Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to optimizing a file system for different types of applications in a compute cluster using dynamic block size granularity. An exemplary embodiment includes reserving a predetermined number of storage allocation regions for each node in a cluster, wherein each storage allocation region comprises a set of contiguous data blocks on a single storage disk of locally attached storage; using a contiguous set of data blocks on a single storage disk of locally attached storage as a file system's block allocation granularity for striping data to be stored in the file system for a compute operation in the cluster; and using a single data block of a shared storage subsystem as the file system's block allocation granularity for striping data to be stored in the file system for a data access operation in the cluster.

Abstract: The increasing number of Internet users and innovative new services such as e-commerce are placing new demands on Web servers. It is becoming essential for Web servers to provide performance isolation, have fast recovery times, and provide continuous service during overload at least to preferred customers. The invention describes a kernel-based architecture for content-aware service differentiation that protects Web servers against overload by controlling the amount and rate of work entering the system. We have invented a mechanism that provides admission control and service differentiation based on connection and application level information. The application header-based connection control uses application-level information (such as URIs and cookies for HTTP) to define different service differentiation actions. The present invention provides the kernel mechanisms that are more efficient and scalable than application level controls implemented in current Web servers.

Abstract: Asynchronous file operations in a scalable multi-node file system cache for a remote cluster file system, is provided. One implementation involves maintaining a scalable multi-node file system cache in a local cluster file system, and caching local file data in the cache by fetching file data on demand from the remote cluster file system into the cache over the network. The local file data corresponds to file data in the remote cluster file system. Local file information is asynchronously committed from the cache to the remote cluster file system over the network.

Abstract: Scalable caching of remote file data in cluster file systems is provided. One implementation involves maintaining a cache in a local cluster file system and caching local file data in the cache by fetching file data on demand from the remote cluster file system into the local cached file system over the network. The local file data and metadata corresponds to the remote file data and metadata in the remote cluster file system. Updates made to the local file data and metadata are pushed back to the remote cluster file system asynchronously.

Abstract: Directory traversal in a scalable multi-node file system cache for a remote cluster file system, is provided. One implementation involves maintaining a scalable multi-node file system cache in a local cluster file system, and caching local file data in the cache by fetching file data on demand from a remote cluster file system into the cache over the network. The local file data corresponds to file data in the remote cluster file system. The local namespace emulates the remote namespace and is created on demand. Access to data further involves performing directory traversal for the cache for the remote cluster file system by creating a directory structure on demand.

Abstract: Facilitating access to data in a network, is provided. One implementation involves maintaining a scalable multi-node file system cache in a local cluster file system, and caching file data in a cache by fetching file data on demand from a remote cluster file system into the local cached file system over the network. The local file data corresponds to file data in the remote cluster file system. Upon disconnection from the remote cluster file system, all file operations are supported at the cache. Then, upon reconnection to the remote cluster file system over the network, the remote cluster file system is synchronized with the information cached in the cache during the disconnection even in the presence of failures.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for executing applications in a distributed manner employing one or more proxy servers and one origin server. The invention allows the applications to be executed primarily at the proxy servers rather than at the origin servers, thereby gaining in scalability and improved user response time. A redirection mechanism is used to direct requests to one of the proxy servers. The proxy server uses caching techniques to bring information records needed for application execution to the proxy servers. The code required for application execution is also obtained from the origin server. The invention discusses applying this technique to three Web-based applications, namely Web-based auctions, generating personalized content for Web-users, and creating advertisements for users accessing a Web page.

Abstract: The increasing number of Internet users and innovative new services such as e-commerce are placing new demands on Web servers. It is becoming essential for Web servers to provide performance isolation, have fast recovery times, and provide continuous service during overload at least to preferred customers. The invention describes a kernel-based architecture for content-aware service differentiation that protects Web servers against overload by controlling the amount and rate of work entering the system. We have invented a mechanism that provides admission control and service differentiation based on connection and application level information. The application header-based connection control uses application-level information (such as URIs and cookies for HTTP) to define different service differentiation actions. The present invention provides the kernel mechanisms that are more efficient and scalable than application level controls implemented in current Web servers.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for executing applications in a distributed manner employing one or more proxy servers and one origin server. The invention allows the applications to be executed primarily at the proxy servers rather than at the origin servers, thereby gaining in scalability and improved user response time. A redirection mechanism is used to direct requests to one of the proxy servers. The proxy server uses caching techniques to bring information records needed for application execution to the proxy servers. The code required for application execution is also obtained from the origin server. The invention discusses applying this technique to three Web-based applications, namely Web-based auctions, generating personalized content for Web-users, and creating advertisements for users accessing a Web page.

