Method and system for maintenance of global network information in a distributed network-based resource allocation system

Abstract

A method and system for allocating distributed resources connected to a computer network to application programs running on computers attached to the communications network. The distributed resource allocator system comprises a number of identical processes running on one or more computers attached to the communications network. Application programs request allocation of resources from a local distributed resource allocator system process running using a resource allocator applications programming interface. Application programs request allocation of resource from a remote distributed resource allocator system process via a resource allocator access protocol. The distributed resource allocator system provides a means for the entry of new resources and new resource class and characteristics information in a shared directory. The resource allocator system also manages information about the capacities and capabilities of resources connected to the communications network. Application programs can thus be easily written to make use of distributed resources connected to a communications network without having to manage global network information without having to specify complex information regarding a resource or utilizing a variety of resource formats.