Cluster Time Synchronization via Master Node Timestamp Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cluster systems, nodes often fail to synchronize their clocks with an authoritative time reference, leading to issues in log file accuracy, data auditing, network fault diagnosis, and access security, among other problems, as existing synchronization methods are inefficient and lack automatic self-correction mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A master node is appointed in the cluster, and slave nodes synchronize their clocks by sending timestamped messages, calculating the time difference, and adjusting their clocks accordingly, with mechanisms for voluntary master node relinquishment and failure recovery to ensure continuous synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a master node is appointed and slave nodes synchronize their clocks periodically, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to master node selection and maintenance mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic master node selection where nodes autonomously determine their role based on clock accuracy measurements. Nodes self-organize into master or slave roles without external intervention, and automatically handle master node failure detection and replacement, reducing the need for complex manual configuration and management
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures clock accuracy between nodes and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust synchronization behavior. Nodes monitor time differences and automatically update their synchronization status, creating a self-correcting system that maintains accuracy without requiring complex external control mechanisms
2Ease of manufacture
If manual clock adjustment is used for synchronization, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but synchronization accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to lack of automatic correction
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs clock synchronization without manual intervention. Slave nodes autonomously calculate time differences with the master node and adjust their own clocks, eliminating the need for manual clock setting while ensuring accurate and reliable synchronization through automated correction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors time synchronization status and automatically adjusts clocks based on measured deviations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that synchronization errors are detected and corrected automatically, maintaining high reliability without requiring manual intervention
3Measurement precision
If frequent clock synchronization is performed, then time accuracy is improved, but network traffic and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs clock synchronization at optimized intervals rather than continuously, applying partial action sufficient to maintain required accuracy. By determining appropriate synchronization frequency based on clock drift rates and accuracy requirements, the system achieves adequate time accuracy while minimizing unnecessary network traffic and processing overhead
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described herein for synchronizing cluster time. According to one technique, a master node is appointed in a cluster. Other “slave” nodes periodically synchronize their clocks with the master node. To synchronize its clock with the master node, a slave node sends a timestamped message to the master node, which also timestamps the message and sends the message back to the slave node, which then timestamps the message again. Based on the timestamps, the slave node is able to determine the difference between the master node's clock's time and slave node's clock's time, compensating for the message travel time between master node and slave node. Depending on various circumstances, and based on the determined difference, the slave node adjusts its clock so that the time indicated by the slave node's clock at least begins to approach more closely the time indicated by the master node's clock.