BACKGROUND

C0O01J Generally described, com ut ng devices utilize a comxrrimicatlo¾ network,, or a series of comr mkation networks, to exchange data. Companies and organisations operate eomputer .networks that interconnect a number of computing devices to support operations or provide services to third parties. The ^' -c mputing systems can. be located in. a single geographic location or located in multiple, distinct geograph c locations (e.g., interconnected via private or public communication networks). Specifically, data centers or data processing centers, herein generally referred to as a "data center * may includ a number of interconnected computing systems to provide computing resources to users of the data center. The data centers may be private data centers operated on behalf of an organization or public data centers operated on behalf or for the ^' benefit of the general public,

[0002 J To facilitate increased: utilization of data center resources, virtualixation technologies may allow a single physical computing device to host one or more instances of virtual machines that appear and operate as independent computing devices to users of a data center. Each single physical computing device can be generally referred to as a host computing device. With vi ilizati n, the single physical computing device can create, maintain, delete, or otherwise manage virtual machines in a dynamic matter, in turn, users can request computer resources from a data center, including single computing devices or a configuration of networked computing devices, -and be provided with varying numbers of virtual machine resources.

10003) In conjunction with the utilization of visualization technologies, data centers can physically organize sets of host computing devices to allow the host computing device to share computing device resources, such as power or eonnrarnication network, connectivity. Such physical organisation can correspond to physical racks in which the hosting computing devices are mounted, generally referred to as racks of host computing devices. As the number of racks of host computing devices increases, service providers associated with data centers have difficulty distinguishing between, errors or faults associated with individual host computing devices, shared resources associated with, a particular rack or distributed components utilized to manage the host computing devices . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

fO0Q4] The foregoing aspects ami many of the attendant advantages of this disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in coryaaction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

|O005| FIGURE Ϊ k a block diagram depicting m illustrative environment for man ging host computing devices including a number of host computing devices and control oompoxients;

[0006] FIGURE 2 is a block diagram illustrative of components of a control component for utilization in the environment tor managing host compiHmg devices of FIGURE ? ;

[0007] FIGU RE 3 is a block diagram illustrative of components of a physical rack of host computing devices, a control component, and a visual indicator associated, with the control component; and

[ 0881 FIGURE 4 Is a flow diagram illustrative a control, component operating state processing routine implemented hy a state monitoring component,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Generally described,, aspects of the present disclosure relate to the management of host computing devices, ^' Specifically, systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate the management of ^' host computing devices through the utilization of a host computing device control component or control component. Illustratively, a set of host computing devices are organized into a physical rack. Additionally, one host comporting device control component is associated with each physical rack. In one aspect, the control component is in communication with the host computing device to monitor performance or manage the operation of various aspects of the host computing, devices in the co responding rack, i another aspect, the control component includes a separate state monitoring component that monitors operating states of the control component Illustratively, the state monitoring component ^' includes a power supply separate from the control component power supply, a state processing component and a visual indicator interlace. Based on monitoring the operating of the control component, the state monitoring- component causes the generation of one or more visual indicator indicative of the operating state of the control component.

fOilO! With reference now to FIGURE 1, a block diagram depicting a iikstr&iive host computing device environment 100 f r managing host comparing devices will be described. The host computing device environment 100 includes a plurality of host computing devices 102. illustratively, the host computing devices 102 correspond to server computing device having one or more processors, memory; operating system and software applications that can be configured for a variety of purposes. Additionally, the host computing devices 102 may be configure to host one or more virtual machine instances. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the plurality of hos computing devices 102 are organized, according to a physical placement of a set of host computing devices, such as a rack or other support structure. The organization of each set of host computing devices 102 will be generally referred to as a rack: 104. Jn alternative embodiments, the hos computing devices 102 .may be organized in accordance with other organizational criteria, including physical and logical criteria.

001i| In an illustrative emb d ment, each .rack J 04 is associated with a host computing device control component 106 which can. also e referred to as a rack control component. In an illustrative embodiment, a host computing device control component 106 can manage the operation of the set of host computing devices 102 _» or components thereof including, but not. limited to provisioning, updating,, monitoring, and modifying software associated with the host computing devices. The host computing device control component 106 also includes a state monitoring, component for monitoring the state of the operation of the host computing- device control component 106 and providing visual indicators, corresponding to the determined state of operation, illustrative components of the host computing device control component 106 will be described with regard to FIGURE 2.

