Clustered Node Software Upgrade via Site Control Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data protection systems face challenges such as system shutdown during backups, limited recovery points, and lengthy recovery processes, which result in potential data loss and downtime in the event of a disaster.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for upgrading software on nodes in a clustered environment, allowing seamless software upgrades on data protection appliances while maintaining site control, enabling independent upgrades and ensuring continuous operation by transferring site control between nodes, thus minimizing downtime and enabling recovery to any specified point in time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software is upgraded on a node in a clustered environment, then the node can run newer software versions with improved functionality, but the node must shut down processes during upgrade causing downtime and loss of site control
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the clustered environment into multiple independent nodes, each capable of running software upgrades independently. The upgrade process is segmented across nodes rather than requiring system-wide shutdown, allowing continuous operation through node-level independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by designating a target node for upgrade before actual software installation. The target node is prepared and isolated from active site control duties beforehand, allowing upgrade processes to begin without forcing immediate shutdown of critical operations. Other nodes continue serving until the upgrade is complete.
Solution Approach 3:
A non-voting node serves as an intermediary during the upgrade process, taking over site control temporarily while the target node undergoes software upgrade. This intermediary node mediates between the need for continuous site control and the requirement for uninterrupted upgrade processes, preventing downtime.
2Reliability
If software is upgraded on a node, then the node can provide updated data protection capabilities, but the upgrade process may cause loss of site control and require system interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic role assignment where nodes can transition between active and target statuses during upgrades. Site control is dynamically transferred to non-voting nodes when voting nodes are undergoing upgrades, and dynamically returned when upgrades complete. This dynamic flexibility maintains operational ease while enabling reliability improvements through updated software.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by allowing nodes to operate in different modes: active voting nodes, target nodes undergoing upgrade, and non-voting nodes providing temporary site control. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain data protection reliability through software updates without permanently compromising site control continuity.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional backup systems are used, then data can be stored periodically, but the system must shut down during backup causing data unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining data protection capabilities throughout the upgrade process. While one node undergoes software upgrade, other nodes continue providing data protection services without interruption. This continuity eliminates the data unavailability period that plagues conventional backup systems requiring system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-designating target nodes for upgrade and pre-arranging site control transfer to non-voting nodes. This preliminary preparation ensures that data protection operations can continue uninterrupted on other nodes while the upgrade proceeds, maintaining data availability throughout the process.
4Reliability
If data replication is used for continuous protection, then recovery points can be maintained, but the recovery process still takes considerable time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining ready-to-use backup nodes that are pre-configured and standing by during upgrade processes. When a node requires recovery, pre-positioned backup data and pre-configured recovery mechanisms enable immediate restoration, significantly reducing recovery time compared to conventional sequential backup restoration processes.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method to upgrade software on nodes in a clustered environment, includes terminating processes on a first node before upgrading the software on the first node, upgrading the software to a first version from a second version on the first node, running the processes on the first node after upgrading the software on the first node to the first version, determining whether a second node is about to upgrade to the first version of software, allowing transfer of site control from the second node to the first node, if the second node is about to upgrade to the first version of software and upgrading the software on the second node to the first version of software after the transferring of site control from the second node to the first node.