Expanded Availability Computing System for SDS Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information handling systems face challenges in maintaining availability of Software Defined Services (SDSs) due to central processing system failures, requiring time-consuming data backup and restoration processes when switching to a different server, which consumes storage space and is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An expanded availability computing system that includes a networking processing subsystem and a networking memory subsystem, enabling remote access to devices via a device access controller subsystem, allowing a second computing system to provide SDSs using devices from the first system without the need for data backup or rebuilding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional server devices are configured to provide Software Defined Services (SDSs) using a central processing system, then the SDSs can be delivered to users, but the system becomes unavailable when the central processing system fails, rebooting, or experiences power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the server device into two independent parts: the central processing system (which may fail or reboot) and the service device hardware (which remains accessible). By separating these components and allowing direct access to the hardware layer, the patent enables SDS continuation even when the central processing system is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (direct access path through the device access controller) that allows external systems to communicate with the service device hardware bypassing the central processing system. This intermediary pathway ensures SDS availability when the primary control path through the central processor is interrupted.
2Reliability
If an SDS is restarted on a different server device to maintain availability, then service continuity can be achieved, but data backup and copying processes consume storage space and time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by maintaining persistent access paths to the service device hardware and data storage components independent of any single server's central processor. This pre-established infrastructure allows immediate SDS restart on alternative servers without requiring time-consuming data backup and restoration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying entire data sets for backup purposes, the patent enables direct access to the original data and service hardware through alternative computational paths. This eliminates the need for redundant data copying while maintaining service continuity.
3Reliability
If an SDS is restarted on a different server device, then service availability can be maintained, but the process requires backing up data on external storage systems and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data access functionality directly into the device access controller, combining hardware access and data retrieval operations into a single integrated pathway. This eliminates the need for separate external storage systems and complex data management procedures when restarting SDS on different servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The device access controller is designed with universal functionality that serves multiple purposes: it provides direct access to service hardware, enables data retrieval, and supports SDS restart operations across different server devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized backup infrastructure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An expanded availability computing system includes a first and second computing systems coupled together via a network. The first computing system includes a device access controller subsystem coupled to devices and a central processing subsystem that is configured to provide Software Defined Service(s) (SDS(s)) using the devices via the device access controller subsystem. A networking subsystem coupled to the device access controller subsystem determines that the at least one SDS is unavailable, configures the device access controller subsystem to receive SDS communications from the networking subsystem, enables remote access for the second computing system via the networking subsystem and through device access controller subsystem to the devices, and transmits SDS communications received from the second computing system to the devices via the device access controller subsystem so that the second computing device provides the SDS(s) using the devices via the device access controller subsystem.