Method of improving the availability of a computer clustering system through the use of a network medium link state function
First Claim
1. A method for improving the availability and reliability of a computer clustering system having first and second servers that are connected to each other by a communication link and that each have an associated mass storage device, the method comprising:
- the first server detecting, over the communication link, a loss of communication between the first and second servers;
the first server analyzing the communication link to determine if the communication link is functioning properly; and
if the communication link is determined to be functioning properly, the first server;
continuing operation;
assuming a right to survive without communicating with the second server or with the mass storage device of the first server or with the mass storage device of the second server;
servicing a network request that would otherwise be serviced by the second server; and
the first server discontinuing operation if the communication link is determined to be not functioning properly.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for improving the availability and reliability of a computer clustering system having first and second servers that are connected to each other by a communication link and that each have an associated mass storage device. In one implementation, the method begins when the first server detects a loss of communication over the communication link from the second server to the first server that prevents the servers from communicating with each other. The first server then analyzes the communication link to determine if the communication link is functioning properly. If the communication link is functioning properly, then the first server continues operation, assuming a right to survive without communicating with the second server or with the mass storage device of the first server or with the mass storage device of the second server, and the first server services network requests that would otherwise be serviced by the second server.
30 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for improving the availability and reliability of a computer clustering system having first and second servers that are connected to each other by a communication link and that each have an associated mass storage device, the method comprising:
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the first server detecting, over the communication link, a loss of communication between the first and second servers; the first server analyzing the communication link to determine if the communication link is functioning properly; and if the communication link is determined to be functioning properly, the first server; continuing operation; assuming a right to survive without communicating with the second server or with the mass storage device of the first server or with the mass storage device of the second server; servicing a network request that would otherwise be serviced by the second server; and the first server discontinuing operation if the communication link is determined to be not functioning properly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer program product for implementing a method for improving the availability and reliability of a computer clustering system having first and second servers that are connected to each other by a communication link and that each have an associated mass storage device, the computer program product comprising:
- a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored upon and executed by a computer processor for implementing the method, the method comprising;
the first server detecting, over the communication link, a loss of communication between the first and second servers; the first server analyzing the communication link to determine if the communication link is functioning properly; and if the communication link is determined to be functioning properly, the first server; continuing operation; assuming a right to survive without communicating with the second server or with the mass storage device of the first server or with the mass storage device of the second server; servicing a network request that would otherwise be serviced by the second server; and the first server discontinuing operation if analysis of the communication link indicates that the communication link is not functioning properly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored upon and executed by a computer processor for implementing the method, the method comprising;
Specification