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`US 20060005181Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Fellenstein et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0005181 Al
`Jan. 5, 2006
`( 43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`DYNAMICALLY BUILDING APPLICATION
`ENVIRONMENTS IN A COMPUTATIONAL
`GRID
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Craig William Fellenstein, Brookfield,
`CT (US); Rick Allen Hamilton II,
`Charlottesville, VA (US); Joshy Joseph,
`Poughkeepsie, NY (US); James Wesley
`Seaman, Falls Church, VA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Robert H. Frantz
`P.O. Box 23324
`Oklahoma City, OK 73123 (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: International Business Machines Cor(cid:173)
`poration, Armonk, NY
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/870,522
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 17,2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/824,808,
`filed on Apr. 15, 2004.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 9/445
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 717/174
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Computing environments within a grid computing system
`are dynamically built in response to specific job resource
`requirements from a grid resource allocator, including acti(cid:173)
`vating needed hardware, provisioning operating systems,
`application programs, and software drivers. Optimally, prior
`to building a computing environment for a particular job,
`cost/revenue analysis is performed, and if operational objec(cid:173)
`tives would not be met by building the environment and
`executing the job, a job sell-off process is initiated.
`
`22
`
`Receive
`Environment
`Data
`
`21
`
`Environment
`Requirements
`
`15
`
`Grid
`Catalog/
`Storage
`
`N
`
`25
`
`OS
`
`Evaluate
`Possible
`Environment
`Build
`
`y
`
`28
`
`Request and
`Install OS,
`ifRequired
`
`27
`
`201
`
`Request and
`Install 1 - - - - - . . i Environment
`Application(s),
`Built
`Applications and/or
`Drivers, or combined image .___D_riv_e_rs _ _,
`(e.g. OS+apps+drivers)
`
`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000001
`IPR2022-00322 (Netflix, Inc. v. CA, Inc.)
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. S, 2006 Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 2006/0005181 Al
`
`Grid Resource
`Allocation
`
`11
`
`12
`
`15
`
`Grid Catalog . . _ _ _ ..,., Grid Dynamic
`and Storage
`Build Subsystem
`Subsystem
`
`Grid Virtual
`Node Grouper
`
`13
`
`Grid Manager
`
`Figure I
`
`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 5, 2006 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 2006/0005181 Al
`
`22
`
`Receive
`Environment
`Data
`
`y
`
`N
`
`25
`
`21
`
`Environment
`Requirements
`
`24
`
`Notify Grid
`Allocator
`
`15
`
`Grid
`Catalog/
`Storage
`
`OS
`
`Evaluate
`Possible
`Environment
`Build
`
`26
`
`27
`
`Reject Job
`
`Request and
`Install OS,
`if Required
`
`200
`
`201
`
`Request and
`Install
`Application(s),
`Applications and/or
`Drivers
`Drivers, or combined image ..._ _ _ _ _ ...,
`(e.g. OS+apps+drivers)
`
`t------11~ Environment .._ _ __,
`Built
`
`Figure 2
`
`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000003
`
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`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000004
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`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. S, 2006 Sheet 5 of 7
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`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000006
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`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000007
`
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`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000008
`
`

`

`US 2006/0005181 Al
`
`Jan.5,2006
`
`1
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY
`BUILDING APPLICATION ENVIRONMENTS IN A
`COMPUTATIONAL GRID
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/824,808, docket number
`AUS920040042US1, filed on Apr. 15, 2004, which has a
`common inventor, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, and is com(cid:173)
`monly assigned.
`
`INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
`
`[0002] The related U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`10/824,808, docket number AUS920040042US1, filed on
`Apr. 15, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference in its
`entirety, including figures.
`
`[0003] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/824,808, docket number
`AUS920040042US1, filed on Apr. 15, 2004.
`
`FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
`DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT
`
`[0004] This invention was not developed in conjunction
`with any Federally-sponsored contract.
`
`MICROFICHE APPENDIX
`
`[0005] Not applicable.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0007] This invention relates to the arts of on demand
`grid-based computing, and management and allocation of
`resources within a grid computing environment.
`
`[0008] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0009]
`In the 1990's, the communications standardization
`between wide ranges of systems propelled the Internet
`explosion. Based upon the concept of resource sharing, the
`latest evolutionary technology is grid computing.
`
`[0010] Grid computing is an emerging technology that
`utilizes a collection of systems and resources to deliver
`qualities of services. It is distributed computing at its best,
`by creating a virtual self-managing computer, the processing
`for which is handled by a collection of interconnected
`heterogeneous systems sharing different combinations of
`resources. In simple terms, grid computing is about getting
`computers to work together, and allowing businesses, or grid
`participants, to optimize available resources.
`
`[0011] The framework to grid computing is large scale
`resource sharing, which exist within multiple management
`domains, typically involving highly parrallelized applica(cid:173)
`tions connected
`together
`through a communications
`medium, and organized to perform one or more requested
`jobs simultaneously. Each grid resource's characteristics can
`include, but are not limited, to processing speed, storage
`capability, licensing rights, and types of applications avail(cid:173)
`able.
`
`[0012] Grid computing's architecture is defined in the
`Open Grid Services Architecture ("OGSA"), which includes
`a basic specification Open Grid Services Infrastructure
`("OGSI").
`
`[0013] Using grid computing to handle computing jobs of
`all sizes, and especially larger jobs such as enterprise
`processes, has several advantages. First, it exploits underuti(cid:173)
`lized resources on the grid. For example, if a financial
`services company suddenly encounters a 50% increase in
`stock trade transactions during a 30-minute time period,
`using a traditional systems process, the company would face
`an increase in network traffic, latent response and comple(cid:173)
`tion time, bottleneck in processing and even overload on its
`resources due to its limited or fixed computational and
`communications resources.
`
`[0014]
`In a similar situation, however, grid computing can
`adjust dynamically to meet the changing business needs, and
`respond instantly to stock transaction increase using its
`network of unused resources. For example, a grid computing
`system could run an existing stock trading application on
`four underutilized machines to process transactions, and
`deliver results four times faster than the traditional comput(cid:173)
`ing architecture. Thus, grid computing provides a better
`balance in resource utilization and enables the potential for
`massive parallel CPU capacity.
`[0015] Second, because of its standards, grid computing
`enables and simplifies collaboration among many resources
`and organizations from a variety of vendors and operators.
`For instance, genome research companies can use grid
`computing to process, cleanse, cross-tabulate and compare
`massive amounts of data, with the jobs being handled by a
`variety of computer types, operating systems, and program(cid:173)
`ming languages. By allowing the files or databases to span
`across many systems, data transfer rates can be improved
`using striping techniques that lead to faster processing
`giving the companies a competitive edge in the marketplace.
`
`[0016] Third, grid computing provides sharing capabilities
`that extends to additional equipment, software, services,
`licenses and others. These virtual resources provide uniform
`interoperability among heterogeneous grid participants.
`Each grid resource may have certain features, functionalities
`and limitations. For example, a particular data mining job
`may be able to run on a DB2 server, but may not be
`compatible to be processed on an Oracle server. So, the grid
`computing architecture selects a resource which is capable
`of handling each specific job.
`
`International Business Machines ("IBM") has pio(cid:173)
`[0017]
`neered the definition and implementation of grid computing
`systems. According to the IBM architecture, Service Level
`Agreements ("SLAs") are contracts which specify a set of
`client-driven criterion directing acceptable execution param(cid:173)
`eters for computational jobs handled by the grid. SLA
`parameters may consist of metrics such as execution and
`response time, results accuracy, job cost, and storage and
`network requirements. Typically, after job completion, an
`asynchronous process which is frequently manual is per(cid:173)
`formed to compare actual completion. In other words,
`companies use SLAs to ensure all accounting specifics such
`as costs incurred and credits obtained conforms to the
`brokered agreements. The relationship between a submitting
`client and grid service provider is that of a buyer ( client) and
`a seller (grid vendor).
`
`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000009
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`US 2006/0005181 Al
`
`Jan.5,2006
`
`2
`
`[0018]
`In order for grid and on-demand computing to be
`successful, maximum automation of grid related processes
`needs to occur. Due to the fact that grid computing is a
`relatively new and emerging art, many processes have yet to
`be considered for automation, and as such, require inefficient
`manual interaction.
`[0019]
`IBM's grid computing architecture provides an
`automated and efficient mechanism to allocate and enable
`the specific hardware and software environment required for
`job execution in a grid or on-demand computing system,
`responsive dynamically to the receipt of new jobs. However,
`at certain times depending on job load and job requirements
`within the grid, adequate resources to handle a newly
`submitted job may not be available. Inavailability may result
`from the fact that hardware and software which are capable
`of handling the job are already allocated to other jobs, or that
`no hardware and software are currently configured in the
`grid in a fashion which could handle the job, or combina(cid:173)
`tions of both reasons.
`[0020] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a mecha(cid:173)
`nism which, if the current active and available grid hardware
`does not contain the software environment(s) required by
`inbound grid jobs, to build the required software environ(cid:173)
`ment in an automated manner. The software involved may
`include the base operating system, specific device drivers,
`application software, and other components. Build of the
`appropriate software environment may include complete
`build of a new software environment on new hardware, build
`of a supplement set of nodes to integrate in with other
`existing nodes in order to complete a required environment,
`or simply build of required applications on existing active
`nodes, according to the need in the art.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0021] The following detailed description when taken in
`conjunction with the figures presented herein present a
`complete description of the present invention.
`[0022] FIG. 1 provides a high-level illustration of our
`intra-grid relationships between the present invention and
`the processes of a grid computing environment.
`[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates the logical process of our inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`[0024] FIG. 3 provides details of how grid computing
`functions are accomplished in general.
`[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates functionality for selecting a grid
`resource.
`[0026] FIG. 5 shows a high-level view of grid computing
`in general.
`[0027] FIG. 6 provides depicts a generalized computing
`platform, suitable for implementation of the invention
`according to one available embodiment.
`[0028] FIG. 7 provides more details of the software orga(cid:173)
`nization of the platform of FIG. 6.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0029] Through use of the present invention, a computing
`grid can offer more advanced resource load balancing. A
`relatively idle machine may receive an unexpected peak job,
`or if the grid is fully utilized, priorities may be assigned to
`
`better execute the number of requested jobs. By using our
`Dynamic Application Environment Builder ("DAEB") in
`conjunction with a Grid Management System ("GMS")
`scheduler such as the IBM GMS, a computing grid can
`provide excellent infrastructure for brokering resources.
`[0030] Generally speaking, as jobs flow into our compu(cid:173)
`tational grid for execution, an automated and efficient
`mechanism allocates and enables the specific hardware and
`software environment required for job execution. Addition(cid:173)
`ally, if the current active grid hardware does not contain the
`software environment(s) required by inbound grid jobs, the
`processes of the invention build the required software envi(cid:173)
`ronment in an automated manner. The software resources
`required and provided by the build may include a base
`operating system, one or more specific device drivers, one or
`more application software programs, and other components.
`[0031] Building of the appropriate software environment
`may include complete build of a new software environment
`on new hardware, build of a supplement set of nodes to
`integrate in with other existing nodes in order to complete a
`required environment, or simply build of required applica(cid:173)
`tions on existing active nodes.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`[0032] The present invention is preferably realized in
`conjunction with a grid computing architecture, and espe(cid:173)
`cially with the grid computing environment offered by
`International Business Machines. Therefore, it will be useful
`to first establish some definitions and discuss some gener(cid:173)
`alities of grid computing concepts prior to presenting details
`of the present invention.
`
`Fundamentals of Grid Computing
`[0033] The
`following definitions will be employed
`throughout this disclosure:
`
`[0034]
`(a) "Grid" shall mean of a collection of comput(cid:173)
`ing resources such as servers, processors, storage sys(cid:173)
`tems, and communications media, ranging from just a
`few machines to groups of machines organized as a
`hierarchy potentially spanning the world;
`
`[0035]
`(b) "Job" shall mean a desired requested task
`that a client initiates to be processed using available
`and selected resources;
`
`[0036]
`(c) "Resources" shall mean any system, hard(cid:173)
`ware or software module that is available within a grid
`for use in completing a job, such as application pro(cid:173)
`grams, hardware, software licenses, storage and related
`components;
`
`[0037]
`(d) computing environment or "environment"
`for short shall mean a set of hardware and software
`resources, such as a process, memory, disk space,
`operating system and one or more application pro(cid:173)
`grams, which are used to process or execute a job; and
`
`[0038]
`(e) "SLA" shall refer specifically to an IBM
`Service Level Agreement, and more generically to any
`documented set of client-driven criteria for job han(cid:173)
`dling on a grid, including but not limited to processing
`accuracy, results format, processing time for comple(cid:173)
`tion, and cost of job processing.
