Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising providing a plurality of assist threads configured to process data units received by a network adapter, wherein each of the plurality of assist threads comprises a queue configured to store data units allocated to the respective assist thread, allocating data units received by the network adapter to assist threads in a subset of the plurality of assist threads according to a first function, wherein the subset includes a first assist thread and does not include a second assist thread, of the plurality of assist threads, monitoring the queues of the assist threads in the subset, and upon determining that a count of data units in the queue of the first assist thread exceeds a first threshold, modifying the first function to include the second assist thread in the subset of the plurality of assist threads.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising providing a plurality of assist threads configured to process data units received by a network adapter, wherein each of the plurality of assist threads comprises a queue configured to store data units allocated to the respective assist thread, allocating data units received by the network adapter to assist threads in a subset of the plurality of assist threads according to a first function, wherein the subset includes a first assist thread and does not include a second assist thread, of the plurality of assist threads, monitoring the queues of the assist threads in the subset, and upon determining that a count of data units in the queue of the first assist thread exceeds a first threshold, modifying the first function to include the second assist thread in the subset of the plurality of assist threads.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for active SEA learning about a client LPAR MAC addresses via address resolution protocol (ARP) packets received on a virtual interface (of the active SEA). Any new client MAC addresses learned on the active SEA are sent to the inactive SEA via a control channel. When SEA failover happens, as the previously inactive SEA is about to become active, it will first send out RARP (reverse ARP) packets with the client MAC addresses as the source MAC addresses respectively. This effectively informs the switch connected to the previously inactive SEA that these client MAC addresses are to be routed through this switch port; the client MAC addresses saved on the switch connected to the previously active SEA are cleared as a result.

Abstract: In a method for regulating network bandwidth in a virtualized computer environment, a computer having a hypervisor program receives a request from a first virtual client to transmit data. In response, the computer transfers the data from a memory of the first virtual client to a memory of a virtual server. The computer receives an error notification from a shared virtual network adapter of the virtual server, indicative of insufficient network bandwidth available to transmit the data. In response, the computer notifies the first virtual client that insufficient network bandwidth is available to transmit the data.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for active SEA learning about a client LPAR MAC addresses via address resolution protocol (ARP) packets received on a virtual interface (of the active SEA). Any new client MAC addresses learned on the active SEA are sent to the inactive SEA via a control channel. When SEA failover happens, as the previously inactive SEA is about to become active, it will first send out RARP (reverse ARP) packets with the client MAC addresses as the source MAC addresses respectively. This effectively informs the switch connected to the previously inactive SEA that these client MAC addresses are to be routed through this switch port; the client MAC addresses saved on the switch connected to the previously active SEA are cleared as a result.

Abstract: In a method for managing shared Ethernet adapters in a virtualized computer environment, a computer programmed with a hypervisor program receives a first request from a virtual client to transmit data. In response to receiving the first request, the computer programmed with the hypervisor program selects a first active virtual server from a first plurality of concurrently active virtual servers of the virtualized computer environment. The computer programmed with the hypervisor program copies the data from a memory of the virtual client to a trunk adapter of a first shared Ethernet adapter of the selected first active virtual server.

Abstract: An approach is provided to improve network efficiency. A send segment size, such as a maximum segment size (MSS), that corresponds to data segments being sent to a receiver over a computer network. A data block is identified in a send buffer and the data block includes more than one data segments. Based on the determined send segment size, all but a remaining data segment of the data segments are sent to the receiver. The sent data segments are each the determined send segment size and the remaining data segment is smaller than the send segment size. The remaining data segment is sent to the receiver in response to identifying that the remaining data segment is a portion of the data block.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for a self-adjusting application heartbeat management process are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A first application receives from a second application, a response message in response to a heartbeat message. Information is identified in the response message usable for computing a delay in a future response message for a future heartbeat message, such that the information communicates to the first application a system condition existing in the second data processing system where the second application is executing. A response time is adjusted using the information to form a modified response time. The future response message is received after the response time.

Abstract: A dynamically-enforceable application-controlled quasi-reliable extension to TCP permits a client application to dynamically set a percent loss tolerance for data transmission reliability through network input/output system calls to the TCP, thereby programming the transport layer to optimistically acknowledge non-critical missing frames. The reliability requirement can be dynamically set within TCP to the level of reliability required for specific data frames within the data stream during the data transfer. Based on this loss tolerance specified, the TCP layer makes a determination whether to trigger a retransmission or continue delivering out-of-order frames to the application. A forced acknowledgement frame is sent for each missing packet until the number missing packets causing forced acknowledgments within the current receive buffer frame exceeds the loss tolerance.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for active SEA learning about a client LPAR MAC addresses via address resolution protocol (ARP) packets received on a virtual interface (of the active SEA). Any new client MAC addresses learned on the active SEA are sent to the inactive SEA via a control channel. When SEA failover happens, as the previously inactive SEA is about to become active, it will first send out RARP (reverse ARP) packets with the client MAC addresses as the source MAC addresses respectively. This effectively informs the switch connected to the previously inactive SEA that these client MAC addresses are to be routed through this switch port; the client MAC addresses saved on the switch connected to the previously active SEA are cleared as a result.

