Survivable and scalable data system and method for computer networks

A scalable system for providing network processing and stored data access, the system comprising:

• (a) at least first and second sets of servers, each of the sets of servers comprising at least first and second servers operative to process at least first and second user requests, respectively, and wherein each of the sets of servers applies a separate application;
• (b) a switch operatively connected to each of the servers within each of the sets of servers;
• (c) a plurality of data storage devices operatively connected to the switch;
• (d) wherein the sets of servers operate independently of the data storage devices and are connected to the data storage devices via the switch in a manner to permit the inclusion of an additional server to any of the sets of servers to process at least an additional user request without the inclusion of an additional data storage device;
• and
• (e) wherein each of the at least first and second servers of any one of the sets of servers applies an application, and wherein the system further comprises a load balancer operatively connected to each of the at least first and second servers of each of the sets of servers, the load balancer operative to route user requests to the one of the at least first and second servers of the sets of servers with the least load for a particular application.

A survivable system for providing network processing and stored data access, the system comprising:

• (a) at least first and second servers operative to process at least first and second user requests, respectively,
• (b) a switch operatively connected to each of the servers;
• (c) a plurality of data storage devices operatively connected to the switch;
• (d) wherein each of the first and second servers applies an application, the application applied by the first server being substantially the same as the application applied by the second server such that, in the event of a failure of either of the first and second servers, any subsequent user requests will be processed by any other of the servers that are operable;
• and
• (e) wherein each of the plurality of data storage devices stores data, the data stored by each of the plurality of data storage devices being substantially the same such that, in the event of a failure of any one of the plurality of data storage devices, the data is accessible from any other of the plurality of data storage devices that are operable.

A method for providing network processing and stored data access, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing at least first and second servers operative to apply first and second applications, respectively, the first application being substantially the same as the second application;
• (b) receiving first and second user requests on the first and second servers, respectively;
• (c) applying the first and second applications to the first and second user requests, respectively, to generate first and second queries, respectively;
• (d) providing at least first and second data storage devices configured to store first and second data, respectively, the first data being substantially the same as the second data;
• (e) switching the first and second queries to the first and second data storage devices, respectively;
• (f) routing first requested data from the first data storage device to the first server in response to the first query, and routing second requested data from the second data storage device to the second server in response to the second query;
• (g) in the event of a failure of either of the first and second servers, processing any subsequent requests on any other of the servers that are operable;
• and
• (h) in the event of a failure of either of the first and second data storage devices, providing any subsequent requested data from any other of the data storage devices that are operable.