Abstract: A mechanism for interfacing block storage devices is disclosed. The mechanism performs operations including receiving communications from an initiator at a block storage device interface, translating the received communications, transmitting the translated communications to a native storage device driver, forwarding the translated communication to a physical adapter, and controlling physical storage devices in response to the communications received from the initiator.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for sharing an application among multiple server systems. In one embodiment, the application is stored on a fast disk paging device. The paging device is in communication with each of a plurality of servers so that each server may be given access to the application. Virtual real memory (VRM) is allocated to a first virtual client of the first server. A portion of this VRM is allocated to the application. The application is executed by a virtual client of a first server. During execution a condition may occur that requires taking the first server off line. In that event, VRM is allocated to a second virtual client of a second server. A portion of this VRM is allocated to the application. The application is then executed by the second virtual client of the second server.

Abstract: An interface is provided between a virtual cluster proxy and a virtual I/O server on a logical partitioned platform. The virtual I/O server is configured to support virtual real memory. A command is received from a virtual cluster proxy. The virtual cluster proxy identifies whether the command is a virtual real memory command or a virtualization command. Virtual real memory commands and virtualization commands are marked by the virtual cluster proxy with a virtualization marker. The virtualization marker indicates that the command is a virtual real memory command or a virtualization command. The command is then forwarded to a logical partitioned platform. A virtual memory manager intercepts the command and identifies whether the command has been marked with the virtualization marker. If the command is marked with the virtualization marker, the virtual memory manager reroutes the command to the virtual I/O server.

Abstract: A method for storing and retrieving blocks of data having different dimensions is disclosed. The method can include receiving a first data segment to be stored in a block storage device where the first data segment has an address. The method can also include determining if the first data segment conforms to a standard dimension and sorting the first data segment according to the destination address if it does not have a standard dimension. The method can further include placing a non-standard data segment into a unfilled block allocation and placing a second non-standard data segment into the unfilled block allocation when the second data segment has the destination identifier. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for migrating memory data between partitions are provided in the illustrative embodiments. All or a portion of a memory data of the source partition is written to a data storage unit, which may be a shared paging space, or a shared area of a data storage unit other than a paging space. The writing uses a first data communication path configured for paging the memory data. The portion of the memory data from the data storage unit is read at a destination partition. The reading uses a second data communication path configured for paging a second memory data. The read portion of the memory data may be used for executing a migrated application. The writing and reading may use a third and a fourth data communication paths respectively that may be configured for paging memory data to the shared area.

Abstract: Mechanisms for dynamic reallocation of memory to an application, the memory being from a pool of virtual real memory allocated to a virtual client that executes the application, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a virtual client is allocated a pool of virtual real memory. A subset of this pool of virtual real memory is a block of memory allocated for use by an application. The allocation may be stated as a range of allocated memory with an upper and lower limit. The application calls a kernel service when it thinks it needs a new allocation of memory. The new allocation is established by a power hypervisor connected to the virtual client. Memory is exported by way of a Paging Space Partition.

Abstract: A method for controlling input and output of a virtualized computing platform is disclosed. The method can include creating a device interface definition, assigning an identifier to a paging device and configuring commands useable by a virtual input output server. The commands can be sent to the input output server and can be converted by the input output server into paging device commands. A hypervisor can assist in facilitating the communication configuration. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing and retrieving blocks of data having different dimensions is disclosed. The method can include receiving a first data segment to be stored in a block storage device where the first data segment has an address. The method can also include determining if the first data segment conforms to a standard dimension and sorting the first data segment according to the destination address if it does not have a standard dimension. The method can further include placing a non-standard data segment into a unfilled block allocation and placing a second non-standard data segment into the unfilled block allocation when the second data segment has the destination identifier. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for distributed computing utilizing virtual memory is disclosed. The method can include identifying a first node to process an application, identifying paging space accessible to the first node, identifying a second node to share paged data with the first node, and transacting the paged data between the first node and the identified paging space. Thus, application processing results from the first node can be stored in paging space and a second node can retrieve the first result from the paging space such that the paging space can be shared between nodes. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing and retrieving blocks of data having different dimensions is disclosed. The method can include receiving a first data segment to be stored in a block storage device where the first data segment has an address. The method can also include determining if the first data segment conforms to a standard dimension and sorting the first data segment according to the destination address if it does not have a standard dimension. The method can further include placing a non-standard data segment into a unfilled block allocation and placing a second non-standard data segment into the unfilled block allocation when the second data segment has the destination identifier. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for sharing memory locations in a virtual memory system is disclosed. The method can include processing instructions and accessing data utilizing a virtual memory system with a paging device that is accessible by multiple clients. The method can also include configuring a first client to access the paging device, configuring a second client to access the paging device and allowing the first and second client to access the paging device via a virtual input output server. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for interfacing block storage devices is disclosed. The method can include receiving communications from an initiator at a block storage device interface, translating the received communications, transmitting the translated communications to a native storage device driver, forwarding the translated communication to a physical adapter, and controlling physical storage devices in response to the communications received from the initiator.

Abstract: A method for controlling input and output of a virtualized computing platform is disclosed. The method can include creating a device interface definition, assigning an identifier to a paging device and configuring commands useable by a virtual input output server. The commands can be sent to the input output server and can be converted by the input output server into paging device commands. A hypervisor can assist in facilitating the communication configuration. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for migrating memory data between partitions are provided in the illustrative embodiments. All or a portion of a memory data of the source partition is written to a data storage unit, which may be a shared paging space, or a shared area of a data storage unit other than a paging space. The writing uses a first data communication path configured for paging the memory data. The portion of the memory data from the data storage unit is read at a destination partition. The reading uses a second data communication path configured for paging a second memory data. The read portion of the memory data may be used for executing a migrated application. The writing and reading may use a third and a fourth data communication paths respectively that may be configured for paging memory data to the shared area.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for dynamic reallocation of memory to an application, the memory from a pool of virtual real memory allocated to a virtual client that executes the application are disclosed. In one embodiment, a virtual client is allocated a pool of virtual real memory. A subset of this pool of virtual real memory is a block of memory allocated for use by an application. The allocation may be stated as a range of allocated memory with an upper and lower limit. The application calls a kernel service when it thinks it needs a new allocation of memory. The new allocation is established by a power hypervisor connected to the virtual client. Memory is exported by way of a Paging Space Partition.

Abstract: A method for sharing memory locations in a virtual memory system is disclosed. The method can include processing instructions and accessing data utilizing a virtual memory system with a paging device that is accessible by multiple clients. The method can also include configuring a first client to access the paging device, configuring a second client to access the paging device and allowing the first and second client to access the paging device via a virtual input output server. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An interface is provided between a virtual cluster proxy and a virtual I/O server on a logical partitioned platform. The virtual I/O server is configured to support virtual real memory. A command is received from a virtual cluster proxy. The virtual cluster proxy identifies whether the command is a virtual real memory command or a virtualization command. Virtual real memory commands and virtualization commands are marked by the virtual cluster proxy with a virtualization marker. The virtualization marker indicates that the command is a virtual real memory command or a virtualization command. The command is then forwarded to a logical partitioned platform. A virtual memory manager intercepts the command and identifies whether the command has been marked with the virtualization marker. If the command is marked with the virtualization marker, the virtual memory manager reroutes the command to the virtual I/O server.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for sharing an application among multiple server systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the application is stored on a fast disk paging device. The paging device is in communication with each of a plurality of servers so that each server may be given access to the application. Virtual real memory (VRM) is allocated to a first virtual client of the first server. A portion of this VRM is allocated to the application. The application is executed by a virtual client of a first server. During execution a condition may occur that requires taking the first server off line. In that event, VRM is allocated to a second virtual client of a second server. A portion of this VRM is allocated to the application. The application is then executed by the second virtual client of the second server.

Abstract: A method for distributed computing utilizing virtual memory is disclosed. The method can include identifying a first node to process an application, identifying paging space accessible to the first node, identifying a second node to share paged data with the first node, and transacting the paged data between the first node and the identified paging space. Thus, application processing results from the first node can be stored in paging space and a second node can retrieve the first result from the paging space such that the paging space can be shared between nodes. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing and retrieving blocks of data having different dimensions is disclosed. The method can include receiving a first data segment to be stored in a block storage device where the first data segment has an address. The method can also include determining if the first data segment conforms to a standard dimension and sorting the first data segment according to the destination address if it does not have a standard dimension. The method can further include placing a non-standard data segment into a unfilled block allocation and placing a second non-standard data segment into the unfilled block allocation when the second data segment has the destination identifier. Other embodiments are also disclosed.