Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: identifying block addresses which are associated with a given object, and combining the block addresses to a first set in response to determining that at least one token is currently issued on one or more of the identified block addresses. A first portion of the block addresses is transitioned to a second set, where the first portion includes ones of the block addresses determined as having a token currently issued thereon. Moreover, a second portion of the block addresses is divided into equal chunks, where the second portion includes the block addresses remaining in the first set. The chunks in the first set are allocated across two or more parallelization units. Furthermore, the block addresses in the second set are divided into equal chunks, and the chunks in the second set are allocated to at least one dedicated parallelization unit.

Abstract: A grounding clamp (10, 210) is provided for use with an overhead electrical conductor (12) and is operated by a user via a shotgun stick or other elongate stick or pole. The grounding damp (10) includes a pair of damp jaws (16, 18; 216,218) that, in one embodiment (10), are biased towards a closed position by at least one spring (20,22) and that are driven between open and closed positions via a cam mechanism (24) in response to the user applying a torque force to the clamp (10) with the shotgun stick or other elongate stick or pole. In another embodiment, a ground clamp (210) includes a tightening mechanism (220) configured to tighten a pair of jaws (216,218), and a ratchet mechanism (222) configured to allow the tightening mechanism (220) to be translated relative to the jaw (216) to any of a plurality of predetermined, linearly spaced, fixed positions to adjust the spacing between the jaws (216,218).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: identifying block addresses which are associated with a given object, and combining the block addresses to a first set in response to determining that at least one token is currently issued on one or more of the identified block addresses. A first portion of the block addresses is transitioned to a second set, where the first portion includes ones of the block addresses determined as having a token currently issued thereon. Moreover, a second portion of the block addresses is divided into equal chunks, where the second portion includes the block addresses remaining in the first set. The chunks in the first set are allocated across two or more parallelization units. Furthermore, the block addresses in the second set are divided into equal chunks, and the chunks in the second set are allocated to at least one dedicated parallelization unit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: receiving an operation request which corresponds to a given object, identifying multiple block addresses which are associated with the given object, determining whether any one or more of the identified block addresses have a token currently issued thereon, and combining the multiple block addresses to a first set in response to determining that at least one token is currently issued on one or more of the identified block addresses. A first portion of the block addresses determined as having a token currently issued thereon is transitioned to a second set. A remaining portion of the block addresses is also divided into equal chunks. The chunks are allocated in the first set across parallelization units, and the block addresses in the second set are divided into equal chunk. Furthermore, the chunks in the second set are allocated to a dedicated parallelization unit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: receiving an operation request which corresponds to a given object, identifying multiple block addresses which are associated with the given object, determining whether any one or more of the identified block addresses have a token currently issued thereon, and combining the multiple block addresses to a first set in response to determining that at least one token is currently issued on one or more of the identified block addresses. A first portion of the block addresses determined as having a token currently issued thereon is transitioned to a second set. A remaining portion of the block addresses is also divided into equal chunks. The chunks are allocated in the first set across parallelization units, and the block addresses in the second set are divided into equal chunk. Furthermore, the chunks in the second set are allocated to a dedicated parallelization unit.

Abstract: A technique for mapping relationships among virtual elements across a system includes, for a server having a virtualized network interface controller (vNIC) with a plurality of vNIC links connected to a switch, identifying relationships between physical ports on the switch and virtual ports on the switch. For each vNIC link, local area network (LAN) interface information on the server is identified and data structures are created establishing topology information between the switch and the server. A mapping of each vNIC link to a respective virtual port on the switch is created by correlating the topology information with the LAN interface information.

Abstract: A technique for mapping relationships among virtual elements across a system includes, for a server having a virtualized network interface controller (vNIC) with a plurality of vNIC links connected to a switch, identifying relationships between physical ports on the switch and virtual ports on the switch. For each vNIC link, local area network (LAN) interface information on the server is identified and data structures are created establishing topology information between the switch and the server. A mapping of each vNIC link to a respective virtual port on the switch is created by correlating the topology information with the LAN interface information.

