Method and apparatus for implementing a workgroup server array
First Claim
1. A multiple processor computer system comprising a plurality of TeamProcessors each having a multiple CPU computing platform, said platform having RAM and respective modules for interface with a monitor, audio, speaker, access ports, USB, network link, a workgroup peer-to-peer link, peripheral drives and a workgroup server link;
- said workgroup server link of each said TeamProcessor being connected to a shared plurality of workgroup servers.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for implementing a workgroup server array ideal for web-based Intranet, Extranet and Internet applications. The inventive server array comprises a plurality of team/workgroup computers (408) equipped with work-group-based direct-access servers and modular controlling devices (1), creating workgroup-based fault-tolerant and fail-over capabilities, providing console-based monitoring and management support, and accommodating highly available and scalable web-based applications with optimal performance. These workgroup server arrays can be used as the basic building blocks to construct large-scale server clusters, so that more users can be served concurrently. Furthermore, workgroup-server-array-based architecture is created for building various highly available, scalable and mission critical server clusters, which enable distributed computing services for enerris-based Intranet, Extranet and Internet mission critical applications.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A multiple processor computer system comprising a plurality of TeamProcessors each having a multiple CPU computing platform, said platform having RAM and respective modules for interface with a monitor, audio, speaker, access ports, USB, network link, a workgroup peer-to-peer link, peripheral drives and a workgroup server link;
said workgroup server link of each said TeamProcessor being connected to a shared plurality of workgroup servers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A workgroup server array system comprising:
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a plurality of groups of TeamProcessors, each TeamProcessor having a multiple CPU computing platform, each group comprising a plurality of TeamProcessors and being connected to a TeamPanel for interface with VGA monitors, keyboards, audio speakers and serial buses;
each said group being connected to a workgroup server link;
a plurality of direct access workgroup servers connected to said groups of TeamProcessors by said workgroup server link;
said groups being interconnected to a workgroup Ethernet hub through a workgroup peer-to-peer link;
said groups also being connected to a local area network through a workgroup Ethernet switch.- View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 43, 44)
means for adjusting the number of application-based TeamProcessors and servers to optimize the quality of performance for incoming traffic.
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37. In a multiple processor computer system having a plurality of TeamProcessors each having a multiple CPU computing platform and a workgroup server link connecting the TeamProcessor to a shared plurality of direct access team servers, a method of team server coordination and supervision, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a first one of said TeamProcessors as TeamManager;
employing said selected TeamManager to monitor the status of all of the remaining TeamProcessors;
each TeamProcessor sending its status information to said TeamManager;
said TeamManager compiling a management-based status table corresponding to status information received from said TeamProcessors. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
using said TeamManager to monitor diagnostics of each of said Team Processors;
capturing the VGA link of any failed TeamProcessor by the TeamManager; and
having said TeamManager reset a failed TeamProcessor.
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39. The method recited in claim 37 further comprising the steps of allocating at least one TeamProcessor for load balancing;
- allocating at least one TeamProcessor for database service;
allocating at least one other TeamProcessor for application-specific services.
- allocating at least one TeamProcessor for database service;
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40. The method recited in claim 37 further comprising the step of pairing the TeamProcessors to provide fault tolerant takeover by one TeamProcessor for another of a pair.
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41. The method recited in claim 37 wherein said computer system has an additional apparatus for monitoring TeamProcessor status;
- the method further comprising the steps of;
employing said additional apparatus for monitoring status of said TeamProcessors;
said additional apparatus being the final arbitrator of load balancing among said TeamProcessors;
said additional apparatus instructing said TeamManager to alter load distribution among said TeamProcessors to achieve said load balancing.
- the method further comprising the steps of;
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45. A workgroup server duster having a plurality of interconnected workgroup server arrays, each such server array comprising:
a plurality of groups of TeamProcessors, each TeamProcessor having a multiple CPU computing platform, each group comprising a plurality of TeamProcessors and being connected to a TeamPanel for interface with VGA monitors, keyboards, audio speakers and serial buses;
each said group being connected to a workgroup server link;
a plurality of direct access workgroup servers connected to said groups of TeamProcessors by said workgroup server link;
said groups being interconnected to a workgroup Ethernet hub through a workgroup peer-to-peer link;
said groups also being connected to a local area network through a workgroup Ethernet switch.- View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
Specification