Database Node Redundancy Management via Dynamic Backup Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In scale-out type database systems, data redundancy decreases and inequality in data placement occurs when a database node fails, leading to potential system failure or data loss, and existing relocation methods are inefficient and require service stoppages.

Innovation Solution

A database system with a management device that dynamically assigns nodes as owner or backup nodes, performs snapshot and operation log transfers, and maintains redundancy by reassigning roles and distributing data across nodes without stopping services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data relocation is performed using existing methods after node failure, then redundancy can be restored, but system service must be stopped causing downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveredundancyVSAvoidsystem availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system designates backup nodes in advance before failures occur. When a node fails, the pre-designated backup nodes can immediately take over, avoiding service interruption. The management device maintains a mapping between data pieces and backup nodes, enabling rapid failover without requiring service stoppage for redundancy restoration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous data relocation and redundancy restoration during system operation. The management device dynamically adjusts data placement and backup assignments without interrupting database services, allowing the system to maintain both high availability and proper redundancy levels simultaneously through ongoing background operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If data is evenly distributed across all nodes, then access throughput is enhanced, but inequality in data placement occurs after node failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess throughputVSAvoiddata placement balance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The management device continuously monitors the distribution state of data pieces across nodes and dynamically adjusts backup assignments. When node failures occur, the system detects the resulting imbalance and automatically reassigns data pieces to maintain even distribution, using feedback from the actual data placement state to guide redistribution decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static data placement to dynamic adjustment. The management device continuously optimizes data distribution by reassigning backup nodes based on current system state, allowing the data placement to adapt dynamically to failures and additions while maintaining balance and throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If redundancy is increased by adding more backup nodes, then system reliability improves, but device complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidnode management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management device automatically performs data placement optimization and backup node assignment without manual intervention. The system self-adjusts by continuously monitoring data distribution and automatically reassigning data pieces to appropriate backup nodes, reducing management overhead while maintaining high reliability through proper redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If data relocation is performed manually after node failure, then redundancy can be restored, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredundancy restorationVSAvoidredundancy restoration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Backup nodes are designated in advance with pre-established mappings to data pieces. When failures occur, the system immediately activates pre-configured backup assignments, eliminating the time required for manual node selection and data redistribution. The management device automatically executes the pre-planned failover procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic control. The management device automatically performs data piece reassignment and backup node configuration through electronic commands, substituting manual data management operations with automated software-controlled processes that execute rapidly without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10685041B2Database system, computer program product, and data processing method

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to an embodiment, a database system includes nodes and a management device. The management device includes first and second assigning units. Depending on change in state of each node, the first assigning unit assigns a first node storing data pieces and receiving an access request to the data pieces, and assigns a second node serving as a backup node, and instructs each node to perform operations according to assignment. Depending on state of nodes and change in assignment state, the second assigning unit assigns a third node as a candidate node serving as the first node, and instructs each node to make preparation for causing the third node to operate as the first node. Each node sends, to the third node, a snapshot of the data pieces at the first time point and an operation log according to the access request at and after the first time point.