Concurrent Cluster Node Startup via Ping State Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing cluster computing systems, concurrent startup of multiple nodes often results in each node creating its own single-node cluster, leading to reduced efficiency and increased computing overhead due to separate operation and potential resource conflicts upon subsequent merging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple startup phases, including an initial and secondary phase, where nodes communicate through pings to determine the state of other nodes, allowing a node to either join an existing cluster or create a new one, thereby avoiding the creation of multiple clusters and ensuring efficient resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nodes start concurrently without coordination, then each node can independently initialize, but multiple separate clusters are created leading to reduced efficiency and increased overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a startup state machine with predefined states (initializing, joined, leader, follower) that nodes enter before full cluster formation. This preliminary state coordination allows nodes to communicate their startup status via ping messages, enabling them to discover and join existing startup clusters before they fully initialize, thereby preventing the creation of multiple separate clusters and improving startup efficiency.
2Reliability
If nodes perform startup checks sequentially, then cluster conflicts are avoided, but startup time increases due to waiting for other nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through a ping mechanism where nodes send startup status messages to each other and receive responses indicating whether other nodes are in initializing, joined, leader, or follower states. This feedback loop allows nodes to make real-time decisions about whether to create a new cluster or join an existing one, enabling concurrent startup without conflicts while maintaining reliability through continuous status verification.
3Ease of operation
If nodes create clusters independently without communication, then startup process is simple and fast, but resource conflicts occur when clusters are merged later
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary communication mechanism (ping messages with state information) that mediates between independently starting nodes. This intermediary allows nodes to exchange cluster formation status and make informed decisions about cluster creation or joining, preventing resource conflicts that would otherwise occur during subsequent cluster merges while maintaining the simplicity of independent node startup.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for concurrent node startup are provided. A first startup instruction is received by a first node of a plurality of nodes, and the first node enters an initial startup state. The first node further transmits a first ping to the plurality of nodes, and determines, based on the first ping, that none of the plurality of nodes are in an active state or in a secondary startup state. Upon determining that no additional pings have been received, the first node enters the secondary startup state. Finally, the first node enters the active state, where the first node enters the active state as an initial node in a new cluster.