Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for forecasting a capacity available for processing a workload in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, aspects of the present invention provide service availability for cloud subscribers by forecasting the capacity available for running or scheduled applications in a networked computing environment. In one embodiment, capacity data may be collected and analyzed in real-time from a set of cloud service providers and/or peer cloud-based systems. In order to further increase forecast accuracy, historical data and forecast output may be post-processed. Data may be post-processed in a substantially continuous manner so as to assess the accuracy of previous forecasts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for optimizing workload placement in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, a workload placement technique is applied to determine an optimal platform for handling an identified workload. The workload placement technique comprises one or more of the following: a shadow placement technique; a simultaneous placement technique; and/or a single platform placement technique. Once an optimal platform is identified, a workload timing method may be applied to determine when the workload should be placed thereon. The workload timing method can comprise one or more of the following: a time-based method whereby the workload is placed on the optimal platform at a predetermined time or time interval; and/or an event-based method whereby the workload is placed on the optimal platform based on an occurrence of one or more events external to the workload itself.

Abstract: A system and method of streaming data in real time and, more particularly, a system and method of real time streaming of data over a grid network or other distributed infrastructure. The method and system includes updating a content directory of a root server with end resource information. The method and system further includes processing the end resource information to determine connection locations for streaming data to at least one requesting end resource in a network.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to virtual environments, and more particularly to systems and methods for communicating in virtual environments. A method of providing communication in a virtual universe (VU) includes instantiating and assigning an information channel to a first client of the VU, associating at least one additional client of the VU to the information channel, and conveying data placed on the information channel to the first client and the at least one additional client.

Abstract: A computer identifies an available task assignment, which is location independent for completion, and determines if an assignee is available to perform work on the task assignment. The assignee's availability is based in part on information received from a mobile device of the assignee. When a change in availability is determined by the mobile device, the mobile device sends the assignee's availability information to the computer, indicating the change. If the computer determines that the assignee is available, then the computer sends the task assignment information to the mobile device of the assignee. If the computer determines the assignee is not available, then the computer sends the task assignment information to a delegate of the assignee. The computer monitors the completion of a task assignment. If the computer determines that a task assignment has not, or can not, be timely completed, then the task assignment is reassigned to a delegate.

Abstract: Approaches that manage energy in a data center are provided. In one embodiment, there is an energy management tool, including an analysis component configured to determine a current energy profile of each of a plurality of systems within the data center, the current energy profile comprising an overall rating expressed as an integer value, the overall rating calculated based on a current workload usage and environmental conditions surrounding each of the plurality of systems; and a priority component configured to prioritize a routing of a workload to a set of systems from the plurality of systems within the data center having the least amount of energy present based on a comparison of the overall ratings for each of the plurality of systems within the data center.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computer system for updating progression of performing computer system management. A computer system receives a log-on of a change implementer onto a managed computer system and searches a change request on a managing computer system. In response to that the change request is found, the computer system receives from the change implementer a command with a current date and time and matches the command to one or more tasks within the change request. In response to determining that the command matches the one or more tasks, the computer system updates start dates and times of the one or more tasks. And, in response to that the one or more tasks are completed, the computer system updates stop dates and times of the one or more tasks.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for managing and controlling access of an administrator to a managed computer system. At least one computer program on an access system of the managed computer system receives from the administrator a request for access to the managed computer system and requests a managing computer system to search open tickets for service management. In response to that the open tickets are not found, the at least one computer program redirects the administrator to log onto the managing computer system to obtain a new open ticket for the access. In response to that the open tickets are found, the at least one computer program requests the administrator to choose at least one ticket from the open tickets and grants the administrator the access to the managed computer system in response to determining that the at least one ticket is valid.

Abstract: Aspects of this invention provide gradient means for reconciling user service class prioritization. Under this approach, higher priority service classes may be maintained and used to compute routes for reaching desired destinations. However, when such treatment poses a cumulative disadvantage (e.g., an adverse impact that exceeds a predetermined “impact” threshold”) to too many users/vehicles, the routing algorithms may be adjusted to minimize overall inconvenience. As such, aspects of this invention provide a means of ensuring that various service classes of system users will not be affected negatively beyond predefined thresholds. Such reconciliation leads to a more flexible system, with higher user satisfaction permissible within the transit system.

