Virtual Machine Replication for Cluster Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing process control systems face challenges in maintaining high availability and preventing data loss when server failures occur, as virtual machines (VMs) are often inoperative upon server loss, leading to significant downtime and potential data corruption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtualization architecture that enables replication of VMs between clusters, allowing for quick restart of VMs on operational servers using replicated data, and integrating resilient modes to write directly to disks, reducing reliance on volatile memory and enhancing data consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If virtual machines are stored on local servers within a cluster, then system performance and data access speed are improved, but system reliability deteriorates when server failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements replication of virtual machine data between geographically dispersed clusters. When a failure is detected in one cluster, the system automatically restores virtual machines using replicated data from the remote cluster, ensuring business continuity without data loss.
2Speed
If data is written to cache for faster access, then data access speed is improved, but data reliability deteriorates due to volatile memory risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting write operations to cache and proactively flushing data to stable storage before potential failures occur. This preventive approach ensures data is safely persisted while maintaining the performance benefits of caching during normal operations.
3Reliability
If multiple clusters with replication are implemented for high availability, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated failure detection and recovery mechanisms that operate without manual intervention. The system continuously monitors cluster health, automatically detects failures, and triggers restoration procedures using replicated data, reducing the operational complexity despite the enhanced architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Process control system and methods are disclosed. An example method includes operating a first cluster including first virtual machines and first servers and operating a second cluster including second virtual machines and second servers. The example method also includes storing first data from the first virtual machines at a first data store of the first cluster and storing a replica of the first data at a second data store of the second cluster. The example method also includes storing second data from the second virtual machines at the second data store and storing a replica of the second data at the first data store and identifying a failure of the first cluster. The method also includes, in response to the failure, restarting the first virtual machines using the second servers and the replica of the first data at the second data store.