimode optical fiber section to further enhance mixing of the single mode signal within the multimode fiber optic section.

Abstract: A method of transferring data in a network computing environment having a controlling program and a main storage in processing communication with an interface element including one or more adapters. A queuing mechanism is first established in the main storage for asynchronous transmittal of data between the program and said interface element. At least one queue-set is dedicated to input data and another queue-set to output data in the queuing mechanism. Queuing priorities both for said input and output queue-sets are then determined according to importance of data to be processed or transferred or other internal dependencies and a queue-description record is established by passing a QDIO queue command. From this the priority and number of the output queue are provided by order in which the order specified in the queue descriptor record relative to any other output queues described in that record.

Abstract: A method of providing direct data processing access in a network computing system environment. The system environment has a main storage which can be connected to one or more application servers and is in processing communication with an interface element. The interface element has at least one adapter and can be connected to one or more application user(s). One or more queues are established in the main storage that can handle data without causing interrupts in the running programs. Incoming data is received using the adapter and as data is received or modified, the status of the network computing system will be updated to reflect the new data or change. Data is then processed in the main storage after interrogating the multiple existing queues in the main storage and forwarding them in turn to their appropriate destination or application server after a determination has been made by interrogating these queues.

Abstract: A computer program product for use with a computer system having a host and a plurality of clients coupled to one another via a local area network (LAN), to provide a multicasting of messages using a special command set. First computer readable code means is generated for issuing a first special command to add a new IP multicast address providing a group multicast address and an IP multicast address. Then computer readable code means is created for entering said special control command in a multicast routing table, one entry per connection request received. Computer readable code means is then provided for a use count mechanism for keeping track of numbers of communication stacks which have registered with a certain IP multicast address. Also computer readable code means is generated for comparing all inbound IP packets destined for an IP multicast address with said entries in said table and routing all matches to their appropriate communication stacks.

Abstract: A fiberoptic communications method is presented which allows an open-link condition on one link of a multi-link fiberoptic connection to be propagated to other links of the connection while satisfying the Open Fiber Control safety standard. Each link comprises a duplex link and at least one optical repeater is employed. The at least one optical repeater is adapted to propagate an open-link condition in one link of the multiple duplex links between the links of the fiberoptic connection. Propagating the open-link condition can be accomplished using an out band signal, an electrical wrap mode, or a hybrid approach using both an out band signal and electrical wrap mode. Automatic propagation of a closed-link condition is provided once the originally opened link is closed.

Abstract: A fiberoptic communication system is presented which allows an open-link condition on one link of a multi-link fiberoptic connection to be propagated to other links of the connection while satisfying the Open Fiber Control safety standard. Each link comprises a duplex link and at least one optical repeater is employed. The at least one optical repeater is adapted to propagate an open-link condition in one link of the multiple duplex links between the links of the fiberoptic connection. Propagating the open-link condition can be accomplished using an out band signal, an electrical wrap mode, or a hybrid approach using both an out band signal and electrical wrap mode. Automatic propagation of a closed-link condition is provided once the originally opened link is closed.

Abstract: A fiberoptic communications computer program product is presented which allows an open-link condition on one link of a multi-link fiberoptic connection to be propagated to other links of the connection while satisfying the Open Fiber Control safety standard. Each link comprises a duplex link and at least one optical repeater is employed. The at least one optical repeater is adapted to propagate an open-link condition in one link of the multiple duplex links between the links of the fiberoptic connection. Propagating the open-link condition can be accomplished using an out band signal, an electrical wrap mode, or a hybrid approach using both an out band signal and electrical wrap mode. Automatic propagation of a closed-link condition is provided once the originally opened link is closed.

Abstract: A computer program product and storage device used for exchange and transfer of data in a network computing system having a main storage capable of connecting to at least one application server and an interface element with at least one adapter capable of establishing processing communication with at least one application user(s).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for timely and accurate processing of data in a network computing environment controlled by a running program and having a queuing mechanism established in a main storage. The main storage is in processing communication with an interface element having one or more adapters. At least one set of queues in the queuing mechanism is designated for input and another set for output. A signal adapter instruction can be issued to provide initiative to check content of any or all queues in the mechanism. With the help of the signal adapter an initiate-output can be specified when appropriate and the associated adapter can then asynchronously process the input or the output queues. A synchronize option is also available to signal the associated data queues to update all entries in order to render them current as observed by both the adapter and the controlling running program.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for simulation of data in a computing system environment having a controlling program, a main memory, a plurality of hosts, at least one adapter and a queued-direct input/output device using a queued-direct input/output protocol. A pageable virtual machine is provided under control of a virtual-machine hypervisor in processing communication with one or more hosts. Simulation is then provided by strictly separating a set of protocol control blocks between those that contain main-memory addresses and those that do not. Copies of those control blocks that contain main-memory addresses is created and their addresses converted by the hypervisor from addresses used by the program in its virtual machine to real-memory addresses usable by the adapter.

Abstract: A computer program device and product is provided for timely processing of data. The computer program device comprises a program storage device readable by a digital processing apparatus and a program means including instructions executable by the digital processing apparatus by designating at least one set of queues in the queuing mechanism as input queues and another as output queues; issuing a signal adapter instruction to provide initiative to check content of any or all queues in the queuing mechanism; specifying initiate-output or initiate-input appropriately by means of said signal adapter instruction to cause associated adapter to asynchronously process said output or input queues; and causing synchronization by means of said signal adapter instruction by signaling the associated data queues to update all entries in order to render them current.