Virtual File Server Disaster Recovery Resource Reservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disaster recovery systems face challenges in synchronously mirroring server states and data between geographically separated primary and secondary servers, especially when they have different hardware and software configurations, leading to issues with storage and network resource management and address conflicts, which can result in disruptions during failover.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to determine and reserve sufficient network interfaces and file system mounts at the disaster recovery site for a secondary virtual file server, allowing for seamless user access and failover from a primary server, including maintaining user mappings and session information to ensure continuous access without requiring users to log in again.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchronous mirroring is used between primary and secondary servers, then data consistency is improved, but transmission delay increases when servers are geographically separated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring network interfaces and file system mounts at the disaster recovery site before failover is needed. This includes reserving IP addresses, configuring network interface cards, and preparing file system mount points in advance, so that when failover occurs, the secondary server can immediately assume the primary server's identity without configuration delays
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the disaster recovery configuration into distinct components: network interface configuration, file system mount configuration, and data replication. Each segment can be independently prepared and validated, allowing systematic preconfiguration without requiring complete system duplication
2Loss of time
If resource reservation is performed in advance at the disaster recovery site, then failover time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated configuration scripts and validation mechanisms. The preconfiguration process uses self-contained configuration files and automated network interface setup procedures that require minimal manual intervention, reducing operational complexity despite the additional preparation steps
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates universal configuration templates that can be applied to different secondary servers regardless of their specific hardware or software configurations. The resource reservation mechanism works across different operating systems and server platforms, providing a unified approach that simplifies management across diverse infrastructure
3Reliability
If network interfaces and file system mounts are not properly configured at the disaster recovery site, then resource conflicts occur during failover
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through validation procedures that check whether network interfaces and file system mounts are properly configured before failover. The validation process provides feedback about configuration status and potential conflicts, allowing operators to correct issues before they cause failover failures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary configuration and validation of network interfaces and file system mounts before failover is attempted. This includes pre-assigning IP addresses, configuring network interface cards with appropriate parameters, and preparing file system mount points, ensuring all resources are ready and conflict-free before the failover event
Data Source
AI summary
For disaster recovery of a file server at an active site, the files that define the user environment of the file server are replicated to a virtual server at a disaster recovery site. To switch over user access from the active site to the disaster recovery site, the disaster recovery system determines whether there are sufficient network interfaces and file system mounts at the disaster recovery site. If so, the required resources are reserved, and user access is switched over. If not, an operator is given a list of missing resources or discrepancies, and a choice of termination or forced failover. Interruptions during the failover can be avoided by maintaining a copy of user mappings and a copy of session information at the disaster recovery site, and keeping alive client-server connections and re-directing client requests from the active site to the disaster recovery site.