Abstract:
Methods and associated structure for allocating computing resources among the plurality of cgi-bin processes spawned by a Web server process such that high-priority customers receive priority in allocation of such computing resources for cgi-bin processes its bond on behalf of high-priority customers. The methods and structures of the present invention preferably utilize Hewlett-Packard&#39;s process resource monitor (“PRM”) scheduling features to define customer relationship levels as a parameter in the allocation of computing resources. Customer or user ID information associated with a requesting Web client process are associated with the process on behalf of the requesting client. PRM configuration information then mapped such user or customer ID information to a particular priority level for allocation of computing resources.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to client/server architecture applications and in particular to Web applications where server resources are allocated according to customer/vendor relation parameters to thereby provide a quality-of-service aspect to allocation of server resources.  
           [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art  
           [0004]    It is generally known in a client/server distributed computing applications that a single server process provides services for multiple requesting client processes. In the context of Web services on the Internet, a single Web server process services requests from a potentially large number of Web browser client processes. Simple client requests of a Web server process involve retrieval and return of an HTML page (a “Web page”) identified by the universal resource locator (“URL”) provided in the client request. Such simple requests are often handled directly by a single thread of the Web server process and involve little more than locating the requests Web page (the files identified by the URL) and returning the data contained therein.  
           [0005]    Some Web client requests involve more complex operations such manipulation of information stored in a database associated with the Web server.  
           [0006]    Such complex requests may involve more computational resources and latency delays than may be appropriate for a single threaded server process. For such complex requests it is common for a Web server process to spawn (also referred to as “fork”) a child process to service a specific, complex Web browser client request.  
           [0007]    Such processes are often referred to as “cgi-bin” processes. These cgi-bin processes perform additional computational services on behalf of the requesting Web browser client.  
           [0008]    When cgi-bin processes perform significant computational services such as database manipulation, a large number of such processes may share resources of a single computing node. Each process operating on behalf of a particular Web browser client process therefore may share limited computational resources of the underlying computing node with other cgi-bin processes operating on behalf of other Web browser client processes.  
           [0009]    Operating system software operating on most modern computational nodes include features to schedule allocation of resources of the computing node such as allocations of CPU processing time among the multiple processes. In general, multiple processes sharing such a computing node would share the computing resources on an equal priority basis. As is presently practiced in the art, each cgi-bin process operating on behalf of a corresponding requesting Web browser client process would receive essentially equal treatment by the underlying computing node on which the plurality of such processes are operating.  
           [0010]    It is also common in Internet Web applications that customers of a service provider may pay different fees corresponding to varying levels of service. For example, a high-priority or high-volume customer may pay additional fees for enhanced responsiveness to their Web client inquiries directed to the service provider. However, when all cgi-bin processes are treated essentially equal as measured by allocation of scarce computing resources, the high-priority or high-volume customer may receive an essentially equal allocation of computing resources for processing of their request as compared with a lower priority or lower volume customer.  
           [0011]    It is generally known in computing system architectures that scheduling algorithms within an operating system may modify the allocation of computing resources to particular processes based on a number of parameters. For example, it is known for operating system scheduling algorithms to allocate processor time to different processes based on their respective historical utilization of the CPU. Scheduling algorithms may periodically modify the allocation of CPU time among the various competing processes. For example, processes that utilize significant CPU time may be scheduled for larger blocks of CPU time in subsequent scheduling cycles. Such scheduling algorithms are often referred to as adaptive are dynamic.  
           [0012]    Though such adaptive or dynamic scheduling algorithms are known generally in operating systems, it remains a problem to associate allocation of computing resources to particular processes based on parameters associated with the nature of the customer/vendor relationship. In other words, it remains a problem to allocate computing resources of a server node such that high-priority or high-volume valued customers receive a more significant allocation of computing resources than low priority, low volume, lesser valued customers.  
           [0013]    In addition, some operating system APIs to spawn new child processes (i.e., a UNIX fork API function) allow the invoking process to supply a priority value for CPU time allocation among the several competing processes. In this manner the Web server process could be modified to adjust the priority assigned to each cgi-bin process as it is spawned to adapt the CPU utilization priority in accordance with the customer/vendor relationship parameter value. However, such a technique would require that the Web server process be modified to determine an appropriate priority level and to supply the determined priority level to the invocation (spawning) of each cgi-bin child process. Modification of the Web server process is not an option in all computing enterprises. Rather, it is common for the enterprise to utilize standard, packaged Web server processes where such modifications are not possible.  
