Abstract:
A Virtual Network Resource Sharing (VNRS) system having a CPU and RAM offloading and sharing program is disclosed. The CPU and RAM offloading and sharing program modifies CPU and RAM utilization among participating machines. The VNRS program analyzes the CPU and RAM usage on a plurality of machines connected via a virtual network, specifically the applications running on those machines. The VNRS program reorganizes the applications amongst the participating computers such that the optimum performance is achieved for the network.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is related to the subject matter of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket Number AUS920020441US1, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention is related generally to field of computers, and specifically to the sharing of resources in a remote control environment.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is frequently desired to run multiple applications on a single computer. In running a multiple application environment, it is desirable to limit the processor and RAM usage as much as possible. This goal is especially important in a networked environment where a plurality of computers may be running the same applications or may be similarly configured. The overall speed of computers in a network is related to the CPU and the RAM utilization of the individual computers in the network. Therefore it is desirable to be able to offload applications from computers with a higher CPU and RAM utilization to computers with a lower CPU and RAM utilziation.  
           [0004]    Present systems allow control of a remote machine by a local machine and sharing of resources between the local machine and the remote machine. For example IBM Tivoli Remote Control permits control of a remote machine. Symantec PC Anywhere permits a user to connect to other computers or servers in order to transfer files or run applications. Win2VNC allows the operator to use two screens on two different computers as if they were connected to the same computer but does not permit transfer of files. Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a remote display system which allows a user to view a computing desktop running on a first machine on any other machine connected to the first machine by the Internet. Virtual Machine (VM) software takes a portion of a hard disk, a portion of a CPU and a portion of the RAM associated with the CPU from a first machine to create a second virtual machine. VM software assigns CPU as needed among virtual machines. VM software allows the machine to be preset so that different operating systems can be run in the VM environment. However, VM software does not allow offloading and sharing of CPU and RAM resources. Tivoli Enterprise Management has Tivoli Inventory, an inventory scan software program that can identify applications available within the systems it can scan.  
           [0005]    Several patents address the architecture of virtual networks. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,205,147, 6,112,085, 6,111,876, and 5,586,862. However what is need beyond the prior art is a method and apparatus for resource sharing in a virtual network.  
           [0006]    A need exists to reduce over utilization of the CPU processing capability and the Random Access Memory (RAM) of a computer in a virtual network or in a network of physically connected machines. Specifically, a need exists to maximize CPU processing power and RAM utilization on local computers and remote computers. A need exists to increase CPU and RAM performance through selective offloading (distribution) of processes. A need exists to permit dedication to critical processes of CPU and RAM utilization on a local machine. A need exists to share resources with a remote machine (CPU process and RAM). A need exists for CPU utilization sharing as add-on functionality to existing tools such as Tivoli Remote Control software, PC Anywhere software, Virtual Network Computing software and Virtual Machine software.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The system that meets the needs identified above is a Virtual Network Resource Sharing (VNRS) system having a CPU and RAM offloading and sharing program. The CPU and RAM offloading and sharing program modifies CPU and RAM utilization among participating VNRS machines. Participating machines are identified. A participating network of participating machines is created. The CPU and RAM utilization for each CPU and RAM in each of the participating machines is monitored. A CPU threshold and RAM threshold each machine is chosen. A determination is made as to whether the CPU and RAM utilization exceeds the threshold. Applications to be processed on a remote participating machine where removal of that process from the local CPU and local RAM will lower the local CPU and local RAM utilization below the threshold are selected. Available participating machines that do not exceed the CPU and RAM threshold are identified. Available participating machines that have the application available, and that with the application running will not exceed the CPU and RAM threshold are identified. The application for the local machine is run on the selected available participating machine and the application processing on the local machine is shut down and memory released.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1A is an illustration of a distributed data network.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1B is an illustration of two connected networks.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1C is an illustration of a primary farm.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1D is an illustration of a secondary farm.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an illustration of a data processing system.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is an illustration of a data processing system.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the VNRS program having a CPU offloading and sharing program.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the setup program.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the configuration program.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the interrogation program.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the redistribution program.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the offload program.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the agent program.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the conflict resolution program.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 illustrates the improved efficiency of two computers running the VNRS software.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 depicts CPU and RAM utilization graphical user interface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]    As used herein, the term Internet Protocol (IP) means a protocol used to route data from its source to its destination in an Internet, Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) environment.  
         [0025]    As used herein, the term domain means the part of a computer network in which the data processing resources are under common control.  
         [0026]    As used herein, the term primary farm means a plurality of computers that are identically configured, that have an identical set of applications in the memory of each of the plurality of computers, and that are connected to each other by one or more networks.  
         [0027]    As used herein, the term secondary farm means a plurality of computers that have one or more computers that are not identically configured, that have one or more computers where the applications some of the computers are different from the applications in the memory of the remaining computers, and where each of the plurality of computers are connected to each other by one or more networks.  
         [0028]    As used herein, the term offloading means to run a program that is located in the memory of a first machine using the CPU and RAM of a second machine.  
         [0029]    As used herein, the term virtual network means a network that has no physical connection between computers and the connection is established by means of an IP address.  
         [0030]    As used herein the term physically connected network means a network where two or more computers are connected via direct cable and local area network.  
         [0031]    As used herein, the term IP address means a unique code assigned to each device or workstation connected to a network.  
         [0032]    As used herein, the terms computer and machine refer to nay analog or digital processing device and are used interchangeably.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1A depicts a pictorial representation of a distributed data processing system  100  in which the present invention may be implemented and is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation, for the processes of the present invention. Distributed data processing system  100  is a network of computers which contains a network  102 , which is the medium used to provide communication links between the various devices and computers connected together within distributed data processing system  100 . Network  102  may include permanent connections, such as wire or fiber optic cables, or temporary connections made through telephone connections. In the depicted example, a server  104  is connected to network  102  along with storage unit  106 . In addition, clients  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  also are connected to a network  102 . Clients  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be, for example, personal computers or network computers and may be desktops, laptops, or servers.  
         [0034]    For purposes of this application, a network computer is any computer, coupled to a network, which receives a program or other application from another computer coupled to the network. In the depicted example, server  104  provides applications to clients  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 . Clients  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  are clients to server  104 . Distributed data processing system  100  may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. In the depicted example, distributed data processing system  100  is the Internet with network  102  representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. Distributed data processing system  100  may also be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 1B depicts network A  120  connected to network B  130  by the Internet  141 . Laptop  124  is connected to network B  130 . Desktop  122  is connected to network A  120 . Laptop  124  and desktop  122  may be connected to each other by VNRS program  400  residing in the memory of desktop  122  and in the memory of laptop  124 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1C depicts local computer  131  connected to primary farm  140  by Internet  141 . Primary farm network  150  comprises a plurality of computers with similar configurations (hereinafter configuration “A” machine  142 ). Primary farm  140  in FIG. 1C has nine configuration “A” machines  142  connected to Internet  141  by primary farm network  150 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1D depicts local computer  131  connected to secondary farm  160  by Internet  141 . Secondary farm  160  has four configuration “A” machines  142 , two configuration “B” machines  144 , two configuration “C” machines  146 , and one configuration “D” machine  148  connected to each other by secondary farm network  152 .  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram depicts a data processing system  200 , which may be implemented as a server, such as server  104  in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention. Data processing system  200  may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system including a plurality of processors such as first processor  202  and second processor  204  connected to system bus  206 . Alternatively, a single processor system may be employed. Also connected to system bus  206  is memory controller/cache  208 , which provides an interface to local memory  209 . I/O bus bridge  210  is connected to system bus  206  and provides an interface to I/O bus  212 . Memory controller/cache  208  and I/O bus bridge  210  may be integrated as depicted. First peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridge  214  connected to I/O bus  212  provides an interface to first PCI local bus  216 . Modem  218  may be connected to first PCI local bus  216 . Typical PCI bus implementations will support four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. Communications links to network computers  108 ,  110 ,  112  and  114  in FIG. 1 may be provided through modem  218  and network adapter  220  connected to first PCI local bus  216  through add-in boards. Additional PCI bus bridges such as second PCI bus bridge  222  and third PCI bus bridge  224  provide interfaces for additional PCI local buses such as second PCI local bus  226  and third PCI local bus  228 , from which additional modems or network adapters may be supported. In this manner, data processing system  200  allows connections to multiple network computers. A memory-mapped graphics adapter  230  and hard disk  232  may also be connected to I/O bus  212  as depicted, either directly or indirectly. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted in FIG. 2 may vary. For example, other peripheral devices, such as an optical disk drive and the like also may be used in addition or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention. The data processing system depicted in FIG. 2 may be, for example, an IBM RISC/System  6000  system, a product of International Business Machines Corporation in Armonk, N.Y., running the Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) operating system.  
         [0039]    With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrates a data processing system  300  in which the invention may be implemented. Data processing system  300  is an example of either a stand-alone computer, if not connected to distributed data processing system  100 , or a client computer, if connected to distributed data processing system  100 . Data processing system  300  employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted example employs a PCI bus, other bus architectures such as Micro Channel and ISA may be used. Processor  302  and main memory  304  are connected to PCI local bus  306  through PCI bridge  303 . PCI bridge  303  also may include an integrated memory controller and cache memory for processor  302 . Additional connections to PCI local bus  306  may be made through direct component interconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter  310 , SCSI host bus adapter  312 , and expansion bus interface  314  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by direct component connection. In contrast, audio adapter  316 , graphics adapter  318 , and audio/video adapter (A/V)  319  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by add-in boards inserted into expansion slots. Expansion bus interface  314  provides a connection for a keyboard and mouse adapter  320 , modem  322 , and additional memory  324 . SCSI host bus adapter  312  provides a connection for hard disk drive  326 , tape drive  328 , and CD-ROM  330  in the depicted example. Typical PCI local bus implementations will support three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. An operating system runs on processor  302  and is used to coordinate and provide control of various components within data processing system  300  in FIG. 3. The operating system may be a commercially available operating system such as Microsoft Windows or OS/2, which is available from International Business Machines Corporation. “OS/2” is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. An object oriented programming system, such as Java, may run in conjunction with the operating system and provides calls to the operating system from Java programs or applications executing on data processing system  300 . “Java” is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Incorporated. Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented operating system, and applications or programs may be located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive  326 , and they may be loaded into main memory  304  for execution by processor  302 .  
         [0040]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in FIG. 3 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash ROM (or equivalent nonvolatile memory) or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 3. Also, the processes of the present invention may be applied to a multiprocessor data processing system. For example, data processing system  300 , if configured as a network computer, may not include SCSI host bus adapter  312 , hard disk drive  326 , tape drive  328 , and CD-ROM  330 , as noted by the box with the dotted line in FIG. 3 denoting optional inclusion. In that case, the computer, to be properly called a client computer, must include some type of network communication interface, such as LAN adapter  310 , modem  322 , or the like. As another example, data processing system  300  may be a standalone system configured to be bootable without relying on some type of network communication interface, whether or not data processing system  300  comprises some type of network communication interface. As a further example, data processing system  300  may be a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device which is configured with ROM and/or flash ROM in order to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. The depicted example in FIG. 3 and above-described examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention. It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functioning data processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes of the present invention are capable of being distributed in a form of a computer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media, such a floppy disc, a hard disk drive, a RAM, and CD-ROMs, and transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communications links.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 depicts VNRS program  400  having setup program  500 , interrogation program  700 , agent program  1000 , redistribution program  800 , conflict resolution program  1100 , configuration program  600  and offload program  900 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart for setup program  500 . Setup program  500  is run on the local machine and connects the other machines to the local machine via a virtual network. Alternatively, the machines could be connected via a traditional LAN or WAN. Setup program  500  begins ( 502 ) and the user enters the IP addresses for the machines in the network ( 510 ). A determination is made as to whether VNRS program  400  is running on the local machine ( 520 ). If not, setup program  500  ends ( 590 ). If VNRS program  400  is running on the local machine, then setup program  500  connects each machine ( 530 ). Setup program  500  starts VNRS program  400  on each connected machine ( 540 ). The VNRS GUI similar to CPU utilization GUI  1300  (See FIG. 13) is displayed on the user&#39;s machine ( 550 ). A determination is made as to whether another machine is to be added ( 560 ). If not, setup program  500  ends ( 590 ). If another machine is to be added, setup program  500  goes to step  510 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart for configuration program  600 . Configuration program  600  allows the user to identify the machines that will participate in resource sharing and also identify the applications to share amongst the participating machines. Configuration program  600  begins ( 602 ) and a menu is displayed ( 610 ). The menu lists all of the machines connected to the user&#39;s computer. The menu allows the user to identify machines that will participate in resource sharing. A determination is made as to whether the user wants to participate in the VNRS network ( 612 ). If the user does not want to participate, then configuration program  600  goes to step  620 . If the user wants to participate, then the user enters the IP address for the user&#39;s machine ( 614 ). Next, a determination is made as to whether the user wants to modify CPU and RAM utilization within the network ( 616 ). If the user does not want to modify CPU and RAM utilization, then configuration program  600  goes to step  619 . If the user wants to modify CPU and RAM utilization within the network, then the user configures the applications amongst the machines ( 618 ). A determination is made as to whether the user wants offload program  900  (See FIG. 9) to configure the applications ( 619 ). If auto configuration has been selected, then offload program  900  is activated for the IP address entered at step  614  ( 621 ). If auto configuration is not selected, then configuration program  600  goes to step  620 . A determination is made as to whether the user wants to review the entries ( 620 ). If the user does not want to review entries, configuration program  600  ends ( 626 ). If the user wants to review entries, the entries are made available for review ( 622 ) and a determination is made as to whether the entries are approved ( 624 ). If the user approves the entries, configuration program  600  ends ( 626 ). If not, configuration program  600  goes to step  612 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of interrogation program  700 . Interrogation program  700  begins ( 702 ) and interrogates all IP address in the VNRS network ( 710 ). A determination is made as to whether each IP address belongs to a participating machine ( 720 ). If not, interrogation program  700  goes to step  750 . If the IP address belongs to a participating machine, a determination is made as to whether the participating machine has elected CPU and RAM offloading and sharing ( 730 ). If not, interrogation program  700  proceeds to step  750 . If the participating machine has elected CPU and RAM offloading and sharing, the CPU utilization for the machine at the IP address is copied to the host machine&#39;s master CPU file and the RAM utilization for the machine at the IP address is copied to the host machine&#39;s master RAM file ( 740 ). A determination is made as to whether there is another IP address ( 750 ). If there is another IP address, then interrogation program  700  goes to step  710 . If not, interrogation program  710  stops ( 760 ).  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of redistribution program  800 . Redistribution program  800  starts ( 802 ) and establishes a connection between the local computer (CPU1) and a remote computer (CPU2) ( 803 ). Interrogation program  700  interrogates the remote computer ( 804 ). The user establishes the CPU utilization threshold and the RAM utilization threshold ( 806 ). The CPU utilization threshold is the maximum specified amount of processor usage for a given machine. The RAM utilization threshold is the maximum specified amount of memory usage for a given machine. An application is then moved to the local machine ( 808 ). The order of moving the applications to the local machine is a matter of preference and is best determined by persons skilled in the art. A determination is made as to whether the local CPU utilization is above the established CPU threshold and whether the local RAM utilization is above the RAM utilization threshold ( 810 ). If the local CPU utilization is not above the established threshold and the local RAM utilization is not above the established threshold, then redistribution program  800  returns to step  808 . If the local CPU utilization is above the CPU utilization threshold and the local RAM utilization is above the RAM utilization threshold, then a remote machine is selected ( 811 ). After a remote machine is selected, a determination is made as to whether the remote machine CPU (CPU 2) utilization is above the CPU utilization threshold and/or the remote machine RAM (RAM 2) utilization is above the RAM utilization threshold ( 812 ). If the CPU utilization for the selected remote machine is above the CPU threshold and/or the RAM utilization for the selected remote machine is above the RAM threshold, then the application cannot be offloaded and another machine must be examined and redistribution process  800  returns to step  811 . If the remote CPU utilization is not above the threshold and the remote RAM utilization is not above the RAM threshold, the user selects the process to offload ( 814 ). Alternatively, redistribution program  800  can automatically offload an application either using offload program  900  or as otherwise determined by persons skilled in the art. Redistribution program  800  then determines if the remote machine can accept the selected application ( 816 ). If the remote machine cannot accept the selected application, then a message is displayed stating “Unable to offload application” ( 818 ) and returns to step  814 . If the application can be offloaded, then a determination is made as to whether the process to be offloaded is running on the selected remote machine ( 820 ). If the process to be offloaded is not running on the remote machine, then the program is started on the remote machine ( 822 ). If the process to be offloaded is running on the remote machine, then the application is offloaded to the remote machine ( 824 ). Next, redistribution program  800  shuts down the application on the local machine ( 826 ) and releases RAM memory on the local machine ( 827 ). A determination is made