Workstation-implemented data storage re-routing for server fault-tolerance on computer networks

Patent 5633999 Issued on May 27, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 18, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Nonstop Networks Limited

Application

No. 573865 filed on 12/18/1995

US Classes:

714/6, Redundant stored data accessed (e.g., duplicated data, error correction coded data, or other parity-type data)714/40Component dependent technique

Examiners

Primary: Canney, Vincent P.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Handal & Morofsky

International Class

G06F 011/00

Abstract

Server fault tolerance on local area computer networks is provided by novel workstation implemented software which detects failure of a primary file server and reroutes data storage activity routed via the primary file server, to be routed via an invention-provided secondary file server. Shared file management of multiple file servers or intelligent hosts supporting a single or common high availability data storage system, for example a RAID drive, enables server or host fault tolerance to be provided for such a single highly, reliable data-storage system. Cross-mirroring in such a multi-host, high availability data storage system, along with secondary write suppression, enables server fault tolerance to be provided without significant redundant hardware costs and without a single point of failure in the data storage access paths.

Other References

Personal Systems, Jul. 1992 pp. 1-12
Computer Architecture and Organization, Second Edition by John P. Hayes .COPYRGT.1988 by McGraw-Hill, Inc. pp. 664-66