Single CPU Active-Standby Partitioning for High Availability

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network architectures require redundant devices or multiple physical processors to achieve high-availability, which increases costs and is not feasible for systems with only a single physical processor, such as line cards or management cards with a single CPU, limiting their ability to provide active-standby functionality.

Innovation Solution

A multi-core processor is partitioned into multiple logical partitions, with one partition operating in active mode and another in standby mode, allowing a single processor to support active-standby functionality through dynamic core allocation and hypervisor management, enabling seamless failover and software upgrades without downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant network devices or multiple physical processors are provided to achieve high-availability, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidnumber of physical processors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single physical processor into multiple logical partitions (active partition and standby partition), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve active-standby high-availability functionality without requiring multiple physical processors, thereby improving reliability while controlling device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The single physical processor is designed to perform multiple functions by running different operating systems or software images in different partitions. The processor can execute both active and standby roles, as well as support software upgrades, making it a multi-functional unit that replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated processors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single physical processor is used in line cards or management cards, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide active-standby functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of physical processorsVSAvoidactive-standby capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The processor is segmented into multiple logical partitions through software configuration, allowing one partition to operate as active and another as standby. This enables active-standby functionality to emerge from a single physical processor, overcoming the limitation of physical processor count while maintaining low device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the active partition in the standby partition, allowing the standby partition to take over functionality during failover events. This copying mechanism enables reliability features without requiring additional physical hardware, as the standby partition is a software-based replica

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple physical processors are provided for high-availability, then system reliability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidnumber of physical processors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The single physical processor is designed to perform multiple functions by running different operating systems or software images in different partitions. The processor can execute both active and standby roles, as well as support software upgrades, making it a multi-functional unit that replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated processors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the active partition in the standby partition, allowing the standby partition to take over functionality during failover events. This copying mechanism enables reliability features without requiring additional physical hardware, as the standby partition is a software-based replica

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9026848B2Achieving ultra-high availability using a single CPU

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

Techniques for achieving high-availability using a single processor (CPU). In a system comprising a multi-core processor, at least two partitions may be configured with each partition being allocated one or more cores of the multiple cores. The partitions may be configured such that one partition operates in active mode while another partition operates in standby mode. In this manner, a single processor is able to provide active-standby functionality, thereby enhancing the availability of the system comprising the processor.