Abstract: Multiple scheduler verticals can allocate tasks to resources that are shared by the scheduler verticals. Information regarding a state of each resource may be stored in memory accessible by the multiple scheduler verticals, and a processor updates the information. The scheduler verticals schedule events to be performed by any of the resources, and submit updates to reflect the scheduled events in the information. In the event of conflicting events, an update corresponding to only one of the conflicting events is committed. Moreover, disruptions may be preplanned and scheduled so as to minimize impact on scheduled tasks.

Abstract: Multiple scheduler verticals can allocate tasks to resources that are shared by the scheduler verticals. Information regarding a state of each resource may be stored in memory accessible by the multiple scheduler verticals, and a processor updates the information. The scheduler verticals schedule events to be performed by any of the resources, and submit updates to reflect the scheduled events in the information. In the event of conflicting events, an update corresponding to only one of the conflicting events is committed. Moreover, disruptions may be preplanned and scheduled so as to minimize impact on scheduled tasks.

Abstract: Multiple scheduler verticals can allocate tasks to resources that are shared by the scheduler verticals. Information regarding a state of each resource may be stored in memory accessible by the multiple scheduler verticals, and a processor updates the information. The scheduler verticals schedule events to be performed by any of the resources, and submit updates to reflect the scheduled events in the information. In the event of conflicting events, an update corresponding to only one of the conflicting events is committed. Moreover, disruptions may be preplanned and scheduled so as to minimize impact on scheduled tasks.

Abstract: Multiple scheduler verticals can allocate tasks to resources that are shared by the scheduler verticals. Information regarding a state of each resource may be stored in memory accessible by the multiple scheduler verticals, and a processor updates the information. The scheduler verticals schedule events to be performed by any of the resources, and submit updates to reflect the scheduled events in the information. In the event of conflicting events, an update corresponding to only one of the conflicting events is committed. Moreover, disruptions may be preplanned and scheduled so as to minimize impact on scheduled tasks.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining image search results. One of the methods includes scheduling a first computation for execution on each of a first plurality of worker processes. The first computation changes a respective state of each of one or more of the first worker processes from a first state to a second state. A respective second computation is scheduled for execution on each of a second plurality of worker, where each respective second computation will use a different value for a particular variable for two or more of the second plurality of worker processes. The respective state of each of the second plurality of worker processes is updated from the second state to a third state, where the third state corresponds to execution of the second computation using a first value of the particular variable.

Abstract: A software development service offering of constructing and embedding feedback control based algorithms into computer systems management software applications is delivered by a provider entity to a client organization. The provider is contracted by the client to prepare a set of control modeling assets based on identified computing system management problems and goals of the diem and to create a set of control solutions. Bi-directional links between the problems, assets and solutions are used by the provider to develop feedback control based algorithms that solve the identified client computing management problems and meet the client's computing system goals.

Abstract: A method includes compiling an expression into executable code that is configured to create a data structure that represents the expression. The expression includes a plurality of sub-expressions. The code is executed to create the data structure. The data structure is evaluated using a plurality of concurrent threads, thereby processing the expression in a parallel manner.

Abstract: A software development service offering of constructing and embedding feedback control based algorithms into computer systems management software applications is delivered by a provider entity to a client organization. The provider is contracted by the client to prepare a set of control modeling assets based on identified computing system management problems and goals of the diem and to create a set of control solutions. Bi-directional links between the problems, assets and solutions are used by the provider to develop feedback control based algorithms that solve the identified client computing management problems and meet the client's computing system goals.

Abstract: Automated or autonomic techniques for managing deployment of one or more resources in a computing environment based on varying workload levels. The automated techniques may comprise predicting a future workload level based on data associated with the computing environment. Then, an estimation is performed to determine whether a current resource deployment is insufficient, sufficient, or overly sufficient to satisfy the future workload level. Then, one or more actions are caused to be taken when the current resource deployment is estimated to be insufficient or overly sufficient to satisfy the future workload level. Actions may comprise resource provisioning, resource tuning and/or admission control.

Abstract: Electronic contracts or “eContracts” for representing service level agreements are provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the eContract may comprise information pertaining to: (a) descriptions of business transactions in IT terms; (b) financial implications of business transaction service levels; and (c) reporting to be done in business terms. Of course, the eContract may comprise other terms and conditions. In an illustrative aspect of the invention, a system for managing IT resources in terms of business financials comprises an electronic contract authoring system or “ecAuthoring system,” an electronic contract manager module or “ecManager,” and one or more electronic contract agent modules or “ecAgents” that may run on IT elements (e.g., components of the network) that are being managed. Analysts interact with the ecAuthoring system to construct eContracts. An eContract is input to an ecManager that interprets the contract to report on and optimize IT resources based on business financials.

