Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing – Processing architecture – Distributed processing system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-28
2003-07-01
Pan, Daniel H. (Department: 2183)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing
Processing architecture
Distributed processing system
C712S013000, C709S241000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06587938
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates, in general, to managing workload within a computing system, and, in particular, to managing workload in a partitioned system, such as a logically partitioned system.
BACKGROUND ART
Logical partitioning allows the establishment of a plurality of system images within a single physical machine or central processor complex (CPC). Each system image is capable of operating as if it was a separate computer system. That is, each logical partition can be independently reset, initially loaded with an operating system that may be different for each logical partition, and operate with different software programs using different input/output (I/O) devices.
Examples of logically partitioned computing systems are described in, for instance, Guyette et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,903, entitled “Partitioned Multiprocessor Programming System”, issued on Jan. 14, 1986; Bean et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,541, entitled “Logical Resource Partitioning Of A Data Processing System”, issued on Jun. 27, 1989; and Kubala, U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,040, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Providing A Server Function In A Logically Partitioned Hardware Machine”, issued on Oct. 08, 1996, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Commercial embodiments of logically partitioned systems include, for example, IBM S/390® processors with the Processor Resource/Systems Manager™ (PR/SM™) feature, which is described, for instance, in the IBM publication
Processor Resource/Systems Manager Planning Guide
, GA22-7236-04, March 1999, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
One important aspect of a logically partitioned system is the management of workload running within the partitions of that system. In S/390 systems, for example, workload managers are used to manage the workload within and among the partitions. The workload managers attempt to balance the workload of the partitions by moving work to the physical resources of the system. In order to move the work, however, it is important to ensure that the data needed by the relocated work is at the moved location. This need often restricts the movement of work. Thus, although efforts have been made to balance workload within a logically partitioned system, further needs exist and further efforts are needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a method for managing central processing unit (CPU) resources within a computing environment. The method includes, for instance, determining that an allocation of CPU resources to a partition of the computing environment is to be adjusted; and dynamically adjusting the allocation across the partition and another partition of the computing environment.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the dynamically adjusting is in response to workload goals of at least the partition. Additionally, in a further example, the dynamically adjusting is across a plurality of partitions of the computing environment.
Systems and computer program products corresponding to the above-summarized methods are also described and claimed herein.
Advantageously, at least one aspect of the present invention enables the management of central processing unit resources within a computing environment. For example, workload manager can distribute CPU resources across logical partitions by dynamically adjusting the CPU processor weights associated with the logical partitions. WLM understands, for instance, when an important workload is late because the weight of the partition it is running within is too low. WLM can help this workload by, for instance, raising the weight of this partition and lowering the weight of another partition, thereby providing additional CPU capacity to the important workload. This aspect of the present invention advantageously allows CPU resources to be dynamically moved to the needed partitions, as workload requirements change.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4564903 (1986-01-01), Guyette et al.
patent: 4843541 (1989-06-01), Bean et al.
patent: 5220654 (1993-06-01), Benson et al.
patent: 5257368 (1993-10-01), Benson et al.
patent: 5257379 (1993-10-01), Cwiakala et al.
patent: 5301323 (1994-04-01), Maeurer et al.
patent: 5317739 (1994-05-01), Elko et al.
patent: 5473773 (1995-12-01), Aman et al.
patent: 5526484 (1996-06-01), Casper et al.
patent: 5530860 (1996-06-01), Matsuura
patent: 5561809 (1996-10-01), Elko et al.
patent: 5564040 (1996-10-01), Kubala
patent: 5675739 (1997-10-01), Eilert et al.
patent: 5706432 (1998-01-01), Elko et al.
patent: 5881284 (1999-03-01), Kubo
patent: 5896520 (1999-04-01), Ohminato et al.
“Genesys: Sun's Platform Vision for the Networked Data Center,” Feb. 1999, Sun Microsystems, Inc., pp. 1-14.
“Sun Enterprise 10000 InterDomain Networks User Guide,” file:///C/WINDOWS/TEMP/interdomain.html, 1994-1999 Sun Microsystems, Inc., pp. 1-10.
“Enhancements to I/O Priority Queueing,” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, J.L. Boyle, S.C. Kurtz, A.S. Meritt, W.C. Shepard and J.Z. Teng, vol. 36, No. 06A, Jun. 1993, pp. 485-487.
Eilert Catherine K.
Kubala Jeffrey P.
Nick Jeffrey M.
Yocom Peter B.
Heslin Rothenberg Farley & & Mesiti P.C.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kinnaman, Jr. Esq. William A.
Pan Daniel H.
Schiller, Esq. Blanche E.
LandOfFree
Method, system and program products for managing central... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method, system and program products for managing central..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method, system and program products for managing central... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3076661