Abstract: At least one of a method, a client computing device, and a server computing device for communicating data associated with a virtual machine are described. In one example, a client computing device is communicatively coupled to a network. A first set of data representative of at least a portion of a virtual machine disk image accessible on the network is determined, the first set of data comprising data arranged in a first sequence. From this first set of data, a second set of data is determined for communication to the client computing device over the network, the second set of data comprising at least a portion of the first set of data arranged in a second sequence, the second sequence being different from the first sequence.

Abstract: A network comprises a data store storing for computing devices connectable to the network i) identification data, associated with the computing devices and ii) source data identifying one or more sources of program data for the devices. The network also has one or more sources of program data associated with the identification data; and a plurality of computing devices. The computing devices each include a communications program configured to communicate with the data store, provide the identification data associated with the computing device and obtain from the data store the source data, and, having obtained the source data from the data store, communicate with the identified source to obtain program data from the identified source.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of monitoring the performance of a computer comprises determining the value of an activity metric of the monitored computer. The contribution(s) to the said value of one or more predetermined activities is/are determined In one embodiment, the said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total value to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. A predetermined data set may be used to identify the one or more predetermined activities. In another embodiment, the value of at least one activity metric of the monitored computer is determined excluding contributions to that value from the said one or more predetermined activities identified from the said data set to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. The net value may be used to control the power consumption of the computer.

Abstract: A network comprises a data store storing for computing devices connectable to the network i) identification data associated with the computing devices and ii) source data identifying one or more sources of program data for the devices. The network also has one or more sources of program data associated with the said identification data; and a plurality of computing devices. The computing devices each include a communications program configured to communicate with the data store, provide the identification data associated with the computing device and obtain from the data store the said source data, and, having obtained the said source data from the data store, communicate with the identified source to obtain program data from the identified source.

Abstract: A network comprises a data store storing for computing devices connectable to the network i) identification data associated with the computing devices and ii) source data identifying one or more sources of program data for the devices. The network also has one or more sources of program data associated with the identification data; and a plurality of computing devices. The computing devices each include a communications program configured to communicate with the data store, provide the identification data associated with the computing device and obtain from the data store the source data, and, having obtained the source data from the data store, communicate with the identified source to obtain program data from the identified source.

Abstract: At least one of a method, a client computing device, and a server computing device for communicating data associated with a virtual machine are described. In one example, a client computing device is communicatively coupled to a network. A first set of data representative of at least a portion of a virtual machine disk image accessible on the network is determined, the first set of data comprising data arranged in a first sequence. From this first set of data, a second set of data is determined for communication to the client computing device over the network, the second set of data comprising at least a portion of the first set of data arranged in a second sequence, the second sequence being different from the first sequence.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of computers including a first computer and a target computer. It also has a source of a plurality of policies, and an arrangement which installs policies on the computers of the network. The first computer has program code for accessing the source and for selecting one of the policies. The source responds to the selection to provide the selected policy to the installing arrangement. The installing arrangement has program code for automatically installing the selected policy on the target computer.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in a computer by detecting whether or not there is any user activity, and also the identity of each process running on the computer. The identity of each process running on the computer is compared with a set of identities of previously identified processes, these having been deemed to be processes for which it is desirable that the computer maintains a high power state. The computer adopts a low power state if all the detected identities of processes are not in the set of high power state processes or no user activity is detected. The low power state is a state in which the computer is able to service requests. The computer freely adopts any available higher power state if user activity is detected or a detected process is in the set of high power state processes. The power state selected may depend on workload.

Abstract: A network comprises a data store storing for computing devices connectable to the network i) identification data associated with the computing devices and ii) source data identifying one or more sources of program data for the devices. The network also has one or more sources of program data associated with the said identification data; and a plurality of computing devices. The computing devices each include a communications program configured to communicate with the data store, provide the identification data associated with the computing device and obtain from the data store the said source data, and, having obtained the said source data from the data store, communicate with the identified source to obtain program data from the identified source.

