Distributed Cache Cluster Dynamic Configuration Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distributed cluster management systems lack dynamic configuration awareness and efficient management of cache clusters, leading to difficulties in scaling and maintaining cache clusters in response to changing service needs and node failures.

Innovation Solution

A management system that monitors and updates the configuration of a cache cluster dynamically, allowing for the addition or removal of memory caching nodes, and provisions new nodes while updating the configuration across the cluster, enabling clients to self-configure and adapt to changes without relying on static configuration endpoints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a static configuration endpoint is used to manage cache cluster nodes, then configuration management is simple, but the system cannot dynamically adapt to node additions or removals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic configuration awarenessVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each cache node automatically discovers and monitors the configuration endpoint, retrieves configuration information autonomously, and adapts its behavior based on the current cluster state without requiring manual intervention or complex external management systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where cache nodes continuously monitor the configuration endpoint for changes, and the configuration endpoint receives updates about node additions or removals from the cluster, enabling dynamic adaptation through continuous information exchange

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If manual node addition/removal procedures are used, then system control is precise, but scaling operations are time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescaling speedVSAvoidconfiguration consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration endpoint pre-establishes configuration information and makes it available to all cache nodes before scaling operations occur, allowing nodes to quickly adapt to new cluster states without waiting for manual configuration propagation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates configuration management into an independent configuration endpoint that serves all cache nodes, allowing configuration updates to be propagated independently from node operations, thereby enabling parallel scaling operations while maintaining configuration consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If configuration changes are propagated manually across the cluster, then change control is precise, but configuration updates are delayed and cause service disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration update speedVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration endpoint acts as an intermediary between cluster nodes, centralizing configuration management and enabling automatic propagation of configuration changes to all nodes through standardized interfaces, thereby accelerating updates while maintaining service continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical configuration propagation with automated electronic configuration distribution through the configuration endpoint, which automatically pushes or notifies nodes of configuration changes, eliminating delays and reducing service disruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2923272B1Distributed caching cluster management
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 AMAZON TECH INC
  • EP2923272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2923272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2923272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A management system may enable and monitor a cache or other cluster to make the cluster configuration-aware such that initialization and changes to the underlying structure of the cluster can be dynamically updated. For example, a distributed memory caching system may provide initial configuration to a client from a memory caching node referenced by an alias provided by a configuration endpoint. Updates of configuration may be retrieved from memory caching nodes, each storing current configuration of the cache cluster. A management system monitors changes to the cache cluster, such as provisioning of new caching nodes, and updates the configuration stored in the caching nodes for retrieval by a client.