An architectural blueprint

for autonomic computing.

kuIonomIr 6ompuIIng
White Paper
June 2005
Third Edition
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6onIanIs
)NTRODUCTION 3
Autonomic computing 4
Scllmanagcmcnt attrilutcs ol systcm componcnts 4
Dclcgatcd IT proccsscs can dclicr scllmanaging capalilitics 6
Customcr aluc
Yotiation lor a llucprint 9
2. Autonomic computing arcLitccturc conccpts 9
Autonomic computing systcm 1u
Yanagcd rcsourcc 11
ToucLpoints 11
ToucLpoint autonomic managcrs 12
OrcLcstrating autonomic managcrs 14
Yanual Yanagcrs 14
3. Autonomic computing arcLitccturc dctails 1o
Autonomic managcr 16
Autonomic managcr intcrnal structurc 1
Knowlcdgc Sourcc 2u
ToucLpoints 22
Yanagcalility Intcrlacc 23
Yanual Yanagcr 24
Lntcrprisc Scricc Bus 2o
4. Loling maturity and sopListication 2o
Autonomic Computing Adoption Yodcl 26
o. Standards lor autonomic computing 2
Bcccnt Standards Dcclopmcnts 3u
6. Summary 31
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Autonomic - Pertaining to an on
demand operating environment that
responds automatically to problems,
security threats, and system failures.
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1. Introduction
In an on dcmand lusincss. inlormation tccLnology (IT) prolcssionals must
strcngtLcn tLc rcsponsicncss and rcsilicncy ol scricc dclicry-improing
quality ol scricc-wLilc rcducing tLc total cost ol owncrsLip (TCO) ol
tLcir opcrating cnironmcnts. Yct. IT componcnts produccd ly LigLtccL
companics ocr tLc past dccadcs arc so complcx tLat IT prolcssionals arc
cLallcngcd to cllccticly opcratc a stallc IT inlrastructurc. It`s tLc complcxity
ol tLc IT componcnts tLcmsclcs tLat Lac Lclpcd lucl tLis prollcm. As
nctworks and distrilutcd systcms grow and cLangc. systcm dcploymcnt
lailurcs. Lardwarc and soltwarc issucs. and Luman crror can incrcasingly
Lampcr cllcctic systcm administration. Human intcrcntion is rcquircd to
cnLancc tLc pcrlormancc and capacity ol tLc componcnts in an IT systcm.
driing up ocrall costs-ccn as tccLnology componcnt costs continuc to
dcclinc.
\c do not scc a slowdown in Yoorc`s law as tLc main olstaclc to lurtLcr
progrcss in tLc IT industry. BatLcr. it is tLc industry`s cxploitation ol tLc
tccLnologics tLat Lac lccn dcclopcd in tLc wakc ol Yoorc`s law tLat Las lcd
us to tLc crgc ol a complcxity crisis. Soltwarc dcclopcrs Lac lully cxploitcd
a 4to6 ordcrolmagnitudc incrcasc in computational powcr-producing
ccr morc sopListicatcd soltwarc applications and cnironmcnts. Lxponcntial
growtL Las occurrcd in tLc numlcr and aricty ol systcms and componcnts.
TLc aluc ol datalasc tccLnology and tLc Intcrnct Lac luclcd signilcant
growtL in storagc sulsystcms. wLicL now arc capallc ol Lolding pctalytcs
ol structurcd and unstructurcd inlormation. Nctworks Lac intcrconncctcd
distrilutcd. Lctcrogcncous systcms. Our inlormation socicty Las crcatcd
unprcdictallc and LigLly ariallc workloads lor tLcsc nctworkcd systcms.
And tLcsc incrcasingly aluallc. complcx systcms rcquirc LigLly skillcd IT
prolcssionals to install. conlgurc. opcratc. tunc and maintain tLcm.
Ircious crsions ol tLis Blucprint Lac dcscrilcd tLc ocrall Autonomic
Computing arcLitccturc. In tLis latcst crsion. wc dcscrilc not only tLc latcst
adanccs in tLc arcLitccturc lut also ollcr morc dctailcd discussions ol
sccral important topics. including.
ArcLitcctural luilding llocks
TLc Autonomic Computing Adoption Yodcl
TLc rolc ol tLc Luman in autonomic systcms. including dclcgation ol
tasks
Ncw dcclopmcnts in standardization
Autonomic computing - A computing
environment with the ability to manage
itself and dynamically adapt to change
in accordance with business policies
and objectives. Self-managing envi-
ronments can perform such activities
based on situations they observe or
sense in the IT environment rather than
requiring IT professionals to initiate
the task. These environments are self-
configuring, self-healing,
self-optimizing, and self-protecting.
Quality of Service - A measure of
system performance and system
availability.
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!UTONOMIC#OMPUTING
Autonomic Computing Lclps to addrcss complcxity ly using tccLnology to
managc tccLnology. TLc tcrm autonomic is dcricd lrom Luman liology. TLc
autonomic ncrous systcm monitors your Lcartlcat. cLccks your llood sugar
lccl and kccps your lody tcmpcraturc closc to 9.6I witLout any conscious
cllort on your part. In mucL tLc samc way. scllmanaging autonomic
capalilitics anticipatc IT systcm rcquircmcnts and rcsolc prollcms witL
minimal Luman intcrcntion. As a rcsult. IT prolcssionals can locus on tasks
witL LigLcr aluc to tLc lusincss.
Howccr. tLcrc is an important distinction lctwccn autonomic actiity in tLc
Luman lody and autonomic actiitics in IT systcms. Yany ol tLc dccisions
madc ly autonomic capalilitics in tLc lody arc inoluntary. In contrast. scll
managing autonomic capalilitics in computcr systcms pcrlorm tasks tLat
IT prolcssionals cLoosc to dclcgatc to tLc tccLnology according to policics.
Adaptallc policy-ratLcr tLan Lardcodcd proccdurc-dctcrmincs tLc typcs
ol dccisions and actions tLat autonomic capalilitics pcrlorm. TLis topic is
cxplorcd in morc dctail latcr.
Scllmanaging capalilitics in a systcm accomplisL tLcir lunctions ly taking
an appropriatc action lascd on onc or morc situations tLat tLcy scnsc in tLc
cnironmcnt. TLc lunction ol any autonomic capalility is a control loop
tLat collccts dctails lrom tLc systcm and acts accordingly. AltLougL tLcrc
can lc numcrous typcs ol control loops in a systcm. tLis papcr organizcs
tLcsc control loops into lour catcgorics. scllconlguring. scllLcaling. scll
optimizing and scllprotccting. TLis papcr also dcscrilcs two lundamcntal
ways in wLicL tLc control loops lor tLcsc lunctions can lc constructcd in
an IT inlrastructurc (witLin an autonomic managcr or cmlcddcd witLin a
managcd rcsourcc).
3ELFMANAGEMENTATTRIBUTESOFSYSTEMCOMPONENTS
In a scllmanaging autonomic cnironmcnt. systcm componcnts-lrom
Lardwarc (sucL as storagc units. dcsktop computcrs and scrcrs) to soltwarc
(sucL as opcrating systcms. middlcwarc and lusincss applications)-can
includc cmlcddcd control loop lunctionality. AltLougL tLcsc control loops
consist ol tLc samc lundamcntal parts. tLcir lunctions can lc diidcd into
lour lroad cmlcddcd control loop catcgorics. TLcsc catcgorics arc considcrcd
to lc attrilutcs ol tLc systcm componcnts and arc dclncd as.
;MTNKWVO]ZQVO-Can dynamically adapt to cLanging cnironmcnts
Scllconlguring componcnts adapt dynamically to cLangcs in
Policy - A set of considerations that are
designed to guide the decisions that
affect the behavior of a managed
resource task. These environments are
self-configuring, self-healing, self-
optimizing, and self-protecting.
Self-Heal - To discover, diagnose and
act to prevent disruptions.
Managed Resource - An entity that
exists in the run-time environment
of an IT system and that can be
managed.
Self-Protect - To anticipate, detect,
identify and protect against threats.