Abstract: A grounding clamp (10, 210) is provided for use with an overhead electrical conductor (12) and is operated by a user via a shotgun stick or other elongate stick or pole. The grounding damp (10) includes a pair of damp jaws (16, 18; 216,218) that, in one embodiment (10), are biased towards a closed position by at least one spring (20,22) and that are driven between open and closed positions via a cam mechanism (24) in response to the user applying a torque force to the clamp (10) with the shotgun stick or other elongate stick or pole. In another embodiment, a ground clamp (210) includes a tightening mechanism (220) configured to tighten a pair of jaws (216,218), and a ratchet mechanism (222) configured to allow the tightening mechanism (220) to be translated relative to the jaw (216) to any of a plurality of predetermined, linearly spaced, fixed positions to adjust the spacing between the jaws (216,218).

Abstract: A technique for mapping relationships among virtual elements across a system includes, for a server having a virtualized network interface controller (vNIC) with a plurality of vNIC links connected to a switch, identifying relationships between physical ports on the switch and virtual ports on the switch. For each vNIC link, local area network (LAN) interface information on the server is identified and data structures are created establishing topology information between the switch and the server. A mapping of each vNIC link to a respective virtual port on the switch is created by correlating the topology information with the LAN interface information.

Abstract: A technique for mapping relationships among virtual elements across a system includes, for a server having a virtualized network interface controller (vNIC) with a plurality of vNIC links connected to a switch, identifying relationships between physical ports on the switch and virtual ports on the switch. For each vNIC link, local area network (LAN) interface information on the server is identified and data structures are created establishing topology information between the switch and the server. A mapping of each vNIC link to a respective virtual port on the switch is created by correlating the topology information with the LAN interface information.

Abstract: A system for mapping relationships among virtual elements across a system includes a switch and a server having a virtualized network interface controller (vNIC) with a plurality of vNIC links connected to the switch. The system also includes a virtual relationship module configured to: identify relationships between physical ports on the switch and virtual ports on the switch; for each vNIC link, identify local area network (LAN) interface information on the server; create data structures establishing topology information between the switch and the server; and create a mapping of each vNIC link to a respective virtual port on the switch by correlating the topology information with the LAN interface information.

Abstract: A technique for mapping relationships among virtual elements across a system includes: for a server having a virtualized network interface controller (vNIC) with a plurality of vNIC links connected to a switch, identifying relationships between physical ports on the switch and virtual ports on the switch; for each vNIC link, identifying local area network (LAN) interface information on the server; creating data structures establishing topology information between the switch and the server; and creating a mapping of each vNIC link to a respective virtual port on the switch by correlating the topology information with the LAN interface information.

Abstract: A technique for mapping relationships among virtual elements across a system includes: for a server having a virtualized network interface controller (vNIC) with a plurality of vNIC links connected to a switch, identifying relationships between physical ports on the switch and virtual ports on the switch; for each vNIC link, identifying local area network (LAN) interface information on the server; creating data structures establishing topology information between the switch and the server; and creating a mapping of each vNIC link to a respective virtual port on the switch by correlating the topology information with the LAN interface information.

Abstract: A system for mapping relationships among virtual elements across a system includes a switch and a server having a virtualized network interface controller (vNIC) with a plurality of vNIC links connected to the switch. The system also includes a virtual relationship module configured to: identify relationships between physical ports on the switch and virtual ports on the switch; for each vNIC link, identify local area network (LAN) interface information on the server; create data structures establishing topology information between the switch and the server; and create a mapping of each vNIC link to a respective virtual port on the switch by correlating the topology information with the LAN interface information.

Abstract: A novel approach enables a customized smart business card that combines key features of a business card and a debit/gift card. The card not only carries information about a provider (a person and/or a business corporation who provides the card as a gift to the receiver), the card also functions as a prepaid/gift card, enabling the recipient of the card to purchase a product or service using the money/credit provided.