US5822531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for dynamically reconfiguring a cluster of computer systems
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-07-22
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Granted: 1998-10-13
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Expires: 2016-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for dynamically reconfiguring a cluster of computer systems are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a first configuration file is provided at a plurality of computer systems within a cluster that specifies a current configuration of the cluster. A second configuration file is created at each of the plurality of computer systems that specifies a modified configuration of the cluster. The modified configuration is then verified. In response to the verification, the cluster is operated utilizing the modified configuration. In accordance with one embodiment, the dynamic reconfiguration of the cluster can include a reconfiguration of the cluster topology or resources.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Gorczyca
- 👤 Aamir Arshad Rashid
- 👤 Kevin Forress Rodgers
- 👤 Stuart Warnsman
- 👤 Thomas Van Weaver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/50; G06F9/5061; G06F2209/00; G06F2209/50; G06F2209/505; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster including a plurality of computer systems, said method comprising: providing a first configuration file at each of a plurality of computer systems within a cluster, said first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster; creating a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, wherein said second configuration file specifies a modified configuration of said cluster, said modified configuration including a modified cluster topology; verifying said modified configuration, wherein verifying said modified configuration includes establishing communication with each computer system within said modified configuration and not within said current configuration; and in response to said verification, operating said cluster utilizing said modified configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster including a plurality of computer systems, said method comprising: providing a first configuration file at each of a plurality of computer systems within a cluster, said first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster; creating a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, wherein said second configuration file specifies a modified configuration of said cluster, said modified configuration including a modified cluster topology; verifying said modified configuration, wherein verifying said modified configuration includes establishing communication with each computer system within said modified configuration and not within said current configuration; and in response to said verification, operating said cluster utilizing said modified configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster of claim 1, wherein said steps of creating, verifying, and operating are synchronized between said plurality of computer systems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster of claim 1, and further comprising: determining whether said creating and verifying steps were successfully completed by all of said plurality of computer systems; and in response to a failure of any of said plurality of computer systems to complete said creating and verifying steps, aborting said dynamic reconfiguration of said cluster.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster including a plurality of computer systems, said method comprising: providing a first configuration file at each of a plurality of computer systems within a cluster, said first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster; creating a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, wherein said second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems specifies a modified configuration including a diverse set of cluster resources than specified by said first configuration file; verifying said modified configuration; and in response to said verification, operating said cluster utilizing said modified configuration.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster including a plurality of computer systems, said method comprising: providing a first configuration file at each of a plurality of computer systems within a cluster, said first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster; creating a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, wherein said second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems specifies a modified configuration including a diverse set of cluster resources than specified by said first configuration file; verifying said modified configuration; and in response to said verification, operating said cluster utilizing said modified configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster of claim 4, wherein said step of verifying said modified configuration comprises verifying ownership by said plurality of computer systems of selected resources accessible under said modified configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster of claim 4, wherein said steps of creating, verifying, and operating are synchronized between said plurality of computer systems.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of dynamically reconfiguring a cluster of claim 4, and further comprising: determining whether said creating and verifying steps were successfully completed by all of said plurality of computer systems; and in response to a failure of any of said plurality of computer systems to complete said creating and verifying steps, aborting said dynamic reconfiguration of said cluster.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
A cluster data processing system, comprising: a plurality of computer systems, each of said plurality of computer systems including a memory; a communications link connecting each of said plurality of computer systems with at least one other of said plurality of computer systems for communication; a first configuration file stored within memory at each of said plurality of computer systems, said first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster; and a cluster manager stored within said memory of at least one of said plurality of computer systems and executable by at least one of said plurality of computer systems, wherein said cluster manager creates a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, said second configuration file specifying a modified configuration of said cluster, and wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration of said cluster, and in response to said verification, operates said cluster utilizing said modified configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
