Abstract: A computer program and task request interface which enables large volumes of data to be processed efficiently and rapidly by multiple computers on a network. The data that requires processing can be in any format. The task request interface allows any arbitrary task to be performed on the input data. The number of computers which may participate in any given data processing task is essentially unlimited. The number of programs that can participate in the system is also essentially unlimited if the program uses run time evaluable code. Any computer operating system that runs a specified computer language interpreter can participate in the distributed processing of the input data.

Abstract: A multiprogrammed multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of processors and some communications resources such as networks through which the processors communicate with each other. A plurality of tasks may be executed on the system, and the allocation of the communications resources among the tasks is globally controlled. The allocation of resources among the tasks running on the system can be dependent on the signature of the tasks, where one component of a task signature is a measure of the communication resources needed by the task. The scheduling of a task running on the system may also be dependent on the signature of the task. The allocation of communications resources can be globally controlled using a variety of techniques including: packet injection into the communications resources using periodic strobing or using global flow control; using global implicit acknowledgments; by destination scheduling; by pacing; or by prioritized communication scheduling.

Abstract: The invention provides unique mechanisms and techniques for a computing device to perform various tasks in a multi-tasking or time sliced environment. A general task scheduling algorithm can select various time slices or priorities for task performance. However, in a dedicated device such as a data communications device, a primary task such as a data transfer task may be so heavily favored by the general task scheduling algorithm, such as in heavy network traffic conditions, that other tasks may be starved of processor time. As such, the system of the invention allows the primary task, to track a first time period Y, and upon expiration of this time period Y, to generate a yield signal to a yielding scheduler. The yielding scheduler can then disable performance of the primary task(s) and track a second time period X during which other tasks may be performed.

Abstract: To maintain order in a pipelined process, a number of memory locations of a result memory are sequentially reserved for a number of processes as the processes are sequentially dispatched for execution. As an integral part of the sequential reservation, validity determination facilitators to be subsequently employed to correspondingly facilitate determining whether valid processing results of said processes have been stored into corresponding ones of said reserved memory locations are also pre-determined. Additionally, the reserved memory locations are sequentially read to sequentially accept the processing results in order. Each value read from a reserved memory location is accepted only if the corresponding validity determination facilitator exhibits a predetermined relationship with a corresponding validity determination reference value. The validity determination reference values are complementarily maintained and integrally obtained through the sequential read process.

Abstract: In a data/information processing system, a nested privilege protection is employed to protect the system when executing instructions. A first privilege protection having at least two privilege levels is enforced. Additionally, a second privilege protection having at least two sub-privilege levels is further enforced for at least one privilege level of the first privilege protection to further differentiate the privileges otherwise afforded. In one embodiment, core system services, programming language runtime support and application programs are afforded the same privilege level of the first privilege protection, and the different types of programs are afforded different sub-privilege levels of the second privilege protection to differentiate the privileges afforded by the first privilege protection.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for starvation load balancing using a global run queue in a multiple run queue system. The apparatus includes a controller, memory, initial load balancing device, idle load balancing device, periodic load balancing device, and starvation load balancing device. The apparatus performs initial load balancing, idle load balancing, periodic load balancing and starvation load balancing to ensure that the workloads for the processors of the system are optimally balanced.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing base service patterns for use in a component-based architecture. A batch job pattern is provided for structuring batch components such that common architectural services are implemented uniformly across the batch components. A batch unit of work pattern is utilized for structuring work to be processed by the batch components so that the work is treated uniformly by the batch components.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program that configures software threads (95) at the time requested using only the required software resource elements (70) necessary to perform a specific function. This is accomplished using a resource manager (30) to identify resource elements (70) required to perform the specific function by accessing a resource database (40) associating commands with resource elements (70). Once the required resource elements (70) are identified, message labels are generated to activate and pass parameters to the resource elements (70) using a message allocation table (50). These messages labels are routed to the memory locations where the resource elements (70) are stored using a message routing table (60). Upon receipt of the message labels the resource elements (70) activate and form a thread (95) using message labels, generated by each resource element (70) in the thread (95) to communicate with other resource elements (70) in the thread (95).

