Abstract:
For distributed processing using drift-based dynamic clustering of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, at a central device, a data source to be used for processing a workload is determined. A set is selected of devices operating within a threshold distance from the data source at a first time. A first subset of the set of devices is selected to form a cluster of devices. Each device in the first subset satisfies a clustering condition. A first device in the first subset is instructed to configure an application at the first device to participate in the cluster and process the workload. From a performance check on the first device, a change is discovered in a performance metric. In response to the change resulting from an increased demand for a computing resource at the first device, the first device is replaced with a second device from the first subset.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a method, system, and computer program product for dividing a workload among donor data processing systems that have cycles to spare. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, system, and computer program product for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    IoT is the network of physical objects embedded with electronics, sensors, software, and connectivity to enable the exchange of data with other connected devices over a data communication infrastructure according to a standard or specification. It is contemplated within IoT that devices such as refrigerators, thermostats, lighting appliances, vending machines, access-control devices, peripherals, a variety of mobile devices, and many other devices in everyday use (collectively referred to hereinafter as “device” or “IoT device”), will be able to communicate and interoperate with each other using such an infrastructure. 
         [0003]    According to some estimates, the number of interconnected IoT devices is expected to reach 50 billion by the year 2020 with exponential growth thereafter. Each device in the IoT implements certain necessary components to interoperate on the specified IoT infrastructure. It is very likely, and perhaps even desirable that many devices be available in the IoT to offer the same or similar services, or to offer a particular use. In an IoT environment, it should be able to select a device from several comparable devices, to use for a given purpose. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The illustrative embodiments provide a method, system, and computer program product for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of IoT devices. An embodiment includes a method for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of IoT devices. The embodiment determines, using a processor and a memory at a central IoT device, a data source that is to be used for processing a workload. The embodiment selects a set of IoT devices that are operating within a threshold distance from the data source at a first time. The embodiment selects, at the central IoT device, to form a cluster of IoT devices, a first subset of the set of IoT devices, wherein each IoT device in the first subset satisfies a clustering condition. The embodiment configures, by instructing a processor at a first IoT device in the first subset, to configure a lightweight application at the first IoT device, the lightweight application enabling the first IoT device to participate in the cluster and process the workload. The embodiment discovers, by performing a performance check on the first IoT device, a change in a performance metric of the first IoT device. The embodiment replaces, responsive to the change resulting from an increased demand for a computing resource at the first IoT device, the first IoT device with a second IoT device from the first subset. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment includes a computer program product for distributed load processing using sampled clusters of location-based IoT devices, the computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable storage devices, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment includes a computer system for distributed load processing using sampled clusters of location-based IoT devices, the computer system comprising one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, and one or more computer-readable storage devices, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a network of data processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of a data processing system in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of an example configuration for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of IoT devices in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of an application for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of IoT devices in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  depicts a block diagram of one example configuration for cluster management in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  depicts a block diagram of another example configuration for cluster management in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  depicts a flowchart of an example process for managing a cluster of IoT devices in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 6B  depicts a flowchart of an example process for managing a cluster of IoT devices in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The illustrative embodiments recognize that the hyper-growth of IoT devices, instrumented for sensing the world, requires that the IoT infrastructure be capable of not only connecting the devices and managing the devices, but also enabling intelligence at the regional domain (edge) as well as in the data center. The illustrative embodiments further recognize that cloud computing techniques can be leveraged on the IoT towards this purpose. For example, to accelerate deployment the IoT can be inorganically grown at specific geographical locations by applying Software Defined Environments (SDE) and methods on devices around the world. As another example, organic cloud growth can be optimized around the IoT, using IoT data sources with IoT devices that have compute cycles available to donate or spare for other workloads (or “load”). 
         [0017]    The illustrative embodiments recognize that as the number of IoT devices increases, the chatter of data exchange among the devices also increases. For example, in the best case, if a set of N devices are connected within a network and each only has one way communication with other member devices in the set, then number of required edges to support data packet communication is described by a summation of (n−1) over n=1 through N. 
         [0018]    However, if a broadcast method of communication is supported between all devices then the number of required edges described by a summation of n*(n−1) over n=1 through N. 
