Computer Associates Think, Inc.

Ca, Inc.

Cassatt Corporation

Craig A Lindley

James D Engquist

Dann M Church

Jerry R Jackson

Craig Andrew Vosburgh

Doreen E Collins

David L Resch

Brian Berliner

Clayton D Andreasen

Jonathan D Nordby

Johnathan D Nordby

The invention is directed to techniques of extensible power control for an autonomically controlled distributed computing system. In particular, control nodes of the distributed computing system utilize software power control modules to communicate with hardware power controllers within the distributed computing system. The power control modules are discrete software units that may be easily deployed and un-deployed while software on the control node is executing. Further, each power control module corresponds to one or more firmware versions of one or more types of hardware power controller. The power control modules are each implementations of a software interface common to every power control module. Because the power control modules share a common interface, the software on the control node that autonomically controls the distributed computing environment does not need to consider differences among types of hardware power controllers and versions of firmware installed on the hardware power controllers.

Extensible power control for an autonomically controlled distributed computing system

A distributed computing system conforms to a multi-level, hierarchical organizational model. One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system in accordance with the organization model. The model includes four distinct levels: fabric, domains, tiers and nodes that provide for the logical abstraction and containment of the physical components as well as system and service application software of the enterprise. A user, such as a system administrator, interacts with the control nodes to logically define the hierarchical organization of distributed computing system. The control nodes are responsible for all levels of management in accordance with the model, including fabric management, domain creation, tier creation and node allocation and deployment.

Distributed computing system having hierarchical organization

A reporting system comprises a plurality of reporting modules and a reporting server. Each reporting module comprises an executable data gatherer and an executable registration portion that dynamically registers the reporting module with the reporting server. The reporting server generates reports by invoking the data gatherers associated with registered reporting modules. The data gatherers generate self-describing report documents that contain data description information in addition to the report data. The reporting server encapsulates the report documents within events and stores the events in an event log along with other types of events related to the computing system. A user interface displays the report data using data description information contained in the report documents.

Dynamically generating custom reports using self-defining report events

Automatically configuring a distributed computing system according to a hierarchical model

A distributed computing system contains one or more application nodes. One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system. The control node includes an automation subsystem that provides autonomic power control for the application nodes, regardless of which vendor manufactured the application nodes. For power controllers not specifically supported by the distributed computing system, a universal power controller responds to power down instructions by causing a targeted application node to execute an idle software image and reports that the application node has been successfully powered down.

System and method for causing an idle image to execute on an application node of a distributed computing system when instructed to power down

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Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Craig A Lindley