Microsoft patents data backup method for large server clusters
This patent describes a way to keep data accessible in a large data center by assigning specific servers as primary handlers for data requests. If a primary server goes down, a backup server takes over the role without needing to move the actual data files.
In the filing’s own words
Examples are provided for a method of providing access to data of a data center. In one aspect, the method comprises storing a unit of data to each of a plurality of data nodes of a data center, designating a first node of the data center as a primary access node for the unit of data, the primary access node being configured to service access requests to the unit of data using one or more of the plurality of data nodes, determining that the first node is not available, and performing a failover process by reconfiguring a second node of the data center as the primary access node for the unit of data.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method of providing access to data of a data center, the method comprising: storing a unit of data to each of a plurality of data nodes of a data center; designating a first node of the data center as a primary access node for the unit of data, the primary access node being configured to service access requests to the unit of data using one or more of the plurality of data nodes; designating a second node of the data center as a secondary access node for the unit of data, wherein the secondary access node acts as a backup access node in case the primary access node is unavailable; after designating the second node of the data center as the secondary access node, determining that the first node is not available; performing a failover process by reconfiguring the second node of the data center as the primary access node for the unit of data, wherein the reconfigured second node can service access requests without relocating data; before a failure of the second node, designating a third node as the secondary access node; performing a second failover process; and before a failure of the third node, designating the first node of the data center as the secondary access node.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- High availability using virtual storage controllers in a scale out storage cluster
- Patent number
- US12748664B2
- Application number
- 18335794
- Filed
- Jun 15, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 29, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 17
Classified under
G06F 11/1423 Physics & computingG06F 11/2028 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in Chips & hardware
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.