         [0019]    The amount of data sent between IoT devices is extremely high. If by the year 2020 estimated 50 billion devices are operating on the IoT, this equation turns into a summation of n*(n−1) over n=1 through 50 billion, which approximates to 4.2*10̂31—a number bigger than the number of stars within the observable universe, which presently stands somewhere between 10̂22 and 10̂24. 
         [0020]    The illustrative embodiments recognize that by determining where and which devices are located within the IoT, and using that information in distributing workloads, a dramatic decrease in the amount of chatter can be achieved. For example, the number of packet communications can be reduced from 4.2*10̂31 as in the broadcast method to approximately 150*10̂9; or in other words, a reduction of approximately 2.8*10̂20 times. 
         [0021]    A load is a computing task (or “problem”) that consumes computing resources such as compute cycles to produce an output (or “answer”). A compute cycle refers to an amount of computing resources of a device, such as a processor or a storage device, that is used or available over a defined period. 
         [0022]    The illustrative embodiments recognize that IoT devices can be configured to donate unused compute cycles for processing loads other than the devices&#39; own tasks. For example, many IoT enabled mobile devices, such as smartphones and wearable data processing systems, at some point in their traversals in the real world, are near other IoT devices and data sources. If there exists a load, which comprises processing a problem using a data source to obtain an answer, the IoT devices geographically located near the data source can be configured to operate in a cluster to solve the problem or a component of the problem using the data source. In other words, the illustrative embodiments recognize that the unused compute cycles of IoT devices in a geographical area can be used to execute geo-centric workloads, which would otherwise require packet transmissions across many hops of the IoT infrastructure and contribute to the astronomical amount of data transfer described earlier. 
         [0023]    The illustrative embodiments used to describe the invention generally address and solve the above-described problems and other problems related to processing workloads while reducing the data communications in the IoT. The illustrative embodiments provide a method, system, and computer program product for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of IoT devices. 
         [0024]    An embodiment can be implemented as a software application, such as in one or more IoT enabled devices in a central cluster of devices. A cluster of data processing systems is a set of data processing systems communicating with each other and configured to operate in a high-availability configuration to provide a service to users or other data processing systems. Accordingly, a cluster of IoT devices is a set of IoT devices communicating with each other and configured to operate in a high-availability configuration to perform computations related to a workload and provide an answer or a service based on that workload. 
         [0025]    A central cluster is a cluster of IoT devices, which distributes a workload to one or more other clusters of IoT devices—the satellite clusters. A cluster of IoT devices is localized to a defined geographic area (also referred to herein as a “cluster area”). In other words, all IoT devices that participate in a cluster are located within a defined geographic area. Given that the IoT devices can be mobile, due to a device&#39;s mobility, a device can leave a cluster by traveling outside the geographic area or a device can become a candidate for joining the cluster by being present within the geographic area. Not all devices in the geographic area need to be joined in a cluster. Preferably, a device in a geographic area is a candidate for clustering, but may join the cluster based on additional conditions, such as a type of the device, resource availability at the device during a duration, restrictions or preferences on the use of the device, and the like. 
         [0026]    A candidate device that has been present in a geographical area of a cluster but was previously not selected for participation in the cluster can become eligible for joining the cluster by satisfying a previously unsatisfied condition in the additional conditions. Similarly, a device that has been a part of a cluster can become ineligible for the cluster and be dropped from the cluster by failing to satisfy a previously satisfied condition in the additional conditions. 
         [0027]    An embodiment receives a workload that has to be processed using a cluster of IoT devices, which are able to contribute compute cycles for processing the workload. The embodiment divides or decomposes the workload into different components. In one embodiment each component of the workload utilizes a data source that provides the data needed to process that component. 
         [0028]    For a workload component, an embodiment identifies a data source that is to be used in processing that component. The embodiment defines a geographical area relative to the data source. For example, the geographical area may be a circle of a radius from the data source at the center. As another example, the geographical area may be a polygon or an irregular shape on a map such that no IoT device located within that shape is at more than a defined distance from the data source. 
