Application Replay via Extracted Log Data Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in restarting and replaying applications that fail while processing shared data sets, as they lack efficient methods to recover and maintain data integrity without altering the application or data set.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that restarts an application on a second system, receives and updates replicated logged data from a first system, identifies data reads before a checkpoint, and retrieves and returns the replicated logged data to enable the application to replay its processing without altering the data set, thus allowing continued processing from the restart point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the application is restarted on the same first system, then the application can continue processing, but data integrity issues arise because the application may read inconsistent data from the shared data set
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the logging function from the application and places it at the data set level. The log data set captures all reads and writes independently of the application, allowing the application to be restarted on any system without compromising data integrity. This separation enables the application to replay processing on a second system while maintaining consistent data state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the logging functionality through the log data set, which replicates all data operations. This log data set can be copied and transferred to a second system, enabling the restarted application to replay processing with consistent data state without modifying the original application or data set.
2Reliability
If the application is restarted on a second system with replicated logged data, then data consistency is maintained, but system complexity increases due to data replication and synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The log data set serves multiple functions: it logs all data operations, enables application replay, maintains data consistency, and can be transferred between systems. This multi-functional component simplifies the overall system architecture by consolidating logging and replay capabilities into a single reusable data structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary logging of all data operations before the application fails. This pre-captured log data set is then used to replay processing on the second system, eliminating the need for complex real-time synchronization mechanisms during the restart process.
3Productivity
If traditional restart methods are used without replay functionality, then the system can recover quickly, but processing time is lost due to discarding updated data sets or creating new copies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous processing by replaying the application with the log data set on the second system. Instead of discarding updated data sets or creating new copies, the system continues processing by replaying operations from the log, eliminating idle recovery time and maintaining productive workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes restarting an application at a second system in response to a failure of the application at a first system, receiving replicated logged data from the first system at the second system, updating a second data set at the second system to reflect a first data set at the first system, utilizing the replicated logged data, identifying a first plurality of data reads from the restarted application at the second system, where the first plurality of data reads occur before a predetermined checkpoint, and in response to the first plurality of data reads, retrieving the replicated logged data from the second system, and returning the replicated logged data to the restarted application at the second system.