Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that translates host names into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. This system includes a plurality of name servers that are configured to translate host names into corresponding IP addresses. This system also includes a plurality of load balancers coupled to the plurality of name servers. Each of these load balancers is configured to receive requests for host name translations, and to distribute these requests between the plurality of name servers in order to balance load across the plurality of name servers. Note that these load balancers are configured to operate in parallel in distributing requests between the plurality of name servers. A variation on the above embodiment provides a system that performs failovers between a plurality of load balancers that are configured to balance requests for host name to IP address translations between a plurality of name servers.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that schedules processes within an operating system based upon virtual server identifiers, wherein the operating system supports multiple virtual servers that operate within separate virtual environments on a single computing platform. Upon detecting an event that causes a scheduling priority for a process to be updated, the system looks up a virtual server identifier for the process. This virtual server identifier specifies a virtual server and an associated virtual environment that the process operates within. Next, the system uses the virtual server identifier to look up a scheduling priority associated with the virtual server, and then calculates an updated scheduling priority for the process based upon the scheduling priority for the virtual server.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that translates host names into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. This system includes a plurality of name servers that are configured to translate host names into corresponding IP addresses. This system also includes a plurality of load balancers coupled to the plurality of name servers. Each of these load balancers is configured to receive requests for host name translations, and to distribute these requests between the plurality of name servers in order to balance load across the plurality of name servers. Note that these load balancers are configured to operate in parallel in distributing requests between the plurality of name servers. A variation on the above embodiment provides a system that performs failovers between a plurality of load balancers that are configured to balance requests for host name to IP address translations between a plurality of name servers.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for dynamic server provisioning, wherein a number of functions are made available through use of loadable modules. The system operates by first receiving an account configuration file specifying modules that an account holder is authorized to access. The system then reads the account configuration file to determine a module allowed for the specific account. After determining an allowed module, the system next recovers a verb table from the allowed module that contains a list of commands available within the allowed module. This verb table is stored in a master verb table which specifies every command authorized for the account holder. Additionally, the master verb table relates verbs to the allowed module. The system next accepts a command from a user. After accepting the command, the system validates the command by looking up the command in the master verb table.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a mechanism that associates a virtual server identifier with a process in an operating system, wherein the operating system supports multiple virtual servers running within multiple virtual environments. Upon receiving a call to an operating system function from the process, the system looks up an identifier for a virtual server associated with the process. If the identifier exists, the system uses the identifier in performing the operating system function, so that the operating system function accesses only objects defined within a virtual environment associated with the virtual server, and does not access objects defined outside the virtual environment In one embodiment of the present invention, the system receives a command to initialize a new process. If the new process is being initialized within a target virtual environment associated with a target virtual server, the system assigns an identifier for the target virtual server to the new process.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that schedules processes within an operating system based upon virtual server identifiers, wherein the operating system supports multiple virtual servers that operate within separate virtual environments on a single computing platform. Upon detecting an event that causes a scheduling priority for a process to be updated, the system looks up a virtual server identifier for the process. This virtual server identifier specifies a virtual server and an associated virtual environment that the process operates within. Next, the system uses the virtual server identifier to look up a scheduling priority associated with the virtual server, and then calculates an updated scheduling priority for the process based upon the scheduling priority for the virtual server.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for entering system administration data using a portable computing device, wherein the portable computing device may not be able to access an associated system during data entry. The system operates by first allowing a system administrator to access a data entry program on the portable computing device. This data entry program accepts an element of system administration data from the system administrator, wherein the element of system administration data can be used by the associated system to generate system administration commands.