US 8,078,664 B2Granted

Evaluation of current capacity levels of resources in a distributed computing system

AssigneeComputer Associates Think, Inc.

InventorsSanjay Radia, Robert A. Gingell, Jr., Jerry R. Jackson

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Abstract

In general, this disclosure describes techniques of managing resources in a service-oriented distributed computing system. As described in this disclosure, a control node automatically manages the system such that the system has sufficient capacity to satisfy an agreement to provide a given level of a service. In order to automatically manage the system, the control node evaluates the current capacity levels of resources in the system. The current capacity levels are indicative the capacity of resources to perform certain acts. The capacity of the resources to perform these acts may be indicative of whether the system is able to provide the given level of the service. Because capacities provided by the resources change as the resources start, the control node uses a predicted pending capacity function to evaluate whether resources that are currently starting will be sufficient to satisfy the level of the service when completely started.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A distributed computing system comprising:

a first resource chain that includes resources that collaborate to provide a first service, wherein the resources in the first resource chain include a first resource that is capable of performing a first act;
a control node that autonomically controls the distributed computing system;
and
a network the facilitates communication between the first resource chain and the control node;
wherein the control node comprises:
a first asset object that calculates a current capacity level of the first resource to perform the first act,
wherein the first asset object is associated with a predicted pending capacity function that specifies a relationship between a predicted pending capacity level of the first resource and a length of time;
and
wherein the first asset object calculates the current capacity level of the first resource such that the current capacity level of the first resource is substantially equal to a predicted pending capacity level indicated by the predicted pending capacity function at a given time plus an actual capacity level of the first resource at the given time;
a governance infrastructure that makes a determination, based on the current capacity level of the first resource to perform the first act, whether to assemble a second resource chain that includes resources that collaborate to provide the first service;
and
a chain assembly module that assembles the second resource chain when the governance infrastructure makes the determination to assemble the second resource chain.

9 more elements

A method comprising:

operating a first resource chain that includes resources that collaborate to provide a first service, wherein the resources in the first resource chain include a first resource that is capable of performing a first act;
operating a control node that automatically controls the distributed computing system, wherein a network facilitates communication between the first resource chain and the control node;
wherein operating the control node comprises:
calculating a current capacity level of the first resource to perform the first act,
wherein the first asset object is associated with a predicted pending capacity function that specifies a relationship between a predicted pending capacity level of the first resource and a length of time;
and
wherein the first asset object calculates the current capacity level of the first resource such that the current capacity level of the first resource is substantially equal to a predicted pending capacity level indicated by the predicted pending capacity function at a given time plus an actual capacity level of the first resource at the given time;
making a determination, based on the current capacity level of the first resource to perform the first act, whether to assemble a second resource chain that includes resources that collaborate to provide the first service;
and
assembling the second resource chain when the determination is made to assemble the second resource chain.

7 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a control node of a distributed computing system, cause the one or more processors to:

initiate operation of a first resource chain that includes resources that collaborate to provide a first service, wherein the resources in the first resource chain include a first resource that is capable of performing a first act;
operate the control node such that the control node autonomically controls the distributed computing system, wherein a network facilitates communication between the first resource chain and the control node;
wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to operate the control node at least in part by causing the one or more processors to:
calculate a current capacity level of the first resource to perform the first act,
wherein the first asset object calculates the current capacity level of the first resource such that the current capacity level of the first resource is substantially equal to a predicted pending capacity level indicated by a predicted pending capacity function at a given time plus an actual capacity level of the first resource at the given time;
wherein the predicted pending capacity function specifies a relationship between a predicted pending capacity level of the first asset and a length of time;
and
make a determination, based on the current capacity level of the first resource to perform the first act, whether to assemble a second resource chain that includes resources that collaborate to provide the first service;
and
assemble the second resource chain when the determination is made to assemble the second resource chain.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.