Database Failover Configuration via Observer Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for configuring automatic failover in database management systems are error-prone, time-consuming, and require manual manipulation using SQL*Plus or programmatic interfaces, making it difficult to set up database systems with replicated data for seamless failover without data loss.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) server is used to input and store automatic failover configuration information, which is accessed by an observer that initiates failover independently of the primary and standby database systems, enabling automatic failover through a network and persistent storage, with features like ping detection for failover requirements and automatic restart capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration methods using SQL*Plus or programmatic interfaces are used, then database failover capability can be implemented, but the configuration process becomes error-prone and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an observer process as an intermediary component that automatically monitors the primary database system and initiates failover to standby systems when failures are detected. This mediator eliminates the need for manual configuration and monitoring, reducing errors while maintaining reliable failover capability through automated detection and response mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service failover through the observer process that autonomously monitors database health, detects failures, and triggers failover operations without human intervention. The configuration is stored in persistent storage and automatically retrieved by the observer, enabling the system to manage its own failover processes and reducing operational complexity.
2Extent of automation
If automatic failover configuration is implemented, then failover can be initiated automatically, but the system complexity increases with multiple components like observer processes and persistent storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the failover system into distinct functional components: an observer process for monitoring, persistent storage for configuration, and the database systems (primary and standby). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling automatic failover through coordinated operation of these modular elements.
3Device complexity
If manual configuration methods are used, then system complexity can be reduced, but the time required for setup and configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by storing the failover configuration in persistent storage before any failure occurs. The observer process retrieves this pre-configured information automatically when needed, eliminating the time-consuming manual configuration steps during actual failover events. The configuration is prepared in advance and readily available for immediate execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical user interface based method of configuring automatic failover from a primary database system to a standby database system that is coupled to the primary database system by a network. Also coupled to the network is an observer process that is independent of the database systems and that initiates the failover process. The observer periodically pings the database systems to determine whether a failover is necessary. The graphical user interface permits a user to specify the primary and secondary database systems, configure the observer, and specify conditions under which a failover may occur and to enable automatic failover. A failover context is created from the inputs to the GUI and stored in persistent storage belonging to the database systems. If the Observer's context is stale, the Observer fetches the database system's context.