Patent ID: 8356072
Filing Date: 2013-01-15
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A scalable heterogeneous cluster storage system comprising: a first storage server configured for operation as a member of a cluster with a second storage server, wherein the first storage server and the second storage server each has a management gateway module for maintaining quorum within the cluster, wherein the management gateway module of the second storage server is disabled when the second storage server is configured for operation outside of any storage cluster, and wherein the first storage server is further configured to service a client request from a client of the cluster storage system by sending a server request based on the client request; and a third storage server configured to receive the server request, wherein the third storage server is not configured for operation as a member of a cluster with the first storage server and the second storage server, wherein the third storage server is not in quorum to ensure that a single system image of stored data in the storage system is consistent across all servers, and wherein the third storage server is configured to service the server request from the first storage server by retrieving data stored in the third storage server, and not stored in the first server, and sending the data to the first storage server; wherein the second storage server is selectably configured for operation either as a member of a cluster with the first storage server or not as a member of a cluster with the first storage server and wherein the second storage server is homogeneous with respect to the first storage server; and wherein the second storage server is further configured to transition from servicing server requests while not configured as a member of a cluster with the first storage server, to servicing client requests while configured as a member of a cluster with the first storage server.