International Business Machines Corporation

Juergen Probst

Christine Axnix

Charles H Milligan

Thomas Schlipf

Rolf Fritz

Jeffrey Paul Kubala

Martin Eckert

Carl Mayer

John R Birtles

Klaus-Juergen Kuehl

Klaus-Jurgen Kuebl

Andreas Muehlbach

Carl J Hollenback

An improved method to compensate for coupling overhead in a distributed computing system offering a raw processing capacity, comprising an effective processing capacity () and the coupling overhead, is disclosed, wherein the distributed computing system comprises at least one computer system and at least one coupling facility. The method comprises determining a coupling efficiency, determining and adding an amount of missing processing capacity to the effective processing capacity based on the coupling efficiency in a way that the effective processing capacity of the raw processing capacity corresponds to a billable target processing capacity.

Method, data processing program, and computer program product to compensate for coupling overhead in a distributed computing system, and corresponding overhead calculator for a distributed computing system and corresponding computer system

A method and device for configuring functional capabilities in a data processing system. Configuration data comprises permanent entitlement data specifying permanent functional capabilities of the data processing system and temporary entitlement data, generated from temporary entitlement records received by the data processing system, specifying temporary functional capabilities of the data processing system. When storing temporary entitlement data, an activation level record specifying a number of resources of the data processing system used for temporarily implementing functional capabilities according to the temporary entitlement data is generated and stored. Responsive to a request to activate or deactivate temporary capacity for the data processing system, for every activation level record, the number of resources specified by the activation level records is modified such that the overall sum of resources specified by the activation level records does not change, and the resources are activated as specified by the activation level records.

Method and device for configuring functional capabilities in a data processing system

Configuring functional capabilities in a data processing system comprising entitlement data in a non-volatile storage. The position of the data processing system is determined. Based on said position, functional capabilities are changed based on position information comprised in the entitlement data. Changing functional capabilities consists of enabling functional capabilities, disabling functional capabilities, and both enabling and disabling functional capabilities.

A method for configuring functional capabilities in a data processing system. An intermediate link record and a System Anchor record containing the unchangeable hardware ID are used. All entitlement records are then linked to the System Anchor record. Only the System Anchor record links to the unchangeable hardware ID. It contains a system unique ID. The entitlement records link to the System anchor record via the system unique ID. The repair (or upgrade) situation with the exchange of a hardware component now becomes much simpler. There is no exchange of any asset protection record (neither System Anchor record nor entitlement record) required as long as the hardware component comprising the asset protection record is not exchanged. In case the hardware component comprising the asset protection record needs to be exchanged, the System Anchor record only must be exchanged but all the entitlement records can stay unchanged.

Device for configuring functional capabilities in a data processing system

A data processing system having a plurality of hardware units providing a predetermined set of functional capabilities. The data processing system is configurable to allow selectively electronically enabling at least a subset of the functional capabilities. The system includes a portion for receiving a replaceable hardware unit. The system also includes a control unit for determining a type of the replaceable hardware unit. The control unit is configured to determine the subset of functional capabilities to be electronically enabled and electronically enabling the determined subset of functional capabilities if the replaceable hardware unit is of a first type. The control unit is also configured to enable entire functional capabilities of the replaceable hardware unit if the replaceable hardware unit is of a second type.

Alternatively activating a replaceable hardware unit

A system and method of recognizing resources of a computer comprising a system serial number and a broken hardware unit comprising a non-volatile memory unit and enablement definition data relating to functions of the broken hardware unit, wherein the method comprises starting the computer; entering a serial number in a read/write non-volatile memory field of the non-volatile memory unit; reading the read/write non-volatile memory field; and matching the serial number of the read/write non-volatile memory field with the system serial number. The method may further comprise detecting failure of the broken hardware unit after the starting of the computer. Preferably, a reading that the serial number of the read/write non-volatile memory field matches with the system serial number permits acceptance of the enablement definition data of the broken hardware unit.

Method and infrastructure for recognition of the resources of a defective hardware unit

A method, a computer program product and a system for reconfiguring functional capabilities in a data processing system with dormant resources. Dormant resources of a data processing system are used to replace () the functional characteristics of a broken hardware unit in order to compensate the lost resources. If sufficient dormant resources are available to replace the functional capabilities of the broken hardware unit, the data processing system can be used without any degradation of its capabilities. Otherwise the degradation is reduced. The functional part of the broken hardware unit is fenced () from the system, but its configuration data is read () from its non-functional part. The enablement definition data contained in the configuration data is then analysed for missing resources. Available dormant resources are then enabled until all the lost resources are replaced or no more dormant resources are available for the replacement.

Method and system for reconfiguring functional capabilities in a data processing system with dormant resources

A method for alternatively activating, in a data processing system, a replaceable hardware unit and providing a predetermined set of functional capabilities for configuring the data processing system to allow selectively electronically enabling at least a subset of its functional capabilities. Initially a replaceable hardware unit is provided to the data processing system, then its type is determined. If the replaceable hardware unit is of a first type, the subset of functional capabilities to be electronically enabled is determined. Alternatively, if the replaceable hardware unit is of another type, the entire functional capabilities of the replaceable hardware unit are enabled.

Method for alternatively activating a replaceable hardware unit

According to the present invention a method and a device is provided for concurrent removal of processor capacity from a running computer. The method and device may, e.g., be used for non-disruptive removal of processors from the enabled physical configuration without any involvement of the operating system. The computer comprises a resource controller configured to control a physical resource pool including the actual physical resources and a capacity virtualizer configured to provide multiple sets of virtual resources from a capacity virtualizer resource pool, whereby the provided sets of virtual resources allow to host independent operating systems concurrently. The method comprises the steps of the resource controller requesting the capacity virtualizer to reduce the capacity virtualizer resource pool, the capacity virtualizer removing resources from the capacity virtualizer resource pool, and the resource controller disabling physical resources corresponding to the resources removed from the capacity virtualizer resource pool.

Growing community of inventors

Wildberg, Germany

Juergen Probst