[0012] As illustrated in FIGURE 1 , the multiple racks 104 of host computing devices 102 ma communicate via a communication network 104, such as a private or public network. For example, hos compu ing device control components 106 from each rack 104 may be able to communicate with each other via the communication network 108, which can include a private communication network specific to host computing device control components. One skilled, in the relevant art will, appreciate that, each rack 104 may include any number of host computing devices 102 and that the host computing device environment 100 can include any number of racks .104, Still- further, the racks 104 may ^' be further organized in a manner that does not require connectivity between all the racks in the host computing device environment

0013] Taming now to FIGURE 2, illustrative components of a host computing device control component 106 in the host compntmg device environment 100 will ^' be described.- In an illustrative embodiment, the host computing device control component 106 can corresponds to a wide variety of computing devices including personal computing devices, laptop computing devices, hand-held computing devices, terminal computing devices, mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablet computing devices, etc.), wireless devices, various electronic devices and appliances and. the like. The content delivery environment 100 can include any of number and various kinds of host computing device control components 1 6, which may be customised according to specific racks 104 or types of racks.

|00!4f -Illustratively, the client computing devices 102 may have varied local computing resources such as central processing units and architectures, memory, *«ass storage, graphics processing units, communication network availability and bandwidth, etc. Generally, however, each host computing device control component 106 may include various computing resources 202 that can include one or more processing units, such as one or more CPUs. The computing resources 20.2 may also include system memory, which may correspond to any combinatio of volatile and/o non-volatile storage mechanisms. The system memory may store information that, provides an operating system component, various program modules, program data, or other components. The host computing device control component 106 performs functions by using the processing unit(s) to execute instructions provided by the system memory. The compoting resources 202 may also include one or more input, devices (keyboard, mouse device, specialized selection keys, touch screen interface, stylus, etc.) and one or more output devices (displays, printers, audio output, mechanisms, etc.). The computing resources 202 may also include one or more types of removable storage and. one or more types of non-removable storage. Still .further, the computing resources can include hardware and software components for establishing communications over the communication network 108, such as a wide area network or local area network, or via an internal communi cation network connecting the set of host computing devices 102. For example, the host, computing device control component 106 may be equipped with net-working equipment and software applications that facilitate comm¾mcations via the Internet or an intranet.

0 15| However, although various computing resources 202 have been identified, ones skilled in the relevant art will appreciate thai various combinations of computing resources may be implemented on a host computing device control component 106 and that one or more of th identified computing resources may be optional.

|Ο0ί ) As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the host computing devic control component 106 can include, among other hardware or software components, a management component 204 for facilitating management of the set of host computing devices 102. As discussed above, the management component 204 can facilitate various interactions with one or more of the set of host computing devices 102 including, but not limited to, provisioning, updating, monitoring, and modifying software associated with the host computing devices. Although the management component 204 is illustrated as a single component, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the management component 204 may be made up of a number of components or subcomponents to carry out one or more management functions associated with the host computing device control component 106.

[0017] The host computing device control component 106 can also include a state monitoring component 204 for monitoring the state of th operation of the host computing device control component 1 6 and providing visual indicators corresponding to the determined state of operation. The state- monitoring component 204 can include various components, or subcomponents for monitoring or processing the stale of operation of the state monitoring component for monitoring the state of the operation of the host computing device control component 106 and providing visual indicators con-esponding to the determined state of operation of the host computing device control component 106. In one aspect, the state ^' monitoring component 204 includes a power supply 208 for providing power to one or more components of the state monitoring component 204. illustratively, the power supply 208 is independent of any power supply associated with the host computing device control component 106 such thai a loss of power by the host computing device control component 106 does no result in a loss of power to the state monitoring component 204. For example, the power supply 208 may correspond to a battery or other eapacitive device. The state monitoring .component 204 can also include a state processing component 210 for determining an operating state of the rack, control component based on one or more inputs provided to the state monitoring component 204 or sed on a failure to receive inputs. The state monitoring component 204 can also include isual indicator interface component 212 for causing the generation of visual indicators, or other indicator ^' s, based on various determined operating states of the host competing device control component .106, In one .embodiment, the visual indicator interface component 21.2 can include or be in direct -communication with hardware for making the visual indications, including, but .not limited to, liquid crystal displays ("LCD"), light emitting diodes CLBD"), sets of LCDs, sets of LEDs, multi-color LBDS, sets of multi-color LEDS and various combinations thereof In another embodiment, the hardware for making the v sual indications may be part of the computing resources 202 such that the visual indicator interface 2.12 is in comrnuutcation (directly or indirectly) to cause me generation of various visual indicators a will be described below.

1 0181 With reference now to FIGURE 3, in. one embodiment, each rack 104 may include rows of host computing devices 1.02. As previously described, the rack 104 may provide some resources shared by the host computing devices ^" 102, such as power, network connectivity, and the like. Additionally, one or more of the host com ut g; devices 102 may function, at least in part, to provide functionality utilized by the other host computing devices 102 in the rack 04, such as network routing, firewall, etc, Additionally, the rack 104 includes a host computing device control componen 106 for managing the operation of the host computing devices 1.02. in one embodiment, fee host computing device control component 106 can include one or more embedded hardware components for generating the visual indications in accordance wife control nstf isciions provided by die visual indicator interface 212, In another embodi e t, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, the rack 104· can include external hardware components 300 fo generating one or more of the visual identifications associated with the operating state of the host compiling device control component. 106. The hardware components 300 can include a single component for generating set of visual indications. Alternatively, the hardware components 300 can include multiple visual, indication hardware components 302 _; 304,: 306 in which each hardware component can correspond to a different visual indication or operating state. For example, on hardware component may be used to visualize a determined non-fault state while a separate hardware component, may he used to visualize a determined fault state. In another example, a separate hardware component may be utilized to visualize a power off state of the host computing device control component 1 6. One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that alternative locations for the hardware components 300 or different arrangement of hardware components 300 may be associated with one or more racks 04.

|O0.1.9J Referring now to FIGURE 4, a flow diagram illustrative a control component, operating state processing routine 400 will be described. For purposes of illustration, routine 400 will be described as implemented by a state monitoring component 206. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that routine 400 may be implemented, at least in part, by other components of the host computing device environment 100. In one aspect, the state monitoring component 206 can maintain a default state that, corresponds to a non-fault state for the host computing device control component 106. If the state monitoring component 206 obtains information associated with, the function of the host computing device control component 106, the state monitoring component. 206 can determine whether to modify the default state based on the information obtained from the host computing device control component 106. Additionally, if the state monitoring component 206 does not receive any information. It can determine whether to modify the default condition. In an alternative embodiment, the state monitoring component can maintain a default state that corresponds to a fault state for the host computing device control component 106.. In this embodiment, the state monitoring component 206 can determine whether to modify the default state to a non-fault state based on the inibnnation obtained from the host completing device control component 106 that no fault exists.

I002OJ At block 402, the state monitoring component 206 sets the current state to a non-fault state. At decision block 404, the state monitoring component 206 determines whether it has received information regarding the operation of the host computing device environment. 100 host computing device control component 106. Illustratively, the information regarding the operation of the host computing device control component 106 can include ini nnation regarding processor performance, operating system performance, network performance or power performance information. Illustratively, the information regarding the operation of the host computing device control component 106 can correspond to receipt of various operational parameters associated with the operation of a computin device, such as a host computing device. Additionally, the information regarding the operation of the host computing device control component 106 can inclu e the processing of information in accordance with establish thresholds or performance parameters. For example, information associated with operation of processing resources may be compared with benchmarks or thresholds for processing resources, in another embodiment, the mfonuation regarding the operation of the host computing device control component 106 can. correspond to a determination of whether one or more components or subcom o e ts associated with the host computing device are operational or meeting determined operational parameters, In one embodiment, the host computing device control component. 106 can he configured to transmit the information to the state monitoring component 206. In another embodiment, the state monitoring component 206 can poll the host computing device control component 106 ^' to obtain the intormation.

[0021J If at decision block 404, the state monitoring component 206 determines that it has not received information regarding the operation of the host computing device control component 106. the state monitoring component 20 sets the current state to a fault condition at block 406. In this embodiment, the failure to receive information from the host computing device control component 106 can be interpreted as a fault condition. The routine 400 then proceeds to block 410, which will be described below.

10622) Referring again to decision block 404. if the state monitoring component 206 lias received information regarding the operation of the host computing device control component 106, the state monitoring component 206 processes the information to determine whether a fault condition exists at decision block 408. Illustratively, the processing of the information associated with the host computing device control component. 106 can correspond to a comparison of one or more thresholds that establish the presence of fault conditions, if at decision block 408, the processing of the information regarding the host computing device control component 1 6 is indicative of no faults, the routine 400 returns to block 402.

[0023 j If at decision block 408, the processing of the information regarding the host computing device control component Ϊ 6 is indicative of a fault condition, the routine 400 proceeds to block 406 where the state monitoring component 206 sets the current state to a fault state At block 410, the state monitoring component 206 processes the fault condition. Oiusu-atively, the state monitoring component 206 can generate one or more visual indicators based on the determined limit condition. In one embodiment, the state monitoring component 206 c n utilize a single visual indicator for any fault condition, hi another embodimeni, the state monitoring component 206 can utilize multiple visual indicators based on a. type of fault condition. For example, the state -monitoring component 206 can associate a first color indicator for a fault condition indicative of needed repair fault state and a second color indicator for a fault condition indicative of a troubleshooting fault, state. In a further embodiment, the state monitoring component 206 can associate a separate indicator, such as a flashing indicator, thai can be associated with a power off condition for the host computing device control component 106. One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate thai additional or alternative visual indicators may be implemented. At block information corresponding to the operating state of the control component includes at least one of processor performance, operating system, performance, network performance and -power performance rafonnaiion.412, the routine 400 terminates,

Various embodiments of the disclosure can be described with respect to the following clauses:

Clause 1. A system for managing host computing devices, the host computing devices organized into a physical rack, the system comprising;

a rack control component in communication with the host computing devices, the rack control component including:

a management component for monitoring and controlling one or more aspects of the operation of the grouping of host computing devices; and

a state monitoring component, the state monitoring component having a power supply independent of a power supply associated with the rack control component, a state processing component for determining an operating state of the rack control component,, and at least one visual indicator interface; wherein the state monitoring component causes the generation of a visual indication based on the determined operating state of ^' the rack control component. Clause 2. The system as recited in Clause 1 , wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a specific color indicator, the specific color indicator corresponding to a determined non-fault state.

Clause 3. The system as recited in Clause L wherein the state monitoring component causes generation of.no indicator corresponding to a determined non-fault state.

Clause 4. The system as recited in Clause 1 , wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a specific color indicator, the specific color indicator corresponding to a determined fault state.

Clause 5. The system as recited in Clause 4, wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a first color indicator, the first color indicator associated with a needed repair event.

Clause 6. The system as recited in Clause 5, wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a second color indicator, the second color indicator associated with a needed troubleshooting event.

Clause 7. The system as recited in Clause 1, wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a specific indicator, the specific indicator corresponding to a power off state for the rack control component.

Clause 8. The system as recited in Clause 1, wherein' the visual indication based on the determined operating state of the rack control component is based on processor performance, operating system performance, network performance or power performance. Clause 9. The system as recited in Clause 1 farther comprising at least one visual indication device, the visual indication device in communication with the at least one visual indicator interface.

Clause 10. The system as recited in Clause L wherein the at least one visual indication device includes at least, one of a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode, a set of light emitting diodes and a. multi-colored light emitting diode.

Clause 1L A computer-implemented method for managing host computing devices, the method comprising;

under control of one or more processors configured with specific executable instructions and an independent power supply, setting an initial state of a control component;

determining whether information corresponding to an. operating state of a control component has been received;

modifying a current state of the control component to one of a fault state or a non-fault state based on determining information corresponding to the operating state of the control component has not been received or a determined operating state of the control component; and

causing the generation of a visual indicator based on the current state of the control component.

Clause 12, The computer-implemented method as recited in Clause 1, wherein causing the generation of a visual indicator based on the current state of the control component includes causing generation a specific color indicator corresponding to a determined non - fault state.