Abstract: A method and system architecture to manage system resources in such a way as to provide service time guarantees to various classes of work using the system. In the case that the system resources are not sufficient to provide the specified service time guarantees, a method and system architecture is provided to limit work into the system such that the guarantees are satisfied and the revenue derived from the system is maximized.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for executing applications in a distributed manner employing one or more proxy servers and one origin server. The invention allows the applications to be executed primarily at the proxy servers rather than at the origin servers, thereby gaining in scalability and improved user response time. A redirection mechanism is used to direct requests to one of the proxy servers. The proxy server uses caching techniques to bring information records needed for application execution to the proxy servers. The code required for application execution is also obtained from the origin server. The invention discusses applying this technique to three Web-based applications, namely Web-based auctions, generating personalized content for Web-users, and creating advertisements for users accessing a Web page.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for web switching without connection termination while providing content routing functionality. Content-aware web switches terminate incoming TCP connections and inspect the HTTP header to recognize the URL (content) being requested from a web server farm. This invention maps application layer information (URLs) to MPLS labels. This allows a standard MPLS switch to provide web switching functionality without terminating TCP connections. In addition to content routing, this method is applied for client session affinity, server load balancing and service differentiation. This invention also relates to using TCP port numbers instead of MPLS labels to achieve web-switching functionality through the use of a TCP router that translates IP address and port numbers.

Abstract: The increasing number of Internet users and innovative new services such as e-commerce are placing new demands on Web servers. It is becoming essential for Web servers to provide performance isolation, have fast recovery times, and provide continuous service during overload at least to preferred customers. The invention describes a kernel-based architecture for content-aware service differentiation that protects Web servers against overload by controlling the amount and rate of work entering the system. We have invented a mechanism that provides admission control and service differentiation based on connection and application level information. The application header-based connection control uses application-level information (such as URIs and cookies for HTTP) to define different service differentiation actions. The present invention provides the kernel mechanisms that are more efficient and scalable than application level controls implemented in current Web servers.

Abstract: The increasing number of Internet users and innovative new services such as e-commerce are placing new demands on Web servers. It is becoming essential for Web servers to provide performance isolation, have fast recovery times, and provide continuous service during overload at least to preferred customers. The invention describes a kernel-based architecture for content-aware service differentiation that protects Web servers against overload by controlling the amount and rate of work entering the system. We have invented a mechanism that provides admission control and service differentiation based on connection and application level information. The application header-based connection control uses application-level information (such as URIs and cookies for HTTP) to define different service differentiation actions. The present invention provides the kernel mechanisms that are more efficient and scalable than application level controls implemented in current Web servers.

Abstract: An adaptive data replication and caching system configured for deployment at the network edge. This system can include a data caching system configured to cache application data in a data store and to satisfy queries for application data from the cache. The system also can include a data replication system configured to replicate application data in the data store and to satisfy queries for application data against the replicated application data. Finally, the adaptive data replication and caching system can include a configurator for configuring portions of the data store for exclusive use by the data caching system and the data replication system.

Abstract: An adaptive data replication and caching system configured for deployment at the network edge. This system can include a data caching system configured to cache application data in a data store and to satisfy queries for application data from the cache. The system also can include a data replication system configured to replicate application data in the data store and to satisfy queries for application data against the replicated application data. Finally, the adaptive data replication and caching system can include a configurator for configuring portions of the data store for exclusive use by the data caching system and the data replication system.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for web switching without connection termination while providing content routing functionality. Content-aware web switches terminate incoming TCP connections and inspect the HTTP header to recognize the URL (content) being requested from a web server farm. This invention maps application layer information (URLs) to MPLS labels. This allows a standard MPLS switch to provide web switching functionality without terminating TCP connections. In addition to content routing, this method is applied for client session affinity, server load balancing and service differentiation. This invention also relates to using TCP port numbers instead of MPLS labels to achieve web-switching functionality through the use of a TCP router that translates IP address and port numbers.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for web switching without connection termination while providing content routing functionality. Content-aware web switches terminate incoming TCP connections and inspect the HTTP header to recognize the URL (content) being requested from a web server farm. This invention maps application layer information (URLs) to MPLS labels. This allows a standard MPLS switch to provide web switching functionality without terminating TCP connections. In addition to content routing, this method is applied for client session affinity, server load balancing and service differentiation. This invention also relates to using TCP port numbers instead of MPLS labels to achieve web-switching functionality through the use of a TCP router that translates IP address and port numbers.

Abstract: The present invention presents methods and apparatus supporting acceleration of networked applications by means of dynamic distributed execution and maintenance. It also enables management and administration of the distributed components of the networked applications from a responsible point of origination. The method and apparatus deploys a plurality of proxy servers within the network. Clients are directed to one of the proxy servers using wide area load balancing techniques. The proxy servers download programs from backend servers and cache them in a local store. These programs, in conjunction with data stored at cached servers, are used to execute applications at the proxy server, eliminating the need for a client to communicate to a backend server to execute a networked application.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically allocating cache space in a storage system among multiple workload classes each having a unique set of quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. The invention dynamically adapts the space allocated to each class depending upon the observed response time for each class and the observed temporal locality in each class. The dynamic allocation is achieved by maintaining a history of recently evicted pages for each class, determining a future cache size for the class based on the history and the QoS requirements where the future cache size might be different than a current cache size for the class, determining whether the QoS requirements for the class are being met, and adjusting the future cache size to maximize the number of classes in which the QoS requirements are met. The future cache sizes are increased for the classes whose QoS requirements are not met while they are decreased for those whose QoS requirements are met.