Multi-tier mechanism to achieve high availability in a multi-controller system
First Claim
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1. A multi-controller system, comprising:
- a processor configured to;
receive an indication that a network ping-based heartbeat mechanism has failed; and
in response to said indication, providing an alternative heartbeat at least in part by periodically updating a heartbeat data stored in an on-disk heartbeat data structure, in a portion of a disk that is available to both an active controller and a standby controller of the multi-controller system; and
a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions;
wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the on-disk heartbeat data structure-based alternative heartbeat has failed and in response switch over to a SCSI key refresh-based heartbeat mechanism.
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Abstract
Techniques to achieve high availability in a multi-controller system are disclosed. In various embodiments, an indication is received that a network ping-based heartbeat mechanism has failed. In response to said indication, an alternative heartbeat is provided at least in part by periodically updating a heartbeat data stored in an on-disk heartbeat data structure, in a portion of a disk that is available to both an active controller and a standby controller of the multi-controller system.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multi-controller system, comprising:
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a processor configured to; receive an indication that a network ping-based heartbeat mechanism has failed; and in response to said indication, providing an alternative heartbeat at least in part by periodically updating a heartbeat data stored in an on-disk heartbeat data structure, in a portion of a disk that is available to both an active controller and a standby controller of the multi-controller system; and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions; wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the on-disk heartbeat data structure-based alternative heartbeat has failed and in response switch over to a SCSI key refresh-based heartbeat mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method to achieve high availability in a multi-controller system, comprising:
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receiving an indication that a network ping-based heartbeat mechanism has failed; in response to said indication, providing an alternative heartbeat at least in part by periodically updating a heartbeat data stored in an on-disk heartbeat data structure, in a portion of a disk that is available to both an active controller and a standby controller of the multi-controller system; and in response to detecting that the on-disk heartbeat data structure-based alternative heartbeat has failed, switching over to a SCSI key refresh-based heartbeat mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer program product to achieve high availability in a multi-controller system, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:
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receiving an indication that a network ping-based heartbeat mechanism has failed; in response to said indication, providing an alternative heartbeat at least in part by periodically updating a heartbeat data stored in an on-disk heartbeat data structure, in a portion of a disk that is available to both an active controller and a standby controller of the multi-controller system; and in response to detecting that the on-disk heartbeat data structure-based alternative heartbeat has failed, switching over to a SCSI key refresh-based heartbeat mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification