US 6,363,416 B1 · System and method for automatic election of a representative node within a communications network with built-in redundancy

Abstract

A system and method for automatic election a representative node within a communication network with built-in redundancy. In a communication network where data is distributed from a central location to multiple nodes, the present invention enables one of the nodes to be automatically identified as a master of the nodes for retrieving data from the central location and then transmitting the data to all peer nodes interested in receiving the data. No manual intervention or pre-operation designation of a master is required within the present invention. As such, repetitive requests for information by individual nodes are eliminated, and the volume of network traffic is thereby significantly localized. Hence, the performance of the network is greatly enhanced. Furthermore, rather than arbitrarily preassigning particular node(s) to serve as a master, the present invention provides an automated process by which a new master is dynamically elected whenever an existing master fails or none exists. Therefore, the present invention provides built-in redundancy which greatly improves the reliability of network communications.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A computer implemented method for arbitrating among nodes within a communication network having a plurality of client nodes communicatively coupled together, said method comprising the steps of:

a) a first client node broadcasting a first message to said nodes in response to an absence of master node-initiated messages during a predetermined time period, said first message for identifying a viable master node in said communication network, said first client node initiating an election process for dynamically electing a new master node from among said plurality of client nodes only when no response is received from an existing master node to said first message, said election process comprising the steps of:
a1) said first client node broadcasting a first master negotiate request (MNR) message to said plurality of client nodes;
a2) provided that said first client node does not receive a message in response to said MNR message from a second client node, said first client node asserting itself as said new master node;
and
a3) provided that said first client node does receive a message in response to said MNR message from a second client node, comparing resources of said first client node to resources of said second client node, wherein results of said comparing are used to select said new master node;
and
b) in response to said step a) wherein said new master node is selected, said new master node periodically broadcasting heartbeat messages to said plurality of client nodes.

4 more elements

A computer system coupled to a communication network having a plurality of client nodes communicatively coupled together, wherein said computer system is one of said plurality of client nodes and comprises a processor coupled to a bus and a memory unit coupled to said bus, said memory unit having stored therein instructions that when executed implement a method for arbitrating among said plurality of client nodes, said method comprising the steps of:

a) a first client node broadcasting a first message to said nodes in response to an absence of master node-initiated messages during a predetermined time period, said first message for identifying a viable master node in said communication network, said first client node initiating an election process for dynamically electing a new master node from among said plurality of client nodes only when no response is received from an existing master node to said first message, said election process comprising the steps of:
a1) said first client node broadcasting a first master negotiate request (MNR) message to said plurality of client nodes;
a2) provided that said first client node does not receive a message in response to said MNR message from a second client node, said first client node asserting itself as said new master node;
and
a3) provided that said first client node does receive a message in response to said MNR message from a second client node, comparing resources of said first client node to resources of said second client node, wherein results of said comparing are used to select said new master node;
and
b) in response to said step a) wherein said new master node is selected, said master node periodically broadcasting heartbeat messages to said plurality of client nodes.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for automatic election of a representative node within a communications network with built-in redundancy

Life of this patent

System and method for automatic election of a representative node within a communications network with built-in redundancy

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16