Server Cluster Expansion via Server Unit Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-availability server clusters face limitations in expanding session capacity, leading to increased costs when additional clusters are established to meet growing demands, as the session capacity is constrained by the capacity of individual servers.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring existing nodes into server units, synchronizing sessions within these units, and adding new server units with matching unit identifiers to distribute routing information, allowing for increased session handling and processing performance without the need for new clusters, thus reducing expansion costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sessions are synchronized among all servers in the server cluster, then high availability is achieved, but the session capacity of the server cluster is limited by the session capacity of one server

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh availabilityVSAvoidsession capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the server cluster into multiple server units, where each server unit maintains independent session synchronization. This allows different server units to handle different sets of sessions independently, thereby increasing the overall session capacity of the cluster while maintaining high availability within each unit. The segmentation breaks the limitation where all servers must share the same session capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by creating server units with unique unit identifiers. Instead of a flat cluster structure where all servers share the same session space, the system now has multiple dimensions of session handling - each server unit operates in its own session space while contributing to the overall cluster capacity. This dimensional change enables linear expansion of session capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If a new server cluster is established to meet the demand of increasing number of sessions, then session capacity is increased, but the cost of establishing and managing the server cluster is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession capacityVSAvoidcost of establishing and managing
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple servers into server units that function as a unified cluster resource. By configuring servers into server units with shared unit identifiers, the system combines the capabilities of individual servers into a cohesive unit that can be managed as a single entity. This merging approach increases session capacity without requiring separate cluster management for each additional server, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal server units that can perform multiple functions - they can be dynamically added to existing clusters, can handle both session processing and synchronization, and can serve as either primary or backup units. This multi-functionality allows the same server unit configuration to meet varying session capacity demands without requiring specialized configurations or separate cluster establishments, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the configuration of servers is upgraded to reduce load pressure, then service capability is improved, but the cost increases and the service capability of a single server is ultimately limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing load by organizing servers into server units, where each unit handles a specific portion of the total session capacity. This segmentation allows the system to scale horizontally by adding more server units rather than vertically upgrading individual servers. Each server maintains a manageable load while the collective server units provide the required service capability, avoiding the cost and limitations of continuous server upgrades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3433759B1Method and apparatus for expanding high-availability server cluster
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD
  • EP3433759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3433759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3433759B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for expanding a high-availability server cluster is disclosed. The method includes configuring at least two nodes comprised in a server cluster to be expanded as one or more server units, each server unit consisting of at least two nodes; configuring a newly added node into the server cluster, and configuring the newly added node as at least one newly added server unit in the server cluster; and broadcasting routing information of the newly added server unit. The method realizes an expansion of a server cluster by adding a newly added server unit to the server cluster, i.e., increasing the number of server units in the server cluster, so that the number of sessions and processing performance of the expanded server cluster can be improved, with a relatively low expansion cost.