Patent US6438705B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6438705B1
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US
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Method and apparatus for building and managing multi-clustered computer systems
Assignee: Everpure Inc
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Filing: 1999-01-29
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Granted: 2002-08-20
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Expires: 2019-01-29
Abstract
Abstract One application of clustered computer systems is to support failover of applications and shared resources. Another is to support scalable or fault-tolerant distributed applications. The present invention utilizes a higher-level clustering mechanism (a multi-cluster) overlayed on top of multiple underlying clusters (subclusters) to extend their capabilities. In the described embodiment, subclusters supporting application and shared resource failover across a smaller number of nodes is overlayed with a multi-cluster supporting a larger number of nodes. The multi-cluster manages cluster-level communication among nodes, and the subclusters directly manage only the shared device and application resources which they are permitted to control. It is possible to move resources between nodes which reside in different subclusters. The multi-cluster layer also externalizes interfaces similar to those of the subclusters, providing application compatibility.
Inventors
- 👤 Ching-Yun Chao
- 👤 Patrick M. Goal
- 👤 Richard James McCarty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/202; G06F11/2046; G06F11/14; G06F11/1402; G06F11/1415; G06F11/142; G06F11/1425; G06F11/2023; G06F11/2033; G06F11/2038; G06F11/1479; G06F11/1482; G06F2209/00; G06F2209/50; G06F2209/505
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of managing a multi-cluster computer system having at least one node per cluster, said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a multi-cluster computer system comprising at least two subclusters wherein each of the subclusters comprises at least one node; (b) managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) failing over between a first node in a first one of the at least two subclusters and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system in response to a failover event; and (d) returning said system to a consistent state after the failover event.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of managing a multi-cluster computer system having at least one node per cluster, said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a multi-cluster computer system comprising at least two subclusters wherein each of the subclusters comprises at least one node; (b) managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) failing over between a first node in a first one of the at least two subclusters and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system in response to a failover event; and (d) returning said system to a consistent state after the failover event.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said cluster services program manages using a resource API within the at least one node.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises establishing a multi-cluster of at least three nodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 further comprises updating a cluster wide data file.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises initiating a first cluster services program automatically when said at least one node is booted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 further comprises initiating a second cluster services program resident on the at least one node after initiating the first cluster services program.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said first and second cluster services programs are binary compatible.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises managing a cluster node membership database.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises managing a heartbeat signal sent between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises managing inter-node communications between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprises presenting an image of a single cluster with a cluster manager.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises configuring a multi-cluster quorum resource as a local quorum resource.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) comprises restarting a node and bringing a shared resource to an initial state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein step (d) further comprises storing said initial state for said shared resource.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises, responsive to a conflict for control of a shared resource, failing to restart a failed node which would attempt to control the shared resource.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of managing a clustered computer system having at least one node, said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a multi-cluster comprising said at least one node and at least one shared resource; (b) managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) returning said system to a consistent state after a failover event; and (d) adding a hidden resource into a resource group on each node.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of managing a clustered computer system having at least one node, said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a multi-cluster comprising said at least one node and at least one shared resource; (b) managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) returning said system to a consistent state after a failover event; and (d) adding a hidden resource into a resource group on each node.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 further comprises making said hidden resource dependent on any other resource in said resource group.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The data processing system of claim 16 wherein (d) comprises means for updating a cluster wide data file.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
113 words
A data processing system for executing a method having a plurality of paths, wherein the data processing system executes native machine code, the data processing system comprising: (a) means for establishing a multi-cluster computer system comprising at least two subclusters wherein each of the subclusters comprises at least one node; (b) means for managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) means for failing over between a first node in a first one of the at least two subclusters and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system in response to a failover event; and (d) means for returning said system to a consistent state after the failover event.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
113 words
A data processing system for executing a method having a plurality of paths, wherein the data processing system executes native machine code, the data processing system comprising: (a) means for establishing a multi-cluster computer system comprising at least two subclusters wherein each of the subclusters comprises at least one node; (b) means for managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) means for failing over between a first node in a first one of the at least two subclusters and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system in response to a failover event; and (d) means for returning said system to a consistent state after the failover event.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The data processing system of claim 19 wherein said cluster services program manages using a resource API within the at least one node.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The data processing system of claim 19 wherein (a) comprises means for establishing a multi-cluster of at least three nodes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The data processing system of claim 19 wherein (b) comprises means for initiating a first cluster services program automatically when said at least one node is booted.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The data processing system of claim 22 further comprises means initiating a second cluster services program resident on the at least one node after initiating the first cluster services program.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The data processing system of claim 19 wherein (b) comprises means for managing a heartbeat signal sent between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The data processing system of claim 19 wherein (b) comprises means for managing inter-node communications between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data processing system of claim 19 further comprises means for presenting an image of a single cluster with a cluster manager.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The data processing system of claim 19 wherein (d) comprises means for storing consistent state for a shared resource.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The data processing system of claim 19 wherein (b) comprises, responsive to a conflict for control of a shared resource, means for failing to restart a failed node which would attempt to control the shared resource.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
88 words
A data processing system for executing a method having a plurality of paths, wherein the data processing system executes native machine code, the data processing system comprising: (a) means for establishing a multi-cluster comprising said at least one node and at least one shared resource; (b) means for managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) means for returning said system to a consistent state after a failover event; and (d) means for adding a hidden resource into a resource group on each node.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
88 words
A data processing system for executing a method having a plurality of paths, wherein the data processing system executes native machine code, the data processing system comprising: (a) means for establishing a multi-cluster comprising said at least one node and at least one shared resource; (b) means for managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) means for returning said system to a consistent state after a failover event; and (d) means for adding a hidden resource into a resource group on each node.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer program product in a computer readable medium for executing a method in a data processing system, (a) first instructions for establishing a multi-cluster computer system comprising at least two subclusters wherein each of the subclusters comprises at least one node; (b) second instructions for managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) third instructions for failing over between a first node in a first one of the at least two subclusters and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system in response to a failover event; and (d) fourth instructions for returning said system to a consistent state after the failover event.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer program product in a computer readable medium for executing a method in a data processing system, (a) first instructions for establishing a multi-cluster computer system comprising at least two subclusters wherein each of the subclusters comprises at least one node; (b) second instructions for managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; (c) third instructions for failing over between a first node in a first one of the at least two subclusters and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system in response to a failover event; and (d) fourth instructions for returning said system to a consistent state after the failover event.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 30 wherein said second instruction further comprises instruction for managing a cluster node membership database.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer program product of claim 30 wherein said second instructions further comprises instructions for managing a heartbeat signal sent between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer program product of claim 30 wherein said second instructions further comprises instructions for managing inter-node communications between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster computer system.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of managing a clustered computer system having at least one node, said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a multi-cluster comprising said at least one node and at least one shared resource; (b) managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; wherein said cluster services program manages using a resource API within the at least one node; including managing a heartbeat signal sent between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster; (c) failing over between a first node and any other node within the multi-cluster; (d) comprises updating a cluster wide data file; (e) returning said system to an initial state after a failover event.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of managing a clustered computer system having at least one node, said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a multi-cluster comprising said at least one node and at least one shared resource; (b) managing said at least one node with a cluster services program; wherein said cluster services program manages using a resource API within the at least one node; including managing a heartbeat signal sent between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster; (c) failing over between a first node and any other node within the multi-cluster; (d) comprises updating a cluster wide data file; (e) returning said system to an initial state after a failover event.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 34 wherein step (a) comprises establishing a multi-cluster of at least two clusters, wherein each of said clusters comprises at least one node.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 34 wherein step (b) comprises initiating a first cluster services program automatically when said at least one node is booted.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 34 wherein step (b) comprises managing inter-node communications between said at least one node and any other node within the multi-cluster.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34 further comprises presenting an image of a single cluster with a cluster manager.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 34 wherein step(c) comprises storing said initial state for said shared resource.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 34 wherein step (b) comprises, responsive to a conflict for control of said shared resource, failing to restart a failed node which would attempt to control said shared resource.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
86 words
A method in a distributed data processing system for managing a plurality of cluster computer systems, the method comprising: detecting an initiation of a restart of a cluster computer system within the plurality of cluster computer systems, wherein the cluster computer system will restart in a selected state and includes a resource; and responsive to a determination that the resource is presently operating in another cluster computer system within the plurality of cluster computer systems, preventing a restart of the resource in the cluster computer system.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
86 words
A method in a distributed data processing system for managing a plurality of cluster computer systems, the method comprising: detecting an initiation of a restart of a cluster computer system within the plurality of cluster computer systems, wherein the cluster computer system will restart in a selected state and includes a resource; and responsive to a determination that the resource is presently operating in another cluster computer system within the plurality of cluster computer systems, preventing a restart of the resource in the cluster computer system.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the resource is a shared file system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
86 words
A distributed data processing system, having a plurality of cluster computer systems, comprising: detection means for detecting an initiation of a restart of a cluster computer system within the plurality of cluster computer systems, wherein the cluster computer system will restart in a selected state and includes a resource; and preventing means, responsive to a determination that the resource is presently operating in another cluster computer system within the plurality of cluster computer systems, for preventing a restart of the resource in the cluster computer system.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
86 words
A distributed data processing system, having a plurality of cluster computer systems, comprising: detection means for detecting an initiation of a restart of a cluster computer system within the plurality of cluster computer systems, wherein the cluster computer system will restart in a selected state and includes a resource; and preventing means, responsive to a determination that the resource is presently operating in another cluster computer system within the plurality of cluster computer systems, for preventing a restart of the resource in the cluster computer system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |