Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-16
2004-11-16
Choules, Jack (Department: 2177)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06820097
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to Enterprise systems that have front-end and backend data repositories that require updating. More specifically, the present invention relates to Enterprise systems that have front-end and backend data repositories that require the propagation of cross platform updates.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The wide use of the Internet has provided a new mode of business which has been frequently referred to as “e-Business” or “e-Commerce.” The heart of e-Business is the ability of system users, which at times are customers to be able to perform a variety of transactions using a web browser or other device that allows them to connect to the Internet. In the context of an “Enterprise,” “Enterprise Data” may now be accessed and updated by customers in a much less controlled environment. In Enterprises that are engaged in e-Business where, in fact, customers do have such access, there is a trend to isolate the critical backend data repositories from the front-end data repositories. This is felt necessary to prevent the backend data repositories from being manipulated by customers through web browsers. Further, the front-end and backend data repositories may be different types of systems running different types of database software. For example, the front-end repositories may be S/390 systems from IBM running Database2 software from IBM, Inc., while the backend data repositories may Unix/NT based systems from Sun Microsystem Inc./Microsoft, Inc. running Oracle database software.
Given that front-end and backend data repositories are all part of the same Enterprise system, it is very likely that some of the updates to the backend data repositories will propagate to the front-end data repositories and vice-versa. In order to carryout such cross-platform updates, normally, there is very specialized software components added to the respective platform software to effect the desired update propagation. Generally, platform-to-platform propagation using this software is carried out using the system's Transport Control Protocol/Interface Protocol (“TCP/IP”) communications lines.
The add-on software components are expensive to the system in a variety of ways. These expenses include the amount of CPU cycles needed from both the front-end and backend servers, the loading of the TCP/IP communications lines, and there must be specially developed software for each specific enterprise logic. This latter requirement also means that additional supporting cross-system locking mechanisms and logic must be developed. As can be suspected, with the need to handle these issues there is a strong likelihood that applications developed in this environment will have bugs and be susceptible to various types of failures.
As an example, in any two platform system, which includes Enterprise systems with front-end and backend data repositories, there can be real-time consistent update propagation by including transaction application logic to the respective database servers. In the case of the cross platform propagation of updates, one of the transaction applications will be the source transaction application and the other will be the destination transaction application. Each of the transaction application is capable of serving as a source or destination transaction application. Therefore, each is developed so that it is capable of propagating updates that it intercepts to a program location at the destination database of the other platform. The program at the destination database will acquire and retain the appropriate records relating to the updates propagated to the destination database. The destination database will then apply the updates to the destination database.
After the successful update of the destination database, the destination program will transmit a “successful completion status” message to the source transaction application. This message will then permit the sources transaction application to complete its internal processing for the propagation. The system that has just been described, however, uses the respective server CPU cycle times and loads the TCP/IP communications lines to effect update propagation which is undesirable.
There is a need for a system and method the will more efficiently and effectively perform cross-platform update propagation without the problems and expense found in prior systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The system and method of the present invention will effect the efficient and effective cross-platform updating of databases which is not application dependent. The system and method of the present invention do not require additional cross-system locking mechanisms, uses a very limited number of server CPU cycles, and do not use the TCP/IP communications lines.
The system and method of the present invention may be carried out by updates for the respective databases being intercepted as reflected in their respective database logs. The intercepted updates are then applied to the databases by directly writing them to the appropriate database disks. According to the present invention, the interception of the updates and the writing of them to the disks are carried out using the I/O streams, thereby bypassing the need to use the respective different server CPUs and the TCP/IP communications lines. As an example, the I/O streams include Enterprise System Connection (“ESCON”), Small Computer System Interface (“SCSI”), or Fiber Channel streams.
An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method to effectively and efficiently propagate cross-platform updates between two discrete databases systems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that will effect cross-platform update propagation without the need to use platform server resources or TCP/IP communication lines.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that will effect the propagation of cross-platform updates between two discrete database systems at the I/O streams associated with a system that may include the two discrete database systems.
These and other objects will be explained in greater detail in the remainder of the specification, and in light of the drawings and the appended claims.
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Choules Jack
Sepaton, Inc.
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
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