Abstract: A method, system, and program for managing network errors communicated in a message transaction with error information using a troubleshooting agent. A network facilitates message transactions between a requester and a responder for facilitating web services. When a non-application specific error occurs in relation to a particular message transaction, such as a network error, a protocol layer assigns an error code and either the requester or responder encodes the error code in the body of an envelope added to the particular message transaction. In particular, the message transaction is an XML message with a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) envelope encoded with the error code to which the XML message is then attached. The error encoded message transaction is forwarded to a troubleshooting agent.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for automatically distributing a bid request for a grid job to multiple grid providers and analyzing responses to select a winning grid provider are provided. A user at a grid client enters at least one bid criteria for a particular grid job intended for submission to an external grid environment. The grid client automatically selects at least one grid provider for the external grid environment to query for availability to process the particular grid job to meet the criteria for the particular grid job. Then, the grid client automatically distributes the criteria in a bid request for the particular grid job to the selected grid providers. The grid client stores bid responses received from the grid providers, and responsive to reaching a deadline for return of responses for the bid request, the grid client selects a winning bid response from the particular grid job from among the received responses.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for automating responses by grid providers to bid request indicating criteria for a grid job are provided. A bid controller grid service of a grid provider receives a job request from a client for processing a job within a grid environment of the grid provider, wherein the job request specifies at a least one criteria required for the grid provider to handle a particular grid job. The grid service determines whether the grid environment includes the hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth required by the job request. If the grid service determines that the grid environment includes a sufficient hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth, then a total required workload for the job request is calculated.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for coordinating the monitoring, management, and prediction of unintended changes within a grid environment are provided. A grid change controller within a particular grid environment detects an unintended change within that grid environment. In particular, grid change controller monitors potential change indicators received from multiple disparate resource managers across the grid environment, where each resource manage manages a selection of resources within the grid environment. The grid change controller then determines a necessary response to the unintended change within the grid environment and communicates with at least one independent manager within the grid environment to resolve the unintended change, such that the grid change controller facilitates recovery from the unintended change within the grid environment to maintain performance requirements within the grid environment.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for facilitating overall grid environment management by monitoring grid activity across disparate grid resources and distributing grid activity to decisional grid modules are provided. A grid workload controller within a computational grid environment monitors real-time grid activity at an application level from multiple disparate grid application environments. The grid workload controller then determines a selection of grid modules within the computational grid environment that require the real-time grid activity to make decisions about the management of the computational grid environment. The grid workload controller distributes the real-time grid activity to the selection of grid modules, wherein the selection of grid modules then make automated decisions within the grid environment to maintain performance requirements.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for automated management of software images for efficient resource node building within a grid environment are provided. A grid service detects a current software environment for a grid job within a grid environment, wherein the grid environment includes multiple grid resources. The grid service searches a catalog of multiple software images to determine whether an image for the current software environment matches any software images in the catalog. In particular, each of the software images includes an index into at least one installation image. Further, storage of the software images is structured in the catalog for automated efficient access to each software image by multiple resource nodes within the grid environment. If the grid service does not locate a software image for the current software environment in the catalog, the grid service captures at least one installation image for the current software environment for storage in the catalog as an additional software image.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for verifying resource functionality before use by a grid job submitted to a grid environment are provided. When a new resource is allocated to a particular execution environment within a grid environment managed by a grid management system, then a grid verification service automatically selects and runs at least one functionality test on the new resource as controlled by the grid management system. Responsive to a result of the functionality test, the grid verification system verifies whether the result meets an expected result before enabling routing of the grid job to the new resource, such that the functionality of the new resource is automatically verified before access to the new resource is allowed to maintain quality of service in processing grid jobs.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and program for receiving bid requests and pricing bid responses for potential grid job submissions within a grid environment are provided. The grid environment includes multiple grid resource nodes available for executing a grid job at a price. Clients submit bid requests for potential grid job submissions to a bid request portal of the grid environment. A workload factor is calculated for each bid request that indicates the estimated resource usage at a resource work unit level for the potential grid job. Next, a cost calculator calculates a price for the potential grid job submission based on the predicted workload factor and a cost per granular work unit, such that the price is available for an automated response to the bid request. The cost per resource work unit may be calculated based on the current and predicted workload on the resources available in the grid environment. Pricing may also be adjusted by available discounting or contractual pricing restraints.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which replies to originating electronic messages such as email are grouped together in a manner such that the replies may be selectively accessed and presented together with a reference to the originating message for viewing by the sender of the original message. In one embodiment, selected relevant portions of reply messages are extracted or copied from the reply messages and presented as a connected series of individual replies on a display screen which references the originating message. In another embodiment, icons or hypertext references are created and embedded in or otherwise associated with an originating message to enable a user to quickly access replies to an originating message by selecting one or more of the embedded icons or hypertext from the originating message.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for determining a capacity of a grid environment to handle a required workload for a virtual grid job request are provided. A bid controller receives a virtual job request for processing a job within a grid environment from a client system. The bid controller determines the total required workload for the virtual job request. Then, the bid controller calculates a capacity of the grid environment to handle the total required workload, such that a bid for performing the job is enabled to be automatically generated responsive to the virtual job request based on the capacity of the grid environment to handle the total required workload.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for dynamic grid job distribution from any resource within a grid environment. Multiple resources enabled to handle grid jobs are connected via at least one network within a grid environment. Each of the multiple resources is enabled to distribute an availability and ability to handle grid jobs within the grid environment. Each of the multiple resources is also enabled to access the availability and ability to handle grid jobs of all of the other resources within the grid environment. The distribution of and access to current information may be organized as a hierarchical resource directory system or as a peer-to-peer resource distribution system. Further, resources within the grid environment are also enabled to receive a grid job and a job object, as a receiving resource. The job object received at a receiving resource describes at least one requirement for the grid job submitted to the receiving resource.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for email attachment management. An email is received. The email is scanned to detect an attachment. If the email contains an attachment, the attachment is detached from the email. The detached attachment is stored in a storage location on a storage medium. The email is modified to include a link, the link at least identifying the storage location and the modified email is stored.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which broadcast signals are received and converted into data streams for processing. A user is enabled to select preferred broadcast stations for monitoring and signals from the selected stations are converted into digital data streams which are input to first-in first-out (FIFO) memory units to enable a local storage of a segment of predetermined duration of broadcast signals on different FIFO tracks in a user receiving device. The FIFO is dynamically allocated for the selected stations and as each FIFO memory for each selected station becomes full, old information or content is moved out of memory as new information or content is applied to the FIFO. The receiving device includes means for enabling a user to move forward or backward within the stored segment. Partitions or markers are provided to separate broadcast content items, such as sequentially played songs within the stored segment, to enable incremental movement to selected positions within the stored segment.

