US 5,812,751 A · Multi-server fault tolerance using in-band signalling

Abstract

A primary server/standby server network configuration according to the invention includes a primary server executing network operating system software and a standby server monitoring for the proper operation of the primary server, where both the primary server and the standby server are connected to a storage system. If the primary server fails, the standby server instructs the storage system to switch its hardware connections to the standby server, allowing the standby server to boot the operating system. This instruction is done via in-band signaling. Further, multiple primary servers can be backed up by a single standby server.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A method of operating a computing device in a standby mode, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring an input node of the computing device for a determination that the computing device must be transferred from the standby mode to an active mode;
upon determining that the computing device must be transferred from the standby mode to an active mode, sending an indication to a storage system to cause the storage system to switch from communicating with a second computing device as a primary device to communicating with the computing device as the primary device, the indication being sent along a first signal line;
receiving a boot program from the storage system along the first signal line;
and
booting the computing device in the active mode.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-server fault tolerance using in-band signalling

Life of this patent

Multi-server fault tolerance using in-band signalling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25