Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a workload in connection with a networked computing infrastructure having a plurality of host computer systems includes obtaining first data indicative of an environment type of the networked computing infrastructure, obtaining second data indicative of an operating system type of the workload, deploying, with a processor, an image of the workload in a virtual machine on a target host computer system of the plurality of host computer systems, incorporating a management agent of the networked computing infrastructure into the virtual machine to provision the virtual machine for operation within the networked computing infrastructure, the management agent being configured in accordance with the first data, and modifying launch instructions of the virtual machine in accordance with the second data such that the management agent is invoked during the operation of the virtual machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve extending functionality of legacy services. A legacy application has functionality designed for use on an original computing device. In a modern environment, virtual machines (VMs) operate as independent guests on processors and memory by way of scheduling control from a virtualization layer (e.g., hypervisor). At least one VM is provisioned to modify standard entry points of the original legacy application for new accessing of various system functions of the hardware platform. Representative functions include network access, processors, and storage. Policy decision points variously located are further employed to ensure compliance with computing policies. Multiple platforms and computing clouds are contemplated as are VMs in support roles and dedicated software appliances. In this manner, continued use of legacy services in modern situations allows participation in more capable environments and application capabilities heretofore unimagined.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a workload in connection with a networked computing infrastructure having a plurality of host computer systems includes obtaining first data indicative of an environment type of the networked computing infrastructure, obtaining second data indicative of an operating system type of the workload, deploying, with a processor, an image of the workload in a virtual machine on a target host computer system of the plurality of host computer systems, incorporating a management agent of the networked computing infrastructure into the virtual machine to provision the virtual machine for operation within the networked computing infrastructure, the management agent being configured in accordance with the first data, and modifying launch instructions of the virtual machine in accordance with the second data such that the management agent is invoked during the operation of the virtual machine.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a workload in connection with a networked computing infrastructure having a plurality of host computer systems includes obtaining first data indicative of an environment type of the networked computing infrastructure, obtaining second data indicative of an operating system type of the workload, deploying, with a processor, an image of the workload in a virtual machine on a target host computer system of the plurality of host computer systems, incorporating a management agent of the networked computing infrastructure into the virtual machine to provision the virtual machine for operation within the networked computing infrastructure, the management agent being configured in accordance with the first data, and modifying launch instructions of the virtual machine in accordance with the second data such that the management agent is invoked during the operation of the virtual machine.

Abstract: A “just in time” feedback-driven strategy for provisioning storage in a cloud computing environment is described. An agent miming in a guest virtual machine can monitor the storage needs of the guest virtual machine. When a specified threshold for the guest virtual machine is reached, the host can be notified of the changing storage needs. The host can respond by re-sizing the storage device and notifying the guest virtual machine of the changed storage capacity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve managing workload migration to host devices in a data center having heterogeneously arranged computing platforms. Fully virtualized images include drivers compatible with varieties of host devices. The images also include an agent that detects a platform type of a specific host device upon deployment. If the specific host is a physical platform type, the agent provisions native drivers. If the specific host is a virtual platform type, the agent also detects a hypervisor. The agent then provisions front-end drivers that are most compatible with the detected hypervisor. Upon decommissioning of the image, the image is returned to its pristine state and saved for later re-use. In other embodiments, detection methods of the agent are disclosed as are computing systems, data centers, and computer program products, to name a few.

