Distributed Global Data Vaulting for Grid Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grid storage systems face data loss during sudden AC loss conditions due to reliance on expensive battery backup and local vault devices, which are costly and consume valuable space.
Innovation Solution
A distributed global data vaulting mechanism is implemented, where each server computer retrieves a list of vault devices from a vault distribution table and dumps data elements to other server computers, utilizing a communication fabric and battery backup units to ensure data resilience across the grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery backup power is used to allow data dump from RAM to disk during AC loss, then data element safety is improved, but cost and rack space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vaulting function across multiple server computers, creating a distributed vaulting system where each server can serve as a vault device for others. This consolidation eliminates the need for dedicated spare vault devices at each server, reducing overall hardware quantity while maintaining data safety through cross-server redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes vault devices universal by allowing any server computer in the grid to function as a vault device for multiple other servers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated spare vault devices at each server, reducing hardware quantity while maintaining data safety through distributed redundancy.
2Reliability
If spare vault devices are maintained for hardware failures, then system reliability is improved, but rack space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vaulting function across multiple server computers, creating a distributed vaulting system where each server can serve as a vault device for others. This consolidation eliminates the need for dedicated spare vault devices at each server, reducing overall hardware quantity and rack space consumption while maintaining data safety through cross-server redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-server vaulting model to a multi-dimensional distributed vaulting system across the server grid. By distributing vaulting capacity across multiple servers in the grid rather than maintaining local spares, the system achieves the same reliability with reduced rack space consumption.
3Productivity
If data elements are cached in RAM for fast access, then productivity is improved, but data loss risk increases during sudden AC loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a distributed vaulting system that proactively prepares receiving servers with available capacity before AC loss occurs. When shutdown is detected, data elements are automatically dumped to the distributed vault list, ensuring data safety without compromising the productivity benefits of RAM caching during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for distributed global data vaulting in a grid of server computers. At each of the server computers, it is determined that there is a system shutdown. For each data element at that server computer, a list of one or more vault devices at other server computers is retrieved from a vault distribution table, and the data element is dumped to the one or more vault devices at the other server computers.