Abstract: A computer implemented method monitors a computer to determine values of a plurality of activity metrics of the monitored computer. A weighted combination of functions of the determined values is calculated as a measure of performance of the monitored computer. The weighted combination may be a weighted combination of net values of the activity metrics. In one method, the net values are calculated as the determined values of the plurality of activity metrics of the monitored computer excluding contributions to the values from one or more predetermined activities. In another method, the net values are calculated as total values of the respective activity metrics from which the total values of the one or more predetermined activities are subtracted. The weighted combination may be used to control power consumption or otherwise take action in relation to the computer.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in a computer uses a power management program installed on the computer to detect the identities of processes running on the computer which maintain the computer in a high power state in the absence of input activity. The program compares the identity of the or each process running on the computer with a set of identities of previously identified processes and causes the computer to adopt a low power state if the detected identity of a process, or the detected identities of all the processes, running on the computer is/are in the set of previously identified processes.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of monitoring the operational state of a computer, comprises running on the monitored computer a monitoring program configured to monitor a set of parameters. The set of monitored parameters comprises for example the name(s) of any process(es) running on the computer, together with i) the values of a plurality of metrics indicating the level of activity of the computer, and/or ii) time. The monitored parameters are provided by the monitoring program to another, monitoring, computer; which runs a comparison program which compares the set of monitored parameters with a predetermined model which determines whether or not the monitored computer is in a predetermined operational state defined by the model, and produces an indication of whether or not the monitored computer complies with the model.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of locating and retrieving a package over a network, including a management server, is provided. The method includes sending a package request, determining a subset of primary nodes, receiving a response including address data associated with the determined subset of primary nodes, determining one or more metrics associated with each of the subset of primary nodes to determine a useful primary node, sending a request for the package, upon receipt of the request determining one or more neighbour nodes on the second subnet holding part or all of the requested package, receiving a response including address data associated with the determined one or more neighbour nodes, selecting one or more target nodes from the one or more neighbour nodes, and retrieving part or all of the package from the selected one or more target nodes.

Abstract: A system comprising a group of computers including a group power controller is provided. Each computer of the group has a performance monitor for monitoring a measure of performance of the computer. The measure of performance is the value of at least one performance metric of the computer excluding contributions to the activity metric(s) of one or more predetermined activities. The group power controller is configured to allocate to the computers of the group shares of a maximum power consumption of the group. The shares are allocated in dependence on the monitored measures of performance. Each computer of the group has an individual power controller configured to limit the power consumption of the computer to the share allocated by the group power controller.

Abstract: A monitoring program is run on a computer to identify a process running on the computer, and, for the identified process, determine whether or not one or more predetermined characteristics of the process complies with respective reference characteristics. This allows the program to automatically distinguish whether the process is likely to be a productive process or a non-productive process. For each characteristic a certainty value is incremented or decremented depending on whether the characteristic complies with the reference characteristic. Examples of characteristics are the time pattern of running of a process and the use of hardware resources by the process. Other characteristics include receiving input from a user and connections to known IP addresses. The monitoring process may be used to control power consumption to detect and run non-productive processes in a low power state.

Abstract: A power control system for workstations (31-54) which are connected to a network (2). An application (300) running on a server (1) has access to a profile database (304) which stores records of estimated workstation start and end times and estimated user start and end times, and sends shut down and start up instructions to each workstation in accordance with the profile data. The time assumed to be the working day start for a workstation is either the estimated working day start for that workstation, or the estimated working day start for the user most likely to use that workstation. The time assumed to be the working day end for a workstation is either the estimated working day end for that workstation, or the estimated working day end for a user on that workstation. Workstation and user data is logged (303) to create the profiles.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in a computer by detecting whether or not there is any user activity, and also the identity of each process running on the computer. The identity of each process running on the computer is compared with a set of identities of previously identified processes, these having been deemed to be processes for which it is desirable that the computer maintains a high power state. The computer adopts a low power state if all the detected identities of processes are not in the set of high power state processes or no user activity is detected. The low power state is a state in which the computer is able to service requests. The computer freely adopts any available higher power state if user activity is detected or a detected process is in the set of high power state processes. The power state selected may depend on workload.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of monitoring the performance of a computer comprises determining the value of an activity metric of the monitored computer. The contribution(s) to the said value of one or more predetermined activities is/are determined In one embodiment, the said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total value to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. A predetermined data set may be used to identify the one or more predetermined activities. In another embodiment, the value of at least one activity metric of the monitored computer is determined excluding contributions to that value from the said one or more predetermined activities identified from the said data set to provide a net value representing a measure of the performance of the computer. The net value may be used to control the power consumption of the computer.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of monitoring the performance of a computer comprises monitoring the computer to determine the values of a plurality of activity metrics of the monitored computer. A weighted combination of functions of the determined values is calculated as a measure of performance of the monitored computer. The weighted combination may be a weighted combination of net values of activity metrics. In one embodiment, the net values are calculated as the said values of the plurality of activity metrics of the monitored computer excluding contributions to the values from the one or more predetermined activities. In another embodiment, the net values are calculated as follows. The total values of the respective activity metrics of the monitored computer are determined. The contribution(s) to the said total values of the said one or more predetermined activities are determined The said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total values to provide net values.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of controlling a computer comprises periodically determining the total value of at least one activity metric of the controlled computer. The contribution(s) to the said total value(s) of one or more predetermined activities are determined. In one embodiment, the said contribution(s) are subtracted from the said total value(s) to provide respective net value(s). The net values are compared with respective preset values and the power state of the computer is controlled in dependence on the comparison. The one or more predetermined activities may be identified using a predetermined data set. In another embodiment the net value of at least one activity metric of the monitored computer is a net value excluding contributions to the said value(s) from the said one or more predetermined activities identified from the said data set.