Patent ID: 8615578

Claim:
A method of using a standby data storage system to detect a condition of a cluster of data storage servers that control changes to a primary data storage, said method comprising computer-implemented steps of: transmitting a stream of data comprising log data from a change log to said standby data storage system, wherein the log data specifies changes made to data stored at said primary data storage, wherein said stream of data comprising log data is used by said standby data storage system to replicate said changes made to data stored at said primary data storage to data stored at said standby data storage system; determining an operating status for one or more of said data storage servers within said cluster; causing a message reporting said operating status to be transmitted inband within said stream itself to said standby data storage system; and determining, at said standby data storage system, an operating condition of said cluster of data storage servers based, at least in part, on said message reporting said operating status; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.