Heterogeneous Data Replication via Opaque Type Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing database replication systems face challenges in replicating data of heterogeneous data types without modifying the underlying data, as they impose stringent typing requirements that can alter the integrity of heterogeneous data during the replication process.
Innovation Solution
A replication agent is provided with rules to determine the data type of elements and pack them into a predetermined transfer format, ensuring they are not modified during replication, allowing the replication server to ignore data types and treat the data as opaque, thus preserving its integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a replication agent uses stringent typing requirements to ensure data consistency, then data integrity is maintained, but heterogeneous data types cannot be replicated accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the replication agent with type-determination rules) that mediates between the source database with heterogeneous data types and the target database. This intermediary translates and adapts the data during replication while preserving the original heterogeneous types, resolving the contradiction between maintaining data integrity and supporting diverse data formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of data type handling by determining the actual data type of each element dynamically rather than enforcing fixed typing rules. This allows the replication process to adapt to heterogeneous data types while maintaining integrity through type-aware replication rules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a replication server modifies underlying data during replication, then data can be adapted to target schema, but original data integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The replication agent performs preliminary actions by determining data types and applying replication rules before the actual replication occurs. This preliminary type determination ensures that data is prepared correctly for replication without modifying the underlying source data, thus maintaining integrity while enabling adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates accurate copies of heterogeneous data elements by determining their types and replicating them with appropriate type preservation. This copying mechanism ensures that the target database receives faithful representations of the source data without the source data being modified.
3Manufacturing precision
If a replication agent enforces strict data type rules, then type safety is ensured, but heterogeneous data elements are modified or rejected
Solution Approach 1:
The replication system dynamically determines the data type of each element rather than enforcing static type rules. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to heterogeneous data types while maintaining type consistency within each element's context, resolving the contradiction between precision and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different replication rules based on the local characteristics of each data element's type. By determining the specific type of each heterogeneous element and applying type-appropriate replication rules, the system maintains local type consistency while supporting global heterogeneity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and computer readable storage medium for replicating database data of heterogeneous data type are disclosed. The method includes determining the data type of an element of heterogeneous data type to be replicated. The element is packed into a predetermined transfer format as an opaque data type, based on the determined data type, and replicated to a replication server. The replication server is instructed to not modify the element noted as opaque.