Network Node Discovery for Exclusive Computing Resource Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems face challenges in minimizing downtime during maintenance and upgrades, as existing methods for obtaining exclusive access to computing resources are inefficient, leading to increased pressure on support personnel and potential disruptions in productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a sending node within a network segment sends discovery requests to recipient nodes to determine if they are accessing specified computing resources, allowing the sending node to obtain exclusive access if none are using the resource, using protocols such as point-to-multipoint, point-to-point connectionless, or point-to-point connection-based protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional methods are used to obtain exclusive access to computing resources, then support personnel can perform maintenance tasks, but downtime increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending discovery requests to all recipient nodes before attempting to access the computing resource. This advance notification allows the system to determine whether exclusive access can be obtained, enabling maintenance tasks to be scheduled and executed with minimal disruption to productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by receiving responses from recipient nodes indicating whether they are accessing the computing resource. This feedback information is used to determine whether to proceed with maintenance tasks or wait, thereby minimizing downtime while ensuring resource availability when needed.
2Productivity
If support personnel increase staff head counts to handle more maintenance tasks, then more tasks can be accomplished, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically determining availability of computing resources through discovery requests and responses. This automation reduces the need for additional support personnel to manually check resource availability, allowing existing staff to handle more maintenance tasks efficiently without increasing head count.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by implementing a structured discovery request-response mechanism with timeout values and retry logic. This parameter-based approach allows the system to efficiently manage multiple maintenance tasks with existing staff, improving maintenance productivity without requiring additional personnel.
3Reliability
If maintenance tasks are performed frequently to keep systems updated, then system reliability improves, but downtime and productivity loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic behavior by adjusting maintenance execution based on real-time resource availability information obtained through discovery requests. Maintenance tasks are performed when resources are available and no conflicts are detected, allowing frequent updates with minimal downtime and maintaining high system reliability.
4Productivity
If exclusive access to computing resources is obtained quickly, then maintenance efficiency improves, but the complexity of access management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the access management process into distinct components: sending discovery requests to recipient nodes, receiving and analyzing responses, determining resource availability, and executing maintenance tasks. This segmentation simplifies the overall complexity by breaking down the exclusive access management into manageable, automated steps that improve maintenance efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for obtaining exclusive access to a computing resource utilizing a network is disclosed. A discovery request is sent by a sending node within a network segment to one or more recipient nodes within the network segment. The discovery request is configured to determine whether each recipient node is accessing a specified computing resource. One or more replies to their request or an absence of replies from the recipient nodes are analyzed to determine whether any of the recipient nodes are accessing the specified computing resource. If the replies or the absence of replies indicate that none of the recipient nodes are accessing the specified resource, exclusive access is obtained on usage of the specified computing resource by the sending node.