         [0029]    The embodiment identifies a set of IoT devices that are within the geographical area relative to the data source associated with the workload component. In one embodiment, the IoT devices are social-media-enabled such that an IoT device posts or publishes information about the IoT device to the social media. For example, an IoT device posts the device&#39;s location, the availability of a computing resource or compute cycles, and a restriction on the device&#39;s use. The embodiment selects an IoT device into the set if the published information of the device satisfies a selection criterion for the cluster as described herein. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment, the IoT infrastructure allows querying the IoT devices for information about the IoT device. For example, in response to a query from another device, an IoT device provides the device&#39;s location, the availability of a computing resource or compute cycles, and a restriction on the device&#39;s use. The embodiment selects an IoT device into the set if the information provided by the device satisfies a selection criterion for the cluster as described herein. 
         [0031]    From the set of IoT devices, an embodiment determines a subset of those devices, which satisfy a clustering criterion. As some non-limiting examples, a clustering criterion may be an amount of a particular computing resource is required to compute a workload component, a duration for which a particular computing resource is required to compute a workload component, a particular type of device that is needed to compute a workload component, a particular permission that is required at the device to compute a workload component, a threshold reliability of a device, an ability of a device to communicate with a particular data source, and the like. 
         [0032]    As another example, an embodiment configures on a device a benchmark workload or test workload—as different from the actual workload component that is to be executed on the satellite cluster. The embodiment evaluates the performance metrics from the benchmark workload execution. For example, the embodiment evaluates whether a precision of the responses in the benchmark workload execution exceeds a threshold, a recall of the responses in the benchmark workload execution exceeds a threshold, a time to produce a response (timeliness) in the benchmark workload execution is within a threshold, or some combination of these and other performance criteria are satisfied in a suitable manner. If the device satisfies a desired set of performance criteria, the embodiment selects the device into the satellite cluster. 
         [0033]    Many other clustering criteria are described herein with respect to different embodiments. Many more clustering criteria will become apparent from this disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art, and such other clustering criteria are contemplated within the scope of the illustrative embodiments. 
         [0034]    An embodiment forms a cluster, e.g., a satellite cluster using the subset of the selected IoT devices. In one embodiment, a device in the satellite cluster is further configured in a high-availability (HA) relationship, such as in a master-slave or primary-redundant relationship, with another device in the satellite cluster. Such a configuration allows the slave or redundant device to take over the workload processing operations from a master or primary device should the master device fail. HA configurations of  1 - 1 ,  1 - n , n−1, and n-m primary-to-redundant devices within a satellite cluster are also contemplated within the scope of the illustrative embodiments. 
         [0035]    An embodiment installs, instantiates, or otherwise activates in any suitable manner a lightweight application on the devices of the satellite cluster. The embodiment passes the workload to the satellite cluster. The devices participating in the satellite cluster use the lightweight application installed thereon to compute all or a portion of the workload component using data from the data source associated with the satellite cluster. 
         [0036]    In a similar manner, an embodiment can distribute multiple components of a workload to multiple satellite clusters, where a satellite cluster receiving a component is associated with a data source as described herein. The different satellite clusters process their respective workload components and return the results of their processing to the embodiment in the central cluster or to another data processing system elsewhere. 
         [0037]    An embodiment executing in a device in a central cluster monitors a satellite cluster and the progress of the workload component on the devices therein. Different types of monitoring activities, and actions based thereon, are possible to provide different properties of a satellite cluster. 
         [0038]    For example, one embodiment monitors a device of a satellite cluster to determine the device&#39;s continued suitability for participating in the satellite cluster. When the device travels out of the geographical area of the satellite cluster, or when the device fails to meet another cluster criterion, the embodiment drops or removes the device from the satellite cluster, replaces the removed device with another device already in the satellite cluster or by joining a candidate device to the satellite cluster. Similarly, when a new device travels into the geographical area of the satellite cluster and meets the cluster criteria, the embodiment joins the new device into the satellite cluster, or holds the new device as a candidate device, which is a potential replacement for a device that might be dropped from the satellite cluster. 
