Patent ID: 6216262
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A distributed computing system comprising a plurality of host computers, each host computer comprising:a memory space storing predetermined data records and programs for accessing said data records, anda data record location management system comprisinga host computer status table containing status data for each of said plurality of host computers,a data record location table containing for each said data record existing in the distributed computing system (a) a current location entry for the identity of the host computer currently storing that data record, and (b) a creating host computer entry for the identity of the host computer on which that data record was created; anda data record location manager arranged to review its status in accordance with a predetermined function to determine whether a data record stored in the memory space of its host computer is to be moved to the memory space of another of said plurality of host computers, andin the event that such a data record is to be so moved, to compare the identity of its host computer with the identity of the creating host computer for that data record, and, either immediately upon a successful comparison else upon receipt of an acknowledgement from said creating host computer of a notification sent to that creating host computer of the intention to move that data record to said another of said plurality of host computers, to move that data record to said another of said plurality of host computers and to notify each other of said plurality of host computers of the new location of that data record.