Patent ID: 7568199
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving a request for a computational resource required to begin computing a first task, the request being provided by a first portion of a network and including a requirement corresponding to computation of the first task; matching the requirement with specifications of computational resources existing in the network; generating a list of matched computational resources having specifications that match the requirement, the matched computational resources being selected from the existing computational resources; responding to the request by sending the list of matched computational resources to the first portion of the network, the list including network addresses relating to the matched computational resources; receiving a selection from the first portion of the network, the selection including a network address from the list to identify one of the matched computational resources for reservation; requesting reservation of the identified computational resource, wherein a reservation number is sent to the first portion of the network when the requested reservation is successful; waiting a predetermined time period for the identified computational resource to begin computing the first task after the requested reservation is successful and the identified computational resource is reserved; freeing the reserved computational resource for subsequent reservation for computing a second task if the predetermined time period expires and the reserved computational resource has not begun computing the first task; and sending the request to begin computing the first task to a second matched computational resource included in the list when the requested reservation fails or the predetermined time period expires, wherein the requested reservation fails when the identified computational resource is unavailable to begin computing the first task.