         [0039]    Another embodiment determines a suitability of a device for processing the assigned workload component of the satellite cluster. For example, a device is initially selected in a satellite cluster to process a workload component based on the resources that the device shows or projects as available for processing the workload component. As a result of performance check of the devices from time to time, the embodiment discovers that at some point during the execution of the workload component, a performance metric of the device, e.g., precision, recall, or timeliness, begins to drift below a threshold for that performance metric. 
         [0040]    It is possible that the performance drift is due to particular data that is being computed when the performance metric is evaluated. It is also possible that the performance drift is because other processes on the device are consuming more resources, leaving less than the projected amount of resources for processing the workload. 
         [0041]    To determine which of the two reasons is the cause of the performance drift at the device, the embodiment configures identical test workloads at the device and another device in the same satellite cluster. For the same performance metric that was drifting, the embodiment computes one performance value when the test workload is executed on the drifting device and another performance value when the test workload is executed on the other device. 
         [0042]    When the performance values from the two devices are within a threshold tolerance of one another, the embodiment concludes that the drift is a result of the data being processed at the drifting device at the time. Under such a finding, the embodiment allows the device to continue processing the workload component. When the difference between the performance values from the two devices exceeds the threshold tolerance, the embodiment concludes that the drift is a result of changed resource utilization at the drifting device. Under such a finding, the embodiment replaces the device with a new device, and continues processing the workload component using the new component. 
         [0043]    As described elsewhere in this disclosure, a device can be paired with another device for high-availability. The device whose performance is evaluated in this manner can be a part of such a pair. As a result of a drift, an embodiment can replace only the drifting device in a high-availability pair, or both devices in the pair. 
         [0044]    A method of an embodiment described herein, when implemented to execute on a device or data processing system, comprises substantial advancement of the functionality of that device or data processing system in clustering IoT devices for processing other workloads. For example, a prior-art method of operating IoT devices ignores the effects of geographical distances on the data traffic generated by the operation of IoT devices, such as when the IoT devices are configured to communicate with each other using a broadcast method of communication. Furthermore, the prior-art does not provide a method for using IoT devices for donating compute cycles for processing other workloads. An embodiment selectively configures the IoT devices into clusters for processing a workload on the clusters. The workload that is processed using the cluster of IoT devices is different from the tasks the IoT devices are configured to perform. An embodiment further manages the cluster of IoT devices to meet various requirements, such as reliability, performance, continued suitability of an IoT for the workload, and these and many other requirements of considerations. Such manner of operating clusters of IoT devices is unavailable in the prior-art. Thus, a substantial advancement of such devices or data processing systems by executing a method of an embodiment is in dynamically using available capacity of IoT devices for processing other workloads, and further in organizing and using the IoT devices in such a way that contributes to a substantial reduction in the packet transmission over the IoT infrastructure. 
         [0045]    The illustrative embodiments are described with respect to certain data sources, geographical shapes, distances, clustering criteria, performance metrics, relationships between IoT devices, devices, data processing systems, environments, components, and applications only as examples. Any specific manifestations of these and other similar artifacts are not intended to be limiting to the invention. Any suitable manifestation of these and other similar artifacts can be selected within the scope of the illustrative embodiments. 
         [0046]    Furthermore, the illustrative embodiments may be implemented with respect to any type of data, data source, or access to a data source over a data network. Any type of data storage device may provide the data to an embodiment of the invention, either locally at a data processing system or over a data network, within the scope of the invention. Where an embodiment is described using a mobile device, any type of data storage device suitable for use with the mobile device may provide the data to such embodiment, either locally at the mobile device or over a data network, within the scope of the illustrative embodiments. 
         [0047]    The illustrative embodiments are described using specific code, designs, architectures, protocols, layouts, schematics, and tools only as examples and are not limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Furthermore, the illustrative embodiments are described in some instances using particular software, tools, and data processing environments only as an example for the clarity of the description. The illustrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with other comparable or similarly purposed structures, systems, applications, or architectures. For example, other comparable mobile devices, structures, systems, applications, or architectures therefor, may be used in conjunction with such embodiment of the invention within the scope of the invention. An illustrative embodiment may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. 
         [0048]    The examples in this disclosure are used only for the clarity of the description and are not limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Additional data, operations, actions, tasks, activities, and manipulations will be conceivable from this disclosure and the same are contemplated within the scope of the illustrative embodiments. 
