Abstract: A system for allocating constrained resources (e.g., downstream services, execution threads, database connections, input/output channels, computational resources, and/or memory) to requested services that are dependent on those resources may include multiple resource queues, each of which maintains a queue of requests for a respective constrained resource, and multiple service request queues, from which requests may be subsequently serviced. As each request reaches the head of a resource queue, it may receive a resource token for a respective constrained resource. Once the request has collected resource tokens for each of the constrained resources on which it depends, the request may be passed to a service request queue that maintains a queue of requests of a particular type. Requests in the multiple service request queues may be serviced on a round-robin or weighted round-robin basis. The number of tokens available for each constrained resource may be modified based on observed system performance.

Abstract: A distributed system may implement dynamic specification auditing. A specification for a distributed system may be maintained in a machine readable format. Specification assertion agents corresponding to different components of the distributed system may request and receive the specification in order to verify whether tasks performed by the respective component satisfy the specification. The specification assertion agents may then send assertions of the success or failure of the component to be stored in order to verify compliance with specification. Various reports may be generated which identify failures or components in the distributed system that are not reporting assertions.

Abstract: A system and method for two way short message service (SMS)-enabled BGM and related communications is presented. The method includes receiving, by a processing device integrated with a blood glucose meter (BGM), a first short message service (SMS) message comprising a question, presenting the question at the BGM, receiving a response to the question, translating the response to the question into a second SMS message, translating blood glucose measurement information into a third SMS message, the blood glucose measurement information received from a test of a user by the BGM, and transmitting the second and third SMS messages to a receiver.

Abstract: A distributed execution environment provides instances of computing resources for customer use, such as instances of data processing resources, data storage resources, database resources, and networking resources. Data is collected from systems internal to and external to the distributed execution environment. Some or all of the data is utilized to compute instance availability information for instances of computing resources provided by the distributed execution environment. The instance availability information might then be provided to customers and other users of the distributed execution environment. Various types of actions might be taken in a manual or automated way based upon the computed instance availability information.

Abstract: At a logging service, a representation of a transaction requested by a client is received. The transaction includes at least a first write operation directed to a data object at a first data store. Based at least in part on the contents of the representation and contents of a persistent log of the logging service, a determination is made that the requested transaction is to be committed. A log record corresponding to the first write operation is inserted into the persistent log. The first write is propagated to the first data store after the record has been inserted in the persistent log.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for capturing 3D model data including data relating to each of a plurality of voxels and relating to an object. A plurality of images of the object are captured. The plurality of images are correlated with the 3D model data to produce index data, the index data for indicating a correlation between some of the plurality of images and some of the plurality of voxels. The index data is then stored.

Abstract: A ranking service can retrieve metrics from a metrics data store and use the metrics to determine a priority order in which to power down resources in a data center. Metrics from the data store can include a number of instances running on a host, a length of time that an instance has been operational, a type of instance, an amount of CPU use on a host, etc. The ranking service can also obtain other parameters from other sources. The parameters can include whether redundant or failover instances exist, the importance of the instances, whether the customer itself is considered important, other generic parameters from the customer account, a customer provided ranking of instances, etc.

Abstract: Aspects of provisioning computing units based on improved failure resiliency are described. In one embodiment, an infrastructure component shared between a pair of computing units is identified. A failure rate for the infrastructure component is obtained, and a failure probability for a class of assigned computing units is computed based in part on the failure rate. A spread request related to the class of assigned computing units is also received. In response to the spread request, an altered composition of computing units is determined, and a difference between a failure probability for the altered composition of computing units and the failure probability for the class of assigned computing units is computed. In one embodiment, when a spread score improvement value associated with the difference meets a spread criteria of the spread request, the altered composition of computing units may be provisioned for use.

Abstract: Users intending to launch instances or otherwise access virtual resources in a multi-tenant environment can specify a launch configuration. For each type of instance or each type of user, at least one launch configuration is created that includes parameters and values to be used in instantiating an instance of that type, the values being optimized for the current environment and type of instance. Launch configurations can be optimized for different types of users, such as to account for security credentials and access levels. Such an approach enables users to launch instances by contacting the resource provider directly without need for a proxy, which can function as a choke point under heavy load. The use of an appropriate launch configuration can be enforced for any type of user at any level, such as at the sub-net level, by modifying a request that does not specify an appropriate launch configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for provisioning computing units. A spread request is received. The spread request relates to a class of assigned computing units residing within a plurality of networked computing units. The spread request is associated with a spread criteria. In response to the request, a plurality of networked computing units is provisioned based on failure correlation data and in accordance with the spread criteria, to produce a final spread score. Success is indicated in response to the request if the final spread score meets the spread criteria.

Abstract: An altimetry system for a satellite, including an altimeter transmitting and receiving signals on at least one first frequency band; a radiometer receiving signals on at least one second frequency band, the altimeter and the radiometer being connected to one and the same antenna; reception means common to the altimeter and to the radiometer, and capable of amplifying and filtering the signals received from the antenna on a frequency band including the first frequency band and the second frequency band; means for separating the signals on the first frequency band from the signals on the second frequency band; the signals on the first frequency band being exploited to estimate an altimetric distance of the satellite, and radiometric measurements being exploited in order to correct the estimate.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are described for pre-warming compute instances in datacenters. A service provider associated with the datacenters may expect a demand for the compute instances and pre-configure computing resources within the datacenters to pre-launch the compute instances. As such, when a user requests a compute instance, the service provider may satisfy the request by allocating a pre-warmed compute instance to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing credentials distribute the credentials to subsets of a set of collectively managed computing resources. The collectively managed computing resources may include one or more virtual machine instances. The credentials distributed to the computing resources may be used by the computing resources to perform one or more actions. Actions may include performing one or more functions in connection with configuration, management, and/or operation of the one or more resources, and/or access of other computing resources. The ability to use credentials may be changed based at least in part on the occurrence of one or more events.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing credentials distribute the credentials to subsets of a set of collectively managed computing resources. The collectively managed computing resources may include one or more virtual machine instances. The credentials distributed to the computing resources may be used by the computing resources to perform one or more actions. Actions may include performing one or more functions in connection with configuration, management, and/or operation of the one or more resources, and/or access of other computing resources. The ability to use credentials may be changed based at least in part on the occurrence of one or more events.

Abstract: Systems and methods for attesting to information about a computing resource involve electronically signed documents. For a computing resource, a document containing information about the resource is generated and electronically signed. The document may be provided to one or more entities as an attestation to at least some of the information contained in the document. Attestation to information in the document may be a prerequisite for performance of one or more actions that may be taken in connection with the computing resource.

Abstract: Users intending to launch instances or otherwise access virtual resources in a multi-tenant environment can specify a launch configuration. For each type of instance or each type of user, at least one launch configuration is created that includes parameters and values to be used in instantiating an instance of that type, the values being optimized for the current environment and type of instance. Launch configurations can be optimized for different types of users, such as to account for security credentials and access levels. Such an approach enables users to launch instances by contacting the resource provider directly without need for a proxy, which can function as a choke point under heavy load. The use of an appropriate launch configuration can be enforced for any type of user at any level, such as at the sub-net level, by modifying a request that does not specify an appropriate launch configuration.

Abstract: A system for allocating constrained resources (e.g., downstream services, execution threads, database connections, input/output channels, computational resources, and/or memory) to requested services that are dependent on those resources may include multiple resource queues, each of which maintains a queue of requests for a respective constrained resource, and multiple service request queues, from which requests may be subsequently serviced. As each request reaches the head of a resource queue, it may receive a resource token for a respective constrained resource. Once the request has collected resource tokens for each of the constrained resources on which it depends, the request may be passed to a service request queue that maintains a queue of requests of a particular type. Requests in the multiple service request queues may be serviced on a round-robin or weighted round-robin basis. The number of tokens available for each constrained resource may be modified based on observed system performance.

Abstract: An altimetry system for a satellite, including an altimeter transmitting and receiving signals on at least one first frequency band; a radiometer receiving signals on at least one second frequency band, the altimeter and the radiometer being connected to one and the same antenna; reception means common to the altimeter and to the radiometer, and capable of amplifying and filtering the signals received from the antenna on a frequency band including the first frequency band and the second frequency band; means for separating the signals on the first frequency band from the signals on the second frequency band; the signals on the first frequency band being exploited to estimate an altimetric distance of the satellite, and radiometric measurements being exploited in order to correct the estimate.

Abstract: Illegal, unauthorized, uncompensated and/or under-compensated utilization of computing application functionality may be mitigated at least in part by controlling access to executable instructions that implement the computing application functionality. The executable instructions may be executed by a set of one or more virtual machines provisioned by a multi-tenant virtual resource provider. The virtual resource provider may provision the virtual machines and other virtual resources with a set of implementation resources managed by a control plane of the virtual resource provider.

Abstract: A pipe covering apparatus and method associated therewith are provided. The apparatus includes a first half of the pipe covering apparatus mateable along a length with a second half of the pipe covering apparatus, wherein each of the first half and second half have a substantially rigid exterior shell and a flexible insulated liner positioned interior to the exterior shell. A plurality of male connecting elements and a plurality of female connecting elements are integral with each of the first half and second half. The plurality of male connecting elements and plurality of female connecting elements on the first half have identical positions to the plurality of male connecting elements and plurality of female connecting elements on the second half, wherein the plurality of male connecting elements on the first half engage with the plurality of female connecting elements on the second half.