Teachings of this application include a computing network that may include multiple different data centers and/or server grids which are deployed in different geographic locations. In at least one embodiment, at least some of the server grids may be operable to provide on-demand, grid and/or utility computing resources for hosting various types of distributed applications. In at least one embodiment, a distributed application may be characterized as an application made up of distinct components (e.g., virtual appliances, virtual machines, virtual interfaces, virtual volumes, virtual network connections, etc.) in separate runtime environments. In at least one embodiment, different ones of the distinct components of the distributed application may be hosted or deployed on different platforms (e.g., different servers) connected via a network. In some embodiments, a distributed application may be characterized as an application that runs on two or more networked computers.

Globally Distributed Utility Computing Cloud

System, method, and tangible computer-readable storage media are disclosed for providing a brokering service for compute resources The method includes, at a brokering service, polling a group of separately administered compute environments to identify resource capabilities and information, each compute resource environment including the group of managed nodes for processing workload, receiving a request for compute resources at the brokering service system, the request for compute resources being associated with a service level agreement (SLA) and based on the resource capabilities across the group of compute resource environments, selecting compute resources in one or more of the group of compute resource environments The brokering service system receives workload associated with the request and communicates the workload to the selected resources for processing The brokering services system can aggregate resources for multiple cloud service providers and act as an advocate for or a guarantor of the SLA associated with the workload

System and method of brokering cloud computing resources

Automatic configuration management of a network is provided by determining an inventory of resources at a virtualization layer of a node of the network, assigning prioritization to members of a set of network configuration elements, allocating virtual resources among the set of network configuration elements, establishing a network configuration. The configuration is managed by determining real time performance metrics for the configuration, producing a reallocation of the virtual resources based on the performance metrics that are estimated to change the established configuration, change the performance metrics, and initiating the reallocation of the virtual resources. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement that allows a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Virtual systems management

A system for executing applications designed to run on a single SMP computer on an easily scalable network of computers, while providing each application with computing resources, including processing power, memory and others that exceed the resources available on any single computer. A server agent program, a grid switch apparatus and a grid controller apparatus are included. Methods for creating processes and resources, and for accessing resources transparently across multiple servers are also provided.

Apparatus, method and system for aggregrating computing resources

In an ASP server farm, requests to use an application are directed to a particular executing instance of the application (or an appropriate component thereof) that is identified as being the least loaded of the available such instances of the application or its component. The number of such instances is dynamically increased or decreased in response to the number of requests for the application or components thereof. Requests may be directed (in accordance with the first aspect) or the instances adjusted (in accordance with a second aspect) on a per client-basis, in which instances of the application and/or components thereof are reserved for the use of a user or a particular group of users. Operation in this manner facilitates compliance with service agreements with respective users or groups of users. A record is maintained of the resources currently allocated and resources currently consumed for each combination of instance and user, in terms of load factors placed on the instances by requests serviced by those instances of the application or its components. The above arrangement permits a service agreement with a user to be structured in terms of an estimated range of requests for an application, with charges levied for servicing request rates within one or more different bands within this estimated range. Penalty rates are charged (in favour of the user) when requests are not serviced.

Managing server resources for hosted applications

Method, system, apparatus, and computer program and computer program product provide on-demand, scalable computational resources to application providers over a distributed network and system. Resources are made available based on demand for applications. Application providers are charged fees based on the amount of resources utilized to satisfy the needs of the application. In providing compute resources, method and apparatus is capable of rapidly activating a plurality of instances of the applications as demand increases and to halt instances as demand drops. Application providers are charged based on metered amount of computational resources utilized in processing their applications. Application providers access the network to distribute applications onto network to utilize distributed compute resources for processing of the applications. Application providers are further capable of monitoring, updating and replacing distributed applications. Apparatus and system includes plurality of computing resources distributed across a network capable of restoring and snapshotting provisioned applications based on demand.

Robert Rodriguez

Papers

Method system and apparatus for providing pay-per-use distributed computing resources