         [0049]    Any advantages listed herein are only examples and are not intended to be limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Additional or different advantages may be realized by specific illustrative embodiments. Furthermore, a particular illustrative embodiment may have some, all, or none of the advantages listed above. 
         [0050]    With reference to the figures and in particular with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , these figures are example diagrams of data processing environments in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented.  FIGS. 1 and 2  are only examples and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. A particular implementation may make many modifications to the depicted environments based on the following description. 
         [0051]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a network of data processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Data processing environment  100  is a network of computers in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Data processing environment  100  includes network  102 . Network  102  is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within data processing environment  100 . Network  102  may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables. 
         [0052]    Clients or servers are only example roles of certain data processing systems connected to network  102  and are not intended to exclude other configurations or roles for these data processing systems. Server  104  and server  106  couple to network  102  along with storage unit  108 . Software applications may execute on any computer in data processing environment  100 . Clients  110 ,  112 , and  114  are also coupled to network  102 . A data processing system, such as server  104  or  106 , or client  110 ,  112 , or  114  may contain data and may have software applications or software tools executing thereon. 
         [0053]    Only as an example, and without implying any limitation to such architecture,  FIG. 1  depicts certain components that are usable in an example implementation of an embodiment. For example, servers  104  and  106 , and clients  110 ,  112 ,  114 , are depicted as servers and clients only as example and not to imply a limitation to a client-server architecture. As another example, an embodiment can be distributed across several data processing systems and a data network as shown, whereas another embodiment can be implemented on a single data processing system within the scope of the illustrative embodiments. Data processing systems  104 ,  106 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  also represent example nodes in a cluster, partitions, and other configurations suitable for implementing an embodiment. 
         [0054]    Device  132  is an example of an IoT device described herein. For example, device  132  can take the form of a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, client  110  in a stationary or a portable form, a wearable computing device, or any other suitable device. Any software application described as executing in another data processing system in  FIG. 1  can be configured to execute in device  132  in a similar manner. Any data or information stored or produced in another data processing system in  FIG. 1  can be configured to be stored or produced in device  132  in a similar manner. 
         [0055]    For the purposes of this disclosure, further assume that data processing systems  104  and  114  are also IoT enabled devices. Cluster  103  is an example central cluster and includes any number of IoT devices such as data processing system  104 , and device  104 A through device  104 N. Cluster  113  is an example satellite cluster and includes any number of IoT devices such as data processing system  114 , and device  114 A through device  114 N. Cluster  131  is another example satellite cluster and includes any number of IoT devices such as device  132 , and device  132 A through device  132 N. Application  105  executes in an IoT device in a central cluster, such as in device  104  in cluster  103 . A device in a satellite cluster executes a lightweight application, such as lightweight application  134  executing in device  132 . Other devices in cluster  131 , such as devices  132 A- 132 N execute lightweight applications similar to lightweight application  134 . Under certain circumstances, different devices in a satellite cluster may execute different versions or forms of the lightweight application. For example, if device  132 A were different from device  132 , lightweight application  134 A may be different in some respect from lightweight application  134 , but lightweight applications  134  and  134  each remains capable of executing a workload component of satellite cluster  131  in a similar manner. Devices  114 ,  114 A- 114 N are configured with lightweight applications (not shown) in a comparable manner. A cluster is associated with any number of data sources. For example, each device in satellite cluster  131  is within a specified distance from data source  135 . Similarly, each device in satellite cluster  113  is within a specified distance from data source  115 . 
         [0056]    Servers  104  and  106 , storage unit  108 , and clients  110 ,  112 , and  114  may couple to network  102  using wired connections, wireless communication protocols, or other suitable data connectivity. Clients  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. 
         [0057]    In the depicted example, server  104  may provide data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients  110 ,  112 , and  114 . Clients  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be clients to server  104  in this example. Clients  110 ,  112 ,  114 , or some combination thereof, may include their own data, boot files, operating system images, and applications. Data processing environment  100  may include additional servers, clients, and other devices that are not shown. 
