Multiple computer system with dual mode redundancy architecture
First Claim
1. A single computer adapted to operate in a multiple computer system comprising a plurality of computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, said single computer having a local memory which is partitioned into two compartments, a communications port for connection with said communications network, a data updating means connected with said communications port to receive data from, or send data to, said communications port, and a data storage allocation means to store in a first of said compartments first data created by, or required for, the operation of said computer, to send said first data to said communications port for storage in another computer, and to receive from said communications port second data created by, or required for, the operation of another computer whereby in the event of failure of said another computer the data required for said single computer to take over the computational tasks of said another computer is present in said single computer.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An architecture for multiple computer systems which incorporates redundancy is disclosed. For each group of “n” first computers M/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.
-
Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A single computer adapted to operate in a multiple computer system comprising a plurality of computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, said single computer having a local memory which is partitioned into two compartments, a communications port for connection with said communications network, a data updating means connected with said communications port to receive data from, or send data to, said communications port, and a data storage allocation means to store in a first of said compartments first data created by, or required for, the operation of said computer, to send said first data to said communications port for storage in another computer, and to receive from said communications port second data created by, or required for, the operation of another computer whereby in the event of failure of said another computer the data required for said single computer to take over the computational tasks of said another computer is present in said single computer.
- 4. A single computer adapted to operate in a multiple computer system comprising a plurality of computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, said single computer having a local memory which is partitioned into two compartments, a communications port for connection with said communications network, a data updating means connected with said communications port to receive data from, or send data to, said communications port, and a data storage allocation means to store in a first of said compartments first data created by, or required for, the operation of said computer, to send said first data to said communications port for storage in another computer, and to receive from said communications port second data created by, or required for, the operation of another computer whereby in the event of failure of said another computer the data required for said single computer to take over the computational tasks of said another computer is present in said single computer.
- 6. A multiple computer system comprising a plurality of computers each having a local memory and each being interconnected to the other computers via a communications network, the local memory of each computer being partitioned into two compartments, said system including data storage allocation means to allocate to each 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 computer, and data updating means to store changes in the content or value of said stored data at both said compartments, whereby in the event of failure of only one of said computers all said stored and updated data is available in the remaining computers.
- 12. The multiple computer system as claimed in claim is 6, wherein changes made to a memory location of a first computer are transmitted to another computer for storage therein, and said other computer transmitting said changes to the remaining computers.
- 14. A multiple computer system comprising a first plurality of computers each of which is connected to each other by means of a communications network, a second like plurality of computers each of which is connected to each other by means of said communications network, and a substantially direct communications link between each of said first computers and the corresponding second computer.
-
18. A method of operating multiple computers to form a multiple computer system, said method comprising the steps of:
-
(i) interconnecting a first plurality of computers via a communications network, (ii) interconnecting a like plurality of second computers to said first plurality of computers, (v) forming in each second computer a replica of at least one memory location of the corresponding first computer, and (iv) 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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. 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 to modify the operation of at least one computer in the multiple computer system;
- the modification of operation including performing a method of operating multiple computers to form a multiple computer system, said method comprising the steps of;
(i) enabling connection of a first plurality of computers via a communications network, (ii) enabling a like plurality of second computers to said first plurality of computers; (iii) forming or facilitating forming in each second computer a replica of at least one memory location of the corresponding first computer, and (iv) 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.
- the modification of operation including performing a method of operating multiple computers to form a multiple computer system, said method comprising the steps of;
Specification