Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090012922 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REWARD-BASED LEARNING OF IMPROVED SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT POLICIES - In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for reward-based learning of improved systems management policies. One embodiment of the inventive method involves supplying a first policy and a reward mechanism. The first policy maps states of at least one component of a data processing system to selected management actions, while the reward mechanism generates numerical measures of value responsive to particular actions (e.g., management actions) performed in particular states of the component(s). The first policy and the reward mechanism are applied to the component(s), and results achieved through this application (e.g., observations of corresponding states, actions and rewards) are processed in accordance with reward-based learning to derive a second policy having improved performance relative to the first policy in at least one state of the component(s). | 01-08-2009 |
20120117399 | SAVING POWER BY MANAGING THE STATE OF INACTIVE COMPUTING DEVICES - A system method and computer program product for managing readiness states of a plurality of computing devices. A programmed processor unit operates, upon receipt of a request, to either: provide one or more computing devices from an inactive pool to an active pool, or accept one or more active computing devices into the inactive pool. An Inactive Pool Manager proactively manages the inactive states of each computing device by: determining the desired number (and identities) of computing devices to be placed in each inactive state of readiness by solving a constraint optimization problem that describes a user-specified trade-off between expected readiness (estimated time to be able to activate computing devices when they are needed next) and conserving energy; generating a plan for changing the current set of inactive states to the desired set; and, executing the plan. Multiple alternative ways of quantifying the desired responsiveness to surges in demand are provided, and, in each case, the tradeoff between responsiveness and power savings is formulated as an objective function with constraints, and the desired number of devices in each inactive state emerges as the solution to a constraint optimization problem. | 05-10-2012 |
20120290135 | UNIFIED AND FLEXIBLE CONTROL OF MULTIPLE DATA CENTER COOLING MECHANISMS - Techniques are described for controlling the climate in a data center. Using the input of an administrator, multiple desired attributes of a data center (e.g., temperature, energy consumption, costs, or system performance) may be balanced using a utility function that maximizes the utility of the computing systems in the data center according to the administrator's preferences. Additionally, a cooling model is generated that represents the affect of a control parameter (e.g., the fan speed of a CRAC) on the desire attributes of the data center. The cooling model may then be substituted into the utility function to replace the desired attributes. Using this new utility function, the control parameters may be varied such that the maximum utility is achieved. | 11-15-2012 |
20120317265 | Automatically Detecting and Locating Equipment Within an Equipment Rack - A mechanism is provided for automatically detecting and locating equipment within an intelligent equipment rack. The intelligent equipment rack comprises a rack controller that determines whether a signal has been received indicating that a rack space in a plurality of rack spaces in the intelligent equipment rack has been occupied by a piece of electronic equipment. Responsive to receiving the signal indicating that the rack space has been occupied by the piece of electronic equipment, the rack controller updates a rack information table in the memory with occupation information related to the rack space occupied by the piece of electronic equipment. | 12-13-2012 |
20120331318 | SAVING POWER BY MANAGING THE STATE OF INACTIVE COMPUTING DEVICES - Managing readiness states of a plurality of computing devices. A programmed processor unit operates, upon receipt of a request, to: provide one or more computing devices from an inactive pool to an active pool, or accept one or more active computing devices into the inactive pool. The system proactively manages the inactive states of each computing device by: determining the desired number (and identities) of computing devices to be placed in each inactive state of readiness by solving a constraint optimization problem that describes a user-specified trade-off between expected readiness (estimated time to be able to activate computing devices when they are needed next) and conserving energy; generating a plan for changing the current set of inactive states to the desired set; and, executing the plan. Multiple alternative ways of quantifying the desired responsiveness to surges in demand are provided. | 12-27-2012 |
20130085611 | UNIFIED AND FLEXIBLE CONTROL OF MULTIPLE DATA CENTER COOLING MECHANISMS - Techniques are described for controlling the climate in a data center. Using the input of an administrator, multiple desired attributes of a data center (e.g., temperature, energy consumption, costs, or system performance) may be balanced using a utility function that maximizes the utility of the computing systems in the data center according to the administrator's preferences. Additionally, a cooling model is generated that represents the affect of a control parameter (e.g., the fan speed of a CRAC) on the desire attributes of the data center. The cooling model may then be substituted into the utility function to replace the desired attributes. Using this new utility function, the control parameters may be varied such that the maximum utility is achieved. | 04-04-2013 |
20140059367 | SAVING POWER BY MANAGING THE STATE OF INACTIVE COMPUTING DEVICES - A system method and computer program product for managing readiness states of a plurality of computing devices. In response to a request, a computer system operates to either: provide one or more computing devices from an inactive pool to an active pool, or accept one or more active computing devices into the inactive pool. An Inactive Pool Manager proactively manages the inactive states of each computing device by: determining the desired number (and identities) of computing devices to be placed in each inactive state of readiness by solving a constraint optimization problem that describes a user-specified trade-off between expected readiness (estimated time to be able to activate computing devices when they are needed next) and conserving energy; generating a plan for changing the current set of inactive states to the desired set; and, executing the plan. Multiple alternative ways of quantifying the desired responsiveness to surges in demand are provided. | 02-27-2014 |
20140211983 | Information Technology Asset Location Using Visual Detectors - Mechanisms are provided for determining the physical location of a physical asset in a physical area. A plurality of physical assets are controlled to cause each physical asset to output a visual output pattern on visual output elements of the physical asset. An image of a target physical asset is captured that has the current state of the visual output elements. An identification of the target physical asset is determined based on the current state of the visual output elements. A physical location of the target physical asset is determined based on a physical location of the image capture device when the image was captured. Location data identifying the determined physical location of the target physical asset is stored in an asset database in association with configuration information for the physical asset. | 07-31-2014 |
20140211984 | Information Technology Asset Location Using Visual Detectors - Mechanisms are provided for determining the physical location of a physical asset in a physical area. A plurality of physical assets are controlled to cause each physical asset to output a visual output pattern on visual output elements of the physical asset. An image of a target physical asset is captured that has the current state of the visual output elements. An identification of the target physical asset is determined based on the current state of the visual output elements. A physical location of the target physical asset is determined based on a physical location of the image capture device when the image was captured. Location data identifying the determined physical location of the target physical asset is stored in an asset database in association with configuration information for the physical asset. | 07-31-2014 |
20140237269 | ESTIMATING POWER USAGE IN A COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - Power usage is estimated in a computing environment by automatically detecting hardware configuration information by use of a software agent that is translated into power consumption information for implementing a plurality of power estimation models for efficient power consumption and utilization. | 08-21-2014 |
20140237283 | ESTIMATING POWER USAGE IN A COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - Power usage is estimated in a computing environment by automatically detecting hardware configuration information by use of a software agent that is translated into power consumption information for implementing a plurality of power estimation models for efficient power consumption and utilization. | 08-21-2014 |