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OVERVIEW
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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Autonomic Computing Q&A v1.1
What is autonomic computing?
What are the origins of autonomic computing?
What is the goal of autonomic computing?
What does autonomic computing promise to deliver?
How does IBM plan to work with other technology companies?
What will a world based on autonomic computing look like?
What actually exists in autonomic computing today?
How do you think AC will change the way business is conducted?
Is autonomic computing being developed at places other than IBM?
Isn't autonomic computing the same as creating intelligent machines?
Does autonomic computing replace AI?
What are the biggest technical hurdles to autonomic computing?
When will autonomic systems be available?
What academic institutions are currently exploring autonomic computing?
How does autonomic computing address the need for skilled I/T workers?
What is autonomic computing?
Autonomic computing is an approach to self-managed computing systems with a minimum of human interference. The term derives from the body's autonomic nervous system, which controls key functions without conscious awareness or involvement. Autonomic computing is an emerging area of study and a Grand Challenge for the entire I/T community to address in earnest.
What are the origins of autonomic computing?
Autonomic computing is the evolution of a long tradition of understanding and creating self-regulating systems. It's risen to the top of the I/T agenda because of the immediate need to solve the skills shortage and the rapidly increasing size and complexity of the world's computing infrastructure.
What is the goal of autonomic computing?
The goal is to realize the promise of I/T: increasing productivity while minimizing complexity for users. It's time to design and build computing systems capable of running themselves, adjusting to varying circumstances, and preparing their resources to handle most efficiently the workloads we put upon them.
What does autonomic computing promise to deliver?
Most immediately, the automated management of computing systems. But that capability will provide the basis for much more: from seamless e-sourcing and grid computing to dynamic e-business and the ability to translate business decisions that managers make to the I/T processes and policies that make those decisions a reality. Ultimately, autonomic computing is a challenge that must be met before the industry can deliver 'the next big thing.'
How does IBM plan to work with other technology companies?
IBM has thousands of partners in all areas of the industry. IBM Research is highly regarded for collaborating with leading national and university labs around the world. In addition, we'll form a consortium of experts from the I/T industry to help guide and shape the future of this effort.
What will a world based on autonomic computing look like?
In the future, human intervention in most tasks associated with systems management will seem as archaic and unnecessary as asking an operator for help making a phone call seems today. Initially, you'll see more availability of the systems that serve you --- your bank, your ISP, your travel agent. You'll hear, 'sorry, our systems are down' less often. Simultaneously, autonomic features will begin to appear in client level devices so that your individual PC will complete for itself many of the tasks that currently make you a part-time administrator. If you had to stop and get out of your car every few hours to check under the hood, make a minor adjustment, or restart the car because of some unknown glitch, it would take a long-time to reach your destination.
What actually exists in autonomic computing today?
More than 400 product features in 36 distinct IBM products have autonomic computing capabilities. Each of these capabilities are based in part on self-configuring, healing, optimizing or protecting technologies. They span the entire IBM product and services portfolio and we have autonomic capabilities for all sizes of businesses, including small and medium sized business. For a complete list of products and services visit: http://www-3.ibm.com/autonomic/products.shtml
How do you think AC will change the way business is conducted?
One of the first examples is e-sourcing, which is gaining traction now. e-sourcing is the ability to deliver I/T as a utility, when you need it, in the amount you must have to accomplish the task at hand. Autonomic computing will create huge opportunities for these emerging kinds of services.
Is autonomic computing being developed at places other than IBM?
Yes, and what we're trying to do now is focus all of that great work together so the I/T community can address this Grand Challenge. There is already a terrific amount of work being done at university labs like Berkeley, MIT, University of Texas, University of Michigan and more. IBM has been doing work in this area for years in aspects of self-managing servers, self-tuning software and the like.
Isn't autonomic computing the same as creating intelligent machines?
This is partly a matter of definition. If " intelligent machine" means one that embodies human cognitive powers, the answer is no. But if that term is taken to mean systems that can adapt, learn and take over certain functions previously performed by humans then autonomic computing does involve the idea of embedding this kind of intelligence in computing systems.
Does autonomic computing replace AI?
No. In fact, Artificial Intelligence is a critical discipline that will help bring about autonomic computing. AI-related research, some involving new ways to apply control theory and control laws, can provide insight into how to run complex systems that optimize to their environments. But to be clear, autonomic computing does not require the duplication of conscioius human thought as an ultimate goal. In our opinion, this is not the primary issue that needs addressing now.
What are the biggest technical hurdles to autonomic computing?
We don't know all of them yet; we're still exploring. That is why its so important for the I/T community to step up to this challenge. We know that a great deal of innovation and hard work will be required. For example, extending capabilities that exist on one platform to others, defining system management identities and relationships, and figuring out how to effectively map business policies to system policies. Clearly standards will be an enabler.
When will autonomic systems be available?
Truly autonomic systems are years away, although in the nearer term, autonomic functionality will appear in servers, storage and software. Certain aspects of autonomic systems are already available. For instance, IBM's z900 eServers have a self-managing operating system known as Intelligent Resource Director (IRD).
What academic institutions are currently exploring autonomic computing?
We know of work at the University of California-Berkeley, University of Texas, University of Wisconsin, MIT, and the University of Michigan that can apply to this approach. And we are interested in learning about other work going on around the world that may be directly or indirectly related.
How does autonomic computing address the need for skilled I/T workers?
By embedding and automating I/T infrastructure complexity, autonomic computing will require fewer I/T professionals to worry about configuring, maintaining, fixing, securing, updating and generally running systems. More importantly, if systems and networks become autonomic, I/T professionals will be able to work at a higher level. Imagine not having to worry about making sure that mundane, complicated tasks are handled correctly by humans -- repairing root causes of failure, bringing servers to 'dry-dock', or resource allocations.
This is the ultimate benefit of autonomic computing: systems that tackle the complexity ‘under the covers’, freeing I/T professionals to drive creativity, innovation and opportunity. Entire new business models will emerge.
VISION & MANIFESTO 
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