Log stream validation in log shipping data replication systems

A data processing system for determining compatibility between a primary instance and a standby instance, the primary instance being characterized by a first log position indicator and a primary log chain fingerprint (FP-P) and the secondary instance being characterized by a second log position indicator and a secondary log chain fingerprint (FP-S);

• the FP-P and the FP-S each uniquely identifying a prescribed history of an associated data processing system;
• said method comprising:
• a module for comparing the first log position indicator with the second log position indicator to determine compatibility between the secondary instance and the primary instance;
• a module for comparing the primary log chain fingerprint (FP-P) with the secondary log chain fingerprint (FP-S) to determine compatibility between the secondary instance and the primary instance;
• and
• a module for indicating that the secondary instance is compatible with the primary instance when both of the above comparisons determine compatibility.

An article of manufacture for determining compatibility between a primary instance and a standby instance, the primary instance being characterized by a first log position indicator and a primary log chain fingerprint (FP-P) and the secondary instance being characterized by a second log position indicator and a secondary log chain fingerprint (FP-S);

• the FP-P and the FP-S each uniquely identifying a prescribed history of an associated data processing system, the article of manufacture comprising a program usable medium embodying one or more executable data processing system instructions, the executable data processing system instructions comprising:
• executable data processing system instructions for comparing the first log position indicator with the second log position indicator to determine compatibility between the secondary instance and the primary instance;
• executable data processing system instructions for comparing the primary log chain fingerprint (FP-P) with the secondary log chain fingerprint (FP-S) to determine compatibility between the secondary instance and the primary instance;
• and
• executable data processing system instructions for indicating that the secondary instance is compatible with the primary instance when both of the above comparisons determine compatibility.