Patent ID: 6629260
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for automatically reconnecting software processes that share an interface after one or more said software processes, known as partner processes, fails over to a redundant backup copy, said method comprising ofa. first means for registering each copy of said partner processes with a join manager component when said copy of said partner processes finishes initializing b. second means for controlling the primary or backup status of each said copy of said partner processes that executes on one or a plurality of processing units in a computer system c. third means for said partner processes requesting that said join manager create or release an association between two or more said partner processes, said association being known as a join d. fourth means for detecting the failure of the primary or backup copy of said partner process associated with said join e. fifth means for notifying the remaining partner processes associated with said join of the failure of said primary copy of said partner process associated with said join f. sixth means for said join manager notifying said remaining partner processes when a replacement primary copy of said failed partner process is restored to service whereby said partner processes do not have to be aware of the redundancy or replication strategy used by other said partner processes associated with said join, which may be different for each said partner process associated with said join, and whereby said automatic reconnection of said partner processes is independent of the hardware or operating system support for such reconnection.