Offline DEDB Restructuring With Parallel Data Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating IMS Fast Path DEDB databases require them to be taken offline, leading to significant downtime and financial burdens due to the inability to make structural changes while remaining online.
Innovation Solution
A method to restructure an online IMS DEDB database by creating an offline instance with the desired structure, copying data from the online database, applying modifications during the copying process, and swapping the offline database online, minimizing user access time loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a DEDB is taken offline to make structural changes, then the database structure can be modified, but user access is lost and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The database restructure operation is divided into distinct phases: creating an offline shadow database with the new structure, copying data from the online database to the shadow database, applying modifications to the shadow database, and finally swapping the shadow database with the online database. This segmentation allows structural changes to be made in isolation without affecting online operations.
Solution Approach 2:
An offline shadow database is created as a copy of the online database structure. Data is copied from the online database to the shadow database while the online database remains accessible. This copying mechanism enables structural modifications to be tested and applied without disrupting ongoing transactions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a DEDB is taken offline for restructure, then structural changes can be applied, but financial burden increases due to loss of access
Solution Approach 1:
The shadow database is created and populated with data before the actual restructure is activated. All structural changes are applied to the shadow database in advance, and only after verification is complete is the shadow database swapped with the online database. This preliminary action ensures that when the restructure is activated, the online database is already in the desired state, minimizing disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow database serves as an intermediary between the online database and the desired restructured state. It absorbs the complexity of structural changes and acts as a buffer, allowing the online database to remain stable and accessible while the shadow database undergoes transformations.
3Productivity
If data copying is performed during online operations, then structural changes can be applied without full downtime, but modifications during copying must be tracked and applied
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and tracks modifications made to the online database during the data copying process. Any changes to the online database structure or data are detected and applied to the shadow database, ensuring that the shadow database remains synchronized with the online database's current state throughout the restructure operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An IMS DEDB database restructure operation creates an empty offline DEDB having the desired structure. The offline database is populated with data from a source (online) database while keeping the source database online (i.e., available for access and update operations). Updates to the source database made during this process are selectively processed in parallel with the offline DEDB load operation. When the contents of the offline database is substantially the same as the source or online database, the source database is taken offline, final updates to the offline database are applied whereafter the offline database is brought online, thereby replacing the source database. It is significant to note that updates occurring to the source or online DEDB are applied to the offline DEDB.