Patent ID: 7418627
Filing Date: 2008-08-26
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A failover method for a cluster computer system in which a plurality of computers sharing a resource are connected by a heartbeat path for providing each computer with lines for monitoring operations of the other computers and a reset path for providing each computer with lines for stopping other computers, whereby, when one of said plurality of computers operating as an executing system executes a process using said shared resource, exclusive control of said shared resource is performed so that other computers in the cluster computer systems function as standby systems with respect to said one computer, wherein each of the computers performs a procedure including: a first step of registering a priority for resetting other computers, which is uniquely established among the computers in the cluster computer system; a second step of setting a reset delay time upon which to issue a reset to one of said other computers based on said priority, in a case of detecting an occurrence of a malfunction in said one of said other computers based on a loss of a heartbeat under monitoring; a third step of resetting a malfunctioning computer when the reset delay time set in said second step has elapsed; a fourth step of notifying reset completion of the malfunctioning computer to still other computers in the cluster computer system; and a fifth step of invalidating timing of said reset delay time to stop issuing a reset to the malfunctioning computer when receiving a notification of reset completion of the malfunctioning computer from one of said still other computers earlier than the elapse of said reset delay time.