摘要:
Methods and systems for obtaining a value indicative of resource-related activity in respect of a plurality of devices using a network of metering means arranged to be in communication with one another, the metering means being associated with resource-consuming or resource-providing devices and being arranged to obtain local resource-related activity data therefrom, the method comprising: a first metering means initiating a circulation procedure by sending a token to a downstream metering means, the token comprising an activity field for carrying a value indicative of resource-related activity data; the circulation procedure continuing, until the token has returned to the first metering means, by each downstream metering means in turn receiving the token, updating the activity field in dependence on its own locally-obtained resource-related activity data, and forwarding the token to a further downstream metering means; and once the token has returned to the first metering means, obtaining a value indicative of the combined level of resource-related activity in respect of devices associated with the metering means in said network in dependence on the value carried by the activity field.
摘要:
A peer-to-peer network operating in accordance with a service-oriented architecture is disclosed. The peers in the network request services from one another and each keep a record of the quality of service they receive from the other peers. The peers can operate in two modes of service provider selection. In a first mode, the selection is so as to favour service providers which have provided the peer with good service in the past. In a second mode, the selection is probabilistic and can therefore select service providers other than those that have provided good service in the past. Each device keeps track of the relative success of adopting the second mode of selection. By occasionally using the second mode of selection and adopting the second mode of selection more frequently should the relative success of adopting the second mode of selection rise, a more rapid adjustment by the network to changing network conditions is enabled. This leads to a better utilisation of the resources of the computers of the network than has hitherto been achieved. The invention finds particular application in distributed applications which dynamically select a Web Service to perform a function at run-time.
摘要:
A peer-to-peer network operating in accordance with a service-oriented architecture is disclosed. The peers in the network request services from one another and each keeps a record of the quality of service they receive from the other peers. The peers share quality of service information with one another in order to take advantage of the improvement in the overall efficiency of the use of resources in the network offered by such information sharing. However, the invention provides a further improvement in that peers do not report the quality of service offered by the peers they have received the best quality of service from. This is found to increase the overall level of service still further since it prevents the peers converging on a favourite service provider and thereby overloading it. The invention finds particular application in distributed applications which dynamically select a Web Service to perform a function at run-time.
摘要:
A peer-to-peer network operating in accordance with a service-oriented architecture is disclosed. The peers in the network request services from one another and each keep a record of the quality of service they receive from the other peers. The peers can operate in two modes of service provider selection. In a first mode, the selection is so as to favour service providers which have provided the peer with good service in the past. In a second mode, the selection is probabilistic and can therefore select service providers other than those that have provided good service in the past. Each device keeps track of the relative success of adopting the second mode of selection. By occasionally using the second mode of selection and adopting the second mode of selection more frequently should the relative success of adopting the second mode of selection rise, a more rapid adjustment by the network to changing network conditions is enabled. This leads to a better utilisation of the resources of the computers of the network than has hitherto been achieved. The invention finds particular application in distributed applications which dynamically select a Web Service to perform a function at run-time.
摘要:
A group of computer processing devices are arranged to co-operate to host services for use by each other. Each device stores information relating to the devices known to have such services installed (38). When one of the devices requires a service that it does not already have installed, it transmits a request (32, 35) for the required service. If a neighbouring device is able to provide the service, it responds accordingly (33, 34, 36, 37) and supplies the requested service (391). If a device is unable to identify sufficient suitable neighbouring host devices it may install the service itself (392) when an opportunity to do so is identified.
摘要:
Wireless devices in (10, 20, 30 etc) in an ad hoc network each select a channel on which to operate such that conflicts with neighbouring devices are avoided. Each device (20) has a normal power output, giving it a normal range (31) and an enhanced power output, giving it an extended "inhibition" range (33). Initially each device (20) transmits at the enhanced power level, such that it can be detected by devices (40, 50) within the extended range (33). If it detects other devices transmitting on the same channel, it may change to another channel. Once a channel has been identified on which no conflict is detected, the device (20) switches to the normal power level. By initiating the channel selection process at the enhanced level, conflicts between the transmissions of devices (20, 40), which would be detectable at a device (30) within the normal range of both, can be avoided despite the two devices (20, 40) not be able to detect each other directly at the normal power level. To conserve battery power, the process is arranged to have the devices operate at the enhanced power for the minimum time necessary, by dropping to the normal level when a suitable channel has been identified with a reasonable degree of certainty.
摘要:
A method and apparatus are disclosed which enable the robustness of a network to cumulative node failure to be determined. The system takes as its input a description of network topology and proceeds simulate cumulative node failure and produce a model of the robustness of the network that can be used as a relative measure against revised or other network topologies.
摘要:
Methods and systems for allocating processing tasks between a plurality of processing resources (12, 14, 16, 18), each of said processing resources having associated therewith one or more queues (13, 15, 17, 19) for holding tasks awaiting processing, each of said tasks having a task-type indication identifying the task as belonging to one of a plurality of predetermined task-types; the method resulting in at least one of said plurality of processing resources selecting one of said plurality of task-types and transferring one or more tasks of that task-type to another of said processing resources.