Abstract: Upon a request for a teleportation operation, a user of a virtual universe is provided with an interface for specification of image resolution parameters for initial rendering of a teleportation destination and the user's avatar which are degraded from a full resolution rendering of the teleportation destination and avatar. Degradation of resolution can be in regard to any of a plurality of image qualities such as spatial resolution, temporal resolution colors or color depth, light modeling and rendering style or the like or combinations thereof. Alternatively, a degraded copy of the teleportation destination can be provided as an alternative initial teleportation destination image. Since a rendering of a degraded image can be done with reduced response time, the user is thus provided with full control over a trade-off between image quality and response time and teleportation operations are thus encouraged.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention collect data or information from a dynamic and adaptive target group selection. Sets of experts are selected. Responses to a survey are used to expand the set of experts by adding experts noted in answer referrals. The survey is updated by removing satisfied questions, and expert selections, answers analysis and survey updating and resending steps are iteratively repeated until each question is satisfied, wherein the expert sets may be dynamically revised in each iteration.

Abstract: An approach for protecting (e.g., insuring) against data loss (e.g., due to SLA failures) in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment) is provided. In a typical embodiment, a risk table is created that associates cloud/solution providers with a corresponding risk factor and a cost of insuring the providers based on the risk factors. The risk factors are typically calculated using historical data that is based on (among other things), each provider's historical capability of honoring SLA terms, expected performance levels, etc. In any event, each provider may be associated with a cost of insuring that provider against failing to perform/process one or more future jobs/workloads. This allows a consumer who needs a workload to be processed to: view the risk table, select a provider, and/or insure against any failure to properly and/or timely process the workload.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for managing and controlling direct access of an administrator to a computer system. At least one computer program on the computer system receives from the administrator a request for the direct access to the managed computer system directly from the system console and requests a service management system to search open tickets. In response to that the open tickets are found, the at least one computer program requests the administrator to choose at least one ticket from the open tickets and grants the administrator the direct access to the computer system in response to determining that the at least one ticket is valid.

Abstract: A system and method of streaming data in real time and, more particularly, a system and method of real time streaming of data over a grid network or other distributed infrastructure. The method and system includes updating a content directory of a root server with end resource information. The method and system further includes processing the end resource information to determine connection locations for streaming data to at least one requesting end resource in a network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for forecasting a capacity available for processing a workload in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, aspects of the present invention provide service availability for cloud subscribers by forecasting the capacity available for running or scheduled applications in a networked computing environment. In one embodiment, capacity data may be collected and analyzed in real-time from a set of cloud service providers and/or peer cloud-based systems. In order to further increase forecast accuracy, historical data and forecast output may be post-processed. Data may be post-processed in a substantially continuous manner so as to assess the accuracy of previous forecasts.

Abstract: An approach that manages energy in a data center is provided. In one embodiment, there is an energy management tool, including an analysis component configured to determine an energy profile of each of a plurality of systems within the data center. The energy management tool further comprises a priority component configured to prioritize a routing of a workload to a set of systems from the plurality of systems within the data center having the least amount of energy present based on the energy profile of each of the plurality of systems within the data center.

Abstract: In a method for processing a telephone call, a telephone call originating from a first telephone number and being placed to a second telephone number is intercepted, the second telephone number being previously associated with a telephone service account of a first customer and currently associated with a telephone service account of a second customer. A determination that the first customer is more likely the intended recipient of the telephone call than the second customer is made. Making the determination includes determining that the first telephone number is included at a point in time in a call history of the second telephone number when the second phone number was associated with the telephone service account of the first customer. An action relating to the call is performed in response to the determination that the first customer is more likely the intended recipient of the telephone call than the second customer.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach for prioritizing a set of data packets associated with an application running in a networked computing environment. An SLA associated with a particular application and at least one other SLA associated with at least one other application are accessed. A proposed modification to a priority of a set of data packets associated with the particular application is then determined based on a comparison of a current performance of the set of data packets versus a specified performance of the set of data packets as set forth in the SLA. An effect of the proposed modification on a capability of the particular application to meet a set of terms of the SLA, and of the at least one other application to meet terms of the at least one other SLA will be evaluated. It will then be determined whether to implement the proposed modification.

Abstract: The present invention re-renders data center visualizations at different levels of abstraction based on roles or activities of an avatar. Morphing of data center objects is accomplished by either combining or decomposing existing data center objects in a manner that will result in a new object that maintains its relationship to the original objects. An example of this would be when creating an application object by combining an existing infrastructure objects (e.g., a server, a network and storage) used to support the application object runtime environment. This allows for the avatar to not only relate the application object to the supporting infrastructure objects, but also provides a view of how the application object is impacted whenever the supporting infrastructure objects change or break.