Patents by Inventor Troy David Armstrong

Troy David Armstrong has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11531485
    Abstract: A throttling engine throttles access to a high latency hybrid memory. A request is received for partition mapping of a virtual address for an R/W memory page. An entry is added to a partition page table that maps a virtual address to a physical address and comprises access information that is R/W. A throttled flag is set in an entry of a partition page extension table. The throttle entry corresponds to the entry. The access information is saved in an original access part of the partition page extension table, and the access information is replaced with an R value. Upon application fault receipt, a throttling test is performed on an address of the application fault. If the throttling test is false, the fault is passed through to an operating system fault handler and the throttling fault stage is ended, otherwise, a delay is implemented for slowing access to the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, Kenneth Charles Vossen, Wade Byron Ouren
  • Patent number: 11281483
    Abstract: Within a hashed page table maintained by a hypervisor, a special host real address configured to access a hardware device using access data intended to be invalidated is identified as part of a firmware assisted dump process for a virtual machine executing on the hypervisor. The special host real address is translated to a corresponding special guest real address. Within the hashed page table, the special host real address is replaced with the corresponding special guest real address, and the corresponding special guest real address is marked as invalid and requiring special handling. Subsequent to the replacing, the special host real address is invalidated. The special guest real address and translated address information are provided to the virtual machine subsequent to the invalidating, the translated address information comprising a set of host real addresses translated to corresponding guest real addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Wallis, Wade Byron Ouren, Stuart Zachary Jacobs, Troy David Armstrong, Kenneth Charles Vossen
  • Patent number: 11249804
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for affinity based optimization of persistent memory volumes. Responsive to receiving a request for a parent virtual PMEM device, a total memory capacity is apportioned amongst virtual persistent memory (PMEM) resources and physical memory resources. In accordance with a target affinity characteristic, a set of virtual central processor unit (CPU) sockets are assigned. Each virtual CPU socket is configured based on at least one physical central processor unit (CPU) core in conjunction with a subset of the virtual PMEM and physical memory resources. Child virtual PMEM devices are created for respective ones of the virtual CPU sockets, each of the child virtual PMEM devices being dedicated to the parent virtual PMEM device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Anthony Larson Stanton, Stuart Zachary Jacobs, Troy David Armstrong, Peter J. Heyrman
  • Publication number: 20210117215
    Abstract: Within a hashed page table maintained by a hypervisor, a special host real address configured to access a hardware device using access data intended to be invalidated is identified as part of a firmware assisted dump process for a virtual machine executing on the hypervisor. The special host real address is translated to a corresponding special guest real address. Within the hashed page table, the special host real address is replaced with the corresponding special guest real address, and the corresponding special guest real address is marked as invalid and requiring special handling. Subsequent to the replacing, the special host real address is invalidated. The special guest real address and translated address information are provided to the virtual machine subsequent to the invalidating, the translated address information comprising a set of host real addresses translated to corresponding guest real addresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Wallis, Wade Byron Ouren, Stuart Zachary Jacobs, Troy David Armstrong, Kenneth Charles Vossen
  • Publication number: 20210103474
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for affinity based optimization of persistent memory volumes. Responsive to receiving a request for a parent virtual PMEM device, a total memory capacity is apportioned amongst virtual persistent memory (PMEM) resources and physical memory resources. In accordance with a target affinity characteristic, a set of virtual central processor unit (CPU) sockets are assigned. Each virtual CPU socket is configured based on at least one physical central processor unit (CPU) core in conjunction with a subset of the virtual PMEM and physical memory resources. Child virtual PMEM devices are created for respective ones of the virtual CPU sockets, each of the child virtual PMEM devices being dedicated to the parent virtual PMEM device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Anthony Larson Stanton, Stuart Zachary Jacobs, Troy David Armstrong, Peter J. Heyrman
  • Patent number: 7783807
    Abstract: A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual I/O slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an I/O slot when transferring control of the I/O slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the I/O slot from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an I/O slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that I/O slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Curtis Shannon Eide, Gregory Michael Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 7676618
    Abstract: A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual I/O slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an I/O slot when transferring control of the I/O slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the I/O slot from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an I/O slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that I/O slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Curtis Shannon Eide, Gregory Michael Nordstrom
  • Publication number: 20090112518
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems, and products are described for executing an overall quantity of data processing within an overall processing period that include executing repeatedly through a series of iterations a portion of the overall quantity of data processing that can be completed in a set processing period, wherein each iteration includes the set processing period and a variable delay period and calculating the variable delay period for an iteration in dependence upon the set processing period, a portion of the overall quantity of data processing performed during the set processing period of the iteration, the overall quantity of data processing, and the overall processing period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, Naresh Nayar, Gary R. Ricard
  • Patent number: 7506075
    Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method of processing access requests for a direct access storage device utilize a “fair elevator” algorithm to schedule access requests from a plurality of requesters desiring access to a direct access storage device (DASD). In particular, a fair elevator algorithm arbitrates requests by taking into account both the requesters with which various requests are associated, as well as the relative positions of the data to be accessed on the DASD. By sorting access requests based upon both requester identity and DASD position, both multitasking performance and DASD throughput are improved in a balanced manner, thus improving overall system performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, Michael Steven Faunce
