Abstract: Storage-Assisted QoS. To provide storage-assisted QoS, a discriminatory storage system able to enforce a service discrimination policy within the storage system can include re-writable media; a storage system controller; a cache; and, a QoS enforcement processor configured to selectively evict entries in the cache according QoS terms propagated into the storage system through the storage system controller.

Abstract: The invention is a system combining a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, an electronic compass and a two-way wireless communication system wherein a plurality of hunters each carry such a device. The device is adapted to determine its location using GPS, report that location to a base station or directly to other such devices, receive the location of the other hunters from the base station or directly from other of such devices, and to warn the hunter when aiming his weapon in the direction of another hunter that is within an unsafe distance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by performing load balancing of content requests using information regarding the cost of dynamically creating the requested document content. Cost metrics are gathered by a server which generates requested content, and may reflect processing at one or more other servers. This cost information is provided to a load balancing host. Several alternative approaches for providing the cost metrics may be used, including defining new headers for response messages, specifying cookie values, and so forth. The load balancing host may choose to route a subsequent request for that content to the server which most recently generated the content, or to another available server, depending on the cost of re-generating the content and the current load on those servers.

Abstract: A grid coordinator which has been configured for autonomic failover can include a monitor communicatively linked to a multiplicity of grid hosts in a services grid. A metrics store can be coupled to the monitor and configured to store service metrics for individual service instances in the grid hosts. Optimization logic can be programmed to compute a best-fit between metrics stored for a set of service instances in a failed grid host, and platform metrics determined for a proposed replacement grid host. Finally, a failover processor can be coupled to the monitor and the optimization logic and communicatively linked to the grid hosts to create a new set of service instances in the proposed replacement grid host to replace the set of service instances in the failed grid host according to the best-fit in the optimization logic.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for using a digital certificate to access legacy host applications and/or data which are protected by a host-based security system such as RACF (Resource Access Control Facility, a product offered by the IBM Corporation) and which typically require a separate user identification and password. Use of the present invention enables the client to access the host applications and/or data using a single system log on, without requiring modification to host programs.

Abstract: The present invention is a grid quorum system, method and apparatus. In a cluster of resources in a computing grid, a resource locking method can include acquiring a temporally limited lock on a grid service in the computing grid. Upon expiration of the temporally limited lock, a renewal of the temporally limited lock can be requested. Subsequently, the temporally limited lock can be renewed if a renewal has been granted by the grid service in response to the request. Notably, the renewing step can include determining whether the cluster has been partitioned into a plurality of sub-clusters. If the cluster has been partitioned, a parent sub-cluster can be identified and the temporally limited lock can be renewed only if a quorum exists in the parent sub-cluster.

Abstract: A secure event data recording system configured for use in a passenger vehicle. The secure event data recording system can include an event data recorder; a memory device coupled to the event data recorder and configured to store event data processed in the event data recorder; and, an input/output port communicatively linked to the memory device through which read/write access can be provided to the memory device. Significantly, a tamper proof sealing mechanism can be provided which bars access to the memory device, the event data recorder and the input/output port without causing an irreparable breach of the tamper proof sealing mechanism.

Abstract: A method for enforcing a service discrimination policy in a storage system. The service discrimination policy enforcement method can include monitoring load metrics for physical resources required to access content stored within the storage system. A request to access the content stored within the storage system can be received. A corresponding guaranteed service level can be identified from the request. In consequence, a particular one of the physical resources can be selected to service the request based upon a determination that the selected physical resource can service the request while satisfying the guaranteed service level at a load indicated by the monitored load metrics.

Abstract: A method and system for creating service instances in a computing grid. The method can include scheduling a service in the computing grid to process at least a portion of a requested transaction. At least one additional service related to the scheduled service can be identified, and a load condition can be assessed in the at least one additional service related to the scheduled service. A new instance of the at least one additional service can be created if the load condition exceeds a threshold load. In this way, an enhanced capacity for processing transactions can be established in the related services in advance of a predicted increase in load in the grid.

Abstract: The present invention is a service request routing system and method. The system can include a model table configured to store resource models. A monitor can be coupled to the model table and programmed both to model resource consumption in a service providing infrastructure, and also to store the modeled resource consumption in the model table. A router also can be coupled to the model table. Specifically, the router can be programmed to route each service request to a corresponding service instance disposed in an associated service host having a service providing infrastructure. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the associated service host can include a grid host in a grid computing system.

