Abstract: Minimization of waste of information processing resources by orphan computer processes in an information processing system is provided by: assembling information regarding active computer processes on a computer system; classifying each of the active computer processes for which information was assembled as one of a group consisting of legitimate computer processes and orphan computer processes; and processing the orphan computer processes according to an orphan processing protocol.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for linking to a file in an operating system. In one aspect, the method includes defining a virtual variable; creating a variable symbolic link referencing a file using the virtual variable; referencing the file by the virtual variable; and expanding the virtual variable to identify the referenced file. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a computer-readable, program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform a method in accordance with the invention. In yet another aspect, the apparatus includes a computer programmed to perform a method in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting digital data representations, such as network addresses of different computer networks. Input data, which in one embodiment includes a hexadecimal network address, contains a plurality of bytes, with each byte having a plurality of digits arranged in positions. A first set of digits from the bytes is selected having a first digit position. The digits in the first set are shifted to a second digit position to generate a first resultant. A second set of digits is selected having a third digit position. The digits in the second set are shifted to a fourth digit position to generate a second resultant. The first and second resultants are summed to generate a converted output network address.

Abstract: The time required for executing a function over a network of computer systems in a high availability system is minimized. A list of computer systems is provided by a parent process. The list includes a plurality of computer systems upon which a first function is to be performed. The first function is received by the parent process. A plurality of child processes is sequentially created. Each of the child processes corresponds to one of the computer systems on the list. Each of the child processes executes in parallel with at least one other of the child processes. Each of the child processes remotely executes the first function on the computer system corresponding to the respective child process.

Abstract: A method of communication in a distributed computing environment includes storing information in a first memory segment on a first computer system in the distributed computing environment. A second memory segment of a second computer system is repeatedly updated. The second memory segment is repeatedly updated with information corresponding to the most recently read information stored in the first memory segment. The information stored in the second memory segment is repeatedly read by each of a plurality of work session computer processes. The information stored in the first memory segment is changed. A function is performed by each of the plurality of work session computer processes. The function performed by each of the plurality of work session computer processes is determined by a change of the information read from the second memory segment.

Abstract: A computer system is upgraded while the computer system is functioning. The computer system has a first boot device with a first operating system and a second device. The method includes: preparing the second device within the computer system as a bootable device while the computer system is functioning under control of the first operating system; preparing the second device within the computer system to receive a second operating system while the computer system is functioning under control of the first operating system; loading the second operating system onto the second device while the computer system is functioning under control of the first operating system; and, rebooting the computer system such that the computer system is under control of the second operating system on the second device.

Abstract: A multi-client test harness for testing first and second computer systems by executing a first test case on the first and second computer systems. The multi-client test harness includes a scheduler module. The scheduler module initiates execution of the first test case on the first computer system and the second computer system responsive to attest initiation event. The scheduler module synchronizes the execution of the first test case on the first and second computer systems such that the first test case executes on the first computer system at substantially the same time that the first test case executes on the second computer system.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the sharing of stored information including a computer-readable storage medium and an information sharing protocol test harness module stored on the computer-readable storage medium. The information sharing protocol test harness module executes an information sharing protocol test case on a computer system responsive to a test initiation input. The information sharing protocol test case tests the locking of storage locations to prevent data corruption responsive to being executed.

Abstract: A polyimide precursor mixture having a solids content of about 50 to about 77 (preferably about 65 to about 75) weight percent is subjected to a multistaged thermal treatment in which the precursor is heated to one or more temperatures sufficient to obtain a consolidated but friable cellular foam structure, and the resultant cellular foam structure is then subjected to one or more higher temperatures sufficient to cure the cellular material into a resilient polyimide foam. There is no need for use of time-consuming and expensive spray drying and microwave radiation apparatus.