Cluster Node Connectivity Management via Non-Volatile RAM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for managing cluster node connectivity in backup appliances are inefficient due to the need for a cluster-wide accessible storage device, which can be proprietary and require additional storage resources that must comply with specific constraints, making it cumbersome to maintain connectivity information.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a cluster monitor, a connectivity monitor, and a splitter driver to determine and transmit connectivity information to non-volatile RAM of a cluster disk, allowing a remote system to access and retrieve this information using SCSI commands, thereby eliminating the need for a central storage device and simplifying resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cluster-wide accessible storage device is used to maintain connectivity state, then the backup appliance can detect connectivity state of each cluster node, but the system requires additional storage resources that must comply with multiple constraints and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connectivity state information from the central storage device and places it directly in the memory of each cluster node. Each node maintains its own connectivity state locally, eliminating the need for a dedicated central storage location and the complex resource allocation process associated with it.
Solution Approach 2:
The cluster monitor acts as an intermediary that collects connectivity state information from each node's memory and makes it available to the backup appliance. This mediator approach allows the backup appliance to access connectivity information without requiring direct access to node memory or a central storage device.
2Reliability
If a cluster monitor proprietary data store is used, then connectivity information can be maintained centrally, but the backup appliance cannot read the data store due to proprietary interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the connectivity state information from the cluster monitor's proprietary data store and places it in the memory of individual cluster nodes. This segmentation allows the information to be accessed in a standardized way through the cluster monitor interface, making it compatible with backup appliances from different vendors.
Solution Approach 2:
The cluster monitor copies connectivity state information from each node's memory into a standardized format that can be read by the backup appliance. This copying process translates the information into a universal interface that works across different backup appliance platforms, eliminating proprietary interface limitations.
3Reliability
If new storage resources are allocated by network administrator, then central storage can be provisioned, but the process is cumbersome and requires compliance with multiple constraints
Solution Approach 1:
Each cluster node automatically maintains its own connectivity state information in its memory without requiring manual provisioning of central storage resources. The system performs self-service by having nodes autonomously manage their connectivity information, eliminating the need for network administrators to allocate and configure additional storage resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for managing cluster node connectivity information. The method may include maintaining a set of cluster nodes of a clustered application. The method may also include, for each node in a set of cluster nodes, determining a connectivity state of the cluster node and transmitting, from the cluster node to non-volatile Random Access Memory (“RAM”) of a cluster disk, connectivity information that indicates the connectivity state of the cluster node. The method may further include accessing, from a remote system, the non-volatile RAM of the cluster disk to retrieve connectivity information of one or more cluster nodes from the set of cluster nodes. The method may include using the connectivity information to inform the remote system of the connectivity state of the one or more cluster nodes. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.