Abstract: An exemplary method controls the operation of a diskless client computer using a disk based operating system. The client computer is booted by fetching operating system modules through a network connection from a remote host computer. A ramdisk stores key operating system modules. The key operating system modules are locked in ramdisk to prevent swapping of the modules by the operating system. The loading of programs requiring real-time operation stored at the host computer are managed so that the programs are loaded as separate modules spaced-apart in time where the client computer is released between the loading of the separate modules to process other tasks.

Abstract: An exemplary method implements load management for large granularity processes on application processors, APs. First data associated with the primary processes running on each AP is periodically collected, where the first data is proportional to processor occupancy, PO, for the primary processes running on each AP. Second data associated with auxiliary processes running on each AP is periodically collected where the auxiliary processes directly support the primary processes running on the respective AP. The second data is proportional to PO for the auxiliary processes running on each AP. A processor scaling factor and an overhead scaling factor are calculated for each AP based on the first and second data, respectively. The total amount of additional PO a second AP would incur to run a first large granularity process is determined by two aspects.

Abstract: An exemplary method controls the loading of a program in a computer system using a disk based operating system instead of allowing a built-in loading program resident in the operating system to handle the loading. The method separates the loading of the program into a series of modules that are loaded from a disk into random access memory where each module has a predefined target time interval within which the loading of the module is to be completed. The computer system is released to process other tasks following completion of the loading of one module and before the start of loading of a following module so that disruptions to the processing of the other tasks running on the computer system are minimized.

Abstract: An exemplary method implements load management for large granularity processes on application processors, APs. First data associated with the primary processes running on each AP is periodically collected, where the first data is proportional to processor occupancy, PO, for the primary processes running on each AP. Second data associated with auxiliary processes running on each AP is periodically collected where the auxiliary processes directly support the primary processes running on the respective AP. The second data is proportional to PO for the auxiliary processes running on each AP. A processor scaling factor and an overhead scaling factor are calculated for each AP based on the first and second data, respectively. The total amount of additional PO a second AP would incur to run a first large granularity process is determined by two aspects.

Abstract: In a distributed computer program, active software probes in the form of small functions built into an application are invoked by another application. When invoked, an active probe provides a positive response if the service being requested is available from the probed package. If the service is not available, the probe will fail alerting the software package installer that there is a problem. The active probes thus perform a functionality check for the software package, not a check merely based on the package's release number. Because the probe is active, it is capable of checking for subtending capabilities that the calling application may not realize are necessary for this service. This ensures full coverage of the test while hiding some implementation details from the calling application.

Abstract: A plurality of telephone devices responsive to computer commands are connected to a telecommunications switch. A computer controlled apparatus sends command messages to the telephone devices causing them to initiate conventional actions such as dialing. The apparatus receives reply messages from the telephone devices which represent the status of parameters such as ringing associated with the telephone device. Reply messages are identified relative to previously sent command messages. If the actual status of parameters represented by a reply message matches an anticipated status of the parameters corresponding to actions expected in response to a command message, a successful test of the switch functions associated with the command message results. An unmatched condition corresponds to a test failure requiring user analysis.