Abstract: A “just in time” feedback-driven strategy for provisioning storage in a cloud computing environment is described. An agent miming in a guest virtual machine can monitor the storage needs of the guest virtual machine. When a specified threshold for the guest virtual machine is reached, the host can be notified of the changing storage needs. The host can respond by re-sizing the storage device and notifying the guest virtual machine of the changed storage capacity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve extending functionality of legacy services. A legacy application has functionality designed for use on an original computing device. In a modern environment, virtual machines (VMs) operate as independent guests on processors and memory by way of scheduling control from a virtualization layer (e.g., hypervisor). At least one VM is provisioned to modify standard entry points of the original legacy application for new accessing of various system functions of the hardware platform. Representative functions include network access, processors, and storage. Policy decision points variously located are further employed to ensure compliance with computing policies. Multiple platforms and computing clouds are contemplated as are VMs in support roles and dedicated software appliances. In this manner, continued use of legacy services in modern situations allows participation in more capable environments and application capabilities heretofore unimagined.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a workload in connection with a networked computing infrastructure having a plurality of host computer systems includes obtaining first data indicative of an environment type of the networked computing infrastructure, obtaining second data indicative of an operating system type of the workload, deploying, with a processor, an image of the workload in a virtual machine on a target host computer system of the plurality of host computer systems, incorporating a management agent of the networked computing infrastructure into the virtual machine to provision the virtual machine for operation within the networked computing infrastructure, the management agent being configured in accordance with the first data, and modifying launch instructions of the virtual machine in accordance with the second data such that the management agent is invoked during the operation of the virtual machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve intelligently pre-placing data for local consumption by workloads in a virtual computing environment. Access patterns of the data by the workload are first identified. Based thereon, select data portions are migrated from a first storage location farther away the workload to a second storage location closer the workload. Migration also occurs at a time when needed by the workload during use. In this manner, bandwidth for data transmission is minimized. Latency effects created by consumption of remotely stored data is overcome as well. In various embodiments, a data vending service and proxy are situated between a home repository of the data and the workload. Together they serve to manage and migrate the data as needed. Data recognition patterns are disclosed as is apportionment of the whole of the data into convenient migration packets. De/Encryption, (de)compression, computing systems and computer program products are other embodiments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve booting a computing device from a flash device. The flash device has memory partitions, including a read-only and a read/write partition. The read-only includes an operating system for use by the computing device and defines an initial system state. The read/write is configured to store a delta from the initial system state. Upon booting the computing device subsequent to an initial boot, the delta and the initial system state together define the whole system state. In other features, a write engine from the read-only partition tracks changes to the initial system state and writes some, but not all of the changes back to the read/write partition thereby minimizing a number of writes to the flash memory. In this manner, the speed of the flash memory can be used to quickly boot/reboot a computing device, while avoiding the wear limits associated with writing to flash devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve securely hosting workloads. Broadly, computing workloads are classified according to security concerns and those with common concerns are deployed together on common hardware platforms. In one instance, security tags are bi-modally attached or not to workloads meeting a predetermined security threshold. Those with tags are deployed on a common machine while those without tags are deployed on other machines. Tags may be embedded in meta data of open virtual machine formats (OVF). Considerations for re-booting computing devices are also contemplated as are multiplexing workloads. Computer program products are further disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve “just-in-time” image creation services to address storage management issues faced by data centers. Representatively, a computing policy defines what images are required in software stacks according to intended workloads of computing devices during use and an order of assembly for each software stack is established. Upon a trigger event to instantiate an operating workload of any computing device, a workload image is configured for deployment to the hardware platform of the computing device, including assembling the stack in the order of assembly from stored virgin images of an operating system and any relevant applications. A delta of workload information is calculated when an operating workload for the computing device is to be brought down. Upon a trigger event to later re-instantiate the operating workload, another workload image is configured for deployment including combining the delta with the software stack, again, configured in the order of assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve monitoring spin locks for guest devices. Fully virtualized guests have multiple virtual processors configured under the scheduling control of a hypervisor on a physical hardware platform. The hypervisor posts On CPU and CR3 load information to shared communications pages for each of the processors. A monitoring module in the guest device monitors the pages to ascertain forward progress of the processors. If forward progress is being made, the virtual processors continue to spin. If not, the CPU's control is variously relinquished. The monitoring module typifies a kernel driver so that the guest can maintain an unmodified operating system. Ticket spin locks, and their ordering, are also considered as are computations for lock owners. Other features contemplate computing systems and computer program products, to name a few.