Abstract: Methods and systems for making effective use of system resources. A plurality of requests for access to a resource are received. Each request has an associated group of features. The group of features for each request is analyzed to collect observations about the plurality of requests. A function to predict an outcome of a subsequent request is generated based on the observations. Resources are allocated to service the subsequent request based on the function.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable storage representing resources in a cluster by a plurality of attribute-value pairs that together are part of a “resource profile,” in which each attribute-value pair defines all, or a portion of, a management policy that applies to the resource. A clusterware manager configures a resource according to the resource profile, and follows a resource profile syntax that specifies a runtime value for the resource in which an actual value is substituted at runtime.

Abstract: A method for a self-testing clusterware agent is provided. A clusterware agent that includes clusterware-side components and application-side components is configured to interface between a cluster manager and an application. The application-side components are invoked by clusterware-side components via an application programming interface, or API that includes API functions that are invocable by a cluster manager. Without any cluster manager invoking the clusterware agent, one or more of the API functions are invoked.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making effective use of system resources. A plurality of requests for access to a resource are received. Each request has an associated group of features. The group of features for each request is analyzed to collect observations about the plurality of requests. A function to predict an outcome of a subsequent request is generated based on the observations. Resources are allocated to service the subsequent request based on the function.

Abstract: A cluster management system dynamically assigns a category to a server node based on the server node's attributes. The system can detect a change in value of a server attribute of a first server node. Then, in response to detecting the change in value of the server attribute, the system identifies a plurality of server attributes for the first server node, and dynamically assigns to the first server node a category that matches the server attributes. Further, the system can add the server node to a server pool that has a matching category with the server node.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable storage representing resources in a cluster by a plurality of attribute-value pairs that together are part of a “resource profile,” in which each attribute-value pair defines all, or a portion of, a management policy that applies to the resource. Included is a built-in resource type called a “Local Resource” type. Local resources that are attached to the server are instantiated with a combination of the resource profile and values of the Local Resource type.

Abstract: A cluster management system can facilitate determining a response to a hypothetical event by a computer cluster. During operation, the system can receive a request for a policy outcome from a user, such that the request can indicate a hypothetical event within a computer cluster. Next, the system determines a cluster state that includes state information from a plurality of server nodes in the cluster. The system then generates a response plan to the hypothetical event based on the cluster state, without executing the response plan in the cluster. The response plan indicates actions that are to be performed by server nodes in the cluster in response to the hypothetical event. The system then provides the response plan to the user.

Abstract: A clusterware manager configures a resource according to resource attributes values specified by a resource profile. The resource profile conforms to a resource profile syntax that the clusterware manager is configured to interpret pursuant to clusterware manager software. The resource profile syntax prescribes a start dependency syntax defining a dependency between a first resource and a second resource in which the second resource must be in an online state before the first resource is started. The resource profile syntax further prescribes a stop dependency syntax defining a dependency between a first resource and a second resource in which the first resource is brought in an off-line state when the second resource leaves an online state.

Abstract: A cluster management system dynamically assigns a category to a server node based on the server node's attributes. The system can detect a change in value of a server attribute of a first server node. Then, in response to detecting the change in value of the server attribute, the system identifies a plurality of server attributes for the first server node, and dynamically assigns to the first server node a category that matches the server attributes. Further, the system can add the server node to a server pool that has a matching category with the server node.

Abstract: A cluster management system can facilitate determining a response to a hypothetical event by a computer cluster. During operation, the system can receive a request for a policy outcome from a user, such that the request can indicate a hypothetical event within a computer cluster. Next, the system determines a cluster state that includes state information from a plurality of server nodes in the cluster. The system then generates a response plan to the hypothetical event based on the cluster state, without executing the response plan in the cluster. The response plan indicates actions that are to be performed by server nodes in the cluster in response to the hypothetical event. The system then provides the response plan to the user.

