Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Nick

Jeffrey M. Nick has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7051188
    Abstract: Allocation of shareable resources of a computing environment are dynamically adjusted to balance the workload of that environment. Workload is managed across two or more partitions of a plurality of partitions of the computing environment. The managing includes dynamically adjusting allocation of a shareable resource of at least one partition of the two or more partitions in order to balance workload goals of the two or more partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Kubala, Jeffrey M. Nick, Peter B. Yocom
  • Patent number: 7035852
    Abstract: Provided are a method, computer program product and system for providing indexed queue support for efficient retrieval of messages from a queue. An index key for expediting message retrieval is assigned to a message when the operation of placing the message on a queue is committed. The index key assigned at commit time comprises an attribute (such as a message ID or correlation ID) specified by the sending application program, which placed the message on the queue. This deferred assignment of an index key until commit time means that the index key can be used to search for messages having the particular attribute without any possibility of identifying messages for retrieval before the messages have been committed. This maintains transactional requirements of a transaction-oriented messaging system which requires a message to only be made available for retrieval by receiver application programs after the sender application's put operation has committed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Hopewell, Paul Kettley, Jeffrey M. Nick, Peter Siddall, James H. Warnes
  • Patent number: 7013305
    Abstract: A coupling facility is coupled to one or more other coupling facilities via one or more peer links. The coupling of the facilities enables various functions to be supported, including the duplexing of structures of the coupling facilities. Duplexing is performed on a structure basis, and thus, a coupling facility may include duplexed structures, as well as non-duplexed or simplexed structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Elko, Steven N. Goss, Michael J. Jordan, Georgette L. Kurdt, Jeffrey M. Nick, Kelly B. Pushong, David H. Surman
  • Patent number: 7007276
    Abstract: Groups of partitions of a computing environment are managed. At least one group of the computing environment includes a plurality of partitions of the computing environment. Shareable resources are assigned to the partitions of the group and are managed as a group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Kubala, Jeffrey M. Nick, Peter B. Yocom
  • Patent number: 7003693
    Abstract: System-managed duplexing of coupling facility structures. A plurality of instances of coupling facility structures are maintained in a plurality of coupling facilities. Duplexing processing associated with the plurality of instances is managed by one or more operating systems, making many of the steps associated with duplexing transparent to the exploiters of the coupling facility structures. System-managed duplexing provides high availability for coupling facility structure data via a robust recovery mechanism (i.e., duplexing failover).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruth A. Allen, Mark A. Brooks, Michael J. Jordan, Georgette L. Kurdt, William C. Neiman, Jeffrey M. Nick, Kelly B. Pushong, David H. Surman
  • Patent number: 6985951
    Abstract: A partitioned processing system capable of supporting diverse operating system partitions is disclosed wherein throughput information is passed from a partition to a partition resource manager. The throughput information is used to create resource balancing directives for the partitioned resource. The processing system includes at least a first partition and a second partition. A partition resource manager is provided for receiving information about throughput from the second partition and determining resource balancing directives. A communicator communicates the resource balancing directives from the partition manager to a kernel in the second partition which allocates resources to the second partition according to the resource balancing directives received from the partition manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Kubala, Jeffrey M. Nick, Joseph L. Temple, III, Peter B. Yocom
  • Patent number: 6986137
    Abstract: The configuration of the logical processors of a logical partition is managed dynamically. A logical partition is initially configured with one or more logical processors. Thereafter, the configuration can be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic adjustment may be in response to workload of the logical partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. King, Jeffrey P. Kubala, Jeffrey M. Nick, Peter B. Yocom
  • Patent number: 6963882
    Abstract: Various enhancements are made to the architecture of a list processor to facilitate its use in implementing a message queue that is shared by queue managers residing across a multisystem complex. A new list structure control—a program list entry identifier indicator, or PLEIDI—is defined to allow the user to specify whether user-defined entry IDs are used when the list is allocated. A new delete list (DL) command is added that sequentially processes list entries in the order in which they exist on the specified list. A new move list entries (MLES) command provides a performance-optimized means to process an input list of entries. New key comparison functions and list monitoring enhancements have also been added. A new type of key called a secondary list entry key (SLEK) allows the user to specify a secondary key value as a means to identify a list entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Elko, Richard Dievendorff, Dermot J. Flaherty, Jeffrey M. Nick, David H. Surman, James H. Warnes, Douglas W. Westcott
  • Patent number: 6963994
    Abstract: System-managed duplexing of coupling facility structures. A plurality of instances of coupling facility structures are maintained in a plurality of coupling facilities. Duplexing processing associated with the plurality of instances is managed by one or more operating systems, making many of the steps associated with duplexing transparent to the exploiters of the coupling facility structures. System-managed duplexing provides high availability for coupling facility structure data via a robust recovery mechanism (i.e., duplexing failover).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruth A. Allen, Michael J. Jordan, Georgette L. Kurdt, Jeffrey M. Nick, David H. Surman
  • Patent number: 6954817
    Abstract: A coupling facility is coupled to one or more other coupling facilities via one or more peer links. The coupling of the facilities enables various functions to be supported, including the duplexing of structures of the coupling facilities. Duplexing is performed on a structure basis, and thus, a coupling facility may include duplexed structures, as well as non-duplexed or simplexed structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Brooks, David A. Elko, Steven N. Goss, Michael J. Jordan, Georgette L. Kurdt, Jeffrey M. Nick, Chitta L. Rao, David H. Surman, Steven B. Jones
  • Patent number: 6944787