Abstract: In a computer system having memory, at least one processor and a physical input-output adapter, the at least one processor generates logical partitions, including local logical partitions and an input-output logical partition. The logical partitions have respective local virtual adapters. The input-output logical partition has a shared virtual adapter configured to communicate with the physical input-output adapter, such that a plurality of the local logical partitions share the physical input-output adapter via the shared virtual adapter. The at least one processor provides communication for ones of the local virtual adapters of the local logical partitions directly with the physical input-output adapter by a hypervisor.

Abstract: In a method for managing shared Ethernet adapters in a virtualized computer environment, a computer programmed with a hypervisor program receives a first request from a virtual client to transmit data. In response to receiving the first request, the computer programmed with the hypervisor program selects a first active virtual server from a first plurality of concurrently active virtual servers of the virtualized computer environment. The computer programmed with the hypervisor program copies the data from a memory of the virtual client to a trunk adapter of a first shared Ethernet adapter of the selected first active virtual server.

Abstract: In a method for regulating network bandwidth in a virtualized computer environment, a computer having a hypervisor program receives a request from a first virtual client to transmit data. In response, the computer transfers the data from a memory of the first virtual client to a memory of a virtual server. The computer receives an error notification from a shared virtual network adapter of the virtual server, indicative of insufficient network bandwidth available to transmit the data. In response, the computer notifies the first virtual client that insufficient network bandwidth is available to transmit the data.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for an improved virtualized operating system environment file-system are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A computer receives a write request for a part in the virtualized operating system environment file-system. The computer determines whether the part in the virtualized operating system environment file-system is a link to a second part in a host file-system. The computer, responsive to the part in the virtualized operating system environment file-system being the link, replaces the link with content of the second part the content replacing the link forming a writable copy of the part.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for a self-adjusting application heartbeat management process are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A first application receives from a second application, a response message in response to a heartbeat message. Information is identified in the response message usable for computing a delay in a future response message for a future heartbeat message, such that the information communicates to the first application a system condition existing in the second data processing system where the second application is executing. A response time is adjusted using the information to form a modified response time. The future response message is received after the response time.

Abstract: In a computer system having memory, at least one processor and a physical input-output adapter, the at least one processor generates logical partitions, including local logical partitions and an input-output logical partition. The logical partitions have respective local virtual adapters. The input-output logical partition has a shared virtual adapter configured to communicate with the physical input-output adapter, such that a plurality of the local logical partitions share the physical input-output adapter via the shared virtual adapter. The at least one processor provides communication for ones of the local virtual adapters of the local logical partitions directly with the physical input-output adapter by a hypervisor.

Abstract: A system for consolidating TCP ports. In response to initiating a connection to a hidden port via a network, a TCP in TCP packet is created. Then, the TCP in TCP packet is sent to the hidden port via the network via a network visible port.

Abstract: An approach is provided to improve network efficiency. A send segment size, such as a maximum segment size (MSS), that corresponds to data segments being sent to a receiver over a computer network. A data block is identified in a send buffer and the data block includes more than one data segments. Based on the determined send segment size, all but a remaining data segment of the data segments are sent to the receiver. The sent data segments are each the determined send segment size and the remaining data segment is smaller than the send segment size. The remaining data segment is sent to the receiver in response to identifying that the remaining data segment is a portion of the data block.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, it has been recognized that for an application that is of a particular type and has certain characteristics, a benefit can be achieved by presenting multiple files to the application in a particular pre-planned or pre-specified order. Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention is directed to a method in a data processing system, wherein information pertaining to multiple data files is located in a container, and a plurality of applications of different types are each disposed to request a presentation of the files. Responsive to a request from a given application for presentation of the files, it is determined that the given application is of a particular type. The method further includes specifying an order for the presentation of the files, wherein the specified order is pre-selected to achieve an objective associated with applications of the given type. The files are then presented to the given application in the specified order.

Abstract: TCP congestion avoidance is implemented upon retransmission of a packet and is reverted back to the original congestion state upon receipt of an early acknowledgement (ACK), indicating reordering of packets, thereby eliminating a needless restriction on TCP bandwidth. Upon receiving an ACK to a retransmitted packet, it is determined if the ACK resulted from receipt of the original reordered packet or the retransmitted packet, based on the arrival time of the ACK at the sender. If the round-trip-time (RTT) for the retransmitted packet is much lower than the average or current calculated RTT for the network link between sender and receiver, then the retransmission occurred as a result of a reordering event, and the congestion window is restored back to its value prior to the retransmission, thereby permitting the network link to continue operating at its original increased throughput.