Smart card for high-availability clustering

Abstract

One embodiment disclosed relates to a high-availability (HA) cluster system. The cluster includes a plurality of computing nodes and clustering software configured to manage the cluster. In addition, the cluster includes a smart card, including a microprocessor-based system, communicatively connected to each of the nodes. Another embodiment disclosed relates to an apparatus adapted for use with a corresponding node of a high-availability (HA) cluster. The apparatus includes a microprocessor, control software, at least one input channel to receive data from the corresponding node, at least one output channel to send commands to the corresponding node, at least one input link to receive commands from clustering software of the HA cluster, and at least one output link to send information to the clustering software. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.