Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing access to resources is provided. When a process requires access to a resource, the process requests a lock on the resource from a lock manager unit that resides on the same node as the process. If a resource object for the resource does not exist, one is created in the lock manager unit, but not on lock manager units on other nodes. Because each lock manager unit does not have to store all resource objects, and resource objects are only created for resources that are actually used, the overhead of the lock management system is significantly reduced. Resources are grouped in recovery domains. When a lock manager unit that supported a recovery domain fails, the recovery domain is marked invalid. All resources in the recovery domain are considered invalid unless it would have been impossible for a failed instance to have held an exclusive lock on the resource. A snapshot of lock information is made before cleanup is performed on invalid resources.

Abstract: A waveguide gas laser having a ridged dielectric substrate to form a gas filled region in which an electric discharge generates a lasing mode. These ridged waveguide configurations may be utilized in either a rectangular or circular guide structure.