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Self-Optimize - To tune resources and
balance workloads to maximize the use
of information technology resources.
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tLc cnironmcnt. using policics proidcd ly tLc IT prolcssional.
SucL cLangcs could includc tLc dcploymcnt ol ncw componcnts
or tLc rcmoal ol cxisting oncs. or dramatic cLangcs in tLc systcm
cLaractcristics. Dynamic adaptation Lclps cnsurc continuous strcngtL
and productiity ol tLc IT inlrastructurc. rcsulting in lusincss growtL
and cxilility.
;MTNPMITQVO-Can discocr. diagnosc and rcact to disruptions
ScllLcaling componcnts can dctcct systcm mallunctions and initiatc
policylascd corrcctic action witLout disrupting tLc IT cnironmcnt.
Corrcctic action could inolc a product altcring its own statc or
cllccting cLangcs in otLcr componcnts in tLc cnironmcnt. TLc IT
systcm as a wLolc lccomcs morc rcsilicnt lccausc daytoday opcrations
arc lcss likcly to lail.
;MTNWX\QUQbQVO-Can monitor and tunc rcsourccs automatically
Sclloptimizing componcnts can tunc tLcmsclcs to mcct cnduscr or
lusincss nccds. TLc tuning actions could mcan rcallocating rcsourccs-
sucL as in rcsponsc to dynamically cLanging workloads-to improc
ocrall utilization. or cnsuring tLat particular lusincss transactions
can lc complctcd in a timcly lasLion. Sclloptimization Lclps proidc a
LigL standard ol scricc lor lotL tLc systcm`s cnd uscrs and a lusincss`s
customcrs.
\itLout sclloptimizing lunctions. tLcrc is no casy way to dicrt cxccss
scrcr capacity to lowcr priority work wLcn an application docs not lully
usc its assigncd computing rcsourccs. In sucL cascs. customcrs must luy
and maintain a scparatc inlrastructurc lor cacL application to mcct tLat
application`s most dcmanding computing nccds.
;MTNWX\QUQbQVO-Can anticipatc. dctcct. idcntily and protcct against
tLrcats lrom anywLcrc Scllprotccting componcnts can dctcct Lostilc
lcLaiors as tLcy occur and takc corrcctic actions to makc tLcmsclcs
lcss ulncrallc. TLc Lostilc lcLaiors can includc unautLorizcd acccss
and usc. irus inlcction and prolilcration. and dcnialolscricc attacks.
Scllprotccting capalilitics allow lusincsscs to consistcntly cnlorcc
sccurity and priacy policics.
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Figure 1. Typica| T processes
\Lcn systcm componcnts Lac tLcsc attrilutcs. it is possillc to automatc tLc
tasks tLat IT prolcssionals must pcrlorm today to conlgurc. Lcal. optimizc
and protcct tLc IT inlrastructurc. Systcms managcmcnt soltwarc tLcn can
orcLcstratc tLc systcmwidc actions pcrlormcd ly tLcsc cmlcddcd control
loops.
$ELEGATED)4PROCESSESCANDELIVERSELFMANAGINGCAPABILITIES
Scllmanaging systcm componcnts can makc ad|ustmcnts only witLin tLcir
own scopc. Ior cxamplc. a sclloptimizing autonomic managcr dcdicatcd to
a singlc scrcr can optimizc only tLat scrcr`s opcration. Howccr. tLis is not
tLc only arca witLin an IT cnironmcnt tLat scllmanaging capalilitics can
cxist. TLc tasks associatcd witL control loops tLat conlgurc. Lcal. optimizc
and protcct also can lc lound in tLc lcst practiccs and proccsscs uscd to
opcratc an IT organization.
IT lusincsscs organizc tLcsc tasks as a collcction ol lcst practiccs and
proccsscs sucL as tLosc dclncd in tLc IT Inlrastructurc Lilrary (ITIL. lrom
tLc Ollcc ol Cocrnmcnt Commcrcc in tLc Initcd Kingdom) and tLc IBY
IT Iroccss Yodcl (dcclopcd ly IBY Clolal Scriccs). Iigurc 1 sLows somc
cxamplc proccss ows lor incidcnt managcmcnt. prollcm managcmcnt and
cLangc managcmcnt. TLc morc tLcsc tasks can lc automatcd. tLc morc
opportunity lor IT prolcssionals to dclcgatc tLc managcmcnt ol tLc IT
inlrastructurc to itscll.
Change Management - The process of
planning (for example, scheduling) and
controlling (for example, distributing,
installing and tracking) software
changes over a network.
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Is it a
query?
Can heIp
desk soIve ?
Incident
Management
ProbIem
Management
Change
Management
Record detaiIs in
incident report
Incident
FiIter and
Prioritize Request
Incident ControI Asses Change
Impact
Create ProbIem Create PIan
Change
Diagnose
ProbIem
Verify andTest
Change
PIan
Known Error ImpIement Chnage
ResoIution Veriify Change
Transfer to
Change
Assign
Impact Code,
Incident #
Access
Incident
detaiIs
Provide Customer
with resoIution
advice
Transfer
to
ProbIem
Management
Code and
cIose incident
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TLc actual implcmcntations ol tLcsc proccsscs in a particular IT organization
ary. lut tLcir goals and lunctions arc similar. It is possillc to catcgorizc tLc
actiitics lor tLcsc proccsscs into lour common lunctions. collcct tLc dctails
to idcntily a nccd. analyzc tLc dctails to dctcrminc wLat sLould donc to
lullll tLc nccd. crcatc a plan to mcct tLc nccd. and cxccutc tLat plan. Ior tLc
systcm itscll to managc tLcsc proccsscs. tLc lollowing conditions must cxist.
(1) TLc tasks inolcd in conlguring. Lcaling. optimizing and
protccting tLc IT systcm nccd to lc automatcd.
(2) It must lc possillc to initiatc tLcsc proccsscs lascd on situations
tLat can lc olscrcd or dctcctcd in tLc IT inlrastructurc.
(3) TLc autonomic managcr must posscss sullcicnt knowlcdgc to takc
on tLc dclcgatcd task tLat is to lc automatcd.
\Lcn tLcsc conditions cxist in tLc IT inlrastructurc. IT prolcssionals can
conlgurc tLc automatcd lunctions in a sct ol composcd IT proccsscs to allow
tLc IT systcm to managc itscll. TLcsc autonomic capalilitics typically arc
dclicrcd as managcmcnt tools or products.
Automating tLcsc tasks inolcs an IT prolcssional dclcgating tLc
automatallc task to tLc systcm. TLc manual managcr luilding llock
(dctailcd latcr) is tLc arcLitcctural rcprcscntation ol tLc Luman actiity
and typically inolcs a Luman using a managcmcnt consolc. As tLc IT
prolcssional olscrcs situations witLin tLc IT inlrastructurc. Lc or sLc may
takc ccrtain actions to allcct tLc lcLaior ol tLc systcm.
Ocr timc. as autonomic monitoring ol tLc IT systcm is introduccd. an IT
prolcssional migLt lnd tLat Lc or sLc is olscring tLc samc conditions and
pcrlorming tLc samc actions rcpcatcdly. SucL cascs arc good candidatcs lor
automation. and tLc IT prolcssional migLt cLoosc to dclcgatc tLcsc tasks to
an autonomic managcr tLat Las tLc rcquisitc knowlcdgc and capalilitics to
rccognizc tLc situations and pcrlorm tLc appropriatc actions.
Ior cxamplc. considcr tLc implcmcnt cLangc` task in tLc cLangc
managcmcnt proccss in Iigurc 1. Onc typc ol cLangc tLat migLt lc allcctcd
on a systcm is to proision ncw rcsourccs. TLc IT prolcssional migLt cLoosc
to dclcgatc somc sucL tasks to a proisioning systcm. TLis systcm could
automatc tLc proisioning ol scrcrs and nctwork rcsourccs. as wcll as tLc
distrilution and installation ol soltwarc. and Lcncc could automatc tLc
implcmcnt cLangc` task in tLc cLangc managcmcnt proccss.
Ior an IT prolcssional to lc willing to dclcgatc managcmcnt tasks to
tLc systcm. Lc or sLc must Lac a LigL dcgrcc ol trust in tLc autonomic
managcmcnt lunctions. As dcscrilcd in CLaptcr 4. moing toward LigLcr
Manual Manager - An implementation
of the user interface that enables a
human to perform some management
function manually.
Console - A user interface for one or
more administrative tasks. For exam-
ple, the IBM Integrated Solutions
Console integrates the administrative
tasks for multiple products and solu-
tions into a single console.
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dcgrccs ol autonomic maturity is an colutionary proccss. Onc pLasc ol
tLis proccss inolcs managcmcnt lunctions tLat can monitor tLc IT systcm
lor situations ol intcrcst. pcrlorm analysis ol tLosc situations. gcncratc
rccommcndcd cLangcs to tLc IT systcm and prcscnt tLosc cLangcs to a
manual managcr (IT prolcssional) lor caluation. TLis pLasc is an important
onc. as it cnallcs tLc IT prolcssional to luild trust in tLc autonomic
managcmcnt lunctions - tLat is. il tLc autonomic managcr consistcntly
rccommcnds actions tLat tLc IT prolcssional routincly pcrlorms. tLcn tLc
IT prolcssional is likcly to lccomc willing to automatc tLosc actions ly
dclcgating tLc corrcsponding tasks to tLc autonomic managcr. TLis. in turn.
cnallcs continucd colution to a closcd loop` dcgrcc ol autonomic maturity
as dcscrilcd in CLaptcr 4.
#USTOMERVALUE
TLc cllcicncy and cllccticncss ol typical IT proccsscs arc mcasurcd using
mctrics sucL as clapscd timc to complctc a proccss. pcrccntagc cxccutcd
corrcctly and tLc cost to cxccutc a proccss. Scllmanaging systcms can
positicly allcct tLcsc mctrics. improing rcsponsicncss and quality ol
scricc. rcducing TCO and cnLancing timc to aluc tLrougL.
:IXQLXZWKM[[QVQ\QI\QWV-typically. implcmcnting tLcsc proccsscs
rcquircs an IT prolcssional to initiatc tLc proccss. crcatc tLc rcqucst
lor cLangc. collcct incidcnt dctails and opcn a prollcm rccord. In a
scllmanaging systcm. componcnts can initiatc tLcsc proccsscs lascd
on inlormation dcricd dircctly lrom tLc systcm. TLis Lclps rcducc
tLc manual lalor and timc rcquircd to rcspond to critical situations.
rcsulting in two immcdiatc lcnclts. morc timcly initiation ol tLc
proccss and morc accuratc data lrom tLc systcm.
:ML]KML\QUMIVL[SQTTZMY]QZMUMV\[-tLcsc proccsscs includc tasks or
actiitics tLat arc skillintcnsic. long lasting and dillcult to complctc
corrcctly lccausc ol systcm complcxity. In a cLangc managcmcnt
proccss. onc sucL actiity is tLc asscss cLangc impact` task. In a
prollcm managcmcnt proccss. onc sucL actiity is tLc diagnosc
prollcm` task. In scllmanaging systcms. rcsourccs arc crcatcd sucL
tLat tLc cxpcrtisc rcquircd to pcrlorm tLcsc tasks can lc cncodcd
witLin tLc systcm and tLc task can lc automatcd. TLis Lclps to rcducc
tLc amount ol timc and tLc dcgrcc ol skill rcquircd to pcrlorm tLcsc
tcdious tasks. Hcncc. IT prolcssionals arc lrccd to pcrlorm LigLcr aluc
tasks. sucL as cstallisLing lusincss policics tLat tLc IT systcm nccds to
lullll.
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TLcsc intuitic and collaloratic cLaractcristics ol tLc scllmanagcmcnt
capalilitics cnallc lusincsscs (largc cntcrpriscs as wcll as small and
mcdiumsizcd companics) to opcratc tLcir lusincss proccsscs and IT
inlrastructurc morc cllcicntly witL lcss Luman intcrcntion. dccrcasing costs
and cnLancing tLc organization`s alility to rcact to cLangc. Ior instancc. a
scllmanaging systcm could simply dcploy a ncw rcsourcc and tLcn tunc tLc
cnironmcnt to optimizc tLc scriccs dclicrcd ly tLc ncw rcsourcc. TLis is
a notallc sLilt lrom traditional proccsscs tLat rcquirc a signilcant amount
ol analysis lclorc and altcr dcploymcnt to cnsurc tLat tLc rcsourcc opcratcs
cllccticly and cllcicntly.
-OTIVATIONFORABLUEPRINT
TLc idca ol using tccLnology to managc tccLnology is not ncw-many
companics in tLc IT industry Lac dcclopcd and dclicrcd products
lascd on tLis conccpt. Scllmanaging autonomic computing can rcsult
in a signilcant improcmcnt in systcm managcmcnt cllcicncy. Howccr.
tLis is possillc only wLcn tLc disparatc tccLnologics tLat managc tLc IT
cnironmcnt work togctLcr to dclicr pcrlormancc rcsults systcmwidc. Ior
tLis to Lappcn in a multicndor inlrastructurc. IBY and otLcr cndors must
agrcc on a standardslascd approacL lor autonomic systcms.
TLis arcLitcctural llucprint lor autonomic computing is an ocricw ol tLc
lundamcntal conccpts. constructs and lcLaiors lor luilding scllmanaging
autonomic capalility into an on dcmand computing cnironmcnt. TLc
llucprint also dcscrilcs tLc arcLitcctural luilding llocks uscd to construct
sucL autonomic capalilitics and a modcl lor adoption ol tLosc capalilitics
in lusincsscs. It also prcscnts rcccnt dcclopmcnts in industry standards
initiatics tLat cnallc autonomic computing witLin an opcn systcm
arcLitccturc lor Lctcrogcncous cnironmcnts.
Z. kuIonomIr rompuIIng arrhIIarIura ronrapIs
TLc arcLitcctural conccpts prcscntcd in tLis llucprint dclnc a common
approacL and tcrminology lor dcscriling scllmanaging autonomic
computing systcms. TLc autonomic computing arcLitccturc conccpts proidc
a mccLanism lor discussing. comparing and contrasting tLc approacLcs tLat
dillcrcnt cndors usc to dclicr scllmanaging capalilitics in an IT systcm.
Autonomic Computing System - A
computing system that senses its
operating environment, models its
behavior in that environment, and
takes action to change the environ-
ment or its behavior. An autonomic
computing system has the properties
of self-configuration, self-healing, self-
optimization and self-protection.
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!UTONOMICCOMPUTINGSYSTEM
TLis llucprint organizcs an autonomic computing systcm into tLc laycrs
and parts sLown in Iigurc 2. TLcsc parts arc conncctcd using cntcrprisc
scricc lus pattcrns tLat allow tLc componcnts to collaloratc using standard
mccLanisms sucL as \cl scriccs. TLc cntcrprisc scricc lus intcgratcs tLc
arious llucprint luilding llocks. wLicL includc.
ToucLpoints lor managcd rcsourccs
Knowlcdgc sourccs
Autonomic managcrs
Yanual managcrs
TLc lowcst laycr contains tLc systcm componcnts. or managcd rcsourccs. tLat
makc up tLc IT inlrastructurc. TLcsc managcd rcsourccs can lc any typc
ol rcsourcc (Lardwarc or soltwarc) and may Lac cmlcddcd scllmanaging
attrilutcs. TLc ncxt laycr incorporatcs consistcnt. standard managcalility
intcrlaccs lor acccssing and controlling tLc managcd rcsourccs. TLcsc
standard intcrlaccs arc dclicrcd tLrougL a toucLpoint. Laycrs tLrcc and
lour automatc somc portion ol tLc IT proccss using an autonomic managcr.
Autonomic Manager - A component
that manages other software or hard-
ware components using a control loop.
The control loop of the autonomic man-
ager includes monitor, analyze, plan
and execute functions.
Touchpoint - The interface to an
instance of a managed resource, such
as an operating system or a server. A
touchpoint implements sensor and
effector behavior for the managed
resource, and maps the sensor and
effector interfaces to existing
interfaces.
Web service - A self-contained, modu-
lar application that can be described,
published, located and invoked over a
network (generally the Internet). Web
services go beyond software compo-
nents, because they can describe their
own functionality, as well as look for
and dynamically interact with other
Web services. Web services use open
protocols and standards, such as
HTTP, SOAP and XML. Web services
provide a means for different organiza-
tions to connect their applications with
one another to conduct dynamic e-
business across a network, regardless
of their application, design or run-time
environment.
hIghIIghIs
Managed
Resources
Touchpoint
Touchpoint
Autonomic
Managers
Orchestrating
Autonomic
Managers
Manual
Manager
Servers
R
Servers
R
Storage
R
Storage
R
Network
R
Network
R
Database /
Middleware
R
Database /
Middleware
R
Application
R
Application
R
Self-Healing Self-Healing Self-Optimizing Self-Optimizing Self-Protecting Self-Protecting
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Orchestrating
Within a
Discipline
Self-Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Orchestrating
Within a
Discipline
Self-Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Optimizing
Self-
Healing
Self-
Protecting
Orchestrating
Across Disciplines
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Configuring
Self-
Optimizing
Self-
Optimizing
Self-
Healing
Self-
Healing
Self-
Protecting
Self-
Protecting
Orchestrating
Across Disciplines
Intelligent
Control
Loop
ISC ISC ISC
Knowledge
Sources
Figure 2. Autonomic computing reference architecture
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A particular rcsourcc may Lac onc or morc toucLpoint autonomic managcrs.
cacL implcmcnting a rclcant control loop. Laycr 3 in Iigurc 2 illustratcs
tLis ly dcpicting an autonomic managcr lor tLc lour lroad catcgorics tLat
wcrc introduccd carlicr (scllconlguring. scllLcaling. sclloptimizing and
scllprotccting). Laycr lour contains autonomic managcrs tLat orcLcstratc
otLcr autonomic managcrs. It is tLcsc orcLcstrating autonomic managcrs tLat
dclicr tLc systcmwidc autonomic capalility ly incorporating control loops
tLat Lac tLc lroadcst icw ol tLc ocrall IT inlrastructurc. TLc top laycr
illustratcs a manual managcr tLat proidcs a common systcm managcmcnt
intcrlacc lor tLc IT prolcssional using an intcgratcd solutions consolc.
TLc arious manual and autonomic managcr laycrs can oltain and sLarc
knowlcdgc ia SVW_TMLOM[W]ZKM[.
TLc rcmaindcr ol tLis cLaptcr dcscrilcs tLc lunction ol cacL ol tLcsc parts ol
an autonomic computing systcm. CLaptcr 3 tLcn dctails tLcsc arcLitcctural
conccpts.
-ANAGEDRESOURCE
A managcd rcsourcc is a Lardwarc or soltwarc componcnt tLat can lc
managcd. A managcd rcsourcc could lc a scrcr. storagc unit. datalasc.
application scrcr. scricc. application or otLcr cntity. As sLown in Iigurc
2. a managcd rcsourcc migLt contain its own cmlcddcd scllmanagcmcnt
control loop. in addition to otLcr autonomic managcrs (dcscrilcd latcr in tLis
cLaptcr) tLat migLt lc packagcd witL a managcd rcsourcc.
Intclligcnt control loops can lc cmlcddcd in tLc runtimc cnironmcnt ol
a managcd rcsourcc. TLcsc cmlcddcd control loops arc onc way to ollcr
scllmanaging autonomic capalility. TLc dctails ol tLcsc cmlcddcd control
loops may or may not lc cxtcrnally isillc. TLc control loop migLt lc dccply
cmlcddcd in a rcsourcc so tLat it is not isillc tLrougL tLc managcalility
intcrlacc. \Lcn any ol tLc dctails lor tLc control loop arc isillc. tLc control
loop is conlgurcd tLrougL tLc managcalility intcrlacc (dcscrilcd in CLaptcr
3) tLat is proidcd lor tLat rcsourcc (lor cxamplc. a disk dric).
4OUCHPOINTS
A toucLpoint is an autonomic computing systcm luilding llock tLat
implcmcnts scnsor and cllcctor lcLaior lor onc or morc ol a managcd
rcsourcc`s managcalility mccLanisms. It also proidcs a standard
managcalility intcrlacc. Dcploycd managcd rcsourccs arc acccsscd and
controllcd tLrougL tLcsc managcalility intcrlaccs. Yanagcalility intcrlaccs
Touchpoint Autonomic Manager - An
autonomic manager that works with
managed resources through their
touchpoints.
Integrated Solutions Console - A
technology that provides a common,
consistent user interface, based on
industry standards and component
reuse, and can host common system
administrative functions. The IBM
Integrated Solutions Console is a core
technology of the IBM Autonomic
Computing initiative that uses a portal-
based interface to provide these
common system administrative func-
tions for IBM server, software or
storage products.
Orchestrating Autonomic Manager -
An autonomic manager that works with
other autonomic managers to provide
coordination functions.
Manageability Interface - A service of
the managed resource that includes
the sensor and effector used by an
autonomic manager. The autonomic
manager uses the manageability inter-
face to monitor and control the
managed resource.
hIghIIghIs
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cmploy mccLanisms sucL as log llcs. ccnts. commands. application
programming intcrlaccs (AIIs) and conlguration llcs. TLcsc mccLanisms
proidc arious ways to gatLcr dctails alout and cLangc tLc lcLaior ol tLc
managcd rcsourccs. In tLc contcxt ol tLis llucprint. tLc mccLanisms uscd
to gatLcr dctails arc aggrcgatcd into a scnsor lor tLc managcd rcsourcc and
tLc mccLanisms uscd to cLangc tLc lcLaior ol tLc managcd rcsourccs arc
aggrcgatcd into an cllcctor lor tLc rcsourcc.
4OUCHPOINTAUTONOMICMANAGERS
Autonomic managcrs implcmcnt intclligcnt control loops tLat automatc
comlinations ol tLc tasks lound in IT proccsscs. ToucLpoint autonomic
managcrs arc tLosc tLat work dircctly witL tLc managcd rcsourccs tLrougL
tLcir toucLpoints. TLcsc autonomic managcrs can pcrlorm arious scll
managcmcnt tasks. so tLcy cmlody dillcrcnt intclligcnt control loops. Somc
