Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing – Least weight routing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-28
2001-08-28
Banankhah, Majid (Department: 2755)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
Least weight routing
C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282560
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates, in general, to managing processor resources of a computer system and, in particular, to providing appropriate processor resources to present smooth, uninterrupted real-time data streams, while enabling other types of applications and work to concurrently execute on the same system.
BACKGROUND ART
Delivery of quality real-time data streams has been and continues to be an important concern in the computer environment. Real-time data streams include, for instance, video, audio and multimedia data streams, to name a few. Currently, two approaches are used to deliver real-time data streams: configuration control and high dispatch priority, each of which is described below.
In the configuration control approach, a server is dedicated to the delivery of real-time data streams. In particular, the server is configured with sufficient capacity to deliver real-time data streams at a given rate. Since the server is dedicated to the delivery of real-time data streams, the real-time streams monopolize the system resources leaving very little, if anything at all, for other types of work.
In the high dispatch priority approach, the real-time applications are run at a very high dispatch priority. This technique need not be run on a dedicated system; however, by running the real-time applications at a very high priority, again, there is no control or guarantee that other work in the system will receive sufficient resources to execute.
Thus, a need exists for a technique that delivers real-time data streams smoothly and uninterrupted, while providing a desired amount of the processor resource for other work to be concurrently executed on the system. A further need exists for a management technique that allows a limit to be placed on the amount of resource allocated to real-time data streams, such that a selected amount of the resource remains available for non-real-time work.
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 processor resources in a computer system. An amount of a processor resource is allocated to a real-time application of the computer system. The amount is not to exceed a limit chosen for a group of one or more real-time applications, in which the group includes at least the real-time application. A selected amount of the processor resource remains available for at least one non-real-time application of the computer system.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the processing of the real-time application includes preventing the real-time application from exceeding a maximum amount of the processor resource selected for the group of real-time applications.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of managing processor resources in a computer system is provided. An amount of a processor resource allocatable to a group of one or more real-time applications is selected, and a chosen amount of the processor resource is reserved for one or more non-real-time applications.
In another embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the amount of the processor resource is allocated to a real-time application, and the real-time application is processed. The real-time application is prevented from exceeding a maximum amount of the processor resource selected for the group of real-time applications.
In another aspect of the present invention, an article of manufacture including a computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing the managing of processor resources in a computer system is provided. The computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture includes computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect allocating an amount of a processor resource to a real-time application of the computer system. The amount is not to exceed a limit chosen for a group of one or more real-time applications, which includes at least the real-time application. A selected amount of the processor resource remains available for at least one non-real-time application of the computer system. Additionally, the article of manufacture includes computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect processing the real-time application in the computer system.
In yet a further aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture including a computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing the managing of processor resources in a computer system is provided. The computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture includes computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect selecting an amount of a processor resource allocatable to a group of one or more real-time applications of the computer system; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect reserving a chosen amount of the processor resource for one or more non-real-time applications of the computer system.
The management capability of the present invention advantageously enables the selection of a particular amount of a processor resource to be utilized by real-time applications, while preserving a chosen amount of the resource for non-real-time applications. Additionally, the management capability of the invention prevents the real-time applications from overrunning the computer system. Real-time applications can run smoothly and uninterrupted, while other types of work can also be processed on the system.
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.
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Eilert Catherine Krueger
Yocom Peter Bergersen
Banankhah Majid
Cutter, Esq. Lawrence D.
Heslin & Rothenberg, P.C.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kinnaman, Jr., Esq William A.
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