`
`Netflix, Inc. - Ex. 1010, Page 000010
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`US 2006/0005181 Al
`
`Jan.5,2006
`
`3
`
`[0039] As previously discussed, IBM has pioneered the
`development of systems, architectures, interfaces, and stan(cid:173)
`dards for open grid computing. As grid computing is rela(cid:173)
`tively new in the field of computing, we will first provide an
`overview of grid computing concepts and logical processes.
`Additional information regarding grid computing in general
`is publicly available from IBM, several other grid comput(cid:173)
`ing suppliers and developers, a growing number of univer(cid:173)
`sities, as well as from appropriate standards organizations
`such as the Open Grids Computing Environment ("OGCE")
`consortium. The following description of grid computing
`uses a generalized model and generalized terminology
`which can be used equally well to implement the invention
`not only in an IBM-based grid environment, but in grid
`environments comprised of systems and components from
`other vendors, as well.
`
`[0040] Turning to FIG. 5, the new computing paradigm of
`grid computing (50) is illustrated at a high level. A client
`(53), such as an FBI analyst using a client computer,
`requests a computational job or task, a cross-agency list of
`suspected terrorists, to be performed by the grid. The job is
`submitted via a communications network (51) to a Grid
`Management System ("GMS"), which makes a selection of
`which grid vendor(s) (54) to use based on client job criteria
`(e.g. response time, cost, accuracy, etc.) and resource char(cid:173)
`acteristics, such as server capability, resource availability,
`storage capacity, and cost.
`
`[0041] Once the GMS determines a specific vendor(s) (38,
`39,300) to which the job will be assigned (or among which
`the job will be divided), requests are sent to the selected grid
`resources, such as Server 1 (38). Server 1 (38) would then
`process the job as required, and would return job results,
`back to the requesting client (53) via the communications
`network (51).
`
`[0042] FIG. 3 provides a more detailed illustration (30) of
`how grid computing functions at a lower level. When a job
`(32) is submitted by a client application (31) to the grid, the
`job (32) is received into a grid inbound job queue (33),
`where it awaits assignment to one or more grid resources.
`
`[0043] A Job/Grid Scheduler ("JGS") (34) retrieves each
`pending job from the inbound job queue (33), verifies
`handling requirements against one or more SLA (305) to
`determine processing requirements for the job, and then
`selects which server or servers (28, 29, 300) to assign to
`process the job (32). In this illustration, Server 2 (39) has
`been selected, so the job (32) is transferred to Server 2' job
`queue (36) to be processed when the server becomes avail(cid:173)
`able (immediately if adequate processing bandwidth is
`already available). Some servers may handle their job
`queues in an intelligent manner, allowing jobs to have
`priority designation which allows them to be processed
`quicker or sooner than earlier-received, lower priority jobs.
`
`[0044] Eventually, the assigned server completes the job
`and returns the results (301) to a Job Results Manager
`("JRM") (302). The JRM can verify job completion and
`results delivery (303) to the client application (31), and can
`generate job completion records (304) as necessary to
`achieve billing and invoice functions.
`
`[0045] Turning now to FIG. 4, more details of the
`resource selection process ( 40) are shown. Each grid
`resource (38, 39,300) may report in real-time its availability
`
`or "percent idle" ( 41, 42, and 43) to the Job/Grid Scheduler
`(34). Additionally, a set of grid resource characteristics and
`capabilities ( 44) is compiled, either statically, dynamically,
`or both, which is also available for the JGS (34) to use. Some
`server characteristics may be static, such as hardware char(cid:173)
`acteristics (e.g. installed memory, communications proto(cid:173)
`cols, or licenses), which other characteristics may be more
`dynamic in nature, such as number of licenses available for
`a certain application program (e.g. PDF generators, video
`compressors, etc.). Additionally, the completion statistics
`( 45) from the Job Results Manager (302) are preferably
`available to the JGS (34), as well.
`[0046] Through consideration of these factors regarding
`the grid resources, and in combination with the SLA client
`requirements, the JGS can select one or more appropriate
`grid resources to which to assign each job. For example, for
`high-priority jobs which require immediate processing, the
`JGS may select a resource which is immediately available,
`and which provides the greatest memory and processing
`bandwidth. For another job which is cost-sensitive but not
`time critical, the JGS may select a resource which is least
`expensive without great concern about the current depth of
`the queue for handling at that resource.
`
`Computing Platform Suitable for Realization of the Inven(cid:173)
`tion
`[0047] The invention, in one available embodiment, is
`realized as a feature or addition to software products, such
`as IBM's grid computing products, for execution by well(cid:173)
`known computing platforms such as personal computers,
`web servers, and web browsers.
`[0048] As the computing power, memory and storage, and
`communications capabilities of even portable and handheld
`devices such as personal digital assistants ("PDA"), web(cid:173)
`enabled wireless telephones, and other types of personal
`("PIM")
`information management
`devices,
`steadily
`increases over time, it is possible that the invention may be
`realized in software for some of these devices, as well.
`[0049] Therefore, it is useful to review a generalized
`architecture of a computing platform which may span the
`range of implementation, from a high-end web or enterprise
`server platform, to a personal computer, to a portable PDA
`or web-enabled wireless phone.
`[0050] Turning to FIG. 6, a generalized architecture is
`presented including a central processing unit (71) ("CPU"),
`which is typically comprised of a microprocessor (72)
`associated with random access memory ("RAM") (74) and
`read-only memory ("ROM") (75). Often, the CPU (71) is
`also provided with cache memory (73) and programmable
`FlashROM (76). The interface (77) between the micropro(cid:173)
`cessor (72) and the various types of CPU memory is often
`referred to as a "local bus", but also may be a more generic
`or industry standard bus.
`[0051] Many computing platforms are also provided with
`one or more storage drives (79), such as a hard-disk drives
`("HDD"), floppy disk drives, compact disc drives (CD,
`CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), and proprietary disk
`and tape drives (e.g., Iomega Zip™ and Jaz™, Addonics
`SuperDisk™, etc.). Additionally, some storage drives may
`be accessible over a computer network.
`[0052] Many computing platforms are provided with one
`or more communication interfaces (710), according to the
`
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`function intended of the computing platform. For example,
`a personal computer is often provided with a high speed
`serial port (RS-232, RS-422, etc.), an enhanced parallel port
`("EPP"), and one or more universal serial bus ("USE")
`ports. The computing platform may also be provided with a
`local area network ("LAN") interface, such as an Ethernet
`card, and other high-speed interfaces such as the High
`Performance Serial Bus IEEE-1394.
`
`[0053] Computing platforms such as wireless telephones
`and wireless networked PDA's may also be provided with a
`radio frequency ('RF") interface with antenna, as well. In
`some cases, the computing platform may be provided with
`an infrared data arrangement ("IrDA") interface, too.
`
`[0054] Computing platforms arc often equipped with one
`or more internal expansion slots (811), such as Industry
`Standard Architecture ("ISA"), Enhanced Industry Standard
`Architecture ("EISA"), Peripheral Component Interconnect
`("PCI"), or proprietary interface slots for the addition of
`other hardware, such as sound cards, memory boards, and
`graphics accelerators.
`
`[0055] Additionally, many units, such as laptop computers
`and PDA's, are provided with one or more external expan(cid:173)
`sion slots (712) allowing the user the ability to easily install
`and remove hardware expansion devices, such as PCMCIA
`cards, SmartMedia cards, and various proprietary modules
`such as removable hard drives, CD drives, and floppy drives.
`
`[0056] Often, the storage drives (79), communication
`interfaces (810), internal expansion slots (711) and external
`expansion slots (712) are interconnected with the CPU (71)
`via a standard or industry open bus architecture (78), such as
`ISA, EISA, or PCI. In many cases, the bus (78) may be of
`a proprietary design.
`
`[0057] A computing platform is usually provided with one
`or more user input devices, such as a keyboard or a keypad
`(716), and mouse or pointer device (717), and/or a touch(cid:173)
`screen display (718). In the case of a personal computer, a
`full size keyboard is often provided along with a mouse or
`pointer device, such as a track ball or TrackPoint™. In the
`case of a web-enabled wireless telephone, a simple keypad
`may be provided with one or more function-specific keys. In
`the case of a PDA, a touch-screen (718) is usually provided,
`often with handwriting recognition capabilities.
`
`[0058] Additionally, a microphone (719), such as the
`microphone of a web-enabled wireless telephone or the
`microphone of a personal computer, is supplied with the
`computing platform. This microphone may be used for
`simply reporting audio and voice signals, and it may also be
`used for entering user choices, such as voice navigation of
`web sites or auto-dialing telephone numbers, using voice
`recognition capabilities.
`
`[0059] Many computing platforms are also equipped with
`a camera device (7100), such as a still digital camera or full
`motion video digital camera.
`
`[0060] One or more user output devices, such as a display
`(713), are also provided with most computing platforms.
`The display (713) may take many forms, including a Cath(cid:173)
`ode Ray Tube ("CRT"), a Thin Flat Transistor ("TFT") array,
`or a simple set of light emitting diodes ("LED") or liquid
`crystal display ("LCD") indicators.
`
`[0061] One or more speakers (714) and/or annunciators
`(715) are often associated with computing platforms, too.
`The speakers (714) may be used to reproduce audio and
`music, such as the speaker of a wireless telephone or the
`speakers of a personal computer. Annunciators (715) may
`take the form of simple beep emitters or buzzers, commonly
`found on certain devices such as PDAs and PIMs.
`
`[0062] These user input and output devices may be
`directly interconnected (78', 78") to the CPU (71) via a
`proprietary bus structure and/or interfaces, or they may be
`interconnected through one or more industry open buses
`such as ISA, EISA, PCI, etc. The computing platform is also
`provided with one or more software and firmware (7101)
`programs to implement the desired functionality of the
`computing platforms.
`
`[0063] Turning to now FIG. 7, more detail is given of a
`generalized organization of software and firmware (7101) on
`this range of computing platforms. One or more operating
`system ("OS") native application programs (823) may be
`provided on the computing platform, such as word proces(cid:173)
`sors, spreadsheets, contact management utilities, address
`book, calendar, email client, presentation, financial and
`bookkeeping programs. 100531 Additionally, one or more
`"portable" or device-independent programs (824) may be
`provided, which must be interpreted by an OS-native plat(cid:173)
`form-specific interpreter (825), such as Java™ scripts and
`programs.
`
`[0064] Often, computing platforms are also provided with
`a form of web browser or micro-browser (826), which may
`also include one or more extensions to the browser such as
`browser plug-ins (827).
`
`[0065] The computing device is often provided with an
`operating system (820), such as Microsoft Windows™,
`UNIX, IBM OS/2 TM, LINUX, MAC OS TM or other platform
`specific operating systems. Smaller devices such as PDA's
`and wireless telephones may be equipped with other forms
`of operating systems such as real-time operating systems
`("RTOS") or Palm Computing's PalmOS™.
`
`[0066] A set of basic input and output functions ("BIOS")
`and hardware device drivers (821) are often provided to
`allow the operating system (820) and programs to interface
`to and control the specific hardware functions provided with
`the computing platform.
`
`[0067] Additionally, one or more embedded firmware pro(cid:173)
`grams (822) are commonly provided with many computing
`platforms, which are executed by onboard or "embedded"
`microprocessors as part of the peripheral device, such as a
`micro controller or a hard drive, a communication processor,
`network interface card, or sound or graphics card.
`
`[0068] As such, FIGS. 6 and 7 describe in a general sense
`the various hardware components, software and firmware
`programs of a wide variety of computing platforms, includ(cid:173)
`ing but not limited to personal computers, PDAs, PIMs,
`web-enabled telephones, and other appliances such as
`WebTV™ units. It will be readily recognized by those
`skilled in the art that the methods and processes disclosed
`herein may be alternatively realized as hardware functions,
`in part or in whole, without departing from the spirit and
`scope of the invention.
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`Other Grid Products from IBM and Tivoli
`[0069] There are two previously available products to
`which the present invention relates, but compared to which
`the present invention provides substantial performance and
`functional advantages:
`[0070]
`(1) Tivoli's Think Dynamic (a.k.a. IBM Tivoli
`Provisioning Manager and IBM Tivoli Intelligent
`Orchestrator) Provisioning Manager(s), which man(cid:173)
`ages static building, deploying, configuring and
`reclaiming resources to and from application environ(cid:173)
`ments. It enables building of workflows that automate
`"best practices" to deploy and augment n-tier applica(cid:173)
`tion environments, and provides out-of-the-box auto(cid:173)
`mated provisioning for networks, servers, storage,
`middleware and application services.
`
`(2) IBM Websphere™ Server Allocation Work(cid:173)
`[0071]
`load Manager, which enables pooling of WebSphere TM
`resources (e.g. software components and resources)
`and have applications respond quickly to the dyna