cxamplcs ol sucL control loops. using tLc lour scllmanaging catcgorics
introduccd carlicr in tLis papcr. includc.
Icrlorming a scllconlguring task sucL as installing soltwarc wLcn it
dctccts tLat somc prcrcquisitc soltwarc is missing
Icrlorming a scllLcaling task sucL as corrccting a conlgurcd patL so
installcd soltwarc can lc corrcctly locatcd
Icrlorming a sclloptimizing task sucL as ad|usting tLc currcnt
workload wLcn it olscrcs an incrcasc or dccrcasc in capacity
Icrlorming a scllprotccting task sucL as taking rcsourccs olinc il it
dctccts an intrusion attcmpt
Yost autonomic managcrs usc policics (goals or ol|cctics) to gocrn tLc
lcLaior ol intclligcnt control loops. ToucLpoint autonomic managcrs usc
tLcsc policics to dctcrminc wLat actions sLould lc takcn lor tLc managcd
rcsourccs tLat tLcy managc.
A toucLpoint autonomic managcr can managc onc or morc managcd
rcsourccs dircctly. using tLc managcd rcsourcc`s toucLpoint or toucLpoints.
Iigurc 3 illustratcs lour typical arrangcmcnts. TLc primary dillcrcnccs
among tLcsc arrangcmcnts arc tLc typc and numlcr ol managcd rcsourccs
tLat arc witLin tLc autonomic managcr`s scopc ol control. TLc lour typical
arrangcmcnts arc.
A singlc rcsourcc scopc is tLc most lundamcntal lccausc an autonomic
managcr implcmcnts a control loop tLat acccsscs and controls a singlc
managcd rcsourcc. sucL as a nctwork routcr. a scrcr. a storagc dcicc.
an application. a middlcwarc platlorm or a pcrsonal computcr.
hIghIIghIs
Event - Any significant change in the
state of a system resource, network
resource or network application. An
event can be generated for a problem,
for the resolution of a problem or for
the successful completion of a task.
Sensor - An interface that exposes
information about the state and state
transitions of a managed resource.
Effector -An interface that enables
state changes for a managed resource.
Enterprise Service Bus - An implemen-
tation that assists in integrating other
building blocks (for example, auto-
nomic managers and touchpoints) by
directing the interactions among these
building blocks.
Knowledge Source - An implementa-
tion of a registry, dictionary, database
or other repository that provides
access to knowledge according to the
interfaces prescribed by the architec-
ture.
.
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A Lomogcncous group scopc aggrcgatcs rcsourccs ol tLc samc typc. An
cxamplc ol a Lomogcncous group is a pool ol scrcrs tLat an autonomic
managcr can dynamically optimizc to mcct ccrtain pcrlormancc and
aailalility tLrcsLolds.
A Lctcrogcncous group scopc organizcs rcsourccs ol dillcrcnt typcs. An
cxamplc ol a Lctcrogcncous group is a comlination ol Lctcrogcncous
dciccs and scrcrs. sucL as datalascs. \cl scrcrs and storagc
sulsystcms tLat work togctLcr to acLicc common pcrlormancc and
aailalility targcts.
A lusincss systcm scopc organizcs a collcction ol Lctcrogcncous
rcsourccs so an autonomic managcr can apply its intclligcnt control
loop to tLc scricc tLat is dclicrcd to tLc lusincss. Somc cxamplcs arc
a customcr carc systcm or an clcctronic auction systcm. TLc lusincss
systcm scopc rcquircs autonomic managcrs tLat can comprcLcnd tLc
optimal statc ol lusincss proccsscs-lascd on policics. scLcdulcs and
scricc lccls-and dric tLc conscqucnccs ol proccss optimization lack
down to tLc rcsourcc groups (lotL Lomogcncous and Lctcrogcncous)
and ccn to indiidual rcsourccs.
TLcsc rcsourcc scopcs dclnc a sct ol dccisionmaking contcxts tLat arc
uscd to classily tLc purposc and rolc ol a control loop witLin tLc autonomic
computing arcLitccturc.
TLc toucLpoint autonomic managcrs sLown prciously in Iigurc 2 arc cacL
dcdicatcd to a particular rcsourcc or a particular collcction ol rcsourccs.
ToucLpoint autonomic managcrs also cxposc a scnsor and an cllcctor.
Symptom
Change
Request
Change
PIan
AnaIyze PIan
Monitor
KnowIedge
Execute
Single Resource Homogeneous Group Business System Heterogeneous Group
Figure 3. Four common manage resource arrangements
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|ust likc tLc managcd rcsourccs in Iigurc 3 do. As a rcsult. orcLcstrating
autonomic managcrs (dcscrilcd ncxt) can intcract witL toucLpoint autonomic
managcrs ly using tLc samc stylc ol standard intcrlacc tLat toucLpoint
autonomic managcrs usc to intcract witL managcd rcsourccs.
/RCHESTRATINGAUTONOMICMANAGERS
A singlc toucLpoint autonomic managcr acting in isolation can acLicc
autonomic lcLaior only lor tLc rcsourccs tLat it managcs. TLc scll
managing autonomic capalilitics dclicrcd ly toucLpoint autonomic
managcrs nccd to lc coordinatcd to dclicr systcmwidc autonomic computing
lcLaior. OrcLcstrating autonomic managcrs proidc tLis coordination
lunction. TLcrc arc two common conlgurations.
7ZKPM[\ZI\QVO_Q\PQVILQ[KQXTQVM-An orcLcstrating autonomic managcr
coordinatcs multiplc toucLpoint autonomic managcrs ol tLc samc typc
(onc ol scllconlguring. scllLcaling. sclloptimizing or scllprotccting).
7ZKPM[\ZI\QVOIKZW[[LQ[KQXTQVM[-An orcLcstrating autonomic managcr
coordinatcs toucLpoint autonomic managcrs tLat arc a mixturc ol scll
conlguring. scllLcaling. sclloptimizing and scllprotccting.
An cxamplc ol an orcLcstrating autonomic managcr is a workload managcr.
An autonomic managcmcnt systcm lor workload migLt includc scll
optimizing toucLpoint autonomic managcrs lor particular rcsourccs. as wcll
as orcLcstrating autonomic managcrs tLat managc pools ol rcsourccs. A
toucLpoint autonomic managcr can optimizc tLc utilization ol a particular
rcsourcc lascd on application prioritics. OrcLcstrating autonomic managcrs
can optimizc rcsourcc utilization across a pool ol rcsourccs. lascd on
transaction mcasurcmcnts and policics. TLc pLilosopLy lcLind workload
managcmcnt is onc ol policylascd. goaloricntcd managcmcnt.
Tuning scrcrs indiidually using only toucLpoint autonomic managcrs
cannot cnsurc tLc ocrall pcrlormancc ol applications tLat span a mix ol
platlorms. Systcms tLat appcar to lc lunctioning wcll on tLcir own may not.
in lact. lc contriluting to optimal systcmwidc cndtocnd proccssing.
-ANUAL-ANAGERS
A manual managcr proidcs a common systcm managcmcnt intcrlacc lor
tLc IT prolcssional using an intcgratcd solutions consolc. Scllmanaging
autonomic systcms can usc common consolc tccLnology to crcatc a consistcnt
Lumanlacing intcrlacc lor tLc autonomic managcrs ol IT inlrastructurc
componcnts. As indicatcd carlicr. autonomic capalilitics in computcr systcms
pcrlorm tasks tLat IT prolcssionals cLoosc to dclcgatc to tLc tccLnology.
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according to policics. In somc cascs. an administrator migLt cLoosc lor
ccrtain tasks to inolc Luman intcrcntion. and tLc Luman intcraction witL
tLc systcm can lc cnLanccd using a common consolc lramcwork. lascd on
industry standards. tLat promotcs consistcnt prcscntation to IT prolcssionals.
TLc primary goal ol a common consolc is to proidc a singlc platlorm tLat
can Lost all tLc administratic consolc lunctions in scrcr. soltwarc and
storagc products to allow uscrs to managc solutions ratLcr tLan managing
indiidual componcnts or products. Administratic consolc lunctions rangc
lrom sctup and conlguration to solution runtimc monitoring and control.
TLc customcr aluc ol an intcgratcd solutions consolc includcs rcduccd cost ol
owncrsLip- attrilutallc to morc cllcicnt administration-and sLortcr lcarning
curcs as ncw products and solutions arc addcd to tLc autonomic systcm cni
ronmcnt. TLc sLortcr lcarning curc is acLiccd ly using standards and a
\cllascd prcscntation stylc. By dclicring a consistcnt prcscntation lormat
and lcLaior lor administratic lunctions across dicrsc products. tLc common
consolc crcatcs a lamiliar uscr intcrlacc. rcducing tLc nccd lor stall to lcarn a
dillcrcnt intcrlacc cacL timc a ncw product is introduccd.
TLc common consolc arcLitccturc is lascd on standards (sucL as standard |aa
AIIs and cxtcnsions including |SB16. |SB127 and otLcrs). so tLat it can lc
cxtcndcd to ollcr ncw managcmcnt lunctions or to cnallc tLc dcclopmcnt ol
ncw componcnts lor products in an autonomic systcm.
A common consolc instancc consists ol a lramcwork and a sct ol consolcspc
cilc componcnts proidcd ly products. Administratic actiitics arc cxccutcd
as portlcts. Consistcncy ol prcscntation and lcLaior is csscntial to improing
administratic cllcicncy. and rcquircs ongoing cllort and coopcration among
many product communitics.
8. kuIonomIr rompuIIng arrhIIarIura daIaIIs
TLis cLaptcr proidcs additional dctails alout tLc arcLitcctural conccpts intro
duccd in tLc prcious cLaptcr and dctails tLc arcLitcctural luilding llocks.
TLc lc luilding llocks lor an autonomic systcm arc.
Autonomic managcr
Knowlcdgc sourcc
ToucLpoint
Yanual managcr
Lntcrprisc scricc lus
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kn arrhIIarIuraI bIuaprInI Ior auIonomIr rompuIIng
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TLcsc luilding llocks arc tLc arcLitcctural rcprcscntations ol tLc
componcnts in an autonomic systcm and tLcy work togctLcr to proidc scll
managing capalilitics. LacL ol tLc lc luilding llocks is dctailcd ncxt.
kuIonomIr managar
An autonomic managcr is an implcmcntation tLat automatcs somc
managcmcnt lunction and cxtcrnalizcs tLis lunction according to tLc
lcLaior dclncd ly managcmcnt intcrlaccs. TLc autonomic managcr is
a componcnt tLat implcmcnts tLc control loop (dcscrilcd carlicr in tLc
Autonomic Computing scction ol tLc Introduction). Ior a systcm componcnt
to lc scllmanaging. it must Lac an automatcd mctLod to collcct tLc dctails
it nccds lrom tLc systcm, to analyzc tLosc dctails to dctcrminc il somctLing
nccds to cLangc, to crcatc a plan. or scqucncc ol actions. tLat spccilcs tLc
ncccssary cLangcs, and to pcrlorm tLosc actions. \Lcn tLcsc lunctions can
lc automatcd. an intclligcnt control loop is lormcd.
As sLown in Iigurc 4. tLc arcLitccturc dissccts tLc loop into lour parts tLat
sLarc knowlcdgc.

