Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method in which application program-specified resource allocation and allocation strength preferences are used to allocate hardware resources from a computer for that application program. The resource allocation preference is used to allocate hardware resources for the application program, while the allocation strength preference is used to determine whether to allocate alternate hardware resources when the resource allocation preference specified by the application program cannot be met.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method in which application program-specified resource allocation and allocation strength preferences are used to allocate hardware resources from a computer for that application program. The resource allocation preference is used to allocate hardware resources for the application program, while the allocation strength preference is used to determine whether to allocate alternate hardware resources when the resource allocation preference specified by the application program cannot be met.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing feedback directed deferral on nonessential direct access storage device (DASD) operations. A kernel DASD I/O manager maintains a queue depth count value for a DASD unit and maintains a busy flag that indicates when the queue depth count value is greater than a predefined threshold. The kernel DASD I/O manager defers optional operations responsive to the busy flag being set for the DASD unit.

Abstract: In a computer system that includes multiple nodes and multiple logical partitions, a dynamic partition manager computes current memory affinity and potential memory affinity at the request of a logical partition to help the logical partition determine whether a reallocation of resources between nodes may improve memory affinity for the logical partition. If so, the logical partition requests reallocation of resources by the dynamic partition manager so memory affinity for the logical partition is improved.

Abstract: Memory allocation in a multi-node computer, including evaluating memory affinity among nodes and allocating memory in dependence upon the evaluations. Evaluating memory affinity may include assigning to nodes weighted coefficients of memory affinity where each weighted coefficient represents a desirability of allocating memory of a node to a processor of a node, and allocating memory may include allocating memory in dependence upon the weighted coefficients of memory affinity.

Abstract: Evaluating memory allocation in a multi-node computer including calculating, in dependence upon a normalized measure of page frame demand, a weighted coefficient of memory affinity, the weighted coefficient representing desirability of allocating memory from the node, and allocating memory may include allocating memory in dependence upon the weighted coefficient of memory affinity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and program product that enables distribution of operating system resources on a nodal basis in the same proportions as the expected system workload. The preferred embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this by assigning various types of weights to each node to represent their proportion of the overall balance within the system. Target Weights represent the desired distribution of the workload based on the existing proportions of processor and memory resources on each node. The actual workload balance on the system is represented by Current Weights, which the operating system strives to keep as close to the Target Weights as possible, on an ongoing basis. When the system is started, operating system services distribute their resources nodally in the same proportions as the Target Weights, and can request to be notified if the Target Weights ever change.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and program product for observing the nodal workload balance of the system on an ongoing basis, and for dynamically changing the preferred nodes of existing threads in order to improve nodal balance. Workload balance is ascertained on a nodal basis and then thread-based workload information is collected. If the detected imbalance persists, the thread-based information is used to change the assignment of preferred nodes to threads to improve nodal workload balance.