Autonomic Computing is the study of self-optimising, self-organising, and self-configuring systems.

Autonomic Control Loop

The autonomic control loop is a simple abstraction of an autonomic system. The loop consists of the following:

1. Data comes in
2. This data is analysed
3. A decisions is made based on the analysis
4. That decision in enforced
5. Goto Step 1.

Etymology

The term is based on the human autonomic nervous system, and was first used to describe the computing effort by IBM in 2001. The human nervous system functions without our conscious effort, for example when we sleep our heart continues to beat. At the same time, if we choose we can take control of many of our autonomic systems, for example we can hold our breath under water. The autonomic computing initative wishes to implement these charactericts in complex computer systems.

Why Do We Need More Systems?

There are a multitude of computer systems in use today, far too many to count. Large numbers of systems are also required to interact on a regular basis with other systems. These interactions currently require rigourous monitoring, and significant numbers of man-hours to control. An autonomic system would allow for system interaction to occur without human intervention, and without the need for manul configuration.

Counter-intuitively, an autonomic system will present to an end-user a less-configurable, less-confusing, and less-adaptable system. This is because the adaptations occur behind the scenes, the autonomic control system deals with issues that previously required user-interaction. An adaptive autonomic system would not appear to adapt at all.

How is this Possible?

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