Abstract: A first method includes a plurality of nodes communicating with a network switch, each node transmitting a packet with a packet header that includes a value of a node-level attribute selected from a node utilization level, a node role, and a dependency involving the node, and the network switch receiving the packet and prioritizing transmission of the packet based on the value of the node-level attribute identified in the packet header. In a related second method, each node reports the value of the node-level attribute to a management entity, the management entity determines a priority for each node based on the value of the node-level attribute received from each node, and the management entity provides the priority for each node to the network switch, such that the network switch prioritizes, for each packet, transmission of the packet based on the priority for the node involved in communication of the packet.

Abstract: A server cloud contains multiple physical servers. A NIC controller device is on a first physical server in the server cloud. The NIC controller device establishes a maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server in the server cloud. The maximum network bandwidth percentage is a percentage of a total network bandwidth capability designed for the first physical server. Response time for operational requests to one or more virtual machines on the first physical server changes beyond a predefined differential in response to the maximum network bandwidth percentage being reached. In response to the NIC controller device on the first physical server determining that the maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server is exceeded, a cloud service hypervisor device moves one or more virtual machines on the first physical server to a second physical server in the server cloud.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method manages virtual machines that execute on physical servers in a server cloud. One or more processors establish a maximum network bandwidth percentage for a physical server in the server cloud. The maximum network bandwidth percentage is a percentage of a total network bandwidth capability designed for the first physical server. Response time for operational requests to one or more virtual machines on the first physical server changes beyond a predefined differential in response to the maximum network bandwidth percentage being reached. In response to the NIC controller device on the first physical server determining that the maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server is exceeded, a cloud service hypervisor device moves one or more virtual machines on the first physical server to a second physical server in the server cloud.

Abstract: A first method includes a plurality of nodes communicating with a network switch, each node transmitting a packet with a packet header that includes a value of a node-level attribute selected from a node utilization level, a node role, and a dependency involving the node, and the network switch receiving the packet and prioritizing transmission of the packet based on the value of the node-level attribute identified in the packet header. In a related second method, each node reports the value of the node-level attribute to a management entity, the management entity determines a priority for each node based on the value of the node-level attribute received from each node, and the management entity provides the priority for each node to the network switch, such that the network switch prioritizes, for each packet, transmission of the packet based on the priority for the node involved in communication of the packet.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method manages virtual machines that execute on physical servers in a server cloud. One or more processors establish a maximum network bandwidth percentage for a physical server in the server cloud. The maximum network bandwidth percentage is a percentage of a total network bandwidth capability designed for the first physical server. Response time for operational requests to one or more virtual machines on the first physical server changes beyond a predefined differential in response to the maximum network bandwidth percentage being reached. In response to the NIC controller device on the first physical server determining that the maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server is exceeded, a cloud service hypervisor device moves one or more virtual machines on the first physical server to a second physical server in the server cloud.

Abstract: A server cloud contains multiple physical servers. A NIC controller device is on a first physical server in the server cloud. The NIC controller device establishes a maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server in the server cloud. The maximum network bandwidth percentage is a percentage of a total network bandwidth capability designed for the first physical server. Response time for operational requests to one or more virtual machines on the first physical server changes beyond a predefined differential in response to the maximum network bandwidth percentage being reached. In response to the NIC controller device on the first physical server determining that the maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server is exceeded, a cloud service hypervisor device moves one or more virtual machines on the first physical server to a second physical server in the server cloud.

Abstract: A computer program product includes computer readable program code embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The computer program product include computer readable program code for receiving input from a user of a first communication device identifying a second communication device and initiating a call to the second communication device, computer readable program code for receiving further input from the user of the first communication device indicating that an incoming call from the identified second communication device is an urgent call, and computer readable program code for, in response to receiving the further input from the user of the first communication device, blocking any incoming call that is not identified as an urgent call.

