Abstract: A system and method for disseminating policies to multiple policy-based components includes a policy producer which generates a group of policies to be enforced. A policy disseminator classifies each policy with a type, and for each policy type, the policy disseminator identifies policy-based components that handle a corresponding policy type. The policy disseminator sends specific policy types from the group of policies to each policy-based component that can handle that specific policy type.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for automated provisioning of resources to fulfill a service agreement. For example, a technique for use by a service provider for automatically provisioning one or more resources based on at least one service agreement offer of a service client comprises the following steps/operations. The at least one service agreement offer is obtained. At least one implementation plan template is obtained. A provisioning description is then automatically derived in accordance with the service agreement offer and the implementation plan template, wherein the provisioning description is usable for configuring one or more resources such that a service may be provided to the service client.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for generating a customized catalog for an entity or organization. Items from a base catalog are presented to a user located at a remote data processing system. One or more items are selected by a user through a process of “meta-shopping”. The selected items are placed in a set, also referred to as a “meta-shopping cart”, used to generate the customized catalog. Terms for purchasing items in the customized catalog are associated with the customized catalog. Further, a protocol for purchasing items from the customized catalog may be established, and the customized catalog is then placed on a Web site.

Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems are provided for building, provisioning and executing one or more electronic service level agreements (eSLAs) for Web and other computer hosting services, which specify and enforce service contracts for Web and other computer hosting services. In one aspect of the invention, a computer-based eSLA system includes four main components: (1) an eSLA builder; (2) an eSLA provisioner; (3) one or more execution systems; and (4) a system configuration and measurement system. Generally, the eSLA builder component provides the mechanism for defining and pricing the eSLA, checking the validity of the eSLA and a repository for storing the completed eSLAs. The provisioning system is responsible for configuring the run-time system in order to meet one or a set of eSLAs. The execution system is responsible for handling the run-time user requests, e.g., Web servers and load distributors, and a mechanism for enforcing the eSLAs at run-time.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for generating a customized catalog for an entity or organization. Items from a base catalog are presented to a user located at a remote data processing system. One or more items are selected by a user through a process of “meta-shopping”. The selected items are placed in a set, also referred to as a “meta-shopping cart”, used to generate the customized catalog. Terms for purchasing items in the customized catalog are associated with the customized catalog. Further, a protocol for purchasing items from the customized catalog may be established, and the customized catalog is then placed on a Web site.

Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems are provided for constructing, deploying, executing and managing the performance of electronic contract based service applications across multiple business entities. In this context, the electronic service contract includes information to be used for configuration and enforcement not just by the primary parties to the contract, but also by other parties referred to herein as sponsored roles in the contract. At least a portion of the contract may be monitored, enforced or managed by at least one of the sponsored roles. In one aspect of the invention, a computer-based electronic business service system includes: (1) a contract builder; (2) a contract deployment component; (3) one or more measurement systems; (4) a violation detection system; and (5) a management system. Generally, the contract builder component provides the mechanism for defining and pricing the contract, checking the validity of the contract and a repository for storing the completed contracts.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for active scheduling of event-driven long running processes are provided. The apparatus, system and method receive update information indicating a change in status of a subject of the active scheduling. Based on this changed status and stored scheduling rules, an adapted schedule is generated to accommodate the change in status. The adapted schedule is further modified based on historical information to compensate for historically predicted events that may conflict with events in the adapted schedule.

Abstract: An on-demand manager provides an improved distributed data processing system for facilitating dynamic allocation of computing resources among multiple domains based on a current workload and service level agreements. Based on a service level agreement, the on-demand manager monitors and predicts the load on the system. If the current or predicted load cannot be handled with the current system configuration, the on-demand manager determines additional resources needed to handle the workload. If the service level agreement violations cannot be handled by reconfiguring resources at a domain, the on-demand manager sends a resource request to other domains. These other domains analyze their own commitments and may accept the resource request, reject the request, or counter-propose with an offer of resources and a corresponding service level agreement.

Abstract: A method, device and program for embedding an agreement between a device provider and a device user in a device. The agreement is embedded in the device by monitoring at least one performance parameter, determining if an event specified in the agreement has occurred based on the parameter, and, if the event occurred, indicating that the event occurred at the device. The device may be further configured to enforce the agreement. For example, enforcing the agreement may include disabling at least some of the capabilities of the device if the event occurred. Conversely, enforcing the agreement may include enabling at least some of the capabilities of the device if the event occurred.

Abstract: A client/server networking topology comprising a trusted server agent (TSA) (e.g., software application) that runs either at a client node or at a node in close proximity to the client and provides various trusted services to the client on behalf of a trusted server. In instances where the node in which the TSA software runs (i.e., the client or a node in close proximity) may be untrusted, and/or unreliable, methods are provided for making the TSA software running on the untrusted and/or unreliable node provide trusted and reliable services. In one aspect of the invention, a method for providing trusted service in a client/server system comprises the steps of: providing at least one client; providing at least one trusted server (TS); providing at least one trusted server agent (TSA) which is executing on or near the at least one client; providing a trusted service by the at least one TSA to the at least one client on behalf of the at least one TS.