TLc monitor lunction proidcs tLc mccLanisms tLat collcct. aggrcgatc.
lltcr and rcport dctails (sucL as mctrics and topologics) collcctcd lrom a
managcd rcsourcc.
TLc analyzc lunction proidcs tLc mccLanisms tLat corrclatc and modcl
complcx situations (lor cxamplc. timcscrics lorccasting and qucuing
modcls). TLcsc mccLanisms allow tLc autonomic managcr to lcarn
alout tLc IT cnironmcnt and Lclp prcdict luturc situations.
TLc plan lunction proidcs tLc mccLanisms tLat construct tLc actions
nccdcd to acLicc goals and ol|cctics. TLc planning mccLanism uscs
policy inlormation to guidc its work.
TLc cxccutc lunction proidcs tLc mccLanisms tLat control tLc
cxccution ol a plan witL considcrations lor dynamic updatcs.
TLcsc lour parts work togctLcr to proidc tLc control loop lunctionality.
Iigurc 4 sLows a structural arrangcmcnt ol tLc parts ratLcr tLan a control
ow. TLc lour parts communicatc and collaloratc witL onc anotLcr and
cxcLangc appropriatc knowlcdgc and data. as sLown in Iigurc 4.
As illustratcd in Iigurc 4. autonomic managcrs. in a manncr similar to
M
A
E
P
M
A
E
P
M
A
E
P
M
A
E
P
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kn arrhIIarIuraI bIuaprInI Ior auIonomIr rompuIIng
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toucLpoints. proidc scnsor and cllcctor managcalility intcrlaccs lor otLcr
autonomic managcrs and manual managcrs to usc. Ising standard scnsor
and cllcctor intcrlaccs cnallcs tLcsc componcnts to lc composcd togctLcr
in a manncr tLat is transparcnt to tLc managcd rcsourccs. Ior cxamplc.
an orcLcstrating autonomic managcr can usc tLc scnsor and cllcctor
managcalility intcrlaccs ol toucLpoint autonomic managcrs to accomplisL
its managcmcnt lunctions (tLat is. tLc orcLcstrating autonomic managcr can
managc toucLpoint autonomic managcrs). as illustratcd prciously in
Iigurc 2.
Lcn tLougL an autonomic managcr is capallc ol automating tLc monitor.
analyzc. plan and cxccutc parts ol tLc loop. partial autonomic managcrs tLat
pcrlorm only a sulsct ol tLc monitor. analyzc. plan and cxccutc lunctions
can lc dcclopcd. and IT prolcssionals can conlgurc an autonomic managcr
to pcrlorm only somc ol tLc automatcd lunctions it is capallc ol pcrlorming.
In Iigurc 4. lour prollcs (monitoring. analyzing. planning and cxccuting)
arc sLown. An administrator migLt conlgurc tLis autonomic managcr to
pcrlorm only tLc monitoring lunction. As a rcsult. tLc autonomic managcr
would surlacc notilcations to a common consolc lor tLc situations tLat it
rccognizcs. ratLcr tLan automating tLc analysis. planning and cxccution
lunctions associatcd witL tLosc actions. OtLcr conlgurations could allow
additional parts ol tLc control loop to lc automatcd. Autonomic managcrs
Symptom
Change
Request
Change
PIan
AnaIyze PIan
Monitor
KnowIedge
Execute
Monitoring
Planning
Executing
Analyzing
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
A
A
A
A
P
P
P
P
Policy
Sensor
Sensor
Effector
Effector
Figure 4. Functiona| etai|s of the autonomic manager
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tLat pcrlorm only ccrtain parts ol tLc control loop can lc composcd togctLcr
to lorm a complctc closcd loop. Ior cxamplc. onc autonomic managcr
tLat pcrlorms only tLc monitor and analyzc lunctions migLt collaloratc
witL anotLcr autonomic managcr tLat pcrlorms only tLc plan and cxccutc
lunctions to rcalizc a complctc autonomic control loop. An colutionary
proccss lor incrcasing autonomic lunction is dcscrilcd in CLaptcr 4.
!UTONOMICMANAGERINTERNALSTRUCTURE
TLc autonomic computing arcLitccturc docs not prcscrilc tLc spccilc
implcmcntation cLoiccs lor tLc intcrnal structurc ol an autonomic managcr.
Howccr. tLc arcLitccturc docs organizc tLc intcrnal structurc into a sct ol
capalilitics or lunctions. TLcsc arc illustratcd in Iigurc 4 and dcscrilcd in
tLc lollowing scctions.
-ONITOR
TLc monitor lunction collccts tLc dctails lrom tLc managcd rcsourccs. ia
toucLpoints. and corrclatcs tLcm into symptoms tLat can lc analyzcd. TLc
dctails can includc topology inlormation. mctrics. conlguration propcrty
scttings and so on. TLis data includcs inlormation alout managcd rcsourcc
conlguration. status. ollcrcd capacity and tLrougLput. Somc ol tLc data
is static or cLangcs slowly. wLcrcas otLcr data is dynamic. cLanging
continuously tLrougL timc. TLc monitor lunction aggrcgatcs. corrclatcs and
lltcrs tLcsc dctails until it dctcrmincs a symptom tLat nccds to lc analyzcd.
Ior cxamplc. tLc monitor lunction could aggrcgatc and corrclatc tLc contcnt
ol ccnts rcccicd lrom multiplc rcsourccs to dctcrminc a symptom tLat
rclatcs to tLat particular comlination ol ccnts. Logically. tLis symptom is
passcd to tLc analyzc lunction.
Autonomic managcrs must collcct and proccss largc amounts ol data lrom tLc
toucLpoint scnsor intcrlacc ol a managcd rcsourcc (dctailcd in tLc Yanagcd
rcsourcc scction). An autonomic managcr`s alility to rapidly organizc and
makc scnsc ol tLis data is crucial to its succcsslul opcration.
!NALYZE
TLc analyzc lunction proidcs tLc mccLanisms to olscrc and analyzc
situations to dctcrminc il somc cLangc nccds to lc madc. Ior cxamplc.
tLc rcquircmcnt to cnact a cLangc may occur wLcn tLc analyzc lunction
dctcrmincs tLat somc policy is not lcing mct. TLc analyzc lunction is
rcsponsillc lor dctcrmining il tLc autonomic managcr can alidc ly tLc
cstallisLcd policy. now and in tLc luturc. In many cascs. tLc analyzc
lunction modcls complcx lcLaior so it can cmploy prcdiction tccLniqucs
hIghIIghIs
Correlation - The process of analyzing
event data to identify patterns, com-
mon causes and root causes. Event
correlation analyzes the incoming
events for known states, using rules
and relationships.
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sucL as timcscrics lorccasting and qucuing modcls. TLcsc mccLanisms
allow tLc autonomic managcr to lcarn alout tLc IT cnironmcnt and Lclp
prcdict luturc lcLaior.
Autonomic managcrs must lc allc to pcrlorm complcx data analysis and
rcasoning on tLc symptoms proidcd ly tLc monitor lunction. TLc analysis is
inucnccd ly storcd knowlcdgc data. dcscrilcd latcr.
Il cLangcs arc rcquircd. tLc analyzc lunction gcncratcs a cLangc rcqucst and
logically passcs tLat cLangc rcqucst to tLc plan lunction. TLc cLangc rcqucst
dcscrilcs tLc modilcations tLat tLc analyzc componcnt dccms ncccssary or
dcsirallc.
0LAN
TLc plan lunction crcatcs or sclccts a proccdurc to cnact a dcsircd altcration
in tLc managcd rcsourcc. TLc plan lunction can takc on many lorms. ranging
lrom a singlc command to a complcx workow.
TLc plan lunction gcncratcs tLc appropriatc cLangc plan. wLicL rcprcscnts
a dcsircd sct ol cLangcs lor tLc managcd rcsourcc. and logically passcs tLat
cLangc plan to tLc cxccutc lunction.
LxaruIa
TLc cxccutc lunction proidcs tLc mccLanism to scLcdulc and pcrlorm tLc
ncccssary cLangcs to tLc systcm. Oncc an autonomic managcr Las gcncratcd
a cLangc plan tLat corrcsponds to a cLangc rcqucst. somc actions may nccd
to lc takcn to modily tLc statc ol onc or morc managcd rcsourccs. TLc
cxccutc lunction ol an autonomic managcr is rcsponsillc lor carrying out tLc
proccdurc tLat was gcncratcd ly tLc plan lunction ol tLc autonomic managcr
tLrougL a scrics ol actions. TLcsc actions arc pcrlormcd using tLc toucLpoint
cllcctor intcrlacc (dctailcd latcr) ol a managcd rcsourcc. Iart ol tLc cxccution
ol tLc cLangc plan could inolc updating tLc knowlcdgc tLat is uscd ly tLc
autonomic managcr (dcscrilcd ncxt).
hIghIIghIs
Monitor Function - The autonomic
manager function that collects, aggre-
gates, filters and reports details (such
as metrics, topologies) that were col-
lected from managed resources.
Analyze Function -The autonomic man-
ager function that correlates and
models complex situations, such as
time-series forecasting or queuing
models, to understand the current sys-
tem state.
Plan Function - The autonomic man-
ager function that structures the
actions needed to achieve goals and
objectives.
Execute Function - The autonomic
manager function that changes the
behavior of the managed resource
using effectors, based on the actions
recommended by the plan function.
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knoWIadga 8ourra
A knowlcdgc sourcc is an implcmcntation ol a rcgistry. dictionary.
datalasc or otLcr rcpository tLat proidcs acccss to knowlcdgc according
to tLc intcrlaccs prcscrilcd ly tLc arcLitccturc. In an autonomic systcm.
knowlcdgc consists ol particular typcs ol data witL arcLitcctcd syntax and
scmantics. sucL as symptoms. policics. cLangc rcqucsts and cLangc plans.
TLis knowlcdgc can lc storcd in a knowlcdgc sourcc so tLat it can lc sLarcd
among autonomic managcrs.
TLc knowlcdgc storcd in knowlcdgc sourccs can lc uscd to cxtcnd tLc
knowlcdgc capalilitics ol an autonomic managcr. An autonomic managcr
can load knowlcdgc lrom onc or morc knowlcdgc sourccs. and tLc autonomic
managcr`s managcr can actiatc tLat knowlcdgc. allowing tLc autonomic
managcr to pcrlorm additional managcmcnt tasks (sucL as rccognizing
particular symptoms or applying ccrtain policics).
+NOWLEDGE
Data uscd ly tLc autonomic managcr`s lour lunctions (monitor. analyzc. plan
and cxccutc) arc storcd as sLarcd knowlcdgc. TLc sLarcd knowlcdgc includcs
data sucL as topology inlormation. Listorical logs. mctrics. symptoms and
policics.
TLc knowlcdgc uscd ly an autonomic managcr is oltaincd in onc ol tLrcc
ways.
(1) TLc knowlcdgc is passcd to tLc autonomic managcr.
An autonomic managcr migLt oltain policy knowlcdgc in tLis
manncr. A policy consists ol a sct ol lcLaioral constraints or
prclcrcnccs tLat inucncc tLc dccisions madc ly an autonomic
managcr.
(2) TLc knowlcdgc is rctriccd lrom an cxtcrnal knowlcdgc sourcc.
An autonomic managcr migLt oltain symptom dclnitions or
rcsourccspccilc Listorical knowlcdgc in tLis manncr. A knowlcdgc
sourcc could storc symptoms tLat could lc uscd ly an autonomic
managcr, a log llc may contain a dctailcd Listory in tLc lorm ol
cntrics tLat signily ccnts tLat Lac occurrcd in a componcnt or
systcm.
Knowledge - Standard data shared
among the monitor, analyze, plan and
execute functions of an autonomic
manager, such as symptoms and poli-
cies
hIghIIghIs
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(3) TLc autonomic managcr itscll crcatcs tLc knowlcdgc.
TLc knowlcdgc uscd ly a particular autonomic managcr could lc
crcatcd ly tLc monitor part. lascd on tLc inlormation collcctcd
tLrougL scnsors. TLc monitor part migLt crcatc knowlcdgc lascd on
rcccnt actiitics ly logging tLc notilcations tLat it rcccics lrom a
managcd rcsourcc. TLc cxccutc part ol an autonomic managcr migLt
