Abstract: A self-adaptive resource management method (200) is proposed. The system is based on an authority (105) that publishes multiple rules into a corresponding repository (115). Each rule defines a desired target configuration for a category of subjects (110); each category is specified by one or more attributes that are evaluated by corresponding scanners (233-239). Whenever new rules are published, a dedicated module (120) creates and publishes further rules for selectively installing the scanners that are required for evaluating the attributes included in the categories of the new rules. These further rules are defined according to an algorithm that attempts to minimize the cost involved by the installation of the scanners.

Abstract: A method for transmitting information (from a source computer to one or more target computers) is proposed. The solution of the invention applies to a message (300o) that includes a main body (310) with possible attachments (315), each one identified by a corresponding internal link (320i) The attachments including bulk data are removed and placed onto a location (125s) of a distribution service wherein they are available for downloading; at the same time, the internal links of the removed attachments are replaced with external links (320e), which point to the corresponding downloading locations. The resulting compacted message (300c) is transmitted to each target computer directly. The target computer downloads the desired removed attachments (from the locations pointed by the corresponding external links); the message can then be reconstructed by restoring the downloaded attachments.

Abstract: A self-adaptive resource management method and a corresponding system. An authority publishes multiple rules into a corresponding repository. Each rule defines a desired target configuration for a category of subjects. Some rules are also associated with a corresponding stage in a predefined flow of application of the rules. A supervisor publishes the value of a current stage into a workflow repository. Each subject retrieves and applies the rules for its category and corresponding to the current stage. Information about the compliance of the subjects with the corresponding rules is published in a membership data repository. The supervisor detects the completion of the current stage when the subjects are compliant with the corresponding rules, and updates the value of the current stage to start a further stage.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the availability of a data processing system is proposed. For example, the system runs a management application (205,240), which involves the periodic transmission of blocks of data from multiple local computers (105) to a central computer (110). In the method of the invention, whenever a block of data must be transmitted by a generic local computer, an expected transmission delay of a next block of data (with respect to the current one) is estimated (210-225); this information is then attached (210) to the block of data. As a result, the central computer receiving (230) the updated block of data can calculate (235-255) an expected receiving time of the next block of data accordingly. If the next block of data is not received in due time, the central computer determines (260) a failure of the local computer.

Abstract: A resource management method (300) and a corresponding system are proposed. In the solution of the invention, an authority publishes (324) multiple rules, each one defining a desired target configuration for a category of subjects (without any information about their dependencies). Each subject retrieves (320-322, 326) the rules corresponding to its category in a random order. The rules are then applied (427-439) on the subject according to a trial-and-fail approach. Particularly, the application of any failed rule is continually repeated (427-448), until all the rules are successfully applied (463) or a deadlock condition is detected (451). In this way, any dependency is automatically resolved on the subject at run time. Moreover, as soon as all the rules have been successfully applied the compliance of the subject to the rules is verified (455-457) again; should the subject be not compliant to one or more rules any longer, an infinite loop condition is detected (466).

Abstract: A resource management method (400c) and a corresponding system implementing an adaptive model are proposed. The method allows an authority to define a desired target state of several kinds of resources, which are directly controlled by different subjects. The authority publishes (460) a series of rules in a shared repository; each rule indicates the target state of a resource for a corresponding logic or physic category of the subjects. Each subject retrieves (444-456;462-468) the rules corresponding to its logic category from the shared repository. The rules are then applied (458;469) by the subject; as a result, the physic category of the subject is updated. The subject now retrieves and applies the rules corresponding to its physic category. In this way, different dependency schemes may be implemented without any explicit definition in the rules.

Abstract: A resource management method (400c) and a corresponding system implementing an adaptive model are proposed. The method allows an authority to define a desired target state of several kinds of resources, which are directly controlled by different subjects. The authority publishes (460) a series of rules in a shared repository; each rule indicates the target state of a resource for a corresponding category of the subjects. Each subject retrieves (444-456;462-468) the rules corresponding to its category from the shared repository. The rules are then applied (458;469) by the subject directly. In this way, the subjects self-adapt to the rules, without requiring any direct interaction with the authority.

Abstract: A resource management method (500) and a corresponding system implementing an adaptive model are proposed. The method allows an authority to define a desired target state of several kinds of resources, which are directly controlled by different subjects. The authority publishes a series of rules in a shared repository; each rule indicates the target state of a resource for a corresponding category of the subjects. Each subject provides (509-515) the corresponding category to an associated helper (120). The helper retrieves (521-530) the rules corresponding to the category of the subject from the shared repository. The helper then enforces (533-564) application of the rules on the subject. In this way, the subjects adapt to the rules without requiring any direct interaction with the authority, even if they do not have the necessary computational power required to be completely autonomous.