Abstract: Scheduling cool air jobs in a data center comprising computers whose operations produce heat and require cooling, cooling resources that provide cooling for the data center, a workload controller that schedules and allocates data processing jobs among the computers, a cooling controller that schedules and allocates cooling jobs among cooling resources, including assigning data processing jobs for execution by computers in the data center; providing, to the cooling controller, information describing data processing jobs scheduled for allocation among the computers in the data center; specifying, by the cooling controller in dependence upon the physical location of the computer to which each job is allocated and the quantity of data processing represented by each job, cooling jobs to be executed by cooling resources; and assigning, by the cooling controller in accordance with the workload allocation schedule to cooling resources in the data center, cooling jobs for execution.

Abstract: Scheduling cool air jobs in a data center comprising computers whose operations produce heat and require cooling, cooling resources that provide cooling for the data center, a workload controller that schedules and allocates data processing jobs among the computers, a cooling controller that schedules and allocates cooling jobs among cooling resources, including assigning data processing jobs for execution by computers in the data center; providing, to the cooling controller, information describing data processing jobs scheduled for allocation among the computers in the data center; specifying, by the cooling controller in dependence upon the physical location of the computer to which each job is allocated and the quantity of data processing represented by each job, cooling jobs to be executed by cooling resources; and assigning, by the cooling controller in accordance with the workload allocation schedule to cooling resources in the data center, cooling jobs for execution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to provide Cloud roaming services. It allows Cloud services to be offered to requesters that are abstracted from the underlying Cloud provider used to fulfill those services. The present invention provides the ability for Cloud providers to be dynamically associated with currently available Cloud services for requesters. The system and method describes two scenarios—a pull and push model—to align requester required services to currently available services from Cloud providers. The requester has a profile determining a prioritized list of Cloud providers that may be used, or the primary Cloud provider may delegate services to a partner cloud. The algorithm of the invention shows how the provider decides which requesters have access to which services—based on current utilization and forecasting.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: The passage of avatars into and out of regions in a virtual universe is regulated through the use of secure communications between and among the avatar, an authority managing of the region and a trusted third party who maintains a database of avatar characteristics. Permission to move from one virtual region to another is determined based upon the avatar characteristics.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention provide an approach to organize a user interface, such as a computer desktop, based on the role or activity of the current user. Specifically, a display area configuration of a user device is defined by selecting resources from a plurality of available resources to include in a display area configuration, building a profile from the selected resources to preserve the display area configuration, and saving the profile. The display area is then built on a user device when the profile is selected from the user device.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to dynamically control at least one blower and at least one vent in the data center based on the overlaid thermal analysis to direct cool air to a section of the data center in need of cooling.

Abstract: The “Grid Security Monitor” tracks the security status of resources in a grid computer system. When a client submits a job to the grid scheduler, the Grid Security Monitor creates a security contract. The security contract comprises all the security credentials needed to access the resource executing the job, as well as privacy and security requirements. The Grid Security Monitor compares the security status of the resource to the requirements of the security contract. If the security status of the resource changes or violates the security contract, then the Grid Security Monitor notifies the client. The Grid Security Monitor has a user interface that allows the client to perform a manual security validation by asking the grid management system to verify the security status of the resource.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to determine at least one data center condition and determine or estimate a current energy cost. Additionally, the method includes dynamically control a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the data center based on the determined at least one data center condition and the determined or estimated current energy cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution for resource sharing (e.g., inter-Cloud) within a Cloud-computing environment. One objective of the present invention is to better utilize idle public or private Cloud infrastructures and improve the availability of Cloud services by allowing different Cloud service providers to virtually combine their services and infrastructures. In the event that there is not enough capacity for a single Cloud service provider to manage its workload, the workload may be shifted to additional infrastructures within the Cloud. The result of the workload shift may reduce the unavailability of Cloud services to the Cloud end-user by allowing another Cloud service provider to temporarily handle the workload. Based on the resource sharing activities, compensation (e.g., credits/tokens) can be exchanged between the participating Cloud providers to reflect their participation in the resource exchange.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to perform pricing and brokering of Cloud services. Illustrative pricing/charging plans include “pay as you go (subscription)” and “pay for what you use (dynamic)”. The present invention also provides a way to display a price next to service. In general, a broker agent (hereinafter referred to as “agent”) executes within the environment and queries available and acceptable Cloud resources from a plurality of providers. Based on resources, published rates, and rate projections, the broker schedules, reschedules, moves, and otherwise manages Cloud jobs based on job criteria and optimized execution cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution (e.g., rules, techniques, etc.) for enabling the dynamic provisioning (e.g., movement) of Cloud-based jobs and resources. Such provisioning may be within a Cloud infrastructure, from Cloud to Cloud, from non-Cloud to Cloud, and from Cloud to non-Cloud. Each movement scenario is assigned a specific technique based on rules, profiles, SLA and/or other such criteria and agreements. Such dynamic adjustments may be especially advantageous in order to balance real-time workload to avoid over-provisioning, to manage Cloud performance, to attain a more efficient or cost-effective execution environment, to off-load a Cloud or specific Cloud resources for maintenance/service, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution for agreement/contract negotiations within a Cloud computing environment. Specifically, under the present invention, a resource requirement for performing a task for a first Cloud partner is assessed. Once the resource requirement is known, it can be determined whether a shortfall exists between available resources of the first Cloud partner and the resource requirement. If so, a master agreement with a second Cloud partner is identified to address the shortfall. Typically, the master agreement specifies at least a minimum service requirement and a maximum price for the second Cloud partner to provide resources to address the shortfall. If the terms are agreeable to both Cloud partners, a contract between the two can be formed (e.g., digitally) based on the master agreement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution for resource sharing (e.g., inter-Cloud) within a Cloud-computing environment. One objective of the present invention is to better utilize idle public or private Cloud infrastructures and improve the availability of Cloud services by allowing different Cloud service providers to virtually combine their services and infrastructures. In the event that there is not enough capacity for a single Cloud service provider to manage its workload, the workload may be shifted to additional infrastructures within the Cloud. The result of the workload shift may reduce the unavailability of Cloud services to the Cloud end-user by allowing another Cloud service provider to temporarily handle the workload. Based on the resource sharing activities, compensation (e.g., credits/tokens) can be exchanged between the participating Cloud providers to reflect their participation in the resource exchange.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution for reserving Cloud services within a Cloud computing environment. Under the present invention, a customer/user can select a service for use sometime in the future. By scheduling in the future, the user can guarantee the service will be available for a specific price and set of service levels. One factor is that advanced reservation affects the cost of the service and the bounds by which the service levels of the service may change. The further in advance the job is scheduled, the tighter the bounds of the service level may be for a specific price. Advanced reservation may also guarantee execution on a preferred provider rather than being moved to a partner Cloud.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to provide Cloud roaming services. It allows Cloud services to be offered to requesters that are abstracted from the underlying Cloud provider used to fulfill those services. The present invention provides the ability for Cloud providers to be dynamically associated with currently available Cloud services for requesters. The system and method describes two scenarios—a pull and push model—to align requester required services to currently available services from Cloud providers. The requester has a profile determining a prioritized list of Cloud providers that may be used, or the primary Cloud provider may delegate services to a partner cloud. The algorithm of the invention shows how the provider decides which requesters have access to which services—based on current utilization and forecasting.

Abstract: This invention provides a system or method to provide dynamically packaged Cloud services to customers via a Cloud services registry. The Cloud services registry is dynamic and operates by polling different Cloud service providers and Cloud service databases to ensure that the Cloud services registry is up to date with the latest available Cloud services. The Cloud services registry is available for queries from Cloud customers and abstracts multiple Cloud service providers. By abstracting the Cloud services, the dynamic Cloud services registry creates a modular package of different services from different Cloud service providers based on the query and requested priority for services. The dynamic Cloud registry is dynamically updated based on the level of services that the provider has available. The dynamic registry determines what service best matches the requirements from a Cloud service request (CSR) and returns a personalized set of matching services.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a system and method to control illumination within a data center, so as to efficiently light areas only when necessary. A path of low level light created between the entrance of the data center and the location of the required machine to access may be provided.

Abstract: Scheduling cool air jobs in a data center comprising computers whose operations produce heat and require cooling, cooling resources that provide cooling for the data center, a workload controller that schedules and allocates data processing jobs among the computers, a cooling controller that schedules and allocates cooling jobs among cooling resources, including assigning data processing jobs for execution by computers in the data center; providing, to the cooling controller, information describing data processing jobs scheduled for allocation among the computers in the data center; specifying, by the cooling controller in dependence upon the physical location of the computer to which each job is allocated and the quantity of data processing represented by each job, cooling jobs to be executed by cooling resources; and assigning, by the cooling controller in accordance with the workload allocation schedule to cooling resources in the data center, cooling jobs for execution.