Workflow Load Management for Secondary Data Servers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mission-critical applications like check processing systems face challenges in maintaining system availability during routine maintenance, such as data purging, as existing methods require downtime to take the entire system offline, disrupting financial transactions.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to manage workflow loads by directing tasks to an active data server until it reaches a maximum load level, then dynamically shifting work to idle servers, ensuring a minimum load can be maintained, thereby allowing routine maintenance without system downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data purging is performed on secondary data servers, then data storage capacity is maintained, but system availability deteriorates due to required downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the secondary data servers into multiple segments (first plurality, second plurality, third plurality) that can be independently managed. This allows data purging to be performed on one segment while other segments continue to handle workflow, eliminating the need for complete system downtime and maintaining system availability while still achieving data storage capacity management.
2Reliability
If workflow is distributed across multiple active servers, then system availability is improved, but load management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The primary control server continuously monitors the operational status and capacity factors of secondary data servers, using this feedback information to dynamically determine which servers are available for workflow and which are undergoing maintenance. This automated feedback mechanism simplifies load management complexity while maintaining high system availability through dynamic server selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts workflow distribution based on real-time server status. Secondary data servers can transition between active and maintenance states, and the primary control server adapts the workflow distribution accordingly. This dynamic approach allows seamless maintenance operations without requiring static, complex pre-planning of load balancing.
3Reliability
If more secondary data servers are deployed, then maintenance availability is improved, but hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous workflow processing by maintaining multiple secondary data servers in active states simultaneously. While some servers undergo maintenance, others continue to handle workflow without interruption. This continuous action approach allows the system to achieve high maintenance availability using the same hardware resources rather than requiring additional redundant servers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided of managing workflow loads on a plurality of secondary data servers whose workflows are controlled by a primary control server. The method comprises initially directing workflow to only an active first data server of the plurality of secondary data servers, monitoring at least one server capacity factor associated with the active first data server, after a first predetermined minimum load level of work to the active first data server has been reached, continue directing work to only the active first data server until a first predetermined maximum load level of work to the active first data server is reached, determining if a minimum load level of work can be maintained on an idle second data server of the plurality of secondary data servers based upon the monitored capacity factor associated with the active first data server, and directing workflow to the idle second data server when a determination is made that the minimum load level of work can be maintained on the idle second data server.