Automatic cluster join protocol

• US 7,415,553 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: 3PAR Incorporated (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Vy
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang; Khanh
• Application Number:
  US11/202,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20060047790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 710/100, 710/123, 710240-244, 710300-304, 709220-222
• US Class Current: 710/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/505 Clust
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5061 Partitioning or combining of resources

Abstract

A method for new nodes to join a cluster in a serial sequence includes (a) a new node transmitting a first type of request to join the cluster and (b) the new node determining if it has to back off the first type of request. The new node has to back off if (1) it has received a second type of request to join the cluster from another new node, (2) it has received the first type of request with a higher sequence number from another new node, (3) it has received the first type of request with a lower node number from another new node, or (4) a member node of the cluster is in a busy state. The new node transmits the first type of request, receives the first type of request, and receives the second type of request through primary links to the new nodes and member nodes of the cluster.

Claims

1. A method for new nodes to join a cluster in a serial sequence, comprising:

(a) broadcasting by a new node a first type of request to join the cluster to nodes coupled to the first node;

(b) determining by the new node if it has to back off the first type of request, wherein the new node has to back off if it has received a second type of request to join the cluster from another node, the another node having broadcasted the first type of request prior to the second type of request;

(c) when the new node does not have to back off the first type of request, broadcasting the second type of request to the nodes; and

(d) when the new node has to back off the first type of request, repeating steps (a), (b), and one of steps (c) and (d) after waiting for a period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the new node transmits the first type of request through primary links to the nodes, the nodes including member nodes of the cluster.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the new node further has to back off if another node has transmitted the first type of request with a higher sequence number, another node has transmitted the first type of request with a lower node number, or a member node of the cluster is in a busy state.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the member node is in a busy state if (1) it is integrating into the cluster, (2) it is validating another member node, or (3) it is being validated by other member nodes.