Abstract: Under the present invention a biometric reading, an audit point identity and transaction information are collected for each electronic transaction. Upon collection, the biometric reading, audit point identity and transaction information are packaged into an audit packet, which is then encrypted and stored in a log or the like. One or more of the electronic transactions can then be audited using this stored information. Specifically, for the electronic transactions that are to be audited, the corresponding audit packets are retrieved from storage and decrypted. Once decrypted, the biometric readings will be compared to each other to determine whether a set (e.g., one ore more) of the electronic transactions is potentially fraudulent. Typically, a set of electronic transactions is potentially fraudulent if a plurality of the biometric readings are identical or too similar to each other.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for programmatically allocating memory among competing services in a distributed computing environment. Characteristics of web request streams and formulas for cache hit rates and client response times are used to create an objective function for memory allocation, such that maximum benefit can be realized from the memory allocations. When a particular service is allocated more memory, it can store more of its objects in cache, which improves client response time. Optionally, information from service level agreements may be used as input to the memory allocation computations.

Abstract: Under the present invention, the performance of a set of system resources is monitored in response to incoming request traffic. When a system resource is approaching an overload condition, a corrective action is identified and implemented. Overload thresholds for each system resource and appropriate corrective actions are contained within a management policy. Based on a performance history of the corrective actions, the management policy can be changed/revised.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method, system and program product for distributing portal content processing. Specifically, a request for portal content is received on a surrogate system and then passed to a portal system. The portal system will obtain and aggregate a first type of the requested content, and then package the aggregated content into a response. The response will also include place holders that correspond to the remaining type of the requested content. The response will then be transmitted to the surrogate system, which will, based upon the place holders, obtain the remaining type of portal content. Once obtained, the remaining type of portal content will replace the place holders in the response, and the response will be rendered for the requesting portal user.

Abstract: A secure event data recording system configured for use in a passenger vehicle. The secure event data recording system can include an event data recorder; a memory device coupled to the event data recorder and configured to store event data processed in the event data recorder; and, an input/output port communicatively linked to the memory device through which read/write access can be provided to the memory device. Significantly, a tamper proof sealing mechanism can be provided which bars access to the memory device, the event data recorder and the input/output port without causing an irreparable breach of the tamper proof sealing mechanism.

Abstract: A flexible data mirroring system and method are adapted for use in a data processing system having first and second data storage devices. Upon receiving notification of a file update to be written to the first data storage device a mirror mode and mirror event associated with the updated file are determined from mirror information that has been provisioned on a per-file, per-directory or per-volume, etc. basis. The file update is mirrored to the second data storage device according to the provisioned mirror mode and mirror event. If the mirror mode is continuous, the mirror operation proceeds immediately. If the mirror mode is discrete, the file update is noted and the mirror operation proceeds following occurrence of the file's mirror event.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for selectively replacing cached content (including, but not limited to, dynamically generated Web pages which have been cached) to provide a higher level of service to particular users or groups of users. Service providers may use the disclosed techniques to justify charging for an enhanced quality of service. The disclosed techniques enable reducing, in many cases, the system overhead and response time required for delivering content to those content requesters who have this type of enhanced service. When content is evaluated for potential caching and the cache is determined to be full, content is selected for overwriting according to the quality of service level of the content owner.

Abstract: Storage-Assisted QoS. To provide storage-assisted QoS, a discriminatory storage system able to enforce a service discrimination policy within the storage system can include re-writable media; a storage system controller; a cache; and, a QoS enforcement processor configured to selectively evict entries in the cache according QoS terms propagated into the storage system through the storage system controller.

Abstract: A method and system for processing Service Level Agreement (SLA) terms in a caching component in a storage system. The method can include monitoring cache performance for groups of data in the cache, each the group having a corresponding SLA. Overfunded SLAs can be identified according to the monitored cache performance. In consequence, an entry can be evicted from among one of the groups which correspond to an identified one of the overfunded SLAs. In one aspect of the present invention, the most overfunded SLA can be identified, and an entry can be evicted from among the group which corresponds to the most overfunded SLA.

Abstract: A method for enforcing a service discrimination policy in a storage system. The service discrimination policy enforcement method can include monitoring load metrics for physical resources required to access content stored within the storage system. A request to access the content stored within the storage system can be received. A corresponding guaranteed service level can be identified from the request. In consequence, a particular one of the physical resources can be selected to service the request based upon a determination that the selected physical resource can service the request while satisfying the guaranteed service level at a load indicated by the monitored load metrics.