Consistent group membership for semi-active and passive replication
US7185236B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/40
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This invention defines a method and mechanisms for maintaining a consistent group membership, based on the leader-follower strategy of Semi-Active or Passive replication. Each member of the group is assigned a rank, and a precedence, determined by the order in which it is added to the group. The Primary maintains the membership of the group, while each Backup monitors the behavior of the Primary. When a Backup detects that the Primary is faulty, the Backup announces that it is the new Primary and removes the faulty Primary from the membership of the group. The group membership algorithm disclosed here does not require a consensus decision to reconfigure the membership and effects a membership change more quickly in the common case where the Backup of lowest rank takes control as the new Primary when it determines that the existing Primary failed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.