Abstract: An automated security survey generator for provisioning services in a cloud environment. Services, including infrastructure services, provided by the cloud are provisioned from blueprints. A survey is attached to each of the blueprints. When a service is provisioned, the attached survey is executed such that questions are presented to a requestor. Responses to the questions and actions are evaluated and actions associated with the responses are performed. The survey can prevent the service from being provisioned.

Abstract: An automated security survey generator for provisioning services in a cloud environment. Services, including infrastructure services, provided by the cloud are provisioned from blueprints. A survey is attached to each of the blueprints. When a service is provisioned, the attached survey is executed such that questions are presented to a requestor. Responses to the questions and actions are evaluated and actions associated with the responses are performed. The survey can prevent the service from being provisioned.

Abstract: A first hardware island is defined as including at least a first compute cluster. First backup infrastructure is associated with the first compute cluster. A second hardware island is defined as including at least a second compute cluster. Second backup infrastructure is associated with the second compute cluster. A partnership is established between the first and second compute clusters. A selection of a backup policy to be associated with a workload is received. The workload is provisioned to the first compute cluster for processing and the selected backup policy is provided to the second backup infrastructure.

Abstract: An object model is provided that represents resources available in a cloud computing environment as hardware islands. A first compute cluster is registered with a first hardware island. A second compute cluster is registered with a second hardware island. A partnership is established between the first and second compute clusters. Based on the partnership, a workload processed by at least the first compute cluster is protected.

Abstract: An automated security survey generator for provisioning services in a cloud environment. Services, including infrastructure services, provided by the cloud are provisioned from blueprints. A survey is attached to each of the blueprints. When a service is provisioned, the attached survey is executed such that questions are presented to a requestor. Responses to the questions and actions are evaluated and actions associated with the responses are performed. The survey can prevent the service from being provisioned.

Abstract: A cloud object model represents resources available in a cloud computing environment as hardware islands. A compute cluster is registered with a hardware island. The compute cluster is designated as being of a particular cluster type. An indication is received from a user to provision the compute cluster with storage. The object model is accessed to determine a cluster type of the cluster. The cluster is provisioned with storage of a type that corresponds to the cluster being of the particular type, where the storage provisioned includes one of replicated storage or non-replicated storage.

Abstract: A method of providing migration of active virtual machines by performing data migrations between data centers using distributed volume and stretched cluster mechanisms to migrate the data synchronously within the distance and time latency limits defined by the distributed volume protocol, then performing data migrations within data centers using local live migration, and for long distance data migrations on a scale or distance that may exceed synchronous limits of the distributed volume protocol, combining appropriate inter- and intra-site data migrations so that data migrations can be performed exclusively using synchronous transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium for writing data on a highly indestructible material is disclosed. A laser may write data on a first side of a highly indestructible material. The data may then be marked as non-rewriteable. The data may also be written on a second side of the highly indestructible material, with the second side being opposite the first side. The highly indestructible material may comprise a stainless steel storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium for writing data on a highly indestructible material is disclosed. A laser may write data on a first side of a highly indestructible material. The data may then be marked as non-rewriteable. The data may also be written on a second side of the highly indestructible material, with the second side being opposite the first side. The highly indestructible material may comprise a stainless steel storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium for writing data on a highly indestructible material is disclosed. A laser may write data on a first side of a highly indestructible material. The data may then be marked as non-rewriteable. The data may also be written on a second side of the highly indestructible material, with the second side being opposite the first side. The highly indestructible material may comprise a stainless steel storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium for writing data on a highly indestructible material is disclosed. A laser may write data on a first side of a highly indestructible material. The data may then be marked as non-rewriteable. The data may also be written on a second side of the highly indestructible material, with the second side being opposite the first side. The highly indestructible material may comprise a stainless steel storage medium.

Abstract: A device for holding a blister pack (42) with an array of cavities closed by a foil, which cavities contain an article, said device comprising a housing (8) for receiving said blister pack (42), which housing (8) comprises a base (9) provided with base openings (10) and is arranged to permit movement of said blister pack (42) between a first position and a second position, in which first position the base openings (10) are displaced from the cavities and the base (9) blocking the cavities, and in which second position the base openings (10) are aligned with the cavities, the base openings (10) permitting passage of said article therethrough. The device comprises a locking arrangement (12) comprising a operating means (13) operable by a user, between a locking position and a non-locking position, in which locking position the blister pack (42) is locked in said first position, and in which non-locking position the blister pack (42) is movable to said second position.

Abstract: A security system for use with furniture includes a controller, an actuator and a communication device. The controller is for querying a first signal, receiving a second signal and commanding an unlock actuation signal or a lock actuation signal. The actuator receives the actuation signal. The communication device is for transmitting the first signal received from the controller and receiving the second signal in response to transmitting the first signal, wherein the controller sends the unlock actuation signal in response to verifying that the second signal is indicative of the first signal being properly verified by a closely located verifying device. A security system that listens for a beaconing device is also provided. A method of operating a security system for use with furniture is also included.

Abstract: A compass system comprises an electronic compass capable of providing a raw compass reading, at least one adjustment factor relating to a position of the electronic compass, and a compensation device selectively providing a compensated compass reading based on the raw compass reading and the adjustment factor. Further, at least one adjustment factor relating to the position of the electronic compass is defined and may be stored in a memory.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas component sensor comprising novel electrolyte compositions. The electrolyte compositions in bulk, sintered or thin film embodiments are capable of forming with different-metal sensing and reference electrodes a highly stable gas oxide sensors. The novel electrolyte composition changes electrochemical reactions at the sensing and reference electrodes and the overall reaction of the electrodes and electrolyte. The novel electrolyte compositions have: (1) excellent chemical stability and thermal compatibility as to the electrodes and a preferred ceramic substrate, (2) excellent chemical stability with the environment as to the reference and sensing electrodes, which need not be sealed against the atmosphere to be sensed, (3) effective adherence to the substrate and electrode metals.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for transdermal sampling, comprising: at least one sampler for retrieving and transferring at least one analyte obtained transdermally from the skin of a subject; at least one detector system for identifying and quantifying said at least one analyte; and at least one logic module for (i) receiving and storing input data from said at least one detector, (ii) relating the input data to other data obtained from the subject, (iii) displaying output information, (iv) transmitting the output information to another system, and (v) controlling the operation of said at least one sampler and at least one detector.

Abstract: An egg-shaped anaerobic sludge digester has upper and lower draft tubes, and an optional middle draft tube. The draft tubes are arranged so that liquid can be (1) simultaneously pumped downwards through the upper (or middle) draft tube and upwards through the lower (or middle) draft tube; (2) simultaneously pumped upwards through two or more draft tubes; or (3) simultaneously pumped downwards through two or more draft tubes. When a middle draft tube is provided, it can be used in place of the upper draft tube when the liquid surface in the digester falls below the top of the upper draft tube. Alternatively, the middle draft tube can work as a coordinated relay conduit to move liquid either in the same direction as the upper draft tube or to move liquid in the same direction as the lower draft tube.