Abstract: A fabric computer method and system for recovering fabric computer node function. The fabric computer method includes monitoring a processing environment operating on a first Processor and Memory node within the fabric computer complex, detecting a failure of the first Processor and Memory node, and transferring the processing environment from the first Processor and Memory node to a second Processor and Memory node within the fabric computer complex in response to the detection of a failure of the first Processor and Memory node. The fabric computer system includes a first Processor and Memory node, a second Processor and Memory node coupled to the first Processor and Memory node, at least one input/output (I/O) and Networking node coupled to the first and second Processor and Memory nodes, and a fabric manager coupled to the first and second Processor and Memory nodes and the at least one I/O and Networking node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a session-based circuit or connection between a first computing device, such as a server device, and a second computing device, such as a client device, is an active session that should remain open or an orphan session that is terminated. The method includes marking the value of a TCP/IP ACK counter, sending a NetBios KeepAlive packet from the first computing device to the second computing device. If, after a first duration of time, the value of the TCP/IP ACK counter has not changed, the connection is treated as an orphan session and terminated. If, during the first duration of time, the value of the TCP/IP ACK counter has changed due to the receipt of a TCP/IP ACK response by the first computing device from the second computing device, the connection is treated as an active session and remains open.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for restarting an emulated mainframe IOP, such as a failed or hung emulated mainframe IOP within an emulated mainframe commodity computer. The method includes a rescue process that polls a home location for Restart Request information. In response to receiving Restart Request information, the rescue process is configured to shut down the existing emulated mainframe IOP, start a new emulated mainframe IOP, and reset the home location. The Restart Request information can be provided to the home location by the mainframe computer being emulated. Alternatively, the rescue mechanism can use an interface management card instructed to restart the commodity computer hosting the failed or hung IOP, e.g., from a maintenance service and/or a maintenance program residing in an active commodity computer coupled to the commodity computers hosting one of several emulated mainframe IOPs.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for transmitting multiple I/O requests from an input/output processor (IOP) to an I/O device. The IOP is configured with multiple I/O threads, each having a corresponding active I/O, that allow a queuing thread to coordinate the transfer of multiple I/O requests at a time from the output of the device queue to the active I/Os and their I/O threads. The queuing thread and a promotion algorithm are configured to consider the promotion of one or more I/O requests ahead of other I/O requests in the device queue, based on a set of promotion requirements. After processing by the I/O threads, multiple I/O requests are transferred at a time from the multiple active I/Os to the I/O device. Promotion of I/O requests based on the promotion requirements improves processing efficiency by making better use of the multiple I/O thread processing resources.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for restarting an emulated mainframe IOP, such as a failed or hung emulated mainframe IOP within an emulated mainframe commodity computer. The method includes a rescue process that polls a home location for Restart Request information. In response to receiving Restart Request information, the rescue process is configured to shut down the existing emulated mainframe IOP, start a new emulated mainframe IOP, and reset the home location. The Restart Request information can be provided to the home location by the mainframe computer being emulated. Alternatively, the rescue mechanism can use an interface management card instructed to restart the commodity computer hosting the failed or hung IOP, e.g., from a maintenance service and/or a maintenance program residing in an active commodity computer coupled to the commodity computers hosting one of several emulated mainframe IOPs.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for exchanging data between a central processing unit (CPU) and an input/output processor (IOP). The CPU and IOP may both be senders or receivers depending on whether data is flowing to or from the CPU. Where data is flowing to the CPU, the CPU is the receiver and the IOP is the sender. Where data is flowing from the CPU, the CPU is the sender and the IOP is the receiver. A sender evaluates the amount of empty buffers and, in a preferred embodiment, whether there is more data coming to determine whether to release partially full buffers in its buffer pool. Partially full buffers may be released based on any threshold as desired from a simple integer to a complex algorithm. The evaluation of whether to release partially full buffers is preferably implemented where a sender obtains at least one data packet for sending to a receiver and where a sender obtains an empty buffer from a receiver.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating information regarding input/output (IO) processing in a shared access to memory environment is disclosed. A central processing unit (CPU) and an input/output processor (IOP) are configured to write to and read from predetermined memory locations to manage the detection, performance, and completion of IOs. The CPU and the IOP may read from and write to memory as desired.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for exchanging data between a central processing unit (CPU) and an input/output processor (IOP). The CPU and IOP may both be senders or receivers depending on whether data is flowing to or from the CPU. Where data is flowing to the CPU, the CPU is the receiver and the IOP is the sender. Where data is flowing from the CPU, the CPU is the sender and the IOP is the receiver. A sender evaluates the amount of empty buffers and, in a preferred embodiment, whether there is more data coming to determine whether to release partially full buffers in its buffer pool. Partially full buffers may be released based on any threshold as desired from a simple integer to a complex algorithm. The evaluation of whether to release partially full buffers is preferably implemented where a sender obtains at least one data packet for sending to a receiver and where a sender obtains an empty buffer from a receiver.

Abstract: A file accessing scheme allows logical files to be processed outside of the native operating system and its logical I/O subsystem. When an application program wants to process a file outside of the native operating system, a file information block is built with a special type of file designated as “virtual.” A pointer is provided within the file information block to a handler. The handler is a library that is external to the native operating system. The library processes the file without using the native operating system. Upon completion of the processing, the handler returns the operation results to the file information block and control is transferred back to the application program.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a plurality of processing modules that can be configured into different partitions within the computer system, and a main memory. Each partition operates under the control of a separate operating system. At least one shared memory window is defined within the main memory to which multiple partitions have shared access, and each partition may also be assigned an exclusive memory window. Program code executing on different partitions enables those partitions to communicate with each other through the shared memory window. Means are also provided for mapping the physical address space of the processors in each partition to the respective exclusive memory windows assigned to each partition, so that the exclusive memory windows assigned to each partition appear to the respective operating systems executing on those partitions as if they all start at the same base address.

Abstract: A plurality of buffers is provided which are shared in that each are capable of having data written to or from them by one or more user computer programs. Each of those buffers is dedicated to reading data from or writing data to a unique particular area in a storage device such as physical disk media. A first set of registers is provided for monitoring the status of each of a number of data transfers between any one of the user programs and a particular such storage location. A second set of registers is provided for monitoring the status of reads from a storage location, or writes to a storage location, via a particular one of the buffers. This system thereby keeps each user program informed of any read or write commands it has issued, while permitting a number of reads or writes between different user programs, and a single storage area served by a single shared buffer, to be accomplished in one input/output operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for writing data to files from a computer system to a Write Once Read Many (WORM) Disc medium which results in a creation of an ISO 9660 standard disc is disclosed. The method and apparatus each efficiently manages writes to WORM medium in the creation of a file structure that conforms to ISO standard 9660 which governs management of CD-ROM disc files. The method and apparatus are efficient both in terms of the time required to perform such writes and in the amount of medium consumed as overhead. In addition, the invention provides a method and apparatus for writing to WORM disc in which there is a high degree of confidence that the information written is indelible.