Abstract: A system, method, and service associated with a computing grid or a virtual organization include a request for proposal (RFP) generator, where the RFP describes a data processing task. The RFP is provided to multiple resource providers via the computing grid where each of the resource providers is potentially suitable for performing the data processing task on behalf of the resource consumer. An RFP response processor receives and evaluates RFP responses generated by one or more of the resource providers. An exception processor accessible to the RFP response processor evaluates any exception in the RFP to determine if the exception disqualifies the RFP response. The exceptions may include, for example, job time limit exceptions, resource requirement exceptions, hardware/software platform requirement exceptions and others. Exception rules may be defined to guide the evaluation of the exception.

Abstract: A system and method for path saturation in a storage area network so that the throughput of the storage area network may be determined. The system and method includes a software utility suite that uses either a system administration scripting language, e.g., Perl or Korn shell, or by compiled or machine language software. The software utility suite includes a set of software tools to be installed on one or more computer systems sharing access to a data storage system, such as a storage area network (SAN). The software tools running on these separate computer systems communicate and collaborate in a peer-to-peer fashion in order to coordinate loading, testing and measurement of storage throughput on the shared data storage system. The software tools further coordinate the collection, storage and presentation of results data obtained through such loading, testing and measurement of the storage throughput of the shared data storage system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for blocking specific television commercials from the viewer's television based upon the characteristics of the television commercial and replacing the commercial with television content located by a content interrogation program. The content interrogation program seeks out television content based upon a user search term specifically for use as contingent programming to replace the blocked commercial. The content interrogation program can have multiple search terms and provide prioritized multiple searches to identify multiple segments to play in spaces created by blocked commercials.

Abstract: Computing environments within a grid computing system are dynamically built in response to specific job resource requirements from a grid resource allocator, including activating needed hardware, provisioning operating systems, application programs, and software drivers. Optimally, prior to building a computing environment for a particular job, cost/revenue analysis is performed, and if operational objectives would not be met by building the environment and executing the job, a job sell-off process is initiated.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a computer program are provided for securing transmitted text. Once text has been produced by an application, the potential exists for an unintended third party to obtain sensitive data transmitted over computer networks. However, a parsing function can then operate either on an individual computer or on a network to scan text at an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Layer 1 to assist in the prevention of sensitive data transmission. By utilizing the parsing function, text can be scanned for potentially sensitive data by using a variety of techniques, such as a learning algorithm. The sensitive data can then be verified by a user, bypassed, or autostripped.

Abstract: The present invention is method for scheduling jobs in a grid computing environment without having to monitor the state of the resource on the gird comprising a Global Scheduling Program (GSP) and a Local Scheduling Program (LSP). The GSP receives jobs submitted to the grid and distributes the job to the closest resource. The resource then runs the LSP to determine if the resource can execute the job under the conditions specified in the job. The LSP either rejects or accepts the job based on the current state of the resource properties and informs the GSP of the acceptance or rejection. If the job is rejected, the GSP randomly selects another resource to send the job to using a resource table. The resource table contains the state-independent properties of every resource on the grid.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing patrons waiting in a service provider's queue with information as to their status in the queue are provided. While a patron is in the queue, at time intervals specified which may be user selectable, an estimate of the time remaining is calculated based on the patron's current position in the queue. The estimated time and/or other queue order information may be transmitted to the patron using the patron's own device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone, etc. When the patron reaches the head of the queue, a notification may be similarly transmitted. Additionally, the party may be provided with the option to sacrifice its position in the queue for a later position.