Abstract: A method and system of scheduling demands on a system having a plurality of resources are provided. The method includes the steps of, on receipt of a new demand for resources: determining the total resources required to complete said demand and a deadline for the completion of that demand; determining a plurality of alternative resource allocations which will allow completion of the demand before the deadline; for each of said alternative resource allocations, determining whether, based on allocations of resources to existing demands, said alternative resource allocation will result in a utilization of resources which is closer to an optimum utilization of said resources; and selecting, based on said determination, one of said alternative resource allocations to complete said demand so as to optimise utilisation of resources of the system.

Abstract: A group of computer processing devices are arranged to co-operate to host services for use by each other. Each device stores information relating to the devices known to have such services installed (38). When one of the devices requires a service that it does not already have installed, it transmits a request (32, 35) for the required service. If a neighbouring device is able to provide the service, it responds accordingly (33, 34, 36, 37) and supplies the requested service (391). If a device is unable to identify sufficient suitable neighbouring host devices it may install the service itself (392) when an opportunity to do so is identified.

Abstract: Access to a communications resource is controlled by limiting the maximum capacity made available to each of a plurality of users, by ranking the users according to their usage of the resource over a previous period, and restricting the availability of resource to each user by a restriction factor allocated to each user according to that user's ranking such that the greatest availability is allocated to the historically lightest users, thereby discouraging continuous heavy use of the resource whilst having little effect on the moderate user. The maximum capacity made available to each user bears an inverse relationship to the usage of the resource made by that user over a previous period, relative to the usage made by the other users.

Abstract: Wireless devices in (10, 20, 30 etc) in an ad hoc network each select a channel on which to operate such that conflicts with neighbouring devices are avoided. Each device (20) has a normal power output, giving it a normal range (31) and an enhanced power output, giving it an extended “inhibition” range (33). Initially each device (20) transmits at the enhanced power level, such that it can be detected by devices (40, 50) within the extended range (33). If it detects other devices transmitting on the same channel, it may change to another channel. Once a channel has been identified on which no conflict is detected, the device (20) switches to the normal power level. By initiating the channel selection process at the enhanced level, conflicts between the transmissions of devices (20, 40), which would be detectable at a device (30) within the normal range of both, can be avoided despite the two devices (20, 40) not be able to detect each other directly at the normal power level.

Abstract: Many types of vehicle disturb the environment behind them as they proceed. As a result, a delay between two successive vehicles has to be maintained to avoid a situation where following vehicles are adversely affected by the disturbed environment caused by leading vehicles. Previously, sequencing has been carried out on a “first come, first served” basis but this is not satisfactory.

Abstract: A network, and a method and apparatus for network management are disclosed in which nodes in the network are arranged specified number of connections with other nodes by initiating links across the network tree structure to nodes on the same level in the hierarchical tree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which incorporate a system for enabling the adaptive modification of the security level of a node in a network. The system is particularly applicable to dynamic network i.e. networks in which nodes may be mobile and in which the network topology is not constant. The node receives beacon signals from other nodes in the network, said signals providing an indication of the alert level of the other nodes and an indication of whether the other nodes are trusted members of the network. The alert level of the node is determined based on the received signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which incorporate a system for enabling the adaptive modification of the security level of a node in a network based on software use of nodes in the network. The system is particularly applicable to dynamic network i.e. networks in which nodes may be mobile and in which the network topology is not constant.