US 9,992,010 B2Granted

System and method for augmenting duplexed replicated computing

AssigneeThe Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.

InventorsSamuel Beilin, David Crane

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Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a replicated fault-tolerant computer system. The system includes a triplet of network elements, which each maintain a clock signal, and a clock monitor at each network element for monitoring incoming clock signals. Each network interfaces with a fault containment region (FCR). The system provides the ability to transition from a duplex system to a triplex system if one of the previously offline FCRs can be brought back online. The network elements can determine or receive notification that the previously offline FCR can be brought back online, align their respective clock signals, and synchronize the memory state of the previously offline FCR. The system can then operate in a fault-tolerant, replicated triplex operating mode.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A system for providing replicated fault-tolerant computing configured to operate at least in a duplex mode and a triplex mode, the system comprising at least a first, second, and third network elements, at least one of the network elements including a processor comprising:

synchronization logic including:
a clock module configured to maintain a clock signal;
an alignment module configured to synchronize the clock signal with a received clock signal;
a data synchronization module configured to synchronize a memory state of the synchronization logic;
a synchronization control module configured to control the alignment module and the data synchronization module;
and
a clock monitor configured to:
receive a clock signal of the first network element, a clock signal of the second network element, and a clock signal of the third network element;
transmit, using a switch controller of the clock monitor, a duplicated clock signal to the synchronization logic in place of the clock signal of the third network element;
determine that the clock signal of the third network element is valid;
and
connect, using the switch controller, the clock signal of the third network element to the synchronization logic,
wherein the data synchronization module synchronizes synchronization data of the first and/or second network elements with synchronization data of the third network element.

10 more elements

A method for providing replicated fault-tolerant computing among at least a first, second, and third network elements configured to operate at least in a duplex mode and a triplex mode, the method comprising:

receiving, at a clock monitor of the first network element, a clock signal of the first network element, a clock signal of the second network element, and a clock signal of the third network element;
transmitting, to synchronization logic of the first network element, a duplicated clock signal in place of the clock signal of the third network element;
determining, by the clock monitor, that the clock signal of the third network element is valid;
connecting, using the switch controller, the clock signal of the third network element to the synchronization logic;
and
synchronizing synchronization data of the first and/or second network elements with synchronization data of the third network element.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/951,416Filed 24 Nov 2015
Published: US 2017/0149553 A125 May 2017
Granted: 5 Jun 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H04L 7/0008
Arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter: synchronisation information channels, e.g. clock distribution lines
G06F 1/12
Generating or distributing clock signals or signals derived directly therefrom: synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality…
G06F 11/1679
Temporal synchronisation or re-synchronisation of redundant processing components: at clock signal level
G06F 11/1691
Temporal synchronisation or re-synchronisation of redundant processing components: using a quantum