Hierarchical Configuration Data Structure for Server Cluster Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The multi-tiered client-server architecture, while more flexible and scalable, introduces significant complexity in managing multiple clusters of presentation layer servers, business layer servers, and databases, leading to increased network administration overhead.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that organizes server nodes into groups with a central message passing architecture and a hierarchical configuration data object stored in a database, allowing for simplified management by distributing service requests and synchronizing configuration data across instances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-tiered architecture is implemented to separate presentation logic, business logic, and database, then flexibility and scalability are improved, but device complexity and network administration overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple server nodes into clusters, where each cluster functions as a unified unit with shared configuration management. This reduces the perceived complexity by consolidating management tasks while preserving the flexibility benefits of multi-tiered architecture through logical separation of concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces universal configuration templates that can be applied across multiple server nodes and clusters. These templates provide multi-functional configuration management that works across different tiers (presentation, business, database) without requiring separate management approaches for each, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple clusters of servers are managed individually, then specific configuration control is improved, but network administration overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration management into hierarchical levels: global templates, cluster-specific overrides, and node-specific configurations. This segmentation allows administrators to work at the appropriate level of abstraction, reducing time overhead while maintaining precise configuration control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions through pre-defined templates and automated propagation mechanisms. Configuration changes are prepared in advance at the template level and automatically distributed to relevant clusters, reducing administrative time while maintaining configuration precision through override capabilities.
3Speed
If configuration data is stored locally on each server node, then access speed is improved, but data synchronization and consistency across clusters deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration structure where local configuration data on each server node is nested within cluster-level configurations, which in turn are nested within global templates. This nested hierarchy enables fast local access while maintaining consistency through the nested relationship that automatically propagates changes from outer to inner levels.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are described for managing a plurality of sever nodes. In one embodiment, the sever nodes are organized into groups referred to as “instances.” Each instance includes a group of redundant sever nodes and a dispatcher for distributing service requests to each of the sever nodes. In addition, a central message passing architecture is defined which allows the various instances to communicate with one another. In one embodiment, a hierarchical configuration data object is stored within a database and is centrally accessible by all of the servers from all of the instances. The hierarchical configuration data object organizes configuration data and binary data in a logical hierarchy which simplifies sever node management in an enterprise network.