Patent ID: 6192483
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for operating a clustered computer system including at least a first node and a second node, the method comprising:a first software controlled process executing in said first node, wherein the first software controlled process is configured to cause a reconfiguration of a cluster configuration in response to detection of a failure; anda second software controlled process executing in said second node, wherein said second software controlled process is configured to detect said failure within a period of time which is less than the time for performing said reconfiguration, and wherein said second software controlled process is executed in real time to guarantee that said second software controlled process detects said failure within the time for performing said reconfiguration;wherein said first node and said second node are configured to each separately detect said failure by:writing a first sequence number identifying a particular configuration of a cluster to which each node is a member to a shared storage device;reading a second sequence number from each other node in said cluster;comparing said first sequence number written to said shared storage device to said second sequence number read from each other node in said cluster; andinitiating said reconfiguration of said cluster configuration if said first sequence number written to said shared storage device is less than said second sequence number read from each other node in said cluster.