Fail-Over In A Multi-Computer System

Abstract

System and method for managing data fail-over for a computing system comprising a plurality of computers, e.g., computer blades, coupled through a network. A fail-over condition may indicate a component failure, an imminent failure, and / or a need to modify or replace some aspect of a computer. Computers in the system may back up their information to other computers in the system. If a fail-over condition is detected on a first computer, a replacement computer may be loaded with the information from the first computer, optionally from a backup copy stored on another computer (or distributed across multiple computers), and the first computer's peripheral devices (human interface) switched over to the replacement computer. The method may be used to replace a single computer, swap two computers, and / or perform a cascade move among multiple computers, and may be performed automatically in response to the fail-over condition, or initiated by a system administrator.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 301,536 titled “Data Fail-Over For A Multi-Computer System” and filed on Nov. 21, 2002, whose inventors were Syed Mohammad Amir Husain, Todd John Enright and Barry W. Thornton, which claims benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 332,143 titled “A Fail Forward Networked Storage System,” filed Nov. 21, 2001, whose inventor was Barry Thornton and which also claims benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 411,066 titled “Distributed Computing Infrastructure” filed on Sep. 16, 2002, whose inventors were Amir Husain, Todd Enright, and Barry Thornton.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to managing information storage between two or more computers and specifically to remedying computer fail-over conditions. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Many commercial business...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system and method for managing data storage for multiple computer systems. The system includes a first computer and a second computer, with the first computer having a first processor and a first storage medium coupled to the first processor. The second computer has a second processor and a second storage medium. The first and second computers are connected through a communication link, and a peripheral switch is connected to both computers. The system also includes a fail-over condition detection system that detects a fail-over condition on the first computer and can copy information from the first computer to the second computer to restore functionality. The system can also include a replication factor to determine how many computers the first computer will backup to. The technical effects of the patent include improved data storage management for multiple computer systems and faster fail-over recovery in case of failure.

Problems solved by technology

For example, a fail-over condition may indicate failure of a processor, impending failure of a processor, or even that the performance, e.g., the processing capability, of the computer needs to be upgraded or modified.

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