Timer Task Ownership in Clustered Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a clustered environment, scheduling tasks for execution at a future point in time is challenging due to dynamic changes in cluster membership, where tasks may be unevenly distributed among cluster members, and there is a need for efficient redistribution of timer tasks upon changes such as addition or removal of members.
Innovation Solution
A cluster member generates a timer task with a schedule identifying the execution time and selects a cluster member owner using a selection algorithm, ensuring even distribution by transferring the task to the designated owner, and reevaluating ownership upon membership changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If timer tasks are scheduled in a clustered environment without a selection algorithm, then task scheduling is simple, but tasks become unevenly distributed among cluster members
Solution Approach 1:
Each cluster member independently selects the owner of timer tasks using a deterministic selection algorithm based on task ID and cluster member identifiers. This self-service mechanism automatically achieves even task distribution without requiring centralized coordination or complex management, resolving the contradiction between scheduling simplicity and distribution uniformity.
2Productivity
If timer tasks are distributed without reevaluation upon membership changes, then system operation is simple, but task ownership becomes incorrect when cluster members are added or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reevaluation of timer task ownership whenever cluster membership changes. By proactively detecting membership changes and triggering reselection of task owners before tasks are executed, the system maintains reliable task ownership assignment without requiring continuous monitoring or complex real-time adjustments during task execution.
3Quantity of substance
If a deterministic selection algorithm is used for task ownership, then task distribution is predictable and even, but the selection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex centralized task distribution mechanisms with a simple deterministic selection algorithm that runs locally on each cluster member. The algorithm uses basic operations (hashing task ID with cluster member identifiers) to determine ownership, eliminating the need for complex coordination protocols while achieving uniform task distribution.
4Speed
If timer tasks are not redistributed upon cluster membership changes, then task scheduling is fast, but resource utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reevaluation and redistribution of timer tasks when cluster membership changes. By detecting membership changes and triggering ownership reselection before the next task execution cycle, the system optimizes resource utilization without introducing significant delays to task scheduling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Distributed timer task execution management is disclosed. A cluster member generates a first timer task that can be executed on any cluster member of a plurality of cluster members including the first cluster member that composes a cluster. A first timer task schedule that identifies at least one future point in time at which the first timer task is to be executed is generated. A second cluster member of the plurality of cluster members is selected as a cluster member owner for the first timer task that is to schedule the first timer task and to execute the first timer task at the at least one future point in time. The first timer task and the first timer task schedule are transferred to the second cluster member.