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus allocate and adjust memory of a hardware platform hosting a plurality of guest virtual machines. One of the virtual machines is configured as a management domain that determines whether other virtual machines comply with a performance computing policy. If not, an initial amount of memory for the other virtual machines is adjusted higher or lower. In this manner, the guest machines are each outfitted with sufficient memory to accomplish their respective workloads, and such is adjusted over time as workloads vary per machine. This distributes throughput concerns throughout an entire platform to sufficiently guarantee a quality of service for each machine of the platform, regardless of its individual tasks. Other features contemplate specific computing policies regarding page fault rates and computer program products for assisting in the foregoing, to name a few.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve extending functionality of legacy services. A legacy application has functionality designed for use on an original computing device. In a modern environment, virtual machines (VMs) operate as independent guests on processors and memory by way of scheduling control from a virtualization layer (e.g., hypervisor). At least one VM is provisioned to modify standard entry points of the original legacy application for new accessing of various system functions of the hardware platform. Representative functions include network access, processors, and storage. Policy decision points variously located are further employed to ensure compliance with computing policies. Multiple platforms and computing clouds are contemplated as are VMs in support roles and dedicated software appliances. In this manner, continued use of legacy services in modern situations allows participation in more capable environments and application capabilities heretofore unimagined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve providing computing backup for virtual representations on a physical hardware platform without the attendant overhead of an installed backup agent per each of the virtual representations. Representatively, a hardware platform has a processor and memory upon and a plurality of virtual machines are configured on the processor and memory as guest computing devices by way of scheduling control of a hypervisor layer. A common I/O path between the virtual machines and the hardware platform exists in the hypervisor layer and a single backup agent for the entirety of the virtual machines monitors data flows in the common I/O path. In this way, each virtual machine avoids dedicated backup agents, and their attendant overhead, especially by avoiding backup agents configured uniquely per a guest operating system, a guest file system, etc. Some other features contemplate particular I/O paths, operating systems, hypervisors, domains, and computer program products.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve maintaining software appliances. An original appliance is created, including partitioning the appliance binary into multiple files. A kernel file is booted by an appliance owner during instantiation. An identifier of the appliance is sent back to the creator to determine whether an updated operating system image exists. If so, a whole updated image is delivered back to the owner where it replaces the original image in persistent storage. Pluralities of appliances are instantiated from the updated image. In this manner, only a single act of maintenance occurs instead of multiple patches for many instantiations of the image. If not, appliance boot sequence continues, including applying application overlay files. The overlays are obtained during appliance shutdown by taking snapshots of application-specific files and system files that the instantiated appliance may have modified during execution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve monitoring spin locks for guest devices. Fully virtualized guests have multiple virtual processors configured under the scheduling control of a hypervisor on a physical hardware platform. The hypervisor posts On CPU and CR3 load information to shared communications pages for each of the processors. A monitoring module in the guest device monitors the pages to ascertain forward progress of the processors. If forward progress is being made, the virtual processors continue to spin. If not, the CPU's control is variously relinquished. The monitoring module typifies a kernel driver so that the guest can maintain an unmodified operating system. Ticket spin locks, and their ordering, are also considered as are computations for lock owners. Other features contemplate computing systems and computer program products, to name a few.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve continuous management of workloads, including regular monitoring, profiling, tuning and fault analysis by way of instrumentation in the workloads themselves. Broadly, features contemplate collecting current state information from remote or local workloads and correlating it to predefined operational characteristics to see if such defines an acceptable operating state. If so, operation continues. If not, remediation action occurs. In a virtual environment with workloads performing under the scheduling control of a hypervisor, state information may also come from a hypervisor as well as any guest user and kernel spaces of an attendant operating system. Executable instructions in the form of probes gather this information from items of the stack available for control and deliver it to the management system. Other features contemplate supporting/auditing third party cloud computing services, validating service level agreements, and consulting independent software vendors.