Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request for a distributed service, the distributed service offered by a service provider via a data communications network having service delivery locations reachable via a prescribed physical topology; identifying the service delivery locations within a prescribed logical topology overlying the prescribed physical topology, the prescribed logical topology segregating the distributed service from other network traffic on the prescribed physical topology; and identifying one or more of the service delivery locations optimized for providing the distributed service to at least one service consumption location in the prescribed logical topology according to a prescribed service level agreement with the service provider.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request for a distributed service, the distributed service offered by a service provider via a data communications network having service delivery locations reachable via a prescribed physical topology; identifying the service delivery locations within a prescribed logical topology overlying the prescribed physical topology, the prescribed logical topology segregating the distributed service from other network traffic on the prescribed physical topology; and identifying one or moreof the service delivery locations optimized for providing the distributed service to at least one service consumption location in the prescribed logical topology according to a prescribed service level agreement with the service provider.

Abstract: A method of producing a range of stranded aluminum cables of different gauge from aluminum wires all of the same cross-sectional area. The method involves assembling and stranding a first set of the wires to form a first cable and subsequently assembling and stranding other sets of the wires to form additional cables. Prior to the assembling of at least one set of the wires for the formation of at least one of the cables, the wires are reduced in cross-sectional area in at least two rolling steps, each rolling step causing a reduction in cross-sectional area less than an amount at which brittleness of the wires commences, preferably less than 40% reduction, preferably no more than 30% and ideally less than 25%. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A process of producing an overhead transmission conductor. The process comprises: (a) continuously hot rolling a bar of AA 1350 aluminum or a similar aluminum alloy to form a rod; (b) hot-coiling the rod at a temperature preferably in a range of about 300 to 400° C. to provide an aluminum electrical conductor rod having an electrical conductivity in a range of 61.8 to 64.0% IACS and a tensile strength in a range of 8,500 to 14,000 psi; (c) without subjecting the rod to an annealing treatment, drawing the rod into wire: and (d) stranding the wire into cable to form the overhead transmission conductor. The invention also relates to an ACSS conductor produced by the process.