Method and apparatus for increasing database availability

A computer system, comprising:

• a message bus;
• a first computer adapted to issue a database request on the message bus;
• a first database server coupled to the bus and adapted to host a first database;
• a second database server coupled to the bus and adapted to host a second database, the second database being synchronized with the first database;
• and
• a data handler coupled to the bus and adapted to receive the database request, issue a first request to the first database, issue a second request to the second database, the first and second requests being identical and based on the database request, receive a first response from the first database, receive a second response from the second database, forward one of the first and second responses to the first computer, and ignore the other of the first and second responses.

A method for increasing database availability, comprising:

• receiving a database request;
• issuing a first request to a first database;
• issuing a second request to a second database, the second database being synchronized with the first database and the first and second requests being identical and based on the database request;
• receiving a first response from the first database;
• receiving a second response from the second database;
• and
• ignoring one of the first and second responses.

A program storage device, comprising:

• program instructions, that when executed by a processing device perform a method for increasing database availability, the method comprising:
• receiving a database request;
• issuing a first request to a first database;
• issuing a second request to a second database, the second database being synchronized with the first database and the first and second requests being identical and based on the database request;
• receiving a first response from the first database;
• receiving a second response from the second database;
• and
• ignoring one of the first and second responses.

A computer system, comprising:

• a first database;
• a second database;
• means for receiving a database request;
• means for issuing a first request to the first database;
• means for issuing a second request to the second database, the second database being synchronized with the first database and the first and second requests being identical and based on the database request;
• means for receiving a first response from the first database;
• means for receiving a second response from the second database;
• and
• means for ignoring one of the first and second responses.