Clause 13. The computer-implemented method as recited in Clause 1, wherein causing the generation of a visual indicator based on the current state of the control component includes causing generation of no indicator corresponding to a determined non-fault state.

Clause 14. The computer-implemented method as recited in Clause 1, wherein causing the generation of a visual indicator based on the current state of the control, component includes causing generation a specific color indicator corresponding to a determined faul state.

Clause 15. The computer-implemented method as recited in Clause 3, wherein causing the generation a specific color indicator corresponding to a determined fault state includes causing generation of a first color indicator associated with a needed replacement event.

Clause 16. The computer-implemented method, as recited in Clause 4. wherein causing the generation a. specific color indicator corresponding to a determined fault state includes causing generation of a second color indicator associated with a needed troubleshooting event. Clause 17. The eoinputer mple ented method as recited in Clause 1, wherein pausing- the generation of a visual indicator based on the current state of the control component includes causing generation a specific indicator corresponding to & power off slate for the rack control component

Clause IS. The computer-irnplemented method as recited in Clause I . wherein the Information corresponding to the operating stale of the control component includes processor performance, operating system pe forma ce, network performance, component performance or oste performance information.

Clause .19, The mmpnier^m le en ed method as recited in Clause 1, wherein setting m initial stats of a control component includes setting the initial state to a non-fault state. Clause 20, The compttter-implementccl method as recited in Clause 1, wherein, settin an initial state of a control component includes setting the initial state to a fault slate, Ciause 21. . A state monitoring component for monitoring a control component., the control component inclnding one or more processors and a power supply, the stale monitoring component comprising;

a power supply independent of a power supply associated with the control component;

a state processing component for detennining an operating state of the control component, and

at least one visual indicator interface;

wherein the state monitoring component anises- the generation of a visual indi cation ha sed on the determined operating state of the rack control component.

Clause 22. The system as recited in Clause 8 wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a specific color indicator, the specific color indicator corresponding to a determined non-fault state,

Ciause 23, The system as recited in Ciause 8, wherein the state monitoring component causes generation of no indicator corresponding to a determined, non-fault state.

Clause 24. The system as recited in Clause 8 _» wherein the state monitoring component causes generation, a specific color indicator, the specific color indicator corresponding to a determined fault state, Clause 25, The system as recited m Clause 10, wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a first color indicator, the first color indicator associated with a needed repair event.

Clause 26. The system as recited in Clause 25, wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a second color indicator, the second color indicator associated with a needed troubleshooting event.

Clause 27. The system as recited in Clause 8, wherein the state monitoring component causes generation a specific indicator, the specific indicator corresponding to a power off state for the rack control component.

Clause 28. The system as recited n Clause 8, wherein the visual indication based on the determined operating state of the rack control component is based, on at least one of processor performance, operating system performance, network performance and power performance.

Clause 29, The system as recited in. Clause 8 further comprising at least one visual indication device, the visual indication device In communication with the at least one visual indicator Interface,

Clause 30. The system as recited in Clause 13, wherein the at least one visual indication device includes at least one of a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode, a set of light emitting diodes and a multi-colored light emitting diode.

[0024] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and others thai all of the functions described in this disclosure may be embodied in software executed by one or more processors of the disclosed, components and mobile communication devices. The software may be persistently stored in any type of non- olatile storage.

[Θ0251 Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," or "m y unless specifically stated otherwise,, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally Intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements agri or steps are included or are to he performed, in any particular embodiment.

10026] Any rocess descriptions,, elements, or blocks in the Sow diagrams described herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should be understood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable inst uctions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations arc included withi the scope of the embodiments described herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executed otit of order from that shown, or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would, he understood by those skilled in the rt- It will farther be appreciated that the ^' data and/or components described above may be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded into memory of the computing device using a drive mechanism associated with a computer readable storing the computer executable components such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or network interface further, the component and/or data can be included in a single device or distributed in any manner. Accordingly, general purpose computing devices may be configured to implement the processes, algorithms, and methodology of the present disclosure with the processing and/or execution of the various data and/or components described, above.

(0037| It should be emphasized that marry variations and .modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such, .modifications- and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.