         [0058]    In the depicted example, data processing environment  100  may be the Internet. Network  102  may represent a collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and other protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of data communication links between major nodes or host computers, including thousands of commercial, governmental, educational, and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, data processing environment  100  also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).  FIG. 1  is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for the different illustrative embodiments. 
         [0059]    Among other uses, data processing environment  100  may be used for implementing a client-server environment in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. A client-server environment enables software applications and data to be distributed across a network such that an application functions by using the interactivity between a client data processing system and a server data processing system. Data processing environment  100  may also employ a service oriented architecture where interoperable software components distributed across a network may be packaged together as coherent business applications. 
         [0060]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , this figure depicts a block diagram of a data processing system in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Data processing system  200  is an example of a computer, such as servers  104  and  106 , or clients  110 ,  112 , and  114  in  FIG. 1 , or another type of device in which computer usable program code or instructions implementing the processes may be located for the illustrative embodiments. 
         [0061]    Data processing system  200  is also representative of a data processing system or a configuration therein, such as data processing system  132  or devices  104 A-N,  114 A-N, or  132 A-N in  FIG. 1  in which computer usable program code or instructions implementing the processes of the illustrative embodiments may be located. Data processing system  200  is described as a computer only as an example, without being limited thereto. Implementations in the form of other devices, such as device  132  or devices  104 A-N,  114 A-N, or  132 A-N in FIG.  1 , may modify data processing system  200 , such as by adding a touch interface, and even eliminate certain depicted components from data processing system  200  without departing from the general description of the operations and functions of data processing system  200  described herein. 
         [0062]    In the depicted example, data processing system  200  employs a hub architecture including North Bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH)  202  and South Bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH)  204 . Processing unit  206 , main memory  208 , and graphics processor  210  are coupled to North Bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH)  202 . Processing unit  206  may contain one or more processors and may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems. Processing unit  206  may be a multi-core processor. Graphics processor  210  may be coupled to NB/MCH  202  through an accelerated graphics port (AGP) in certain implementations. 
         [0063]    In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter  212  is coupled to South Bridge and I/O controller hub (SB/ICH)  204 . Audio adapter  216 , keyboard and mouse adapter  220 , modem  222 , read only memory (ROM)  224 , universal serial bus (USB) and other ports  232 , and PCI/PCIe devices  234  are coupled to South Bridge and I/O controller hub  204  through bus  238 . Hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD)  226  and CD-ROM  230  are coupled to South Bridge and I/O controller hub  204  through bus  240 . PCI/PCIe devices  234  may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook computers. PCI uses a card bus controller, while PCIe does not. ROM  224  may be, for example, a flash binary input/output system (BIOS). Hard disk drive  226  and CD-ROM  230  may use, for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE), serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface, or variants such as external-SATA (eSATA) and micro-SATA (mSATA). A super I/O (SIO) device  236  may be coupled to South Bridge and I/O controller hub (SB/ICH)  204  through bus  238 . 
         [0064]    Memories, such as main memory  208 , ROM  224 , or flash memory (not shown), are some examples of computer usable storage devices. Hard disk drive or solid state drive  226 , CD-ROM  230 , and other similarly usable devices are some examples of computer usable storage devices including a computer usable storage medium. 
         [0065]    An operating system runs on processing unit  206 . The operating system coordinates and provides control of various components within data processing system  200  in  FIG. 2 . The operating system may be a commercially available operating system such as AIX® (AIX is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States and other countries), Microsoft® Windows® (Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries), Linux® (Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States and other countries), iOS™ (iOS is a trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. licensed to Apple Inc. in the United States and in other countries), or Android™ (Android is a trademark of Google Inc., in the United States and in other countries). An object oriented programming system, such as the Java™ programming system, may run in conjunction with the operating system and provide calls to the operating system from Java™ programs or applications executing on data processing system  200  (Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates). 
         [0066]    Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programming system, and applications or programs, such as application  105  or lightweight application  134  and  134 A in  FIG. 1 , are located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive  226 , and may be loaded into at least one of one or more memories, such as main memory  208 , for execution by processing unit  206 . The processes of the illustrative embodiments may be performed by processing unit  206  using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such as, for example, main memory  208 , read only memory  224 , or in one or more peripheral devices. 
         [0067]    The hardware in  FIGS. 1-2  may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash memory, equivalent non-volatile memory, or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in  FIGS. 1-2 . In addition, the processes of the illustrative embodiments may be applied to a multiprocessor data processing system. 
         [0068]    In some illustrative examples, data processing system  200  may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), which is generally configured with flash memory to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. A bus system may comprise one or more buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus, and a PCI bus. Of course, the bus system may be Implemented using any type of communications fabric or architecture that provides for a transfer of data between different components or devices attached to the fabric or architecture. 
         [0069]    A communications unit may include one or more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter. A memory may be, for example, main memory  208  or a cache, such as the cache found in North Bridge and memory controller hub  202 . A processing unit may include one or more processors or CPUs. 
         [0070]    The depicted examples in  FIGS. 1-2  and above-described examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data processing system  200  also may be a tablet computer, laptop computer, or telephone device in addition to taking the form of a mobile or wearable device. 
         [0071]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , this figure depicts a block diagram of an example configuration for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of IoT devices in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Application  302  is an example of application  105  in  FIG. 1 . Cluster  300  is an example of central cluster  103  in  FIG. 1 . Each of satellite clusters  310 ,  320 ,  330 , and  340  are an example of satellite cluster  113  or  131  in  FIG. 1 . A satellite cluster may be existing prior to receiving workload  304 , such as cluster formation for a previous workload, or may be formed upon receiving workload  304 . 
         [0072]    Application  302  receives workload  304 , which has to be processed using one or satellite clusters of IoT devices. Application  302  decomposes workload  304  into workload component A  306  and workload component B  308 . Application  302  further determines that workload component A uses data from data source A  316  and workload component B uses data from data source B  318 . 
         [0073]    Accordingly, application  302  constructs satellite cluster  340  (or selects pre-existing satellite cluster  340 ) to process workload component A, as described herein. The IoT device configured in satellite cluster  340  use data from data source A to process workload component A. Similarly, application  302  constructs satellite cluster  320  (or selects pre-existing satellite cluster  320 ) to process workload component B. The IoT device configured in satellite cluster  320  use data from data source B to process workload component B. 
         [0074]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , this figure depicts a block diagram of an application for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of IoT devices in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Application  402  is an example of application  302  in  FIG. 3 . Workload description  404  describes a workload, such as workload  304  in  FIG. 3 , which has to be distributedly processed using one or more cluster of IoT devices. The one or more clusters of IoT devices to process the workload of description  404  operate over IoT infrastructure  406 . Application  402  executes in IoT device  400 , which also operates over IoT infrastructure  406 . 
         [0075]    Component  408  of application  402  decomposes the workload described by description  404  into a number of workload components. In some cases, depending upon the characteristics of the workload, the characteristics of the clusters that can be formed in IoT infrastructure  406 , or a combination thereof, component  408  may distribute the entire workload as a single component to a cluster. 
         [0076]    Component  410  receives information about the IoT devices operating over IoT infrastructure  406 . For example, the IoT devices may post or publish information  412  using social media  412 . As another example, the IoT devices may distribute their information  412  to other devices, such as IoT device  400 , using social media  412 . 
         [0077]    Component  410  receives information  412  from any combination of these and other suitable methods. As described herein, using information  412 , component  410  constructs one or more satellite clusters, each using one or more IoT devices operating in IoT infrastructure  406 . 
         [0078]    Component  410  sends instructions  414  to IoT devices in IoT infrastructure  406 . For example, instructions  414  includes instruction to an IoT device to participate in a satellite cluster, instructions to activate a lightweight application in the IoT device, instructions to configure the satellite cluster, and other instructions suitable for operating a satellite cluster in a manner described herein. 
         [0079]    Component  416  performs cluster management in a manner described herein. Component  416  also sends some instructions as instructions  414 . For example, instructions  414  include instructions to perform performance and other measurements, instruction to determine the suitability of an IoT device for continued participation, instructions for changing the configuration of a satellite cluster, and other instructions suitable for operating a satellite cluster in a manner described herein. 
         [0080]    With reference to  FIG. 5A , this figure depicts a block diagram of one example configuration for cluster management in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Cluster management component  502  can be implemented as cluster management component  416  in application  404  in IoT device  402  in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0081]    Subcomponent  504  monitors a clustered IoT device&#39;s continued suitability for participating in a satellite cluster. When the device fails to meet a geographical or other cluster criterion, subcomponent  504  drops or removes the device from the satellite cluster. Subcomponent  506  replaces the removed device with another device, joining a new device to the satellite cluster. For example, subcomponent  504  joins the new device into the satellite cluster when the new device becomes present in the cluster area and meets the cluster criteria or executing the workload component assigned to the satellite cluster. 
         [0082]    With reference to  FIG. 5B , this figure depicts a block diagram of another example configuration for cluster management in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Cluster management component  532  can be implemented as cluster management component  416  in application  404  in IoT device  402  in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0083]    From time to time, subcomponent  534  performs performance checks on the devices of a satellite cluster. From these checks, subcomponent  534  discovers that during the execution of the workload component, a performance metric of a device has drifted below a threshold for that performance metric. Some non-limiting examples of the performance metric are precision, recall, and timeliness. 
         [0084]    In terms of predictive analytics, which is one example type of workload component that can be processed on a satellite cluster of IoT devices, recall is a fraction of relevant instances that are retrieved, and precision is the fraction of retrieved instances that are relevant. Precision can be seen as a measure of exactness or quality, whereas recall is a measure of completeness or quantity. Maximum precision indicates no false positives, and maximum recall indicates no false negatives. 
         [0085]    Subcomponent  536  benchmarks the drifting device by executing a test workload and collecting the performance metrics of that execution. Subcomponent  536  executes the same test workload on another device in the satellite cluster of the drifting device and collects the performance metrics of that execution from the other device. 
         [0086]    Component  538  determines whether the performance drift is due to particular data that is being computed at the drifting device or because other processes on the drifting device are consuming more than expected resources. If the drift is because other processes on the device are consuming more resources, component  540  replaces the drifting device in the satellite cluster with another device. 
         [0087]    With reference to  FIG. 6A , this figure depicts a flowchart of an example process for managing a cluster of IoT devices in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Process  600  can be implemented in component  502  of  FIG. 5A . Process  600  removes a device from a satellite cluster when the device fails to satisfy a cluster criterion (block  604 ). As a non-limiting example, a device may be removed form a cluster when the device has traveled outside of a cluster area, or is positioned at more than a threshold distance from relative to a data source. The distance between the data source and the device can be measured in terms of geographical distance, network distance such as number of hops, or a combination thereof. The cluster area can be a geographical area having a shape, or a network topology defined by a set of edges or links in a network. 
         [0088]    Process  600  adds a new IoT device to the satellite cluster when the new device is within the cluster area, within the threshold distance from the data source, or both, and satisfies a set of any additionally specified cluster criteria (block  606 ). Process  600  ends thereafter. 
         [0089]    With reference to  FIG. 6B , this figure depicts a flowchart of an example process for managing a cluster of IoT devices in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Process  632  can be implemented in component  532  of  FIG. 5D . Process  632  analyzes a performance of a device in processing workload component, to detect that a performance metric has drifted below a threshold (block  634 ). Process  632  executes a benchmark test on the device and another device in the satellite cluster (block  636 ). Process  632  compares the performance of the other device and the drifting device on the benchmark test to determine whether the drift is data-driven or resource-driven as described herein (block  638 ). If the drift is resource-driven, the process replaces the drifting device (block  640 ). Process  632  ends thereafter. 
         [0090]    Thus, a computer implemented method, system or apparatus, and computer program product are provided in the illustrative embodiments for distributed load processing using drift-based dynamic clusters of IoT devices. Where an embodiment or a portion thereof is described with respect to a type of device, the computer implemented method, system or apparatus, the computer program product, or a portion thereof, are adapted or configured for use with a suitable and comparable manifestation of that type of device. 
         [0091]    The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
         [0092]    The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
         [0093]    Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
         [0094]    Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. 
         [0095]    Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
         [0096]    These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0097]    The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0098]    The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.