Abstract: A method and system for indemnifying an insurance purchaser by an insurance provider against losses resulting from specified events. In one embodiment, the specified events include quality of service penalties of a service level agreement between a service provider and service purchaser. The invention may include at least one risk metric monitored via a communication network, such that a premium payable to the insurer by the insurance purchaser is dependent on the risk metric. In a particular configuration of the invention, the risk metric is monitored in real-time or near real-time.

Abstract: Techniques for establishing contact between a first node and a second node in a communication system having a plurality of nodes. Upon a failure of an attempt by the first node to contact the second node, the first node contacts a 3rd party node, which in turn attempts to contact the second node on behalf of the first node. The first node's initial attempt to contact the second node can be verified by the 3rd party node, thereby avoiding an unjust detriment to the first node. Multiple retries or 3rd party nodes can be used to attempt contact on behalf of the first node. Responsiveness of nodes can be measured, and subsequent penalties can be assessed, as a result of their unresponsiveness.

Abstract: Under the present invention, a small cache is used for the selective buffering of devices of a heterogeneous striping group (i.e., striping group made of devices with unequal capacities) to match the load on each device to its capacity. The inventive caching algorithm utilizes a device map, or disk map, and applies a cache distribution factor for each device of a group to determined how to selectively buffer blocks read from different devices of a striping group; thereby placing different loads on the different devices of a striping group in accordance with their capacities.

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product, and data structure for processing requests for services in a networked data processing system is provided. In one embodiment a request is received by a service provider. The request includes defined allowable actions and request definition compositions. The request also includes a plurality of actions wherein the relationships between the plurality of actions are defined. The service provider processes the plurality of actions according to the defined relationships and generates a response.

Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems are provided for constructing, deploying, executing and managing the performance of electronic contract based service applications across multiple business entities. In this context, the electronic service contract includes information to be used for configuration and enforcement not just by the primary parties to the contract, but also by other parties referred to herein as sponsored roles in the contract. At least a portion of the contract may be monitored, enforced or managed by at least one of the sponsored roles. In one aspect of the invention, a computer-based electronic business service system includes: (1) a contract builder; (2) a contract deployment component; (3) one or more measurement systems; (4) a violation detection system; and (5) a management system. Generally, the contract builder component provides the mechanism for defining and pricing the contract, checking the validity of the contract and a repository for storing the completed contracts.

Abstract: A disconnected transaction system for pervasive computing devices includes a service provider server; a pervasive computing device; a communication network; and a service contract downloadable from the service provider server to the pervasive computing device over the communication network during a connected mode, the service contract specifying rules of interaction with a service application associated with the service contract and providing a service provider with a mechanism for validating, upon reconnection to the service provider server, at least one transaction of the service application performed by a user of the pervasive computing device during a disconnected mode.

Abstract: A method for automating contract negotiation between a plurality of parties over a communications network. The parties communicate and agree upon a negotiation protocol before commencing the negotiation in a meta contract that is formed to govern or control the negotiation process. The automatic negotiation may include at least one sub negotiation. Machine-executable rules are specified to enable an automatic negotiation to take place between servers over a communications network. A successful negotiation may result in the formation of an electronic commerce contract. Each party may maintain the contract state of the overall negotiation, which may take place among two or more parties, wherein at least one party may be represented by a broker. Thus, complex negotiations may be handled automatically by the inventive method. The negotiation may be conducted semi-automatically to allow for human intervention in the negotiation process.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for processing commercial transactions of a user over a large geographic area. The system for processing commercial transactions includes a network, and one or more primary computing nodes connected to the network and a plurality of secondary computing nodes connected to the network in which each of the plurality of secondary computing nodes being associated with one of the plurality of geographic sites. The system also includes product inventories in which the product inventories are associated with one of the geographic sites. A catalog of products identifying the product inventories is present. One or more primary computing nodes notifies the secondary computing nodes of the catalog. A user contacts a first node from the plurality of secondary computing nodes. The user may purchase or place a product order with the first node with the “first node” forwarding the order to one or more primary computing nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for active scheduling of event-driven long running processes are provided. The apparatus, system and method receive update information indicating a change in status of a subject of the active scheduling. Based on this changed status and stored scheduling rules, an adapted schedule is generated to accommodate the change in status. The adapted schedule is further modified based on historical information to compensate for historically predicted events that may conflict with events in the adapted schedule.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for generating a customized catalog for an entity or organization. Items from a base catalog are presented to a user located at a remote data processing system. One or more items are selected by a user through a process of “meta-shopping”. The selected items are placed in a set, also referred to as a “meta-shopping cart”, used to generate the customized catalog. Terms for purchasing items in the customized catalog are associated with the customized catalog. Further, a protocol for purchasing items from the customized catalog may be established, and the customized catalog is then placed on a Web site.