METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONSISTENT CLUSTER OPERATIONAL DATA IN A SERVER CLUSTER USING A QUORUM OF REPLICAS

A method and system for increasing server cluster availability by requiring at a minimum only one node and a quorum replica set of replica members to form and operate a cluster. Replica members, independent from the nodes, maintain cluster operational data. A cluster operates when one node possesses...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors GAMACHE, ROD, MASSA, MICHAEL, T
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
French
German
Published 17.07.2002
Edition7
Subjects
CALCULATING
COMPUTING
COUNTING
ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
PHYSICS
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Summary:A method and system for increasing server cluster availability by requiring at a minimum only one node and a quorum replica set of replica members to form and operate a cluster. Replica members, independent from the nodes, maintain cluster operational data. A cluster operates when one node possesses a majority of replica members, which ensures that any new or surviving cluster includes consistent cluster operational data via at least one replica member from the immediately prior cluster. Arbitration provides exclusive ownership by one node of the replica members, including at cluster formation, and when the owning node fails. Arbitration uses a fast mutual exclusion algorithm and a reservation mechanism to challenge for and defend the exclusive reservation of each member. A quorum replica set algorithm brings members online and offline with data consistency, including updating unreconciled replica members, and ensures consistent read and update operations.
Bibliography:Application Number: EP20000916146