updatc tLc knowlcdgc to indicatc tLc actions tLat wcrc takcn as a
rcsult ol tLc analysis and planning (lascd on tLc monitorcd data).
tLc cxccutc part would tLcn indicatc Low tLosc actions allcctcd tLc
managcd rcsourcc (lascd on sulscqucnt monitorcd data oltaincd
lrom tLc managcd rcsourcc altcr tLc actions wcrc carricd out).
TLis knowlcdgc is containcd witLin tLc autonomic managcr. as
rcprcscntcd ly tLc knowlcdgc` llock in Iigurc 4. Il tLc knowlcdgc
is to lc sLarcd witL otLcr autonomic managcrs. it must lc placcd
into a knowlcdgc sourcc.
+NOWLEDGETYPES
TLc Autonomic Computing llucprint idcntilcs sccral typcs ol systcm
knowlcdgc. TLcsc includc solution topology knowlcdgc. policy knowlcdgc.
and prollcm dctcrmination knowlcdgc sccnarios. Tallc 1 summarizcs
arious typcs ol knowlcdgc tLat may lc prcscnt in a scllmanaging
autonomic systcm. LacL knowlcdgc typc must lc cxprcsscd using common
syntax and scmantics so tLc knowlcdgc can lc sLarcd.
8oIuIIon TopoIogy knoWIadga
Capturcs knowlcdgc alout tLc componcnts
and tLcir construction and conlguration lor
a solution or lusincss systcm.
Installation and conlguration knowlcdgc
is capturcd in a common installallc unit
lormat to climinatc complcxity. TLc plan
lunction ol an autonomic managcr can
usc tLis knowlcdgc lor installation and
conlguration planning.
FoIIry knoWIadga
A policy is knowlcdgc tLat is consultcd to
dctcrminc wLctLcr or not cLangcs nccd
to lc madc in tLc systcm. An autonomic
computing systcm rcquircs a unilorm
mctLod lor dclning tLc policics tLat
gocrn tLc dccisionmaking lor autonomic
managcrs. By dclning policics in a standard
way. tLcy can lc sLarcd across autonomic
managcrs to cnallc cntirc systcms to lc
managcd ly a common sct ol policics.
hIghIIghIs
Installable Unit - An entity that is
deployed into an IT system to create
new capabilities in that IT system. An
installable unit consists of a descriptor
and one or more artifacts that need to
be installed.
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FrobIam aIarmInaIIon knoWIadga
Irollcm dctcrmination knowlcdgc includcs
monitorcd data. symptoms and dccision
trccs. TLc prollcm dctcrmination proccss
also may crcatc knowlcdgc. As tLc systcm
rcsponds to actions takcn to corrcct
prollcms. lcarncd knowlcdgc can lc
collcctcd witLin tLc autonomic managcr.
An autonomic computing systcm rcquircs a
unilorm mctLod lor rcprcscnting prollcm
dctcrmination knowlcdgc. sucL as monitorcd
data (common lasc ccnts). symptoms and
dccision trccs.
TourhpoInIs
A toucLpoint is tLc componcnt in a systcm tLat cxposcs tLc statc and
managcmcnt opcrations lor a rcsourcc in tLc systcm. An autonomic managcr
communicatcs witL a toucLpoint tLrougL tLc managcalility intcrlacc.
dcscrilcd ncxt. A toucLpoint. dcpictcd in Iigurc o. is tLc implcmcntation
ol tLc managcalility intcrlacc lor a spccilc managcallc rcsourcc or a sct
ol rclatcd managcallc rcsourccs. Ior cxamplc. tLcrc migLt lc a toucLpoint
implcmcntcd tLat cxposcs tLc managcalility lor a datalasc scrcr. tLc
datalascs tLat datalasc scrcr Losts. and tLc tallcs witLin tLosc datalascs.
hIghIIghIs
Common Base Event - The standard
format and content specification for
the structure of events that are sent as
the result of a situation and subse-
quently used by enterprise
management and business applica-
tions. The common base event
includes logging, tracing, manage-
ment and business events.
Managed
Resource
Managed
Resource
Sensor Effector
Properties: dentification, Metrics,
State, Configuration
ReIationships: Hosts, Users
Logs Events
Configuration Files
Commands APs
Managed
Resource
DetaiIs
ManagabiIity
Interface
Mechanisms
Touchpoint
Figure 5. Manage resource touchpa
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-ANAGEABILITY)NTERFACE
TLc managcalility intcrlacc lor controlling a managcallc rcsourcc is
organizcd into its scnsor and cllcctor intcrlaccs. A toucLpoint implcmcnts
tLc scnsor and cllcctor lcLaior lor spccilc managcallc rcsourcc typcs
ly mapping tLc standard scnsor and cllcctor intcrlaccs to onc or morc
ol tLc managcallc rcsourcc`s managcalility intcrlacc mccLanisms. TLc
managcalility intcrlacc rcduccs complcxity ly ollcring a standard intcrlacc
to autonomic managcrs. ratLcr tLan tLc dicrsc managcalility intcrlacc
mccLanisms associatcd witL arious typcs ol managcallc rcsourccs.
A scnsor consists ol onc or lotL ol tLc lollowing.
A sct ol propcrtics tLat cxposc inlormation alout tLc currcnt statc
ol a managcallc rcsourcc and arc acccsscd tLrougL standard gct`
opcrations.
A sct ol managcmcnt ccnts (unsolicitcd. asyncLronous mcssagcs or
notilcations) tLat occur wLcn tLc managcallc rcsourcc undcrgocs statc
cLangcs tLat mcrit rcporting
TLcsc two parts ol a scnsor intcrlacc arc rclcrrcd to as intcraction stylcs. TLc
gct` opcrations usc tLc rcqucstrcsponsc intcraction stylc, ccnts usc tLc
scndnotilcation intcraction stylc.
An cllcctor consists ol onc or lotL ol tLc lollowing.
A collcction ol sct` opcrations tLat allow tLc statc ol tLc managcallc
rcsourcc to lc cLangcd in somc way
A collcction ol opcrations tLat arc implcmcntcd ly autonomic managcrs
tLat allow tLc managcallc rcsourcc to makc rcqucsts lrom its managcr.
TLc sct` opcrations usc tLc pcrlormopcration intcraction stylc, rcqucsts
usc tLc solicitrcsponsc intcraction stylc to allow tLc managcallc rcsourcc to
consult witL its managcr.
TLc scnsor and cllcctor in tLc arcLitccturc arc linkcd togctLcr. Ior cxamplc.
a conlguration cLangc tLat occurs tLrougL tLc cllcctor sLould lc rccctcd
as a conlguration cLangc notilcation tLrougL tLc scnsor intcrlacc. TLc
linkagc lctwccn tLc scnsor and cllcctor is morc lormally dclncd using tLc
conccpt ol managcalility capalilitics.
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A managcalility capalility rclcrs to a logical collcction ol managcallc
rcsourcc statc inlormation and opcrations. Somc cxamplcs ol managcalility
capalilitics arc.
Idcntilcation. statc inlormation and opcrations uscd to idcntily an
instancc ol a managcallc rcsourcc
Yctrics. statc inlormation and opcrations lor mcasurcmcnts ol a
managcallc rcsourcc. sucL as tLrougLput. utilization and so on
Conlguration. statc inlormation and opcrations lor tLc conlgurallc
attrilutcs ol a managcallc rcsourcc
Ior cacL managcalility capalility. tLc clicnt ol tLc managcalility intcrlacc
must lc allc to oltain and control statc data tLrougL tLc managcalility
intcrlacc. including.
Ycta dctails (lor cxamplc. to idcntily propcrtics tLat arc uscd lor
conlguration ol a managcallc rcsourcc. or inlormation tLat spccilcs
wLicL rcsourccs can lc Lostcd ly tLc managcallc rcsourcc)
Scnsor intcractions. including mccLanisms lor rctricing tLc currcnt
propcrty alucs (sucL as mctrics. conlguration) and aailallc
notilcations (wLat typcs ol ccnts and situations tLc managcallc
rcsourcc can gcncratc)
Lllcctor intcractions. including opcrations to cLangc tLc statc (wLicL
cllcctor opcrations and intcraction stylcs tLc managcallc rcsourcc
supports) and callouts to rcqucst cLangcs to cxisting statc (wLat typcs
ol callouts tLc managcallc rcsourcc can pcrlorm)
-ANUAL-ANAGER
A manual managcr is an implcmcntation ol tLc uscr intcrlacc tLat cnallcs
an IT prolcssional to pcrlorm somc managcmcnt lunction manually. TLc
manual managcr can collaloratc witL otLcr autonomic managcrs at tLc samc
lccl or orcLcstratc autonomic managcrs and otLcr IT prolcssionals working
at lowcr` lccls.
TLc manual managcr luilding llock is tLc arcLitcctural rcprcscntation ol tLc
Luman actiity and typically inolcs a Luman using a managcmcnt consolc.
as dcscrilcd in CLaptcr 2. A manual managcr can cnallc an IT prolcssional
to dclcgatc managcmcnt lunctions to autonomic managcrs. as dcscrilcd in
CLaptcr 1.
ISC ISC ISC
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LnIarprIsa 8arvIra 8us
An cntcrprisc scricc lus is an implcmcntation tLat assists in intcgrating
otLcr luilding llocks (lor cxamplc. autonomic managcrs and toucLpoints) ly
dirccting tLc intcractions among tLcsc luilding llocks.
TLc cntcrprisc scricc lus can lc uscd to conncct` arious autonomic
computing luilding llocks. TLc rolc tLat a particular logical instancc ol tLc
cntcrprisc scricc lus pcrlorms is cstallisLcd ly autonomic computing usagc
pattcrns sucL as.
An cntcrprisc scricc lus tLat aggrcgatcs multiplc managcalility
mccLanisms lor a singlc managcallc rcsourcc,
An cntcrprisc scricc lus tLat cnallcs an autonomic managcr to
managc multiplc toucLpoints,
An cntcrprisc scricc lus tLat cnallcs multiplc autonomic managcrs to
managc a singlc toucLpoint, and
An cntcrprisc scricc lus tLat cnallcs multiplc autonomic managcrs to
managc multiplc toucLpoints.
4. LvoIvIng MaIurIIy and 8ophIsIIraIIon
Incorporating scllmanaging capalilitics into an IT cnironmcnt is an
colutionary proccss. It is ultimatcly implcmcntcd ly cacL organization
tLrougL tLc adoption ol scllmanaging autonomic tccLnologics. supporting
proccsscs and skills. TLrougLout tLis colution. tLc computcr industry will
lurtLcr dcclop scllmanaging tccLnologics to Lclp continuc to improc
stall productiity. rcducc opcrating costs and ultimatcly. incrcasc lusincss
rcsilicncy.
TLis colution toward morc LigLly autonomic capalilitics can lc dcscrilcd
using tLc autonomic computing adoption modcl. discusscd ncxt.
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!UTONOMIC#OMPUTING!DOPTION-ODEL
Iigurc 6 dcpicts tLc autonomic computing adoption modcl.
TLc Autonomic Computing Adoption Yodcl. dcclopcd ly IBY Clolal
Scriccs. proidcs a mctLodology lor lusincsscs to calilratc tLc dcgrcc ol
autonomic capalility tLat tLcir currcnt inlrastructurc and organization Las
and to dcclop action plans to incrcasc tLc autonomic potcntial.
TLc lunctionality` dimcnsion. along tLc xaxis ol Iigurc 6. cLaractcrizcs
tLc cxtcnt ol automation ol tLc IT and lusincss proccsscs. Iic lccls ol
automation arc dclncd.
At tLc manual lccl. IT prolcssionals pcrlorm tLc managcmcnt
lunctions.
At tLc instrumcnt and monitor lccl. systcms managcmcnt tccLnologics
can lc uscd to collcct dctails lrom managcd rcsourccs. Lclping to
rcducc tLc timc it takcs lor tLc administrator to collcct and syntLcsizc
inlormation as tLc IT cnironmcnt lccomcs morc complcx.
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry
Complete
Adoption
Closed
Loop With
Business
Priorities
Closed
Loop
Analysis
Instrument
& Monitor
Manual
1 2 3 4 5
Multiple of
same type
C
Multiple of
same type
C
B
Single
Instance
B
Single
Instance
Multiple of
different types
D
Multiple of
different types
D
A
Sub-
component
A
Sub-
component
Business
System
E
Business
System
E
C
o
n
t
r
o
l

