Cluster Patch Installation During Software Upgrades
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large computing clusters, upgrading nodes to the latest software version and applying cumulative patches is a time-consuming process, requiring separate operations and significant administrative effort, especially for clusters with 100 nodes or more, where each operation can take several days and necessitates a prolonged maintenance window.
Innovation Solution
The technique allows for the simultaneous installation of a full software upgrade image and cumulative patches as a single operation, eliminating the need for separate cluster interactions and reducing coordination overhead by deploying the upgrade image and patch together, with compatibility checks and reconciliation processes integrated into the upgrade process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If separate operations are used to upgrade nodes and apply patches, then each operation can be completed individually with clear control, but the total time required for updating all nodes increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the node upgrade operation and patch application operation into a single integrated operation. The system receives both the upgrade image and patch together, performs compatibility checks, and applies both simultaneously to each node during the upgrade process, eliminating the need for separate operations and reducing total update time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs compatibility checks between the upgrade image and patch before the actual upgrade operation begins. The patch is registered and prepared in advance, and compatibility is verified at the cluster level before node-by-node upgrades start, preventing conflicts during the update process.
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple separate update operations are performed on large clusters, then administrative control is maintained, but the maintenance window required is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple update operations (upgrade and patch application) into a single operation that completes both tasks simultaneously. This reduces the maintenance window duration from several days to a single operation timeframe, significantly improving productivity for large clusters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous update progress across all nodes without interruption. By integrating patch application into the upgrade process, the system eliminates idle time between operations and maintains continuous productive action throughout the update lifecycle.
3Ease of operation
If upgrade image and patch are applied separately, then compatibility issues can be addressed individually, but coordination overhead and administrative effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs compatibility verification between the upgrade image and patch before the upgrade operation begins. The patch is registered and its compatibility with the upgrade image is checked at the cluster level in advance, ensuring reliability while simplifying administrative operations during the actual upgrade.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a reconciliation process that monitors and verifies the application of both upgrade image and patch across all nodes. Compatibility feedback is collected and processed to ensure successful integration, maintaining reliability while reducing administrative overhead through automated monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for installing patches during upgrades. In an example, an administrator specifies an upgrade image and a patch for a computing cluster. The computing cluster verifies compatibility between the upgrade image and the patch, registers the patch, and stores the patch for later use at the cluster level. Then, at the node level, the upgrade image and the patch are applied to each node that is upgraded.