Cyclic redundant multiple computer architecture

• US 20080126703A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John M. Holt
• Original Assignee: John M. Holt
• Inventors: Holt, John M.
• Application Number:
  US11/973,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20080126703A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/114
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1076 Parity data used in redundant arrays of independent storages, e.g. in RAID systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/1028 Distributed, i.e. distributed RAID systems with parity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/103 Hybrid, i.e. RAID systems with parity comprising a mix of RAID types

Abstract

A multiple computer system incorporating redundancy is disclosed. Data to be stored (A, B, C) is distributed (A1, A2, A3, . . . B1, B2, B3, . . . C1, C2, C3, . . . ) amongst a multiplicity of computers (M1, M2, . . . Mn). A parity form (P[A], P[B], . . . ) of the stored data is created by use of a reversible encoding process. The parity form data is preferably cycled amongst the various computers. In the event of failure of one of the computers the lost data can be re-generated.

Claims

1. A method of storing data in a multiple computer system comprising a multiplicity of computers each having an independent local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:

(i) partitioning the local application memory of each computer into a corresponding multiplicity of application memory compartments;

(ii) dividing data created by, or required for, the operation of said multiple computers into a plurality of groups being one less in number than the number of compartments;

(iii) applying a reversible encoding technique to each of said data groups to create an additional data group comprising a decodable encoding of the other groups; and

(iv) storing a different one of each of said groups in a corresponding compartment in each said computer, whereby in the event of failure of only one of said computers said divided data can be re-constituted from the data stored in the remaining computers.

2. The method as in claim 1, including the further step of:

(v) carrying out steps (ii) and (iii) to each of several different portions of data to create a corresponding number of different data groups each including an additional data group; and

(vi) storing said different data groups to distribute said additional data groups amongst said multiplicity of computers.

3. The method as in claim 1, including the step of:

(vii) storing said data in a distributed manner amongst said multiplicity of computers whereby the data stored on each computer is accessible by all said computers to thereby form a distributed shared memory system.

4. The method as in claim 1, including the step of:

(viii) storing some of said data as a replica in each said computer to thereby form a partial replicated shared memory system.

5. The method as in claim 4, wherein said non-replicated data and said encoded additional data are distributed amongst said multiplicity of computers.

6. The method as in claim 5, wherein one of said multiplicity of computers stores all of said encoded additional data.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein said one computer stores none of said non-replicated data.

8. The method as in claim 4, including the step of interposing a router between said multiplicity of computers and said communications network.

9. 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 comprising a multiplicity of computers each having an independent local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network;

the modification of operation including performing method of storing data in the multiple computer system, said method comprising the steps of;

(i) partitioning the local application memory of each computer into a corresponding multiplicity of application memory compartments;

(ii) dividing data created by, or required for, the operation of said multiple computers into a plurality of groups being one less in number than the number of compartments;

(iii) applying a reversible encoding technique to each of said data groups to create an additional data group comprising a decodable encoding of the other groups; and

(iv) storing a different one of each of said groups in a corresponding compartment in each said computer, whereby in the event of failure of only one of said computers said divided data can be re-constituted from the data stored in the remaining computers.

10. A method of processing data for use in a multiple computer system including a multiplicity of computers, each computer having an independent local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, the method comprising:

dividing each of several different portions of data into a plurality of groups to create a corresponding number of different data groups each including an additional data group;

applying a reversible encoding technique to each of said data groups to create an additional data group comprising a decodable encoding of the other groups; and

storing said different data groups in a distributed manner to distribute said additional data groups amongst said multiplicity of computers so that the data is accessible by all said computers to form a distributed shared memory system.

11. 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 comprising a multiplicity of computers each having an independent local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network;

the modification of operation including performing method of a method of processing data comprising the steps of;

dividing each of several different portions of data into a plurality of groups to create a corresponding number of different data groups each including an additional data group;

applying a reversible encoding technique to each of said data groups to create an additional data group comprising a decodable encoding of the other groups; and

storing said different data groups in a distributed manner to distribute said additional data groups amongst said multiplicity of computers so that the data is accessible by all said computers to form a distributed shared memory system.