as to whether the local CPU utilization is under the CPU utilization threshold and whether the local RAM utilization is under the RAM utilization threshold ( 828 ). If the local CPU utilization is over the CPU utilization threshold and the RAM utilization is over the RAM utilization threshold, redistribution program  800  goes to step  811 . If the local CPU utilization is under the CPU utilization threshold and the local RAM utilization is under the RAM utilization threshold, then the application continues to run on the local machine ( 830 ). A determination is made as to whether the operations are complete ( 832 ). If the operations are not complete, the CPU and Ram offloading and sharing redistribution program  800  goes to step  830 . If the operations are complete, redistribution program  800  goes to step  834  where a determination is made as to whether there is another operation ( 834 ). If there is another operation, redistribution program  800  goes to step  806 . If there is not another operation, redistribution program  800  ends ( 836 ).  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of offload program  900 , similar to offload program  460 . Offload program  900  starts ( 902 ) and a determination is made as to whether a local machine is exceeding its CPU and RAM thresholds ( 910 ). If the CPU and RAM utilization thresholds are not exceeded, offload program  900  stops ( 930 ). If the CPU and RAM utilization thresholds are exceeded, a determination is made as to whether the local machine elected auto configuration ( 912 ). If the local machine did not elect auto configuration, offload program  900  stops ( 930 ). If the local machine did elect auto configuration, Offload program  900  identifies remote machines that are available for sharing CPU and RAM resources ( 914 ). Offload program  900  identifies the machines that have CPU and RAM resources that are less than the respective threshold for each machine. The selected machines are ranked in order, with the machine with the greatest difference between actual usage and the CPU and RAM thresholds ranked first, and so on. Offload program  900  calculates a solution for each machine ( 916 ). The solution calculated by offload program  900  determines the CPU and RAM utilization for both the local machine and the remote machine after offloading for each machine. A solution is calculated for each possible application that can be offloaded for each remote machine. A determination is made as to whether a best solution has been found ( 918 ). By best solution is meant the most efficient CPU and RAM utilization for the local machine. If a best solution has not been found, offload program  900  goes to step  914  and begins again. If a best solution is found, then offload program  900  offloads the selected application to the selected remote machine ( 920 ). Offload program  900  then shuts down the local machine process or application that has been offloaded ( 922 ). Offload program  900  then releases the local RAM ( 924 ). A determination is made as to whether the CPU and RAM utilization at the local machine is less than the CPU and RAM thresholds for the local machine ( 926 ). If the CPU and RAM utilization at the local machine is not less than the CPU and RAM thresholds for the local machine, offload program  900  goes to step  914 . If the CPU and RAM utilization is less than the CPU and RAM thresholds, a determination is made as to whether there is another machine exceeding its thresholds and electing auto configuration ( 928 ). If there is another machine exceeding its thresholds and electing auto configuration, offload program  900  goes to step  910 . If not, offload program  900  stops ( 930 ).  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 10 depicts the flowchart of agent program  1000 , similar to agent program  410 . Agent program  1000  starts ( 1002 ) and loads the existing IP address list from memory ( 1004 ). Agent program  1000  scans the network for IP addresses and compares the addresses found, if any, to the existing IP address list in memory ( 1006 ). A determination is made as to whether there are missing addresses ( 1008 ). In other words, agent program  1000  checks to see if any addresses on the IP address list are not on the network. If not, agent program  1000  goes to step  1016 . If an address is missing, the address is copied to a check file ( 1010 ). A determination is made as to whether the address in the check file meets criteria for being dropped from the check file and from the IP address list ( 1012 ). The criteria for dropping can be established by the system administrator based on time in the check file, a withdrawal by the IP address from the VNRS system, or any criteria desired by persons skilled in the art. If the drop criteria are met, the IP address is dropped ( 1014 ). If not, agent program  1000  goes to step  1016 .  
         [0048]    A determination is made as to whether the IP address is a new address ( 1016 ). A new address is defined as an IP address that is not on the IP address list. If the IP address is not a new address, agent program  1000  goes to step  1040 . If the IP address is a new address, a determination is made as to whether a request is detected from that address ( 1018 ). In other words, has the IP address elected to join the VNRS system, has a message to that effect been sent, and has the message has been received by agent program  1000 . If a request is detected, then a determination is made as to whether the request is valid ( 1020 ). If the request is not valid, agent program  1000  goes to step  1006 . If the request is valid, agent program  1000  goes to step  1036 . If at step  1018  a request is not detected, a message is sent to the IP address ( 1022 ) requesting an election. A determination is made as to whether a response is received ( 1024 ). If a response is received, agent program  1000  goes to step  1034 .  
         [0049]    If at step  1024 , a response was not received, agent program  1000  waits a predetermined amount of time ( 1026 ) and then sends a second message ( 1028 ). A determination is made as to whether a response has been received to the second message ( 1030 ). If a response has not been received, the address is copied to the check file ( 1032 ) and agent program  1000  goes to step  1040 . If a response was received, Agent program  1000  goes to step  1034 .  
         [0050]    A determination is made as to whether an election to join the VNRS system was made ( 1034 ). If an election to join was not made, agent program  000  goes to step  1040 . If an election to join was made, the IP address is added to the VNRS network ( 1036 ). The IP address is interrogated by interrogation program  700  to obtain current CPU utilization, current RAM utilization data, and a listing of available applications ( 1038 ). A determination is made if another IP address is detected ( 1040 ). If so, agent program  1000  goes to step  1016 . If not, agent program  1000  ends ( 1042 ).  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 11 is a flowchart of conflict resolution program  1100 . Conflict resolution program  1100  begins ( 1102 ). A determination is made as to whether a change request has been detected ( 1104 ). If a change request has been detected, conflict resolution program  1100  goes to step  1108 . If not, conflict resolution program  1100  goes to step  1106 . A determination is made as to whether a conflict has been identified ( 1106 ). If so, conflict resolution program  1100  goes to step  1108 . If a conflict has not been identified, conflict resolution program  1100  stops ( 1132 ). At step  1108  conflict resolution program  1100  identifies the requirements needed by the local machine so that a new remote machine may be found ( 1108 ). A determination is made as to whether a new remote machine can be found ( 1110 ). If a new remote machine cannot be found, data is saved to the local machine ( 1112 ) and a message is sent to the local machine ( 1114 ). Conflict resolution program  1100  waits a predetermined amount of time ( 1116 ) and then goes to step  1108 . If at step  1118 , a check on the utilization outcome of the offloading is not favorable, then a determination is made as to whether the next available machine has been checked ( 1120 ). If the next available machine has not been checked, the utilization outcome is determined for that machine at step  1118 . If the next available machine has been checked, a determination is made as to whether the last available machine has been checked ( 1122 ). If not, conflict resolution program  1100  goes to step  1120 . If the last available machine has been checked, conflict resolution program  1100  goes to step  1112 .  
         [0052]    If at step  1110  a new remote machine is found, conflict resolution program  1100  checks the utilization outcome of the new remote machine ( 1118 ). If the check is positive, then data is saved at the local machine ( 1124 ) and processes are offloaded to the new remote machine ( 1126 ). Conflict resolution program  1100  continues processing the local machine on the new remote machine ( 1128 ). A determination is made as to whether a shut down command has been received ( 1130 ). If a shut down command has been received, conflict resolution program  1100  stops ( 1132 ). If a shut down command has not been received, conflict resolution program  1100  goes to step  1104 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 12 illustrates the improved efficiency of two computers operating the VNRS software described herein. Table  1210  illustrates the CPU and RAM usage (in percent used) for both the local computer and the remote computer. The actual usage and the threshold usage are displayed along with a determination of whether the actual usage exceeds the threshold usage. Since table  1210  illustrates that the actual usage exceeds the threshold usage on the local computer, it would be beneficial for the local computer to offload some applications to the remote computer so that both computers will operate more efficiently.  
         [0054]    Table  1240  shows the predicted usage values of both machines. VNRS program  400  can predict the usage for each machine after offloading based on the present loading requirements of each machine. Table  1260  illustrates the usage of the two machines after VNRS program  400  has offloaded some applications from the local machine to the remote machine. The result of the offloading is that the two computers will operate more efficiently than the configuration in table  1210 .  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 13 depicts CPU utilization graphical user interface (GUI)  1300 . The CPU tab  1302  in FIG. 13 shows three computers (CPU1, RAM1; CPU2, RAM2; and CPU3, RAM2) which are networked together. The data pertaining to CPU1 and RAM1 is illustrated in row  1310 . The data pertaining to CPU2 and RAM2 is illustrated in row  1320 . The data pertaining to CPU3 and RAM3 is illustrated in row  1330 . Applications screen  1346  shows the applications currently running on the three computers. Highlighting a particular application (Microsoft Excel) will highlight a corresponding CPU and RAM to indicate which machine the application is running on. For more details about the particular applications, the user can click on the applications tab  1342 . For additional information about each machine&#39;s CPU and RAM usage, the user can click on the local CPU and RAM utilization tab  1344 . Additional information may include a history listing of CPU and RAM utilization and processing times for the different utilization figures.  
         [0056]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.