Abstract: A clusterware manager on a cluster of nodes interprets a resource profile. The resource profile defines resource profile attributes. The attributes include at least one attribute that defines a cluster dependency based on resource type. The attribute does not identify any particular resource of that resource type. Dependencies between resources are managed based on the attribute that specifies the cluster dependency.

Abstract: A cluster manager is configured to manage a plurality of copies of a mid-tier database as a mid-tier database cluster. The cluster manager may concurrently manage a backend database system. The cluster manager is configured to monitor for and react to failures of mid-tier database nodes. The cluster manager may react to a mid-tier database failure by, for example, assigning a new active node, creating a new standby node, creating new copies of the mid-tier databases, implementing new replication or backup schemes, reassigning the node's virtual address to another node, or relocating applications that were directly linked to the mid-tier database to another host. Each node or an associated agent may configure the cluster manager to behave in this fashion during initialization, based on common cluster configuration information. Each copy of the mid-tier database may be, for example, a memory resident database. Thus, a node must reload the entire database into memory to recover a copy of the database.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making effective use of system resources. A plurality of requests for access to a resource are received. Each request has an associated group of features. The group of features for each request is analyzed to collect observations about the plurality of requests. A function to predict an outcome of a subsequent request is generated based on the observations. Resources are allocated to service the subsequent request based on the function.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable storage representing resources in a cluster by a plurality of attribute-value pairs that together are part of a “resource profile,” in which each attribute-value pair defines all, or a portion of, a management policy that applies to the resource. A clusterware manager configures a resource according to the resource profile, and follows a resource profile syntax that specifies a runtime value for the resource in which an actual value is substituted at runtime.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically performing an operation for one or more resources of a computing cluster when a conditional dependency is satisfied. The conditional dependency may be based on the operating state, load, performance metric, or performance statistic of one or more other resources. A resource profile for a resource stores a conditional dependency that, when satisfied, causes a centralized policy engine to send a command to the resource or an agent for the resource. The policy engine receives notifications of operating state changes from agents that manage resources in the cluster. The policy engine determines that one or more conditional dependencies is satisfied when one or more resources change state to satisfy conditions specified by the conditional dependencies. The policy engine responds to detecting that a conditional dependency is satisfied by sending a command that causes the dependent resource to change its operating state.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable storage representing resources in a cluster by a plurality of attribute-value pairs that together are part of a “resource profile,” in which each attribute-value pair defines all, or a portion of, a management policy that applies to the resource. Included is a built-in resource type called a “Local Resource” type. Local resources that are attached to the server are instantiated with a combination of the resource profile and values of the Local Resource type.

Abstract: A clusterware manager configures a resource according to resource attributes values specified by a resource profile. The resource profile conforms to a resource profile syntax that the clusterware manager is configured to interpret pursuant to clusterware manager software. The resource profile syntax prescribes a start dependency syntax defining a dependency between a first resource and a second resource in which the second resource must be in an online state before the first resource is started. The resource profile syntax further prescribes a stop dependency syntax defining a dependency between a first resource and a second resource in which the first resource is brought in an off-line state when the second resource leaves an online state.

Abstract: A clusterware manager on a cluster of nodes interprets a resource profile. The resource profile defines resource profile attributes. The attributes include at least one attribute that defines a cluster dependency based on resource type. The attribute does not identify any particular resource of that resource type. Dependencies between resources are managed based on the attribute that specifies the cluster dependency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resource dispersion in a clusterware system is provided. The resource profiles for resources within a cluster of nodes are stored. Each resource profile includes attributes for a resource. One or more of the attributes in one of the resource profiles includes a dispersion dependency attribute that specifies that the resource is preferably not co-located with another resource. Resources are placed within the cluster based, at least in part, on the dispersion preference.

Abstract: A method for a self-testing clusterware agent is provided. A clusterware agent that includes clusterware-side components and application-side components is configured to interface between a cluster manager and an application. The application-side components are invoked by clusterware-side components via an application programming interface, or API that includes API functions that are invocable by a cluster manager. Without any cluster manager invoking the clusterware agent, one or more of the API functions are invoked.