A cluster data processing system, comprising: a plurality of computer systems, each of said plurality of computer systems including a memory; a communications link connecting each of said plurality of computer systems with at least one other of said plurality of computer systems for communication; a first configuration file stored within memory at each of said plurality of computer systems, said first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster; and a cluster manager stored within said memory of at least one of said plurality of computer systems and executable by at least one of said plurality of computer systems, wherein said cluster manager creates a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, said second configuration file specifying a modified configuration of said cluster, and wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration of said cluster, and in response to said verification, operates said cluster utilizing said modified configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cluster a data processing system of claim 8 wherein said second configuration file created at each of said plurality of computer systems by said cluster manager specifies a modified cluster topology.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cluster data processing system of claim 9, wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration by establishing communication with each computer system that is within said modified configuration and not within said current configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cluster data processing system of claim 8, wherein said second configuration file created at each of said plurality of computer systems by said cluster manager specifes a diverse set of cluster resources than said first configuration file.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cluster data processing system of claim 11, wherein said cluster manager verifies said configuration by verifying ownership by said plurity of computer systems of selected resources accessable under said modified configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cluster data processing system of claim 8, wherein said cluster manager synchronizes creation of said second configuration file, verification of said modified configuration, and operation of said cluster utilizing said modified configuration between said plurity of computer systems.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cluster data processing system of claim 8, wherein said cluster manager aborts said dynamic reconfiguration of said cluster in response to a failure of any of said plurity of computer systems to successfully complete creation of said second configuration file and verification of said modified configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
121 words
A program product for dynamically reconfiguring a cluster including a plurality of computer systems, said program product comprising: a cluster manager executable by at least one of a plurality of computer systems within a cluster, each of said plurality of computer systems within said cluster having a first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster, wherein said cluster manager creates a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, said second configuration file specifying a modified configuration including a modified cluster topology, and wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration of said cluster, and in response to said verification, operates said cluster utilizing said modified configuration; and an information bearing media bearing said cluster manager.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
121 words
A program product for dynamically reconfiguring a cluster including a plurality of computer systems, said program product comprising: a cluster manager executable by at least one of a plurality of computer systems within a cluster, each of said plurality of computer systems within said cluster having a first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster, wherein said cluster manager creates a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, said second configuration file specifying a modified configuration including a modified cluster topology, and wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration of said cluster, and in response to said verification, operates said cluster utilizing said modified configuration; and an information bearing media bearing said cluster manager.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The program product of claim 15, wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration by establishing communication with each computer system that is within said modified configuration and not within said current configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The program product of claim 15, wherein said cluster manager synchronizes creation of said second configuration file, verification of said modified configuration, and operation of said cluster utilizing said modified configuration between said plurality of computer systems.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The program product of claim 15, wherein said cluster manager aborts dynamic reconfiguration of said cluster in response to a failure of any of said plurality of computer systems to successfully complete creation of said second configuration file and verification of said modified configuration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
130 words
A program product for dynamically reconfiguring a cluster including a plurality of computer systems, said program product comprising: a cluster manager executable by at least one of a plurality of computer systems within a cluster, each of said plurality of computer systems within said cluster having a first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster, wherein said cluster manager creates a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, said second configuration file specifying a modified configuration including a diverse set of cluster resources than specified by said first configuration file, and wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration of said cluster, and in response to said verification, operates said cluster utilizing said modified configuration; and an information bearing media bearing said cluster manager.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
130 words
A program product for dynamically reconfiguring a cluster including a plurality of computer systems, said program product comprising: a cluster manager executable by at least one of a plurality of computer systems within a cluster, each of said plurality of computer systems within said cluster having a first configuration file containing a current configuration of said cluster, wherein said cluster manager creates a second configuration file at each of said plurality of computer systems, said second configuration file specifying a modified configuration including a diverse set of cluster resources than specified by said first configuration file, and wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration of said cluster, and in response to said verification, operates said cluster utilizing said modified configuration; and an information bearing media bearing said cluster manager.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The program product of claim 19, wherein said cluster manager verifies said modified configuration by verifying ownership by said plurality of computer systems of selected resources accessible under said modified configuration.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The program product of claim 19, wherein said cluster manager synchronizes creation of said second configuration file, verification of said modified configuration, and operation of said cluster utilizing said modified configuration between said plurality of computer systems.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The program product of claim 19, wherein said cluster manager aborts dynamic reconfiguration of said cluster in response to a failure of any of said plurality of computer systems to successfully complete creation of said second configuration file and verification of said modified configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5161102A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-12 | 2002-04-13 | 2002-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-12 | 2006-04-13 | 2006-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-12 | 2010-04-13 | 2010-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |