International Business Machines Corporation

Michael Lawrence Nordstrom

David L Johnson

Gary Ross Ricard

Larry William Youngren

John J Vriezen

Wayne L Lemmon

John Christopher Ripstra

Nathan Glenn Faiman

David Rolland Welsh

Irving L Miller

Joan Marie Ries

James A Schablitsky

LaVern F Peterson

Irwin Miller

Johnnie D Shanklin

Thomas W Suther, Iii

Carrie L Harney

Anthony V Steinman

Darrel C Walberg

Eugene P Wojtczak

Ronald G Elshaug

Deanna C Taylor

LindaMay P Allen

Gerald D Murray

Glen E Rollings

The present invention optimizes storage of stream file by dynamically adjusting the size of new extents. In one embodiment, a file system manager collects usage statistics for a plurality of files in a file system. The file system manager uses the usage statistics to create larger extents for frequently used files than for infrequently used files.

Method and apparatus for optimizing extent size

A dynamic block transfer size adjustment mechanism independently defines block transfer size for each memory portion, which may include files in a file system, virtual storage segments in a memory system, or extents in physical storage. By specifying block transfer size for a memory portion independently from other memory portions, the performance of the computer system may be enhanced. In addition, the block transfer size of one or more memory portions may be dynamically adjusted according to how the memory portion is used. In an alternative embodiment, the block transfer size may also be specified for each process that accesses a portion of memory. Thus, a single file may be accessed with a first block transfer size by a first process, and may be accessed with a second (different) block transfer size by a second process. By providing the ability to independently set block transfer size for portions of memory, and to dynamically adjust those values according to the historical use of the portion of memory, the performance of a computer system is enhanced.

Computer apparatus and method for autonomic adjustment of block transfer size

Synchronization software in a computer operating system evaluates with respect to an exposure goal the ages of byte stream files queued for synchronization, and dynamically adjusts synchronization (&ldquo;sync&rdquo;) capacity in response to the evaluation. The synchronization of byte stream files occurs at rates responsive to the sync capacity. Several parameters are used to adjust sync capacity: a lead time, the number of active sync tasks, and the priority of the sync tasks. These parameters are adjusted in a manner to impact system performance to the least extent possible.

Adaptive, time-based synchronization mechanism for an integrated posix file system

An in use table manager in a computer system uses an in use table to track the use of files, or objects. The in use table is used to determine which objects may need recovery in the event of a system failure. Object addresses are hashed by the in use manager to identify a preferred slot in the table. The slots contain information identifying the object, and indicating the extent of use of the object. The in use manager assigns alternate slots, and dynamically changes the size of the in use table to reduce contention for slots. Several atomic operations on the table ensure integrity of the table, while permitting concurrent use. Portions of the table are bundled into single I/O operations to enhance system performance by minimizing I/O.

High concurrency in use manager

Customized instructions for installation of a device having multiple variable components is described, and are generated by an instruction generator program. A device description file lists a desired set of components for the device. Each of the components is broken down into one or more installation tasks, and the tasks are sequenced in a desired order for installation of the device. Text and graphic modules for inclusion in the instructions are varied based on the physical characteristics of the components, and their interconnection. Scaled line drawings are also generated based on information about each component and its placement in the device.

Customized instruction generator

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MN, United States of America

Michael Lawrence Nordstrom