    Abstract: System-managed duplexing of coupling facility structures. A plurality of instances of coupling facility structures are maintained in a plurality of coupling facilities. Duplexing processing associated with the plurality of instances is managed by one or more operating systems, making many of the steps associated with duplexing transparent to the exploiters of the coupling facility structures. System-managed duplexing provides high availability for coupling facility structure data via a robust recovery mechanism (i.e., duplexing failover).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruth A. Allen, Mark A. Brooks, David A. Elko, Michael J. Jordan, Georgette L. Kurdt, Catherine M. Moxey, William C. Neiman, Jeffrey M. Nick, Kelly B. Pushong, David H. Surman
  • Patent number: 6862595
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a shared message queue using a list structure. A put list is defined comprising a sequence of list entries, each of which corresponds to a message in the queue and has an associated list entry key. Each list entry key corresponding to an uncommitted message falls within an uncommitted key range defining an uncommitted portion of the put list, while each list entry key corresponding to a committed message falls within a committed key range defining a committed portion of the put list. To write a message to the queue, a list entry is added to the put list having a list entry key within the uncommitted key range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Elko, Richard Dievendorff, Dermot J. Flaherty, Jeffrey M. Nick, David H. Surman, James H. Warnes, Douglas W. Westcott
  • Patent number: 6859866
    Abstract: A coupling facility is coupled to one or more other coupling facilities via one or more peer links. The coupling of the facilities enables various functions to be supported, including the duplexing of structures of the coupling facilities. Duplexing is performed on a structure basis, and thus, a coupling facility may include duplexed structures, as well as non-duplexed or simplexed structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis J. Dahlen, Steven N. Goss, Steven B. Jones, Michael J. Jordan, Georgette L. Kurdt, Jeffrey M. Nick, Kelly B. Pushong, David H. Surman, Douglas W. Westcott
  • Patent number: 6854021
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sending data from one partition to a second partition within a logically partitioned computer. In a data processing system having multiple logical partitions, a send queue is established in the first logical partition, and a receive queue is established in the second logical partition. The send queue is registered in the send queue in a lookup table available to all of the logical partitions. The send queue is registered using as a key the logical partition identification of the first logical partition and the subchannel number (LPAR-ID.SUBCHANNEL#) of the subchannel assigned to the partition. The receive queue is registered in the lookup table using as a key, the internet protocol address of the receive queue in the second partition. A send instruction from the first logical partition is executed which interrogates the lookup table using the LPAR-ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Schmidt, John A. Aiken, Jr., Frank W. Brice, Jr., Janet R. Easton, Wolfgang Eckert, Marcus Eder, Steven G. Glassen, Jeffrey P. Kubala, Jeffrey M. Nick, Jerry W. Stevens, Ambrose A. Verdibello, Jr., Harry M. Yudenfriend, Heinrich K. Lindner
  • Patent number: 6775789
    Abstract: Timing facilities are used to provide sequence values that are unique across operating system images. A sequence value includes various components, including timing information and selected information. The selected information is used to provide a sequence value that is unique across a plurality of operating system images. Additionally, the sequence value can include, for instance, a processor identifier component and a placeholder component. The placeholder component ensures that the sequence value is an increasing value, even when the physical clock used to provide the timing information wraps back to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Arlen Elko, Jeffrey M. Nick, Ronald M. Smith, Sr., Charles F. Webb
  • Patent number: 6721775
    Abstract: Resource contention monitoring and analysis are provided for a single system or multi-system environment. Resource contention is tracked at a task level when contention occurs by listing each owner of a resource in a blocker list and each waiter for the resource in a waiter list. Each list is ordered oldest to newest so each instance of contention is added to the end of the respective list. The resource request and contention lists are cross-linked to provide easy coordination between the resource queues and the contention lists. Techniques for analyzing contention using the lists, including deadlock analysis, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Fagen, Jeffrey M. Nick
  • Patent number: 6681241
    Abstract: Resource contention monitoring and analysis are provided for a single system or multi-system environment. Resource contention is tracked at a task level when contention occurs by listing each owner of a resource in a blocker list and each waiter for the resource in a waiter list. Each list is ordered oldest to newest so each instance of contention is added to the end of the respective list. The resource request and contention lists are cross-linked to provide easy coordination between the resource queues and the contention lists. Techniques for analyzing contention using the lists, including deadlock analysis, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Fagen, Jeffrey M. Nick
  • Patent number: 6651125
    Abstract: Asynchronous requests, such as input/output (I/O) requests, within a coprocessor of a computing environment are managed. The management of the asynchronous requests is based on priorities associated with the asynchronous requests. This management includes, for instance, selecting an asynchronous request to be processed using a priority scheme, and/or affording resources to the asynchronous requests using a priority scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Juergen Maergner, Allan S. Meritt, Jeffrey M Nick, Leslie W. Wyman, Harry M. Yudenfriend
  • Publication number: 20030196071
    Abstract: A coupling facility is coupled to one or more other coupling facilities via one or more peer links. The coupling of the facilities enables various functions to be supported, including the duplexing of structures of the coupling facilities. Duplexing is performed on a structure basis, and thus, a coupling facility may include duplexed structures, as well as non-duplexed or simplexed structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Elko, Steven N. Goss, Michael J. Jordan, Georgette L. Kurdt, Jeffrey M. Nick, Kelly B. Pushong, David H. Surman
  • Publication number: 20030196016
    Abstract: A coupling facility is coupled to one or more other coupling facilities via one or more peer links. The coupling of the facilities enables various functions to be supported, including the duplexing of structures of the coupling facilities. Duplexing is performed on a structure basis, and thus, a coupling facility may include duplexed structures, as well as non-duplexed or simplexed structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Brooks, David A. Elko, Steven N, Goss, Michael J. Jordan, Georgette L. Kurdt, Jeffrey M. Nick, Chitta L. Rao, David H. Surman, Steven B. Jones