Partitioned Content Platform Tenant Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for highly available, reliable, and persistent data storage solutions for 'fixed content' that can replace or supplement traditional tape and optical storage, particularly in distributed computer networks, where data must be retained without change for reference or other purposes.
Innovation Solution
A content platform utilizing a redundant array of independent nodes (RAIN) is logically partitioned into tenants and namespaces, allowing for segregation of data into logical partitions, with replication across multiple nodes to ensure availability and reliability, and a replication algorithm that enables adding tenants to a replication link without stalling other data transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is replicated across multiple nodes in a RAIN storage system, then reliability and availability are improved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into independent nodes that can be individually managed, added, or removed without affecting the entire system. Each node maintains portions of the replicated data, allowing the system to scale while maintaining reliability through distributed storage and replication across these segmented units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nodes are allowed to join and exit the cluster dynamically, then system adaptability is improved, but data consistency and replication management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic node management where nodes can join and exit the cluster without manual reconfiguration. The system automatically adjusts replication patterns and data distribution when nodes are added or removed, maintaining data consistency through automated replication protocols that adapt to changing cluster topology in real-time.
3Reliability
If multiple tenants are replicated across clusters, then data availability is improved, but replication management complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal replication mechanism that handles multiple tenants across clusters through a single standardized process. The replication system is designed to manage diverse tenant data types and access patterns uniformly, reducing the need for tenant-specific replication configurations and improving overall replication efficiency through consolidated resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A content platform cluster that comprises an array of nodes is logically partitioned. Using a web-based interface, an administrator defines “tenants” within the cluster, wherein a tenant has a set of attributes: namespaces, administrative accounts, data access accounts, and a permission mask. A namespace is a logical partition of the cluster that serves as a collection of objects typically associated with at least one defined application. Each namespace has a private file system with respect to other namespaces. This approach enables a user to segregate cluster data into logical partitions. Tenant information, including all associated namespaces, in the cluster (the “source cluster”) is replicated to at least one target cluster over a replication link. Preferably, replication is available for multiple tenants in the source cluster, and a replication algorithm ensures that a particular tenant can be added to the replication link without stalling the progress of other tenants.