[54] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
DYNAMICALLY RECONFIGURING A
CLUSTER OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
[75] Inventors: Robert Gorczyca, Cambridge; Aamir
Arshad Rashid, Norwood, both of
Mass.; Kevin Forress Rodgers, Derry,
N.H.; Stuart Warnsman, Watertown,
Mass.; Thomas Van Weaver, Dripping
Springs, Tex.
[73] Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
[21] Appl. No.: 681,324
[22] Filed: Jul. 22, 1996
[51] Int. CI.6 G06F 9/445; G06F 9/06
[52] U.S. CI 395/200.51; 395/653; 707/202
[58] Field of Search 395/284, 200.62,
395/827, 830, 712, 182.18, 183.01, 653, 200.5; 384/DIG. 1, DIG. 2; 379/115, 207,
34
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US005822531A [ii] Patent Number: 5,822,531 [45] Date of Patent: Oct. 13, 1998
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,161,102 11/1992 Griffin et al 385/284
5,257,368 10/1993 Benson et al 395/827
Primary Examiner—Daniel H. Pan
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Richard A. Henkler; Brian F. Russell; Andrew J. Dillon
[57] ABSTRACT
A method and system for dynamically reconfiguring a cluster of computer systems are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a first configuration file is provided at a plurality of computer systems within a cluster that specifies a current configuration of the cluster. A second configuration file is created at each of the plurality of computer systems that specifies a modified configuration of the cluster. The modified configuration is then verified. In response to the verification, the cluster is operated utilizing the modified configuration. In accordance with one embodiment, the dynamic reconfiguration of the cluster can include a reconfiguration of the cluster topology or resources.
22 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