Abstract: A method includes receiving input from a user of a first communication device, the input identifying a second communication device and initiating a call to the second communication device. Further input is received from the user of the first communication device indicating that an incoming call from the identified second communication device is an urgent call. In response to receiving the further input from the user of the first communication device, any incoming call that is not identified as an urgent call is blocked.

Abstract: A computer program product includes computer readable program code embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The computer program product include computer readable program code for receiving input from a user of a first communication device identifying a second communication device and initiating a call to the second communication device, computer readable program code for receiving further input from the user of the first communication device indicating that an incoming call from the identified second communication device is an urgent call, and computer readable program code for, in response to receiving the further input from the user of the first communication device, blocking any incoming call that is not identified as an urgent call is blocked.

Abstract: Efficient transfer of data to and from random access memory is described. Multiple request sources and a memory system comprise memory modules having memory banks, each bank containing rows of data. The retrieval comprises transferring all data pursuant to a given request by one source before any data is transferred pursuant to a subsequent request from said second source. This retrieval is achieved using a memory arbiter that implements an algorithm for atomic read/write. Each bank is assigned a FIFO buffer by the arbiter to store access requests. The access requests are arbitrated, and an encoded value of a winner of arbitration is loaded into the relevant FIFO buffer(s) before choosing the next winner. When an encoded value reaches the head of the buffer, all associated data is accessed in the given bank before accessing data for another request source.

Abstract: Efficient transfer of data to and from random access memory is described. Multiple request sources and a memory system comprise memory modules having memory banks, each bank containing rows of data. The retrieval comprises transferring all data pursuant to a given request by one source before any data is transferred pursuant to a subsequent request from said second source. This retrieval is achieved using a memory arbiter that implements an algorithm for atomic read/write. Each bank is assigned a FIFO buffer by the arbiter to store access requests. The access requests are arbitrated, and an encoded value of a winner of arbitration is loaded into the relevant FIFO buffer(s) before choosing the next winner. When an encoded value reaches the head of the buffer, all associated data is accessed in the given bank before accessing data for another request source.

Abstract: Efficient transfer of data to and from random access memory is described. Multiple request sources and a memory system comprise memory modules having memory banks, each bank containing rows of data. The retrieval comprises transferring all data pursuant to a given request by one source before any data is transferred pursuant to a subsequent request from said second source. This retrieval is achieved using a memory arbiter that implements an algorithm for atomic read/write. Each bank is assigned a FIFO buffer by the arbiter to store access requests. The access requests are arbitrated, and an encoded value of a winner of arbitration is loaded into the relevant FIFO buffer(s) before choosing the next winner. When an encoded value reaches the head of the buffer, all associated data is accessed in the given bank before accessing data for another request source.

Abstract: An intelligent multistation access unit is provided having a transmission speed detection circuit for determining the data transmission speed of an attached device attempting to gain access to a node of a multiple transmission rate digital data communications network. The intelligent multistation access unit is comprised of a speed detect circuit, which indicates the data transmission speed of the attached device, a switching circuit which directs the attached device to the speed detect circuit until switched to allow the attached device access to the network node, and a processor that controls the switching circuit and which permits the attached device access to the node depending on the data transmission speed indication.

Abstract: An intelligent multistation access unit is provided having a transmission speed detection circuit for determining the data transmission speed of an attached device attempting to gain access to a node of a multiple transmission rate digital data communications network. The intelligent multistation access unit is comprised of a speed detect circuit, which indicates the data transmission speed of the attached device, a switching circuit which directs the attached device to the speed detect circuit until switched to allow the attached device access to the network node, and a processor that controls the switching circuit and which permits the attached device access to the node depending on the data transmission speed indication.

Abstract: An intelligent multistation access unit is provided having a transmission speed detection circuit for determining the data transmission speed of an attached device attempting to gain access to a node of a multiple transmission rate digital data communications network. The intelligent multistation access unit is comprised of a speed detect circuit, which indicates the data transmission speed of the attached device, a switching circuit which directs the attached device to the speed detect circuit until switched to allow the attached device access to the network node, and a processor that controls the switching circuit and which permits the attached device access to the node depending on the data transmission speed indication.