Cluster File System Message Transmission via Storage Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cluster file systems face service interruptions and data loss due to unreliable message networks, leading to frequent host restarts and high management costs, as existing solutions either restart hosts or temporarily make them unavailable, causing service disruptions and data unavailability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual-channel message transmission system where hosts switch from a message network channel to a storage channel when the message network fails, allowing continuous communication through the storage channel until the message network is restored, ensuring uninterrupted service and data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hosts use message network for communication in cluster file system, then message transmission is enabled, but network reliability is poor and service interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage channel as an intermediary communication path between hosts. When the message network fails, hosts automatically switch to using the storage channel for message transmission, ensuring continuous communication without service interruption. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain functionality through an alternative pathway when the primary communication channel becomes unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication parameter from message network to storage channel based on network status. The system dynamically adjusts the communication pathway by detecting message network failures and switching to the storage channel, thereby adapting to changing conditions and maintaining service continuity despite network reliability issues.
2Reliability
If hosts are restarted when message network fault is detected, then communication reliability is improved, but service interruption and data loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares an alternative storage channel in advance for message transmission. Instead of restarting hosts when network failure occurs, the system has pre-configured the storage channel as a backup communication path, allowing immediate switching without service interruption or data loss when the message network fails.
3Reliability
If hosts exit cluster when message network faults, then fault isolation is achieved, but virtual machine availability decreases and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage channel serves as an intermediary that enables continued cluster operation during network failures. Instead of isolating hosts by exiting the cluster, the storage channel maintains communication pathways, allowing hosts to remain in the cluster and continue operations without increasing management complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application relates to the field of communications technologies, and discloses a message transmission method and apparatus in a cluster file system, so as to ensure normal communication between hosts when a message network is faulty. The method includes: determining, by a first host in the cluster file system, that the message network link is faulty; switching from the message network link for message transmission to a storage channel; generating a first message; and recording the first message in a first location area of a data storage medium, where the first location area is used by a second host to access and read the first message.