Abstract: An adaptive throttling system for minimizing the impact of non-production work on production work in a computer system is provided. The adaptive throttling system throttles production work and non-production work to optimize production. The adaptive throttling system allows system administrators to specify a quantified limit on the performance impact of non-production or utility work on production work. The throttling rate of the utility is then automatically determined by a supervisory agent, so that the utilities' impact is kept within the specified limit. The adaptive throttling system adapts dynamically to changes in workloads so as to ensure that valuable system resources are well utilized and utility work is not delayed unnecessarily.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for quantitatively evaluating the complexity of configuring computing systems. By way of example, a technique for quantitatively evaluating a complexity associated with a configuration of a system under evaluation comprises the following steps/operations. Configuration-related data for the system under evaluation is collected. At least a portion of the configuration-related data is quantitatively analyzed to estimate a configuration complexity of the system under evaluation. The configuration complexity of the system under evaluation is reported based on the quantitative analysis. The technique may further comprise assessing a quality of the configuration of the system under evaluation. Then, the reporting step/operation may further comprise reporting the configuration complexity of the system under evaluation based on the quantitative analysis and the quality assessment.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for quantitatively evaluating the complexity of configuring computing systems. By way of example, a technique for quantitatively evaluating a complexity associated with a configuration of a system under evaluation comprises the following steps/operations. Configuration-related data for the system under evaluation is collected. At least a portion of the configuration-related data is quantitatively analyzed to estimate a configuration complexity of the system under evaluation. The configuration complexity of the system under evaluation is reported based on the quantitative analysis. The technique may further comprise assessing a quality of the configuration of the system under evaluation. Then, the reporting step/operation may further comprise reporting the configuration complexity of the system under evaluation based on the quantitative analysis and the quality assessment.

Abstract: A system and method are described for constructing and implementing generic software agents for automated tuning of computer systems and applications. The framework defines the modules and interfaces to allow agents to be created in a modular fashion. The specifics of the target system are captured by adaptors that provide a uniform interface to the target system. Data in the agent is managed by a metric manager, and controller modules implement the desired control algorithms. The modular structure and common interfaces allow for the construction of generic agents that are applicable to a wide variety of target systems, and can use a wide variety of control algorithms.

Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems are provided for building, provisioning and executing one or more electronic service level agreements (eSLAs) for Web and other computer hosting services, which specify and enforce service contracts for Web and other computer hosting services. In one aspect of the invention, a computer-based eSLA system includes four main components: (1) an eSLA builder; (2) an eSLA provisioner; (3) one or more execution systems; and (4) a system configuration and measurement system. Generally, the eSLA builder component provides the mechanism for defining and pricing the eSLA, checking the validity of the eSLA and a repository for storing the completed eSLAs. The provisioning system is responsible for configuring the run-time system in order to meet one or a set of eSLAs. The execution system is responsible for handling the run-time user requests, e.g., Web servers and load distributors, and a mechanism for enforcing the eSLAs at run-time.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in accordance with relates to computing utilities. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a method for use in a computing utility, wherein the computing utility comprises a plurality of application service provider systems and a utility controller, and each application service provider system comprising an application controller, comprises the following steps. An application request to one of the plurality of application service provider systems is obtained. Then, in response to the application request, at least one of: (i) the application controller of the application service provider system to which the application request is directed computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action; and (ii) the utility controller computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action.

Abstract: In one embodiment, functional system elements are added to an autonomic manager to enable automatic online sample interval selection. In another embodiment, a method for determining the sample interval by continually characterizing the system workload behavior includes monitoring the system data and analyzing the degree to which the workload is stationary. This makes the online optimization method less sensitive to system noise and capable of being adapted to handle different workloads. The effectiveness of the autonomic optimizer is thereby improved, making it easier to manage a wide range of systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the performance and/or allocation of constrained resources in a dynamic computing environment using adaptive regulatory control methods. For example, systems and methods for providing constrained optimization in a dynamic computing system implement model-based adaptive (self-tuning) regulatory control schemes that are designed to handle the system dynamics and which take into consideration control costs (such as the overheads of changing resource allocations and performance degradation due to transient load imbalances) to find an optimal solution. To facilitate practical application, a dual control architecture is disclosed which combines a heuristic fixed step control process that is implemented when there is no valid system model for model-based control. A system model is continually obtained and validated during run-time to adapt control parameters to variations in system dynamics.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for planning and scheduling change management requests in computing systems are disclosed. Included are an arrangement for deciding whether or not an RFC should be done, an arrangement for assigning individual tasks to acceptable servers for each RFC to be done, and an arrangement for assigning the start times to said individual tasks for each RFC to be done.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for automatically determining allowable sequences of changes, e.g., sequences where the order in which changes are carried out will transition a computing system from a workable state into another workable state, are disclosed.