# US 8,788,465 B2 · Notification of configuration updates in a cluster system

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- Number: US 8,788,465 B2
- Document ID: US8788465B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/957,853
- Filed: 2010-12-01
- Published: 2012-06-07
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-01
- Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation
- Applicants: Shevaun M. Fontenot; Eric P. Fried; Rajeev Mishra; Lance W. Russell; Stephen J. Tovcimak; Murali Vaddagiri
- Inventors: Shevaun M. Fontenot; Eric P. Fried; Rajeev Mishra; Lance W. Russell; Stephen J. Tovcimak; Murali Vaddagiri
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788465B2

## CPC

- G06F 11/1425: {by reconfiguration of node membership}
- G06F 11/1482: using middleware or operating system [OS] functionalities
- G06F 11/202: {where processing functionality is redundant (redundant communication control functionality G06F11/2005, redundant storage control functionality G06F11/2089)}
- G06F 11/2046: {where the redundant components share persistent storage (G06F11/2043 takes precedence)}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

A second node receives a message from a first node in a cluster environment. The message includes a unique identifier of a shared data storage device including a cluster configuration database that defines membership of nodes in a cluster. In response to receiving the message, the second node attempts to find the shared data storage device. In response to finding the shared data storage device, the second node locates and reads the cluster configuration database on the shared data storage device. The second node then assimilates a cluster configuration update indicated by the cluster configuration database.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of data processing in a cluster system, comprising:
a second node receiving a message from a first node in a cluster environment, the message including a unique identifier of a shared data storage device including a cluster configuration database that defines membership of nodes in a cluster;
in response to receiving the message:
the second node attempting to find the shared data storage device;
in response to finding the shared data storage device, the second node locating and reading the cluster configuration database on the shared data storage device; and
the second node assimilating a cluster configuration update indicated by the cluster configuration database.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, and further comprising:
in response to the second node failing to locate the shared data storage device, the second node ignoring the message.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the reading includes validating the cluster configuration database.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the locating comprises reading a boot record and determining a storage location of the cluster configuration database from the boot record.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the assimilating comprises the second node joining the cluster and the second node starting cluster services.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the message does not specify cluster configuration data.

### Claim 7

A program product comprising:
a computer-readable storage device; and
program code stored within the computer-readable storage device that, when executed by a processing node, causes the processing node to perform:
receiving a message from another node in a cluster environment, the message including a unique identifier of a shared data storage device including a cluster configuration database that defines membership of nodes in a cluster;
in response to receiving the message:
attempting to find the shared data storage device;
in response to finding the shared data storage device, locating and reading the cluster configuration database on the shared data storage device; and
assimilating a cluster configuration update indicated by the cluster configuration database.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The program product of claim 7, wherein the program code further causes the processing node to perform:
in response to the second node failing to locate the shared data storage device, ignoring the message.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The program product of claim 7, wherein the reading includes validating the cluster configuration database.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The program product of claim 7, wherein the locating comprises reading a boot record and determining a storage location of the cluster configuration database from the boot record.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The program product of claim 7, wherein the assimilating comprises the processing node joining the cluster and the processing node starting cluster services.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The program product of claim 7, wherein the message does not specify cluster configuration data.

### Claim 13

A processing node comprising:
a processor;
data storage coupled to the processor; and
program code within the data storage that, when executed by the processor, causes the processing node to perform:
receiving a message from another node in a cluster environment, the message including a unique identifier of a shared data storage device including a cluster configuration database that defines membership of nodes in a cluster;
in response to receiving the message:
attempting to find the shared data storage device;
in response to finding the shared data storage device, locating and reading the cluster configuration database on the shared data storage device; and
assimilating a cluster configuration update indicated by the cluster configuration database.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the program code further causes the processing node to perform:
in response to the second node failing to locate the shared data storage device, ignoring the message.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the reading includes validating the cluster configuration database.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the locating comprises reading a boot record and determining a storage location of the cluster configuration database from the boot record.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the assimilating comprises the processing node joining the cluster and the processing node starting cluster services.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the message does not specify cluster configuration data.