  • Patent number: 7487065
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems, and products are described for executing an overall quantity of data processing within an overall processing period that include executing repeatedly through a series of iterations a portion of the overall quantity of data processing that can be completed in a set processing period, wherein each iteration includes the set processing period and a variable delay period and calculating the variable delay period for an iteration in dependence upon the set processing period, a portion of the overall quantity of data processing performed during the set processing period of the iteration, the overall quantity of data processing, and the overall processing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, Naresh Nayar, Gary Ross Ricard
  • Patent number: 7475218
    Abstract: A partition manager includes a resource detection mechanism that uses a persistent resource database to determine which resources were seen previously, and to determine which resources are required for a logical partition to start. Once all required resources for a logical partition are detected, the logical partition is started. In this manner, a logical partition may be started as soon as all of its resources are available, without waiting on the resources of other logical partitions. In addition, a missing required resource will prevent a logical partition from starting, thus avoiding the crash of a logical partition due to missing resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Patrick Abbey, Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Gregory Michael Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 7464209
    Abstract: A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual PCI adaptor slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an PCI adaptor slot when transferring control of the PCI adaptor slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the PCI adaptor from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an PCI adaptor slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that PCI adaptor slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Curtis Shannon Eide, Gergory Michael Nordstrom
  • Publication number: 20080189460
    Abstract: A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual I/O slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an I/O slot when transferring control of the I/O slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the I/O slot from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an I/O slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that I/O slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Curtis Shannon Eide, Gergory Michael Nordstrom
  • Publication number: 20080189462
    Abstract: A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual I/O slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an I/O slot when transferring control of the I/O slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the I/O slot from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an I/O slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that I/O slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Curtis Shannon Eide, Gregory Michael Nordstrom
  • Publication number: 20080189715
    Abstract: A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual I/O slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an I/O slot when transferring control of the I/O slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the I/O slot from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an I/O slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that I/O slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Curtis Shannon Eide, Gergory Michael Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 7191260
    Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method for managing a number of physical connections to a peripheral device. A multipath driver provides a logical connection interface to a client. This interface allows the client to efficiently access the peripheral device over one or more of the physical connections. In so doing, the logical connection interface associates connections with a primary connection, deletes inactive connections from memory, as well as updates and uses a list of active connections to seamlessly route data to the peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, Thomas Richard Crowley, Kenneth Gerald Linn, James Lee Naylor, Joseph Thomas Writz
  • Patent number: 7111200
    Abstract: A logical partition debugger allows debugging one logical partition in a computer system without requiring the shutdown of other logical partitions. The logical partition debugger is implemented in software in the partition manager. The logical partition debugger provides many common debug functions known in existing hardware and software debuggers, but does so in a manner that only the partition being debugged is affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Tracy Bashore, George F. Eckman, Naresh Nayar
  • Patent number: 7085862
    Abstract: A resource and partition manager includes a power on/power off mechanism that is used to assure a hardware resource is powered down when control of the resource is removed from a logical partition, and to assure the hardware resource is powered up when control of the hardware resource is transferred to a logical partition. In the alternative, the resource and partition manager may simply place the hardware resource in a power on reset state when the hardware resource is transferred to a logical partition. In this manner, when made available to a partition, the hardware resource is in a power-on reset state, which is the state typically expected by the logical partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Curtis Shannon Eide, Gregory Michael Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 7073002
    Abstract: A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual hardware resources. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on a hardware resource when transferring control of the hardware resource to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the hardware resource from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of a hardware resource from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that hardware resource or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, William Joseph Armstrong, Curtis Shannon Eide, Gregory Michael Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 7047337
    Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method to manage access to a shared resource by a plurality of processes in a multithreaded computer via a collection of atomic operations that track both the order in which requests that use a shared resource are received, and the order in which processing of such requests are completed after they are received. Dispatching of requests is effectively deferred until processing of all non-dispatched requests that were received earlier than a most recently completed request has been completed. In many instances, completion of processing of requests can be performed non-atomically, thus reducing contention issues with respect to the shared resource. Furthermore, dispatching of requests may be batched to reduce the overhead associated with individual dispatch operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, Kyle Alan Lucke