Disaster Recovery Site Testing via Forwarding Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is currently no uniform and reliable way for users to access disaster recovery systems in secure environments, and no standard method for testing these systems without disrupting the primary system's operation, which is crucial for minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.
Innovation Solution
A disaster recovery system is implemented that replicates information and applications from the production site, allowing users to access the disaster recovery site in case of a disaster, with forwarding rules redirecting requests and enabling testing without interrupting the primary site's operation. This includes secure sites with storage area network replication, application servers, and database servers, and the use of DNS to manage URLs for seamless switching between primary and disaster recovery systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the disaster recovery site is tested by switching users to it, then the disaster recovery system can be verified to work, but the primary system becomes unavailable and service is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a forwarding rule mechanism as an intermediary that enables testing of the disaster recovery site without directly switching users. The forwarding rule acts as a mediator that can redirect specific test requests to the disaster recovery site while allowing normal traffic to continue accessing the primary site, thus verifying the disaster recovery system without interrupting service
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments traffic into different categories by implementing forwarding rules that can selectively redirect specific requests to the disaster recovery site while allowing other traffic to continue to the primary site. This segmentation enables isolated testing of the disaster recovery system without affecting overall service availability
2Productivity
If the disaster recovery site is tested during normal operation, then service interruption is avoided, but there is no uniform and reliable way to access the disaster recovery system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal forwarding rule mechanism that serves multiple functions: it enables uniform access to the disaster recovery system for testing purposes, maintains normal operation during testing, and provides a standardized method for redirecting traffic when needed. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction between service continuity and ease of access
3Ease of operation
If forwarding rules are used to redirect requests to the disaster recovery site, then access to the disaster recovery system is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forwarding rule mechanism is designed to be self-configuring and automated, reducing the need for complex manual configuration. The system can automatically manage the forwarding rules based on predefined conditions, enabling easy access to the disaster recovery system without proportionally increasing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes include a disaster recovery system for a production site. The disaster recovery site may include replications of at least a portion of information and/or applications from the production site. Requests for the production site may be redirected to the disaster recovery site according, as appropriate. The disaster recovery site may be tested while without substantially inhibiting operation of the production site