Abstract: A hybrid cloud integrator provides a capability for integrating data processing resources provided as services across a hybrid cloud. The hybrid cloud integrator includes a software framework that provides for installing, configuring, activating, and controlling operation of a number of plug-in software components. The plug-in software components are configured to provide for using data processing resources provided as a service to process a consumer workload.

Abstract: Integrating data processing resources across a hybrid cloud includes providing a plug-in software component configured to be installed in a software framework. When the plug-in software component is activated, it may generate an interface for a consumer of data processing resources. Using this interface, the consumer of data processing resources may request the use of data processing resources provided as a service on the hybrid cloud. In response, the plug-in software component may acquire the requested data processing resources via interfaces provided by the various data processing resources. A number of different data processing resources may have different interface requirements. However, the first interface generated by the plug-in software component may provide a single vendor neutral interface for accessing data processing resources on the hybrid cloud by the consumer of data processing resources.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing a workload in a hybrid cloud. It is determined whether first data processing resources processing a portion of a workload are overloaded. Responsive to a determination that the first data processing resources are overloaded, second data processing resources are automatically provisioned and the portion of the workload is automatically moved to the second data processing resources for processing. The second data processing resources are data processing resources that are provided as a service on the hybrid cloud. Processing of a first portion of a workload being processed on first data processing resources of a hybrid cloud are monitored simultaneously with monitoring processing of a second portion of the workload being processed on second data processing resources of the hybrid cloud. The workload may be allocated automatically between the first portion and the second portion responsive to the simultaneous monitoring.

Abstract: Workloads that are and are not appropriate for transformation and processing on a cloud computing environment are identified. A user entity is provided with a measurement of at least one of the value which will be realized, and the effort which will be required. A plurality of attributes are specified Input data represents the extent to which the user entity processing system possesses the given attribute. The input data for each attribute is employed to derive a corresponding numerical parameter value, which are to compute a final score.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for creating a composite service. Dependencies are identified utilizing a set of active objects used to manage services to form identified dependencies in response to receiving a request for the composite service. The identified dependencies specify requirements of the composite service. The composite service has multiple components. Components are identified for the composite service using the identified dependencies to form identified components. The composite service is created using the identified components.

Abstract: A decision support system called Mounties that is designed for managing applications and resources using rule-based constraints in scalable mission-critical clustering environments. Mounties consists of four active service components: (1) a repository of resource proxy objects for modeling and manipulating the cluster configuration; (2) an event notification mechanism for monitoring and controlling interdependent and distributed resources; (3) a rule evaluation and decision processing mechanism; and (4) a global optimization service for providing decision making capabilities. The focus of this paper is on the design of the first three services that together connect and coordinate the distributed resources with the decision making component.

Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer program product for identifying network data processing systems. A first number of attributes for a network data processing system are identified by a processor unit. A second number of attributes for a number of potential network data processing systems are identified by the processor unit. A graphical user interface with a graphical representation of a comparison of the first number of attributes and the second number of attributes is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method is present for analyzing a network data processing system. Known information about the network data processing system is obtained by a computer system. A model of the network data processing system is created by the computer system using the known information. Missing information about the network data processing system is identified by the computer system in the model of the network data processing system. A number of people is selected by the computer system for obtaining the missing information. A number of requests to the number of people is sent by the computer system for the missing information. Each request includes the model. In response to receiving a number of responses to the number of requests by the computer system, the computer system updates the model.

Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer program product are present for managing projects in a network data processing system. A computer system identifies a plurality of tasks for a project. The computer system creates a model for the project using the plurality of tasks. The model identifies people to perform the plurality of tasks. The computer system selects a group of people with knowledge about the plurality of tasks. The computer system sends a number of requests to the group of people to update the model of the project. The number of requests includes the model. The computer system updates the model of the project using a number of responses in response to receiving the number of responses to the number of requests.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for planning changes to network data processing systems. A number of processes performed in a current network data processing system and labor used to perform the number processes are identified. Resources in the current network data processing system used by the number of processes are identified. A first cost for labor used to perform the number of processes using the current network data processing system is calculated. A second cost for the resources in the current network data processing system is calculated. A first change in the first cost for labor in a new network data processing system based on a number of changes to the number of processes when the number of processes is performed in the new network data processing system is identified. A second change in the second cost for the resources in the new network data processing system is identified.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method and system for rapidly identifying workloads that are and are not appropriate for transformation and processing on a cloud computing environment. One embodiment comprises a method for providing a user entity with a measurement of at least one of the value which will be realized, and the effort which will be required, if a given workload selected from one or more workloads associated with a user entity is delivered to a cloud computing environment for processing thereby, instead of being processed by the user entity processing system. The method comprises specifying a plurality of attributes, wherein each attribute pertains to a characteristic that the user entity processing system possesses to some extent, with respect to the given workload.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for maintaining a computer network. Resources and services affected by a change to a resource are identified in response to receiving a request for the change. A determination of an optimal time for the change is made based on a policy associated with the service. The change is deployed with a deployment engine.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for instantiating a service on a network. A service infrastructure manager determines whether a service is available at a requested quality of service in response to receiving a request for the service that specifies the quality of service. The service infrastructure manager performs an analysis of components associated with the service to identify resources needed to create the service in response to the service being unavailable at the requested quality of service. Based on the analysis, the service infrastructure manager allocates resources to support the service and instantiates the service at the requested quality of service after the resources have been allocated.

Abstract: Techniques for selectively off-loading workload across multiple data centers are disclosed. For example, a technique for processing a user request in accordance with a multiple data center environment comprises the following steps/operations. A user request is obtained at a first data center. The user request is classified based on one or more classification criterion. At least a portion of a workload associated with the classified user request is off-loaded to at least a second data center to be processed, wherein the off-loading step/operation is at least based on one or more administrative policies associated with at least one of the first data center and the second data center. The workload is processed such that the user request is at least substantially satisfied in accordance with a service level agreement for the requesting user.

Abstract: A Resource Management and Reservation System (RMRS) for managing and reserving storage bandwidth, is a platform independent middleware layer that provides an interface to applications, their database management systems, or some other higher level data management systems like ADRS which does data management on behalf of the applications. RMRS is highly relevant in hosted environments where one or more applications may be run on behalf of multiple customers each with a unique service level agreement with the Service Provider. Through its interface to the aforementioned applications, RMRS allows each application or an application side management system to communicate expected future storage access requirements (e.g., periodic access for backups). The interface also allows applications to request urgent storage access (e.g., recovery actions may be requested without being planned ahead of time).

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for instantiating a service on a network. A service infrastructure manager determines whether a service is available at a requested quality of service in response to receiving a request for the service that specifies the quality of service. The service infrastructure manager performs an analysis of components associated with the service to identify resources needed to create the service in response to the service being unavailable at the requested quality of service. Based on the analysis, the service infrastructure manager allocates resources to support the service and instantiates the service at the requested quality of service after the resources have been allocated.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for creating a composite service. Dependencies are identified utilizing a set of active objects used to manage services to form identified dependencies in response to receiving a request for the composite service. The identified dependencies specify requirements of the composite service. The composite service has multiple components. Components are identified for the composite service using the identified dependencies to form identified components. The composite service is created using the identified components.

Abstract: A decision support system called Mounties that is designed for managing applications and resources using rule-based constraints in scalable mission-critical clustering environments. Mounties consists of four active service components: (1) a repository of resource proxy objects for modeling and manipulating the cluster configuration; (2) an event notification mechanism for monitoring and controlling interdependent and distributed resources; (3) a rule evaluation and decision processing mechanism; and (4) a global optimization service for providing decision making capabilities. The focus of this paper is on the design of the first three services that together connect and coordinate the distributed resources with the decision making component.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method of managing a cluster of networked resources and resource groups using rule-based constraints. This method includes the step of building a globally optimal cluster configuration of the resources in accordance with the rule-based constraints and a current state of the resources, including identifying for each of the resources and resource groups an availability and quality of service, which are determined by dependencies among the resources and resource groups, resource equivalency, constraints on the resources and network policies. The method comprises the further steps of bringing the cluster of resources on-line in a systematic manner, given the current state of each of the resources and resource groups; and with the cluster of networked resources on-line, determining dynamic dependencies of and configuration infomration about the cluster of resources (i) statically at defined times and (ii) dynamically during cluster operation.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for instantiating a service on a network. A service infrastructure manager determines whether a service is available at a requested quality of service in response to receiving a request for the service that specifies the quality of service. The service infrastructure manager performs an analysis of components associated with the service to identify resources needed to create the service in response to the service being unavailable at the requested quality of service. Based on the analysis, the service infrastructure manager allocates resources to support the service and instantiates the service at the requested quality of service after the resources have been allocated.