Abstract: A uniform application programming interface (API) provides efficient generation and control of resource reservations so as to ensure a desired quality of service (QoS) for applications running on an operating system of a computer system. The uniform API is based on a hierarchical file system which associates resource reservations with references to shared objects, rather than with the objects themselves. The uniform API permits the use of a variety of different proportional share schedulers for controlling access to physical resources, e.g., CPU, memory, disk, network interfaces, etc. of the computer system. The hierarchical file system includes a separate directory for each independently-scheduled physical resource of the computer system. A parent of the resource reservation in the hierarchical file system is either a root node of the file system or another reservation for the same resource.

Abstract: A system and method, are provided for structuring batch activities for simplified reconfiguration. A series of processing steps is prepared for performing on input objects being streamed into a batch processing system. Each of the processing steps is encapsulated within at least one of a plurality of filters. The input objects are received and processed in the filters. Results are delivered from the filters incrementally during the processing of the input objects for reducing latency and enabling parallel processing. Connectors are utilized for connecting at least two of the plurality of filters each having a processing step for creating a process. One of the two filters is an input filter of the process and the other of the two filters is an output filter of the process. Connectors are also used for connecting input and output filters of different processes for forming a scalable system.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus for performing remote system administration upon a standalone computer system, using a controlling computer system. A remote communication sequence is started. The remote communication sequence is used to initiate a Hyper-Media Managed Object (HMMO) request to a computer destination address. Communications between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system is established by decoding the computer destination address. A diagnostic software application program on the standalone computer system is initiated using the established communication between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for periodic load balancing in a multiple run queue system are provided. The apparatus includes a controller, memory, initial load balancing device, idle load balancing device, periodic load balancing device, and starvation load balancing device. The apparatus performs initial load balancing, idle load balancing, periodic load balancing and starvation load balancing to ensure that the workloads for the processors of the system are optimally balanced.

Abstract: A system and methods for managing Internet e-mail address changes, particularly useful for situations where subscribers change Internet service providers. A computer system manages a database of stored records correlating a first e-mail address of an intended recipient, e.g. an old e-mail address, to a second e-mail address, e.g. a new e-mail address of the intended recipient. A program module in the computer system is responsive to an Internet query for accessing the database to determine whether a second e-mail address of the intended recipient is stored in association with a first e-mail address. Another program module is operative for providing the second e-mail address as a response to the query. The query response is communicated to the sender or to the sender's ISP so that an undeliverable message can be resent to the new e-mail address. Also provided are security and authentication measures for ensuring that address change requests are valid and authentic.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for synthesizing communication support based on communication types of an application. In the integrated circuit design method, an application schedule is provided for the application. The application schedule describes a plurality of units for performing specified tasks and one or more communication links between the specified tasks. After receiving the application schedule, the communication type is determined for each of the communication links in the application schedule as an asynchronous communication or a synchronous communication. Then, for each of the asynchronous communications, it is determined whether each asynchronous communication can be transformed into a semi-synchronous communication that uses an interrupt and a bus to transfer data. A communication support is synthesized for the semi-synchronous communications as synchronous communications by using the interrupt and the bus.

Abstract: The present invention is a universal application program interface (API) utilizing a generic message format for performing call control processing and capable of being customized to meet telecommunications application and network signaling protocol requirements. The generic message formats have programmable fields for transmitting commands, status, and data between the host application and the switch. The present invention further provides the switch the ability to perform switching functions between ports associated with distinct protocols without supervision from the host application. The universal API of the present invention may be implemented to achieve communications internal to the switch as well. For example, the generic messages of the universal API may be used to support communications between any software layer within the switch.