Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Reconfiguration
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-07-17
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Reconfiguration
C709S223000, C714S004110, C714S006130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263433
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to computer systems, and more particularly, to a provision for continuous database service using active redundant copies of the database.
2. Description of Related Art
Many modern computer systems are in nearly continuous use, and have very little time to be taken “down” or “offline” for database updates or preventative maintenance. Further, computer systems increasingly require systems that virtually never fail and have little or no scheduled downtime. As a concurrent requirement, these same systems demand cost-effective computing solutions, open systems to avoid or reduce specific supplier dependencies, and the ability to leverage the latest hardware and software technologies as they become available.
Modern computer systems also have transitioned from a static installation to a dynamic system that regularly changes. The system continually contains new collections of products that are processing requests from a constantly changing user base. The ability of computing solutions to provide service availability in a dynamic environment is becoming increasingly important, because the pace of change in products and customers' environments is expected to increase. The term “change tolerance” has been used to describe the ability of a computer system to adapt to the dynamic environment required.
It can be seen, then, that there is a need in the art for a system that provides a high confidence level for continuous processing. It can also be seen, then, that there is a need in the art for a system with a high change tolerance. It can also be seen, then, that there is a need in the art for a system with reasonable development costs and implementation schedules that does not sacrifice the benefits of open systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a method and apparatus for distributing computer resources in a network environment. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one computing system partition, a plurality of computing systems, and at least one redundancy group. The computing system partitions include at least one instance of an application, at least one computing system node, and at least one copy of a database schema. The copies of the database schema are replicated at each computing system partition within a network. The computing system partition manages interactions between the instances, the computing system nodes, and the copy of the database schema within the respective computing system partition.
The computing systems are connected together via the network, and comprise one or more computing system partitions. The redundancy group comprises at least one computing system and at a plurality of computing system partitions, and manages the replication of the database schema within the computing system and computing system partitions.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying detailed description, in which there is illustrated and described specific examples in accordance with the invention.
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Antoun Selim Zoher
Blevins Terence J.
Dempster Patric B.
MacDonald Robert J.
Ramsey David Allen
Cowart John D.
Gates & Cooper
Lee Thomas
Mai Rijue
NCR Corporation
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