RELIABLE MESSAGING USING REDUNDANT MESSAGE STREAMS IN A HIGH SPEED, LOW LATENCY DATA COMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENT

• US 20120110372A1
• Filed: 01/04/2012
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Borgendale, Kenneth W., Dekel, Eliezer, Gershinsky, Gidon, Krits, Alexander, Naaman, Nir, Okunseinde, Foluso O., Pike, Hilary A., Wright, Cornell G. Jr., Duigenan, John L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,549,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/4.11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/546 Message passing systems or structures, e.g. queues
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services

Abstract

A method includes receiving active application messages that are part of an active message stream in a subscribing client device from an active feed adapter. Each active application message is characterized by an active source stream identifier, an active source stream sequence number, and an active message sequence number. The method includes receiving, in response to a failover from the active feed adapter to a backup feed adapter, backup application messages in the subscribing client device from the backup feed adapter. Each backup application message is characterized by a backup source stream identifier, a backup source stream sequence number, and a backup message sequence number. The method includes administering, by the subscribing client device, the backup application messages in dependence upon the active stream source identifier, the active stream source sequence number, the backup stream source identifier, and the backup stream source sequence number.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving active application messages that are part of an active message stream in a subscribing client device from an active feed adapter, wherein each active application message is characterized by an active source stream identifier, an active source stream sequence number, and an active message sequence number;

receiving, in response to a failover from the active feed adapter to a backup feed adapter, backup application messages that are part of a backup message stream in the subscribing client device from the backup feed adapter, wherein each backup application message is characterized by a backup source stream identifier, a backup source stream sequence number, and a backup message sequence number;

administering, by the subscribing client device, the backup application messages in dependence upon the active stream source identifier, the active stream source sequence number, the backup stream source identifier, and the backup stream source sequence number; and

receiving, by the subscribing client device and from the backup feed adapter, the backup application messages, in response to the backup feed adapter receiving an administrative application message and an active message sequence number that specifies a point in a transmission sequence where the active feed adapter will transmit the administrative application message to the subscribing client device and in response to the backup feed adapter identifying a backup message sequence number of a most recent backup application message processed in the backup feed adapter prior to receiving the administrative application message and in response to the backup feed adapter determining that the backup feed adapter is capable of synchronizing transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream in dependence upon the received active message sequence number, the backup sequence number of the most recent message transmitted to the client device, and a predetermined synchronization sequence number threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by subscribing client device and from the backup feed adapter, the administrative application message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of the backup application messages represent duplicates of active application messages previously received in subscribing client device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each feed adapter is configured to convert messages on a feed adapter source stream having a first format to messages on a feed adapter output stream having a second format and configured to transmit the messages on the feed adapter output stream to the subscribing client device.

5. A method comprising:

transmitting, in response to a failover from an active feed adapter to a backup feed adapter, backup application messages to a subscribing client device from the backup feed adapter, wherein the backup application messages that are part of a backup message stream, wherein each backup application message is characterized by a backup source stream identifier, a backup source stream sequence number, and a backup message sequence number, wherein the active feed adapter is configured to transmit active application messages that are part of an active source stream prior to the failover, wherein each active application message is characterized by an active source stream identifier, an active source stream sequence number, and an active message sequence number, wherein each feed adapter comprises a device configured to convert messages on a feed adapter source stream having a first format to messages on a feed adapter output stream having a second format and transmit the messages on the feed adapter output stream to the subscribing client device;

receiving, in the backup feed adapter from the active feed adapter, an administrative application message and an active message sequence number that specifies a point in a transmission sequence when the active feed adapter will transmit the administrative application message to the subscribing client device;

identifying, by the backup feed adapter, a backup message sequence number of a most recent backup application message processed in the backup feed adapter prior to receiving the administrative application message; and

determining, by the backup feed adapter, whether the backup feed adapter is capable of synchronizing transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream in dependence upon the received active message sequence number, the backup sequence number of the most recent message transmitted to the client device, and a predetermined synchronization sequence number threshold.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving, in the backup feed adapter, backup source stream messages on a plurality of feed adapter source streams, each feed adapter source stream identified in the backup feed adapter by a backup source stream identifier, each backup source stream message characterized by a backup source stream sequence number for the feed adapter source stream on which the backup source stream message was received; and

converting, by the backup feed adapter, each backup source stream message to a backup application message, including adding to the contents of each backup source stream message the backup source stream identifier for the feed adapter source stream on which the backup source stream message was received in the backup feed adapter and a backup message sequence number.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the backup feed adapter is configured to synchronize transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream, and the method further comprises:

adding, by the backup feed adapter, a backup message sequence number to the contents of the administrative application message having a value that matches the value of the active message sequence number; and

transmitting, by the backup feed adapter to the subscribing client device, the administrative application message in sequence with the other backup application messages.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the backup feed adapter is not configured to synchronize transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream, and the method further comprises:

slowing down, by the backup feed adapter, the transmission rate at which the backup feed adapter transmits the backup application messages to the subscribing client device; and

negotiating, by the backup feed adapter with the active feed adapter, another message sequence number for synchronizing transmission of the administrative application messages to the subscribing client device.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein at least some of the backup application messages represent duplicates of active application messages previously received in subscribing client device.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein each feed adapter is configured to convert messages on a feed adapter source stream having a first format to messages on a feed adapter output stream having a second format and configured to transmit the messages on the feed adapter output stream to the subscribing client device.

11. A computer program product for reliable messaging using redundant message streams, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having computer usable program code embodied therewith, the computer usable program code comprising a computer usable program code configured to;

receive active application messages that are part of an active message stream in a subscribing client device from an active feed adapter, wherein each active application message is characterized by an active source stream identifier, an active source stream sequence number, and an active message sequence number;

receive, in response to a failover from the active feed adapter to a backup feed adapter, backup application messages that are part of a backup message stream in the subscribing client device from the backup feed adapter, wherein each backup application message is characterized by a backup source stream identifier, a backup source stream sequence number, and a backup message sequence number;

administer, by the subscribing client device, the backup application messages in dependence upon the active stream source identifier, the active stream source sequence number, the backup stream source identifier, and the backup stream source sequence number; and

receive, by the subscribing client device and from the backup feed adapter, the backup application messages, in response to the backup feed adapter receiving an administrative application message and an active message sequence number that specifies a point in a transmission sequence where the active feed adapter will transmit the administrative application message to the subscribing client device and in response to the backup feed adapter identifying a backup message sequence number of a most recent backup application message processed in the backup feed adapter prior to receiving the administrative application message and in response to the backup feed adapter determining that the backup feed adapter is capable of synchronizing transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream in dependence upon the received active message sequence number, the backup sequence number of the most recent message transmitted to the client device, and a predetermined synchronization sequence number threshold.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the computer usable program code is configured to receive, by subscribing client device and from the backup feed adapter, the administrative application message.

13. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein at least some of the backup application messages represent duplicates of active application messages previously received in subscribing client device.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein each feed adapter is configured to convert messages on a feed adapter source stream having a first format to messages on a feed adapter output stream having a second format and configured to transmit the messages on the feed adapter output stream to the subscribing client device.

15. A computer program product for reliable messaging using redundant message streams, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having computer usable program code embodied therewith, the computer usable program code comprising a computer usable program code configured to;

transmit, in response to a failover from an active feed adapter to a backup feed adapter, backup application messages to a subscribing client device from the backup feed adapter, wherein the backup application messages that are part of a backup message stream, wherein each backup application message is characterized by a backup source stream identifier, a backup source stream sequence number, and a backup message sequence number, wherein the active feed adapter is configured to transmit active application messages that are part of an active source stream prior to the failover, wherein each active application message is characterized by an active source stream identifier, an active source stream sequence number, and an active message sequence number, wherein each feed adapter comprises a device configured to convert messages on a feed adapter source stream having a first format to messages on a feed adapter output stream having a second format and transmit the messages on the feed adapter output stream to the subscribing client device;

receive, in the backup feed adapter from the active feed adapter, an administrative application message and an active message sequence number that specifies a point in a transmission sequence when the active feed adapter will transmit the administrative application message to the subscribing client device;

identify, by the backup feed adapter, a backup message sequence number of a most recent backup application message processed in the backup feed adapter prior to receiving the administrative application message; and

determine, by the backup feed adapter, whether the backup feed adapter is capable of synchronizing transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream in dependence upon the received active message sequence number, the backup sequence number of the most recent message transmitted to the client device, and a predetermined synchronization sequence number threshold.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the computer usable program code is configured to:

receive, in the backup feed adapter, backup source stream messages on a plurality of feed adapter source streams, each feed adapter source stream identified in the backup feed adapter by a backup source stream identifier, each backup source stream message characterized by a backup source stream sequence number for the feed adapter source stream on which the backup source stream message was received; and

convert, by the backup feed adapter, each backup source stream message to a backup application message, including adding to the contents of each backup source stream message the backup source stream identifier for the feed adapter source stream on which the backup source stream message was received in the backup feed adapter and a backup message sequence number.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the computer usable program code is configured to:

synchronize, by the backup feed adapter, transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream;

add, by the backup feed adapter, a backup message sequence number to the contents of the administrative application message having a value that matches the value of the active message sequence number; and

transmit, by the backup feed adapter to the subscribing client device, the administrative application message in sequence with the other backup application messages.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the backup feed adapter is not configured to synchronize transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream, and wherein the computer usable program code is configured to:

slow down, by the backup feed adapter, the transmission rate at which the backup feed adapter transmits the backup application messages to the subscribing client device; and

negotiate, by the backup feed adapter with the active feed adapter, another message sequence number for synchronizing transmission of the administrative application messages to the subscribing client device.

19. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein at least some of the backup application messages represent duplicates of active application messages previously received in subscribing client device.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein each feed adapter is configured to convert messages on a feed adapter source stream having a first format to messages on a feed adapter output stream having a second format and configured to transmit the messages on the feed adapter output stream to the subscribing client device.

21. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a messaging middleware executable on the processor, the messaging middleware configured to,

transmit, in response to a failover from an active feed adapter to a backup feed adapter, backup application messages to a subscribing client device from the backup feed adapter, wherein the backup application messages that are part of a backup message stream, wherein each backup application message is characterized by a backup source stream identifier, a backup source stream sequence number, and a backup message sequence number, wherein the active feed adapter is configured to transmit active application messages that are part of an active source stream prior to the failover, wherein each active application message is characterized by an active source stream identifier, an active source stream sequence number, and an active message sequence number, wherein each feed adapter comprises a device configured to convert messages on a feed adapter source stream having a first format to messages on a feed adapter output stream having a second format and transmit the messages on the feed adapter output stream to the subscribing client device;

receive, in the backup feed adapter from the active feed adapter, an administrative application message and an active message sequence number that specifies a point in a transmission sequence when the active feed adapter will transmit the administrative application message to the subscribing client device;

identify, by the backup feed adapter, a backup message sequence number of a most recent backup application message processed in the backup feed adapter prior to receiving the administrative application message; and

determine, by the backup feed adapter, whether the backup feed adapter is capable of synchronizing transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream in dependence upon the received active message sequence number, the backup sequence number of the most recent message transmitted to the client device, and a predetermined synchronization sequence number threshold.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the messaging middleware is configured to:

receive, in the backup feed adapter, backup source stream messages on a plurality of feed adapter source streams, each feed adapter source stream identified in the backup feed adapter by a backup source stream identifier, each backup source stream message characterized by a backup source stream sequence number for the feed adapter source stream on which the backup source stream message was received; and

convert, by the backup feed adapter, each backup source stream message to a backup application message, including adding to the contents of each backup source stream message the backup source stream identifier for the feed adapter source stream on which the backup source stream message was received in the backup feed adapter and a backup message sequence number.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the messaging middleware is configured to:

synchronize, by the backup feed adapter, transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream;

add, by the backup feed adapter, a backup message sequence number to the contents of the administrative application message having a value that matches the value of the active message sequence number; and

transmit, by the backup feed adapter to the subscribing client device, the administrative application message in sequence with the other backup application messages.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the backup feed adapter is not configured to synchronize transmission of the administrative application message to the subscribing client device on the backup message stream, and wherein the messaging middleware is configured to:

slow down, by the backup feed adapter, the transmission rate at which the backup feed adapter transmits the backup application messages to the subscribing client device; and

negotiate, by the backup feed adapter with the active feed adapter, another message sequence number for synchronizing transmission of the administrative application messages to the subscribing client device.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each feed adapter is configured to convert messages on a feed adapter source stream having a first format to messages on a feed adapter output stream having a second format and configured to transmit the messages on the feed adapter output stream to the subscribing client device.