Data conversion in a multiprocessing system usable while maintaining system operations
First Claim
1. A data conversion method in a multiprocessing system comprising a first processor, a second processor, and an external storage media coupled to said first processor and said second processor, said external storage media comprising a datum having a first format, said datum sharable by said first processor and said second processor, said data conversion method comprising a method for converting said datum from said first format common to the first processor and the second processor to a new, second format common to the first processor and the second processor without bringing the multiprocessing system down, said method comprising:
- retrieving by said first processor said datum from said external storage media in said first format and using said retrieved datum in the second format, wherein said datum in said first format is usable by said second processor;
retrieving by said second processor said datum from said external storage media in said first format and using said retrieved datum in said second format, wherein said datum is usable by said first processor and said second processor in said second format; and
converting said datum on said external storage media from said first format to said second format after said datum is usable by said first processor and said second processor in said second format such that said datum in said second format is common to the first processor and the second processor, said converting allowing said first processor and said second processor to remain activated.
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Abstract
In a multiprocessing system, data which is stored on an external storage media and shared by a plurality of processors is converted from an old format to a new format without bringing the multiprocessing system down. One processor at a time is provided the capability to view the data in the new format, while the other processors view the data in the old format. After all of the processors are capable of viewing the data in the new format, the data is converted from the old format to the new format and the data in the new format is stored on the external storage media. If for some reason the new format turns out to be unacceptable, procedures are also in place for falling back to the old format without disrupting system availability.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A data conversion method in a multiprocessing system comprising a first processor, a second processor, and an external storage media coupled to said first processor and said second processor, said external storage media comprising a datum having a first format, said datum sharable by said first processor and said second processor, said data conversion method comprising a method for converting said datum from said first format common to the first processor and the second processor to a new, second format common to the first processor and the second processor without bringing the multiprocessing system down, said method comprising:
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retrieving by said first processor said datum from said external storage media in said first format and using said retrieved datum in the second format, wherein said datum in said first format is usable by said second processor; retrieving by said second processor said datum from said external storage media in said first format and using said retrieved datum in said second format, wherein said datum is usable by said first processor and said second processor in said second format; and converting said datum on said external storage media from said first format to said second format after said datum is usable by said first processor and said second processor in said second format such that said datum in said second format is common to the first processor and the second processor, said converting allowing said first processor and said second processor to remain activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multiprocessing system comprising:
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an external storage media comprising a datum having a first format common to a first processor and a second processor; said first processor and said second processor being coupled to said external storage media, said first processor programmable to retrieve said datum from said external storage media in said first format and to use said datum in the second format when said datum is retrieved, wherein said datum in said first format is usable by said second processor; said second processor programmable to retrieve said datum from said external storage media in said first format and to use said datum in said second format when said datum is retrieved, wherein said datum is usable by said first processor and said second processor in said second format; and means for converting said datum on said external storage media from said first format to said second format after said datum is usable by said first processor and said second processor in said second format such that said datum in said second format is common to the first processor and the second processor, said means for converting comprising means for allowing said first processor and said second processor to remain activate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification