Patent ID: 7523204
Filing Date: 2009-04-21
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A process for quiescing a cluster of computer systems, wherein said cluster includes a master system and a plurality of subordinate systems that each may assume both an original state and a pending state that are either a quiesce state or an online state, the process comprising: (a) communicating from said master system to said plurality of subordinate systems a first message, wherein said first message requests that either said quiesce state or said online state be made said pending state; (b) preparing said plurality of subordinate systems to change from said original state to said pending state that was requested in said first message, wherein said preparing includes: (c) determining in said plurality of subordinate systems whether said step (b) was successful; (d) sending vote messages from said plurality of subordinate systems to said master system, wherein each of the vote messages include a vote to either commit to or abort from changing from said original state to said pending state; (e) determining from said vote messages whether all of said plurality of subordinate systems have voted to commit; (f) communicating from said master system to said plurality of subordinate systems a second message, wherein said second message requests that said plurality of subordinate systems either commit or abort; (g) if said second message requests to commit, then: (h) if said second message requests to abort, then: