Patents by Inventor William T. Boyd

William T. Boyd 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: 9743299
    Abstract: As disclosed herein, a method, executed by a computer, for analyzing a performance metric includes distributing link connection information for a network to each node in the network, pairing each node with another node in the network to provide paired nodes, testing a performance metric for the paired nodes, and generating a performance report for the network. The method may further include receiving link connection information for the network. The method may further include constructing a connectivity graph based on the received link connection information. The method can be used to test link performance within non-homogeneous networks. A computer system product and a computer program product corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Georgy A. Chochia, Donald G. Grice, John Lewars
  • Patent number: 9730096
    Abstract: As disclosed herein, a method, executed by a computer, for analyzing a performance metric includes distributing link connection information for a network to each node in the network, pairing each node with another node in the network to provide paired nodes, testing a performance metric for the paired nodes, and generating a performance report for the network. The method may further include receiving link connection information for the network. The method may further include constructing a connectivity graph based on the received link connection information. The method can be used to test link performance within non-homogeneous networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Georgy A. Chochia, Donald G. Grice, John Lewars
  • Patent number: 9712418
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to automatically controlling network and service quality across datacenters. In one scenario, a computer system identifies portions of work that are to be performed within the datacenter. The computer system creates a request for change (request) in a change management system, where the change management system is configured to store and manage the implementation of requests within the datacenter. Then, upon implementation of the created request, the computer system polls the status of the request to determine whether the portions of work identified in the request can now be performed and, upon determining that the portions of work identified in the request can be performed, the computer system performs the portions of work according to the request. Performance of the specified work according to a request allows for workflows to be controlled based on the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cornell, William T. Boyd, Raymond Keith Linz, Karin Meier-Magruder, Bennett L. Warriner, David S. Riley, Charles McDaniels, III, George K. Ringer
  • Publication number: 20160352608
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to automatically controlling network and service quality across datacenters. In one scenario, a computer system identifies portions of work that are to be performed within the datacenter. The computer system creates a request for change (request) in a change management system, where the change management system is configured to store and manage the implementation of requests within the datacenter. Then, upon implementation of the created request, the computer system polls the status of the request to determine whether the portions of work identified in the request can now be performed and, upon determining that the portions of work identified in the request can be performed, the computer system performs the portions of work according to the request. Performance of the specified work according to a request allows for workflows to be controlled based on the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cornell, William T. Boyd, Raymond Keith Linz, Karin Meier-Magruder, Bennett L. Warriner, David S. Riley, Charles McDaniels, III, George K. Ringer
  • Publication number: 20160182346
    Abstract: As disclosed herein, a method, executed by a computer, for analyzing a performance metric includes distributing link connection information for a network to each node in the network, pairing each node with another node in the network to provide paired nodes, testing a performance metric for the paired nodes, and generating a performance report for the network. The method may further include receiving link connection information for the network. The method may further include constructing a connectivity graph based on the received link connection information. The method can be used to test link performance within non-homogeneous networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Georgy A. Chochia, Donald G. Grice, John Lewars
  • Publication number: 20160183110
    Abstract: As disclosed herein, a method, executed by a computer, for analyzing a performance metric includes distributing link connection information for a network to each node in the network, pairing each node with another node in the network to provide paired nodes, testing a performance metric for the paired nodes, and generating a performance report for the network. The method may further include receiving link connection information for the network. The method may further include constructing a connectivity graph based on the received link connection information. The method can be used to test link performance within non-homogeneous networks. A computer system product and a computer program product corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Georgy A. Chochia, Donald G. Grice, John Lewars
  • Patent number: 9146678
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to providing high throughput hardware acceleration. Aspects include initializing an accelerator control queue (ACQ) configured to provide location information on a plurality of pages of data identified as accelerator data. An originating location of each page of requested target data is determined. The originating location includes one of system memory and disk storage. Based on determining that the originating location is system memory, an entry is created in the ACQ mapping to a system memory source address for the target data. Based on determining that the originating location is disk storage, an entry is created in the ACQ mapping to a special pre-stage buffer source address of a special pre-stage buffer for the target data. Each page of the plurality of pages of target data is accessed by the accelerator from respective locations in said memory or said special pre-stage buffer, based on respective entries of the ACQ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Thomas J. Heller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140325098
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to providing high throughput hardware acceleration. Aspects include initializing an accelerator control queue (ACQ) configured to provide location information on a plurality of pages of data identified as accelerator data. An originating location of each page of requested target data is determined. The originating location includes one of system memory and disk storage. Based on determining that the originating location is system memory, an entry is created in the ACQ mapping to a system memory source address for the target data. Based on determining that the originating location is disk storage, an entry is created in the ACQ mapping to a special pre-stage buffer source address of a special pre-stage buffer for the target data. Each page of the plurality of pages of target data is accessed by the accelerator from respective locations in said memory or said special pre-stage buffer, based on respective entries of the ACQ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Thomas J. Heller, JR.
  • Patent number: 8489904
    Abstract: A computer program product for initiating a task in a computer system including executing a method that includes receiving a task and a status of the task relative to a target service level. A current power state of the processor is determined. Execution of the task is initiated on the processor in response to the status indicating that the task is meeting the target service level and to the current power state being a low power state. It is determined if the processor can be moved into a high power state, the determining performed if the task is not meeting the target service level and the current power state is the low power state. If the processor can be moved into the high power state then the processor is moved into the high power state and execution of the task is initiated on the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Thomas J. Heller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8484495
    Abstract: Power management in a multi-processor computer system, including a computer program product for facilitating receiving a task for execution in a high power state, and determining a current power state of a processor in a multi-processor system, the system having a specified power limit. The task is dispatched to the processor if the current power state of the processor is the high power state. If the processor is not in the high power state, then it is determined if moving the processor into the high power state will cause the multi-processor system to exceed the specified power limit. The processor is moved into the high power state in response to determining that moving the processor into the high power state will not cause the multi-processor system to exceed the specified power limit. The task is dispatched to the processor in response to moving the processor into the high power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Thomas J. Heller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110239015
    Abstract: A computer program product for initiating a task in a computer system including executing a method that includes receiving a task and a status of the task relative to a target service level. A current power state of the processor is determined. Execution of the task is initiated on the processor in response to the status indicating that the task is meeting the target service level and to the current power state being a low power state. It is determined if the processor can be moved into a high power state, the determining performed if the task is not meeting the target service level and the current power state is the low power state. If the processor can be moved into the high power state then the processor is moved into the high power state and execution of the task is initiated on the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Thomas J. Heller, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110239016
    Abstract: Power management in a multi-processor computer system, including a computer program product for facilitating receiving a task for execution in a high power state, and determining a current power state of a processor in a multi-processor system, the system having a specified power limit. The task is dispatched to the processor if the current power state of the processor is the high power state. If the processor is not in the high power state, then it is determined if moving the processor into the high power state will cause the multi-processor system to exceed the specified power limit. The processor is moved into the high power state in response to determining that moving the processor into the high power state will not cause the multi-processor system to exceed the specified power limit. The task is dispatched to the processor in response to moving the processor into the high power state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Thomas J. Heller, JR.
  • Patent number: 7937518
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code are disclosed for migrating a virtual adapter from a source physical adapter to a destination physical adapter in a data processing system where multiple host computer systems share multiple adapters and communicate with those adapters through a PCI switched-fabric bus. The virtual adapter is first caused to stop processing transactions. All in-flight transactions that are associated with the virtual adapter are then captured. The configuration information that defines the virtual adapter is moved from the source physical adapter to the destination physical adapter. The in-flight transactions are then restored to their original locations on the destination virtual adapter. The virtual adapter is then restarted on the destination physical adapter such that the virtual adapter begins processing transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Douglas M. Freimuth, William G. Holland, Steven W. Hunter, Renato J. Recio, Steven M. Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Patent number: 7930598
    Abstract: A method, mechanism and computer usable medium is provided for distributing I/O fabric errors to the appropriate root nodes in a multi-root environment. The case where the I/O fabric is attached to more than one root node and where each root can potentially share with the other roots the I/O adapter (IOA) resources which are attached to the I/O is addressed. Additionally, a method, mechanism and computer usable medium is provided by which errors detected in an I/O fabric may be routed to all root nodes which may be affected by the error, while not being reported to the root nodes that will not be affected by those errors. In particular, distributed computing system which uses the PCI Express protocol to communicate over the I/O fabric is addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Douglas M. Freimuth, William G. Holland, Steven W. Hunter, Renato J. Recio, Steven M. Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Patent number: 7907604
    Abstract: Routing between multiple hosts and adapters in a PCI environment is provided by a method and system. A Destination Identification (DID) field is inserted in a field of the PCI bus address (PBA) of transaction packets dispatched through PCI switches. A particular DID is associated with a particular host or system image, and thus identifies the physical or virtual end point of the packets. The method and system may track connections such that when particular host of a root node becomes connected to a specified switch, a PCI Configuration Master (PCM), residing in one of the root nodes, is operated to enter a destination identifier or DID into a table. The DID is then inserted in the PBA of packets directed through the specified switch from the particular host to one of the adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Douglas M. Fremiuth, William G. Holland, Steven W. Hunter, Renato J. Recio, Steven M. Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Patent number: 7889667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for routing error messages in a distributed computer system comprising multiple root nodes, and further comprising one or more PCI switches and one or more I/O adapters, wherein each root node includes one or more system images. In one useful embodiment, a method is provided for routing I/O error messages to root nodes respectively associated with the errors contained in the messages. The method includes detecting occurrence of an error at a specified one of the adapters, wherein the error affects one of the system images, and generating an error message at the specified adapter. The method further comprises routing the error message from the specified adapter to the particular root node that includes the affected system image. The error message is then selectively processed at the particular root node, in order to identify the affected system image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Douglas M. Freimuth, William G. Holland, Steven W. Hunter, Renato J. Recio, Steven M. Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Patent number: 7831759
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing environment that includes host computer systems that are coupled to adapters utilizing a switched fabric for routing packets between the host computer systems and the adapters. A unique destination identifier is assigned to one of the host computer systems. A portion of a standard format packet destination address is selected. Within a particular packet, the portion is set equal to the unique identifier that is assigned to the host computer system. The particular packet is then routed through the fabric to the host computer system using the unique destination identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Douglas M. Freimuth, William G. Holland, Steven W. Hunter, Renato J. Recio, Steven M. Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Patent number: 7707465
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for routing error messages in a multiple host computer system environment to only those host computer systems that are affected by the error. The environment includes multiple host computer systems that share multiple devices utilizing a switched fabric. An error is detected in one of the devices. Routing tables that are stored in fabric devices in the fabric are used to identify ones of the host computer systems that are affected by the error. An error message that identifies the error is routed to only the identified ones of the host computer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Douglas M. Freimuth, William G. Holland, Steven W. Hunter, Renato J. Recio, Steven M. Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Patent number: 7631050
    Abstract: In a distributed computer system having multiple root nodes, a challenge protocol is provided, for use in determining or confirming the root node in which a PCI Configuration Manager (PCM) actually resides. This node is referred to as the master node. The challenge procedure is activated whenever the identity of the PCM, which is determined by the root node in which it resides, appears to be uncertain. The challenge procedure resolves this uncertainty, and enables the PCM to continue to configure routings throughout the system. In a useful embodiment, a method is directed to a distributed computer system of the above type which is further provided with PCI switches and with adapters that are available for sharing by different nodes. The method includes the steps of selecting a first one of the root nodes to be master root node, and operating the first root node to query the configuration space of a particular one of the PCI switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Douglas M. Freimuth, William G. Holland, Steven W. Hunter, Renato J. Recio, Steven W. Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Patent number: 7571273
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for bus/device/function (BDF) translation and routing of communications packets through a fabric that utilizes PCI switches. Identifiers are included in communications packets that are routed between a host and an I/O adapter using a PCI fabric to which the host and the I/O adapter are coupled. Destination identifiers that are included in first communications packets that are received by edge switches, which are connected directly to said host or directly connected to said I/O adapter, are translated before routing the communications packets out of the edge switches. Second communications packets that are received by internal switches, which are not directly connected to the host or directly connected to the I/O adapter, are routed without translating destination identifiers that are included in the second communications packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Boyd, Douglas M. Freimuth, William G. Holland, Steven W. Hunter, Renato J. Recio, Steven M. Thurber, Madeline Vega