Application Instance Migration in System Clusters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for moving an application from one system to another in a cluster result in prolonged downtime due to the sequential startup of support resources, which can be inconvenient for users and may be exacerbated by failures during startup, leading to extended application outages.

Innovation Solution

The method involves starting up second-instance support resources before shutting down the first instance of the application and starting up the second instance only after the support resources are running, allowing for either serial or parallel moves based on application requirements, thereby reducing downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If support resources are started up sequentially before the application instance, then the application can start up successfully, but the total downtime is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication startup successVSAvoidapplication downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by starting up support resources on the target system before shutting down the application instance on the source system. This ensures that when the application is moved, the support infrastructure is already in place, reducing the time the application is inaccessible. The method systematically prepares the target environment in advance, including starting dependent services and configuring necessary resources before the actual application migration occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the application is moved quickly from one system to another, then downtime is reduced, but the risk of startup failures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication downtimeVSAvoidstartup success
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces startup failure risk by performing preliminary configuration and validation of the target system before the application is actually moved. Support resources, dependencies, and system configurations are prepared in advance on the target system, ensuring that when the application instance is transferred, the environment is ready to接纳 it without errors or failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If support resources are started up in sequence with dependencies, then system stability is maintained, but the move time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidmove time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary startup of support resources on the target system before the application migration begins. By establishing the support infrastructure in advance, the system maintains stability through proper sequencing of resource startup, while the overall move time is reduced because these preparations occur parallel to or before the critical application downtime period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10417041B2Moving a software application in a system cluster
Publication Date: 2019.09.17 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US10417041B2 patent drawing
  • US10417041B2 patent drawing
  • US10417041B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, apparatus and program product for shutting down a first instance of an application and starting up a second instance of the application. The first instance of the application has associated therewith at least one first instance support resource. The second instance of the application has associated therewith at least one second-instance support resource. The method includes starting up the at least one second-instance support resource; shutting down the first instance of the application after the at least one second-instance support resource has started up; and starting up the second instance of the application based on at least one condition from a set consisting of: when the at least one second-instance support resource is running, and when the first instance of the application has shut down to a selected degree.