           [0014]    It is evident on the above discussion that a need exists for improved to utilization of scheduling techniques to map allocation of computing resources in a manner that correlates to defined levels of priority in the customer/vendor relationship. More specifically, a need exists for improved allocation of resources for Web services and associated cgi-bin processes spawned thereby to map the resource allocation to customer quality-of-service requirements.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    The present invention solves the above and other problems, thereby advancing the state of the useful arts, by providing methods and associated structure for allocating computing resources in a server computing node for servicing multiple client requests in accordance with externally defined customer/vendor relationship information. In particular, the present invention preferably utilizes features of Hewlett-Packard&#39;s HP-UX computing systems referred to as the Process Resource Monitor (also referred to herein as “PRM”). PRM allocates computing resources to processes in accordance with priority information defined in the PRM parameters. As utilized herein, PRM parameters link the allocation of resources to particular customer service levels (“quality-of-service”) defined by the customer/vendor relationship.  
           [0016]    The Hewlett-Packard PRM (formerly referred to as the “fair share scheduler”) is operable in the HP-UX operating system environment to provide a framework in which computing resources may be allocated to processes in accordance with predefined attributes and parameters. The PRM configuration information provided in accordance with the present invention defines levels of customer service as a parameter by which computing resources are allocated to the plurality of cgi-bin processes operable on the computing node. High-priority, higher volume, valued customers receive higher priority levels in accordance with the PRM configuration information. When the Web server process spawns such a cgi-bin process, customer or user identification information associated with the requesting Web client process is associated with the cgi-bin process spawned by the Web server. This user ID or customer ID information is then mapped through the PRM configuration information to determine the priority of computing resource allocation to be associated with the spawned cgi-bin process.  
           [0017]    In a first aspect, the invention provides a method for providing Web services comprising: receiving a request from a Web client process; spawning a program element to process the request; associating customer ID information with the spawned program; and allocating computing resources on the computing node on which the spawned processes are operable in accordance with the customer ID information. In another aspect, the method includes allocating a minimum level of resources to the spawned program element in accordance with the customer ID information. In another aspect, the method includes allocating a maximum level of resources to the spawned program element in accordance with the customer ID information. In another aspect, the method includes associating the customer ID information by encoding the information in a process name of each spawned program element. The allocation of resources by the method includes allocation of processor time utilization, main memory utilization, and secondary storage bandwidth utilization.  
           [0018]    Still other aspects of the invention provide for a system including: a server computing node with a server process operable thereon for processing requests from a plurality of client processes coupled to the server computing node; a plurality of server child processes operable on the server computing node and spawned by the server process to process the requests where each child process is associated with customer ID information; and a process resource manager operable on the server computing node to control allocation of resources among the plurality of server child processes where said resource manager is operable to control allocation of the resources in accordance with the customer ID information associated with each child process.  
           [0019]    The above, and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions and attached drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with the present invention that utilizes resource monitoring to adjust resource allocation for Web services in accordance with customer ID information to provide quality-of-service in accordance with vendor/customer relations.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is flowcharts of methods of the present invention operable to achieve the desired quality-of-service in accordance with customer ID information associated with the requesting Web client process. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system operable in accordance with the present invention. Web server  110  is operable on server computing node  100  to service requests from a plurality of client processes  120  coupled to server computing node  100  via Internet  150 . Web server  110  processes simple Web content requests to retrieve and return the contents of an identified Web page. More complex requests received from client processes  120  may require substantial additional computational processing as compared to the mere retrieval and return of requested HTML content. Where such complex requests are received, Web server  110  spawns child processes  112  to aid in processing of the complex client request. As noted above, such child processes are often referred to as “cgi-bin” processes. The cgi-bin processes  112  carry on their respective processing functions as independent threads in a multithreaded processing environment. Each performs a particular complex computation or data manipulation for satisfying a particular complex client request. Results generated by the cgi-bin processes  112  are returned as required to the corresponding requesting client process  120  via Internet  150 .  
         [0024]    Typical multithreaded programming environments treat all processes as substantially equal in terms of the measure of resources allocated to each child process. Each child process  112  therefore typically receives an approximately equal allocation of CPU time (processor time), main memory utilization, and secondary storage bandwidth of the server computing node  100 . In accordance with the present invention, resource monitor  102  provides for customization of the resource utilization of each process. In particular, resource monitor  102  includes CPU monitor element  104  to monitor CPU time utilization of each process in computing node  100 , main memory monitor element  106  to monitor utilization of main memory of computing node  100 , and secondary storage monitor element  108  to monitor bandwidth utilization of secondary storage by the various processes within computing node  100 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a flowchart describing methods operable within the server computing node in accordance with the present invention. In particular, element  200  through  208  described operation of a typical Web server process operable to receive and process Web browser client requests received from the Internet (or received from internal intranets). Element  200  is first operable to await receipt of a request from a client process. As noted above, such requests may comprise simple requests to retrieve and return contents of an identified HTML web page or may comprise more complex requests requiring substantive data processing. Element  202  therefore determines whether the received request is such a simple request or a more complex request. If the received client request is a simple request (i.e., a simple request to retrieve and return the HTML content of an identified Web page), element  204  is operable to process the simple request within the server process main thread. Specifically, element  204  retrieves the HTML content of the Web page identified by the URL supplied in the client request and returns the retrieved HTML content to the requesting client process. Processing within the Web server then continues by looping back to element  200  to await receipt of a next request from a Web browser client process. Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of client requests that may be handled by a single main thread of the Web server process. Retrieving and returning the content of an identified Web page is merely intended as exemplary of such a simple request.  
         [0026]    If element  202  determines that the client request requires more complex data processing and computation, a separate thread (“child process”) is used to perform the requisite data processing and computation. If a separate thread were not initiated, the additional data processing and computation by a single threaded Web server process may preclude handling of other client requests in a timely manner. By contrast, most present Web server programs spawn child processes to handle such complex requests thereby freeing the main thread of the Web server process (the parent of all children processes) to receive and process other client requests in a timely manner.  
         [0027]    Once element  202  so determines that the received client request is a complex request, element  206  is operable to spawn a child process (i.e., a cgi-bin process) to perform required data processing and computation. The spawned child process carries on its processing independent of the operation of the Web server process main threaded. Details of the processing within such a child process are specific to the particular Web browser client request and therefore need not been shown in the context of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the spawning of such child processes to handle complex requests is known in the art and the specific processing to be performed is determined by the details of the Web client request to be processed.  
         [0028]    Lastly, element  208  within the Web server main threaded associates customer ID information with the spawned child process. The customer ID information is preferably information derived from the client Web browser from information supplied in the client request. Such customer ID information may also preferably be recorded within the Web server where the Web server process requires a user to “login” or otherwise authenticate their identity before receiving services from the Web server process.  
         [0029]    However such customer identification information is obtained, element  208  is operable to associate the customer ID information with the spawned child process. In the preferred embodiment, such an association may be established by including the customer ID information within the name of the corresponding child process. In this preferred embodiment, no changes are necessary in the Web server process. Rather, the child processes themselves are named in accordance with the customer ID information so as to establish the requisite association. It is desirable, but not required, the Web server process, per se, is not modified. The present invention contemplates both modified Web server processes and unmodified Web server processes. Key to the invention is that the association of customer ID information with the child process is done in such a manner that resource utilization monitor programs within the server computing node may determine how to best allocate computing resources among the various competing child processes.  
         [0030]    Elements  220  through  224  of FIG. 2 describe the processing of the resource monitor operable within the server computing node to monitor and adjust resource utilization in accordance with customer ID information associated with each child process. In particular, elements  220  through  224  are iteratively operable to periodically monitor and adjust resource allocation within the server computing node. Element  220  is first operable to evaluate the resource utilization of the next presently active child process. Such evaluation is generally performed by gathering statistical data maintained within the computing node&#39;s operating system. The specific resource utilization data and API functions used to access such data from the operating system are unique to each particular operating system but generally known to those skilled in the art and familiar with system programming on each such operating system. In general, most present operating systems provide API functions to access at least CPU utilization data, main memory utilization data, and disk bandwidth utilization data. Other operating systems provide further resource utilization parameters and may provide such data in a variety of formats.  
         [0031]    Element  222  is operable to determine whether the resource utilization of the presently evaluated active child process is within the specified parameters for the process as determined in accordance with the customer ID information associated with the child process. The determination by element  222  may include verification that at least a predetermined minimum level of resource utilization is available to the child process and may include verification that a particular child process is not exceeding a maximum utilization parameter. If element  222  determines that the resource utilization of the present child processes outside the defined parameter range, element  224  is operable to adapt the resource utilization of the present child process and/or other competing processes in accordance with the specified parameters and customer ID information associated with the child process. Such adaptation may include reducing resource utilization by other processes where a child process is being deprived of the specified minimum level of resource utilization and may also include reducing resource utilization of a particular process where its utilization is exceeding predefined maximum utilization parameters. Key to the invention is evaluating and adapting the resource utilization in accordance with the customer ID information associated with the process.  
         [0032]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment and minor variants thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.