Demand responsive method and apparatus to automatically activate spare servers
DCFirst Claim
1. A server connected to a computer network, the server comprising:
- one or more active server applications;
a load detector connected to the one or more server applications and the computer network;
an additional server application that is inactive; and
an allocator connected to the load detector and the additional server application;
wherein the allocator causes the additional server application to activate in response to a load condition and wherein an activation threshold is based at least in part on a ratio of a current number of connections per unit time to a past number of connections per unit time.
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Abstract
A server and method of its operation adapt the number of server applications within the server. The server is connected to a computer network. The server comprises one or more active server applications, a load detector, an inactive additional server application and an allocator. The load detector, which may be part of a load balancer, is connected to the one or more server applications and the computer network. The allocator is connected to the load detector and the additional server application. The allocator causes the additional server application to activate in response to a load condition. The method measures a load on the server, detects when the load exceeds a threshold and, in response thereto, activates an additional server application on the server. Optionally, the method also detects when the load is less than a deactivation threshold, and in response thereto, deactivates the additional server application. Also disclosed is a system comprising a plurality of computers, one or more connections to one or more servers, and a module. Each of the computers is capable of hosting a server application. The module is connected to the: computers and the connection(s). The module receives a request for an additional server application from one of the servers. Such a request may, for example, be generated when the server is experiencing a surge. In response to the request, the module activates the server application on one or more of the computers so as to support the requesting server.
128 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A server connected to a computer network, the server comprising:
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one or more active server applications;
a load detector connected to the one or more server applications and the computer network;
an additional server application that is inactive; and
an allocator connected to the load detector and the additional server application;
wherein the allocator causes the additional server application to activate in response to a load condition and wherein an activation threshold is based at least in part on a ratio of a current number of connections per unit time to a past number of connections per unit time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of adapting the number of server applications within a server, the method comprising:
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measuring a load on the server;
detecting when the load exceeds an activation threshold; and
in response to the detecting step, employing a system allocator to activate an additional server application on the server; wherein the additional server application is connected to the server via the system allocator and wherein an activation threshold is based at least in part on a ratio of a current number of connections per unit time to a past number of connections per unit time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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a plurality of computers, each computer capable of hosting a server application;
one or more connections to one or more servers; and
a module connected to the one or more connections and the plurality of computers;
wherein the module receives a request for an additional server application from one of the plurality of servers and, in response, activates the server application on one or more of the plurality of computers so as to support the requesting server; wherein said server application is connected to the requesting server via the module and wherein an activation threshold is based at least in part on a ratio of a current number of connections per unit time to a past number of connections per unit time. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification