Patent ID: 8380938

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for providing shared access to a data storage device in a cluster computing environment, the method comprising: operating a first compute node, of a plurality of compute nodes in the cluster computing environment, in a passthrough mode; responsive to receiving, at the first compute node, a message indicating a request to backup data in the data storage device, wherein the message is received via a first channel and identifies a backup server performing the requested backup: causing the first compute node to enter a hook mode that prevents exclusive access to the data storage device by the first compute node; and while the first compute node is in the hook mode, and responsive to an exclusive access command from the first compute node: changing, by the first compute node, the exclusive access command to a first shared access command, wherein the first shared access command allows the first compute node to access the data storage device via the first channel, and allows the backup server to access the data storage device via a second channel; and transmitting the first shared access command from the first compute node to the data storage device, wherein the first shared access command allows only the first compute node and the backup server to access to the data storage device.