Multiple computer system with dual mode redundancy architecture
First Claim
1. A multiple computer system comprising a first plurality of computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, and a second like plurality of computers interconnected therewith, at least one memory location in each said second computer being a replica of a corresponding memory location in the corresponding first computer, the local memory of each said computer being partitioned into two compartments, said system including data storage allocation means to allocate to each said first computer data created by, or required for, the operation of that computer firstly in a compartment in that computer, and secondly in a compartment of one other said first computer, and data updating means to store changes in the content or value of said stored data at both said compartments and to store changes to the contents or values of said memory locations in said first computers by transmission of same to the corresponding memory locations of said second computers, whereby in the event of failure of one of said first computers and the corresponding one of said second computers said stored and updated data is available in the remaining computers.
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Abstract
An architecture for multiple computer systems which incorporates redundancy is disclosed. For each group of “n” first computers M1/1, M2/1, . . . Mn/1, a second “mirror” group of computers M1/2, M2/2 . . . Mn/2 is provided. Changes to the memory locations of each computer of the first group are communicated to the corresponding computers of the second group to update a replicated memory. Memory locations (A/1, B/1, C/1) stored on one machine (M2/1) and the mirror machine (M1/2) are stored on both the hierarchically adjacent machines M1/2, M2/2 and maintained updated. In the event of the failure of one machine, the mirror machine has the memory locations of the failed machine and is able to resume or take over the computational tasks of the failed machine thereby providing a first measure of redundancy. In the event of failure of both a first group machine and its mirror machine, the hierarchically adjacent mirror machine is able to resume or take over.
66 Citations
25 Claims
- 1. A multiple computer system comprising a first plurality of computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, and a second like plurality of computers interconnected therewith, at least one memory location in each said second computer being a replica of a corresponding memory location in the corresponding first computer, the local memory of each said computer being partitioned into two compartments, said system including data storage allocation means to allocate to each said first computer data created by, or required for, the operation of that computer firstly in a compartment in that computer, and secondly in a compartment of one other said first computer, and data updating means to store changes in the content or value of said stored data at both said compartments and to store changes to the contents or values of said memory locations in said first computers by transmission of same to the corresponding memory locations of said second computers, whereby in the event of failure of one of said first computers and the corresponding one of said second computers said stored and updated data is available in the remaining computers.
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8. A method of storing data in a multiple computer system comprising a plurality of first computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
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(i) interconnecting a like plurality of second computers to said first plurality of computers, (ii) partitioning the local memory of each computer into two compartments, (iii) for each first computer storing data created by, or required for, the operation of said first computer firstly in a compartment in said first computer, and secondly in a compartment of one other first computer, (iv) forming in each second computer a replica of at least one memory location of the corresponding first computer, and (v) updating changes in content or value in said stored data at both said first computer compartments, and updating said second computers whereby changes to the contents or values of the memory locations in said first computers are transmitted to the corresponding memory locations of said second computers, whereby in the event of failure of one of said first computers and the corresponding one of said second computers, said stored and updated data is available in the remaining computers. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer program stored in a computer readable media, the computer program including executable computer program instructions and adapted for execution by at least one computer in a multiple computer system including a first plurality of computers to modify the operation of the multiple computer system;
- the modification of operation including performing a method of storing data in a multiple computer system comprising a plurality of first computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, said method comprising the steps of;
(i) operating an interconnected like plurality of second computers to said first plurality of computers; (ii) partitioning the local memory of each computer into two compartments; (iii) for each first computer storing data created by, or required for, the operation of said first computer firstly in a compartment in said first computer, and secondly in a compartment of one other first computer; (iv) forming in each second computer a replica of at least one memory location of the corresponding first computer; and (v) updating changes in content or value in said stored data at both said first computer compartments, and updating said second computers whereby changes to the contents or values of the memory locations in said first computers are transmitted to the corresponding memory locations of said second computers, whereby in the event of failure of one of said first computers and the corresponding one of said second computers, said stored and updated data is available in the remaining computers.
- the modification of operation including performing a method of storing data in a multiple computer system comprising a plurality of first computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, said method comprising the steps of;
- 15. A multiple computer system having a first plurality of computers each interconnected via a communications network and a second like plurality of computers interconnected therewith, at least one memory location in each said second computer being a replica of a corresponding memory location in the corresponding first computer, and said system including updating means whereby changes to the contents or values of said memory locations in said first computers are transmitted to the corresponding memory locations of said second computers.
Specification