S
c
o
p
e
Increase Functionality
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry
Complete
Adoption
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry
Complete
Adoption
Service Flows
Figure 6. The autonomic computing aoption moe|
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At tLc analysis lccl. ncw tccLnologics arc introduccd to proidc
corrclation among sccral managcd rcsourccs. TLc managcmcnt
lunctions can lcgin to rccognizc pattcrns. prcdict tLc optimal
conlguration and ollcr adicc alout wLat coursc ol action tLc
administrator sLould takc. As tLcsc tccLnologics improc and as pcoplc
lccomc morc comlortallc witL tLc adicc and prcdictic powcr ol tLcsc
systcms. tLc tccLnologics can progrcss to tLc closcd loop lccl.
At tLc closcd loop lccl. tLc IT cnironmcnt can automatically takc
actions lascd on tLc aailallc inlormation and tLc knowlcdgc alout
wLat is Lappcning in tLc cnironmcnt.
At tLc closcd loop witL lusincss proccsscs lccl. lusincss policics and
ol|cctics gocrn tLc IT inlrastructurc opcration. Iscrs intcract witL
tLc autonomic tccLnology tools to monitor lusincss proccsscs. altcr tLc
ol|cctics or lotL.
Noticc Low lc lccls. dcpictcd in Iigurc 6. corrcspond to tLc partial
autonomic managcmcnt lunctions sLown in Iigurc 4.
TLc control scopc` dimcnsion. along tLc yaxis ol Iigurc 6. cLaractcrizcs
wLat is lcing managcd. TLis dimcnsion also dclncs lc lccls ol rcsourcc
managcmcnt scopc.
At tLc sulcomponcnt lccl. portions ol rcsourccs arc managcd. sucL
as an opcrating systcm on a scrcr or ccrtain applications witLin an
application scrcr.
At tLc singlc instancc lccl. an cntirc standalonc rcsourcc is managcd.
sucL as a scrcr or complctc application scrcr cnironmcnt.
At tLc multiplc instanccs ol tLc samc typc lccl. Lomogcncous rcsourccs
arc managcd. typically as a collcction. sucL as a scrcr pool or clustcr ol
application scrcrs.
At tLc multiplc instanccs ol dillcrcnt typcs lccl. Lctcrogcncous arc
managcd as a sulsystcm. sucL as a collcction ol scrcrs. storagc units
and routcrs or a collcction ol application scrcrs. datalascs and qucucs.
At tLc lusincss systcm lccl. a complctc sct ol Lardwarc and soltwarc
rcsourccs tLat pcrlorm lusincss proccsscs is managcd lrom tLc lusincss
proccss pcrspcctic. sucL as a customcr rclationsLip managcmcnt
systcm or an IT cLangc managcmcnt systcm.
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TLc scricc ow` dimcnsion. along tLc zaxis ol Iigurc 6. capturcs tLc
comlination ol IT managcmcnt proccss actiitics tLat arc lcing pcrlormcd.
TLcsc scricc ows do incorporatc ITIL proccsscs sucL as cLangc
managcmcnt. incidcnt managcmcnt. prollcm managcmcnt and so on. \arious
lusincss and IT proccsscs migLt dcmonstratc dillcrcnt maturity lccls (in
tcrms ol automation and control scopc) at tLc samc timc. as arious tasks and
actiitics witLin particular scricc ows arc automatcd.
So autonomic maturity can colc in tLrcc dimcnsions.
automating morc lunctions as tLc maturity lccl incrcascs
applying automatcd lunctions to lroadcr rcsourcc scopcs
automating a rangc ol tasks and actiitics in arious IT managcmcnt
proccsscs
In addition to incrcasing lccls ol automation. tLc automation is applicd
across lroadcr scopcs and witLin morc proccsscs as tLc organization
progrcsscs to LigLcr lccls ol autonomic maturity. Ol coursc. incrcasing tLc
autonomic maturity could also inolc cLangcs in proccdurcs. skills and
organization as morc tasks and actiitics arc Landlcd ly tLc tccLnology
itscll.
TLc adoption modcl supports autonomic computing colution ly cnalling
incrcmcntal adoption ol additional autonomic capalilitics. TLc adoption
modcl structurcs a solution spacc so tLat a lusincss can producc an
incrcmcntal action plan to takc adantagc ol ollcrcd autonomic capalilitics.
6. 8Iandards Ior auIonomIr rompuIIng
TLc lundamcntal naturc ol autonomic computing systcms prccludcs any
singlc company lrom dclicring an cntirc autonomic solution. Busincsscs
Lac Lctcrogcncous IT inlrastructurcs and must dcal witL Lctcrogcncous
cnironmcnts outsidc ol tLc cntcrprisc. A proprictary implcmcntation
would lc likc a Lcart tLat maintains a rcgular stcady Lcartlcat lut can
not ad|ust to tLc nccds ol tLc lody wLcn undcr strcss. Scllmanaging
autonomic computing systcms rcquirc autonomic managcrs to lc dcploycd
across tLc IT inlrastructurc. managing arious rcsourccs (including otLcr
autonomic managcrs) lrom a dicrsc rangc ol supplicrs. TLcrclorc. tLcsc
systcms must lc lascd on opcn industry standards. TLis llucprint idcntilcs
rclcant cxisting computing industry standards. Ncw opcn standards will
lc dcclopcd and sLarcd in tLc industry to dclnc tLc mccLanisms lor
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intcropcrating in a Lctcrogcncous systcm cnironmcnt.
Lxamplcs ol cxisting and cmcrging standards rclcant to autonomic
computing arc dcscrilcd in Tallc 2. lollowcd ly a discussion ol two rcccnt
dcclopmcnts in tLc arca ol ncw standards.
aIaIad Io
kuIonomIr
Managars
aIaIad Io
TourhpoInIs
IsIrIbuIad ManagamanI Task Forra (MTF)
Common nformation Moe| (CM),
Web Services Common nformation Moe| (WS-CM)

App|ications Working Group

Uti|ity Computing Working Group

Server Management Working Group

InIarnaI LngInaarIng Task Forra (ILTF)

Po|icy - Core nformation Moe| (PFC3060)

Simp|e Network Management Protoco| (SNMP)

rganItaIIon Ior Iha kdvanramanI oI 8IrurIurad InIormaIIon 8Iandards (k8I8)

Web Services Security (WS-Security)

Web Services Distribute Management (WS-DM)

Web Services Pesource Framework (WS-PF)

Web Services Notifcation (WS-N)

1ava" 6ommunIIy Frorass
Java Management Extensions (JSP3, JMX)

Logging AP Specifcation (JSP47)

Java Agent Services (JSP87)

Port|et Specifcation (JSP168)

8Ioraga haIWorkIng IndusIry kssorIaIIon (8hIk)

Storage Management nitiative Specifcation (SM-S)

IobaI rId Forum (F)

Open Gri Services Architecture (OGSA)

Open Gri Services nfrastructure (OGS)

Open Gri Services Common Management Moe|

(CMM-Working Group

Gri Pesource A||ocation Agreement Protoco| (GPAAP-
Working Group)

Tha pan roup

App|ication Pesponse Measurement (APM)

worId wIda wab 6onsorIIum (w86)

So|ution nsta|| Schema

New stanars to be eve|ope

Tab|e 2. Examp|es of stanars re|ate to autonomic computing
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Opcn standards dcclopcd in tLc appropriatc standards lodics arc ital to
cnallc tLc colution ol autonomic computing.
TLis arcLitccturc docs not prcscrilc a particular managcmcnt protocol
or instrumcntation tccLnology lccausc tLc arcLitccturc nccds to work
witL tLc arious computing tccLnologics and standards tLat cxist in tLc
industry today-SNYI. |aa' Yanagcmcnt Lxtcnsions (|YX). Distrilutcd
Yanagcmcnt Task Iorcc. Inc. (DYTI)-as wcll as luturc tccLnologics.
Cicn tLc dicrsity ol tLcsc managcmcnt tccLnologics tLat alrcady cxist
in tLc IT industry. tLis arcLitccturc cndorscs \cl scriccs tccLniqucs
lor scnsors and cllcctors. TLcsc tccLniqucs cncouragc implcmcntcrs to
lccragc cxisting approacLcs and support multiplc linding and marsLalling
tccLniqucs.
2ECENT3TANDARDS$EVELOPMENTS
Onc signilcant dcclopmcnt in tLc arca ol autonomic computing
managcmcnt standards was tLc YarcL 9. 2uuo announccmcnt ly OASIS ol
tLc ratilcation ol tLc \SDY 1.u spccilcation (notcd in Tallc 2). According
to tLat announccmcnt.
OASIS. tLc intcrnational clusincss standards consortium.
today announccd tLat its mcmlcrs Lac approcd \cl Scriccs
Distrilutcd Yanagcmcnt (\SDY) as an OASIS Standard. a status
tLat signilcs tLc LigLcst lccl ol ratilcation. \SDY cnallcs
managcmcnt applications to lc luilt using \cl scriccs. allowing
rcsourccs to lc controllcd ly many managcrs tLrougL a singlc
intcrlacc.
TLc \SDY 1.u spccilcation. aailallc lrom OASIS. consists ol two ma|or
parts. managcmcnt using \cl scriccs (YI\S) and managcmcnt ol \cl
scriccs (YO\S). TLc spccilcation addrcsscs a lroad array ol managcmcnt
topics rclcant lor autonomic computing. including propcrtics. opcrations.
ccnts. capalilitics and managcmcnt intcrlaccs. TLcsc \SDY managcmcnt
topics can lc rcalizcd in toucLpoint managcalility intcrlaccs. using scnsor
and cllcctor intcrlaccs. dcscrilcd in CLaptcr 3.
AltLougL \cl scriccs arc not tLc only mctLod lor accomplisLing
autonomic computing. as indicatcd carlicr. tLcy proidc a standard lasis
lor managcmcnt intcrlaccs. and so tLc \SDY 1.u spccilcation ollcrs an
important standards lasis lor constructing autonomic systcms.
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AnotLcr signilcant dcclopmcnt rclatcd to autonomic computing standards
is tLc launcL ol tLc OASIS Solution Dcploymcnt Dcscriptor tccLnical
committcc. According to tLis ncw committcc`s call lor participation at
Lttp.//lists.oasisopcn.org/arcLics/sdd/2uuou4/msguuuuu.Ltml tLis
committcc will will dclnc XYL scLcma lor |Solution Dcploymcnt
Dcscriptors (SDDs)]. as wcll as a packagc lormat to associatc SDDs.
rcsourcc contcnt. and soltwarc artilacts. SDDs arc intcndcd to dcscrilc
tLc aggrcgation ol installallc units at all lccls ol tLc soltwarc stack.
TLc rcsulting XYL scLcma sLall lc partitioncd to allow lor laycrcd
implcmcntations cocring tLc rangc ol applications lrom tLc dclnition ol
atomic units ol soltwarc (Smallcst Installallc Inits) to complcx. multi
platlorm. Lctcrogcncous solutions.`
TLis initiatic is intcndcd to rcsult in an industry standard in tLc arca ol
solution topology knowlcdgc as dcscrilcd in Tallc 2 in CLaptcr 3.
6. 8ummary
Autonomic computing is alout sLilting tLc lurdcn ol managing systcms lrom
pcoplc to tccLnologics. \Lcn tLc ScllYanaging Autonomic TccLnology
and scllmanagcmcnt capalilitics dclicrcd ly IBY and otLcr cndors
can collaloratc. tLc clcmcnts ol a complcx IT systcm can work togctLcr
and managc tLcmsclcs lascd on a sLarcd icw ol systcmwidc policy and
ol|cctics.
TLis papcr Las prcscntcd a LigLlccl arcLitcctural llucprint to assist in
dclicring autonomic computing in pLascs. TLc arcLitccturc rcinlorccs tLat
scllmanagcmcnt uscs intclligcnt control loop implcmcntations to monitor.
analyzc. plan and cxccutc. lccraging knowlcdgc ol tLc cnironmcnt.
TLcsc control loops can lc cmlcddcd in rcsourcc runtimc cnironmcnts
or dclicrcd in managcmcnt tools. TLc control loops collaloratc using an
cntcrprisc scricc lus (onc ol tLc lc arcLitcctural luilding llocks) tLat
intcgratcs tLc rcmaining lour arcLitcctural luilding llocks. autonomic
managcrs. manual managcrs. toucLpoints and knowlcdgc sourccs.
Autonomic managcrs and manual managcrs communicatc witL managcd
rcsourccs tLrougL tLc managcalility intcrlacc. in tLc lorm ol a toucLpoint.
using scnsor and cllcctor intcrlaccs. A scnsor intcrlacc cxLilits two
intcraction stylcs. tLc rctriccstatc intcraction stylc (uscd to qucry
inlormation lrom a managcd rcsourcc) and tLc rcccicnotilcation
intcraction stylc (uscd to scnd asyncLronous ccnt inlormation lrom a
managcd rcsourcc). TLc cllcctor intcrlacc cxLilits two intcraction stylcs. tLc
pcrlormopcration intcraction stylc (uscd to sct statc data in tLc managcd
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rcsourcc) and tLc callout rcqucst intcraction stylc (uscd ly a managcd
rcsourcc to oltain scriccs lrom somc otLcr cxtcrnal cntity in tLc systcm).
TLc |ourncy to a lully autonomic IT inlrastructurc is an colution. TLc
Autonomic Computing Adoption Yodcl ollcrs a mccLanism lor cLaractcrizing
autonomic maturity in tLrcc dimcnsions. tLc dcgrcc ol automation witLin
a gicn scopc (in lc stagcs. lrom lully manual to lully autonomic). tLc
scopc witLin wLicL automation is applicd (also in lc stagcs. lrom a sul
componcnt to an cntirc lusincss systcm) and tLc IT managcmcnt proccsscs
tLat can lc automatcd (sucL as incidcnt managcmcnt. cLangc managcmcnt.
and otLcrs tLat ollcr a modcl in wLicL arious tasks and actiitics witLin tLc
proccss can lc automatcd).
Busincsscs-small. mcdium and largc-want and nccd to rcducc tLcir IT
costs. simplily tLc managcmcnt ol complcx IT rcsourccs. rcalizc a lastcr
rcturn on tLcir IT incstmcnts. and cnsurc tLc LigLcst possillc lccls ol
systcm aailalility. pcrlormancc. sccurity and assct utilization. Autonomic
Computing addrcsscs tLcsc issucs-not |ust tLrougL ncw tccLnology lut also
tLrougL a lundamcntal. colutionary sLilt in tLc way tLat IT systcms arc
managcd. Yorcocr. autonomic computing will lrcc IT stalls lrom dctailcd
mundanc tasks. allowing tLcm to locus on managing lusincss proccsscs.
Truc autonomic computing will lc accomplisLcd tLrougL a comlination ol
proccss cLangcs. skills colution. ncw tccLnologics. arcLitccturc and opcn
industry standards.
&ORMOREINFORMATION
Ilcasc contact your IBY markcting rcprcscntatic or an IBY Busincss
Iartncr. or call 1uu IBY CALL witLin tLc Initcd Statcs
\isit us at ibm.com/autonomic
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