Method for switching group modes in a distributed computing application

Abstract

The invention is a method of handling groups of services where the makeup of the groups can be determined and changed while the application is running. In one embodiment a group of services switches from peer mode to coordinator cohort mode to perform a task and then switches back. This is mainly accomplished through a group proxy, which is generated at run time, and which handles interactions with groups of services on behalf of one or more clients. The group proxy, buffers calls from a client to a group when the group is unavailable because it is in transition. When the transition is complete the group proxy transmits the stored client commands to the group.

1 . A computer implemented method of internally switching the group mode of a group of services in order to perform a task comprising the steps of: 
 a grouping agent for one of the services in the group instructing the grouping agents for the other services in the group to switch to a new group mode;    all of the grouping agents in the group switching to the new group mode;    performing the task;    a grouping agent for one of the services in the group instructing the grouping agents for the other services in the group to return to the original group mode; and    all of the grouping agents in the group returning to the original group mode.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the group modes are peer or coordinator cohort.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the group does not appear to change group modes to its client.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein commands from a client of the group are buffered until the group returns to its original mode.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the commands are buffered by at least one of the grouping agents.  
   
   
       6 . A computer readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of internally switching the group mode of a group of services in order to perform a task comprising the steps of: 
 a grouping agent for one of the services in the group instructing the grouping agents for the other services in the group to switch to a new group mode;    all of the grouping agents in the group switching to the new group mode;    performing the task;    a grouping agent for one of the services in the group instructing the grouping agents for the other services in the group to return to the original group mode; and    all of the grouping agents in the group returning to the original group mode.    
   
   
       7 . The computer readable medium of  claim 6  wherein the group modes are peer or coordinator cohort.  
   
   
       8 . The computer readable medium of  claim 6  wherein the group does not appear to change group modes to its client.  
   
   
       9 . The computer readable medium of  claim 6  wherein commands from a client of the group are buffered until the group returns to its original mode.  
   
   
       10 . The computer readable medium of  claim 9  wherein the commands are buffered by at least one of the grouping agents.  
   
   
       11 . A computer implemented method of sending a command from a peer group of services to a service outside the group comprising the steps of: 
 changing the group to a coordinator cohort group with one of the services in the group acting as coordinator;    the coordinator service sending a command to the outside service;    the coordinator service receiving the command response from the outside service;    the coordinator service sharing the command response with all the other services in the group; and    returning the group to a peer group.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the group does not appear to change group modes to its client.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein communication between the services in the group is handled by a grouping agent for each service in the group.  
   
   
       14 . The method described in  claim 11  wherein commands from a client of the group are buffered while the group is a coordinator cohort group.  
   
   
       15 . A computer readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of sending a command from a peer group of services to a service outside the group comprising the steps of: 
 changing the group to a coordinator cohort group with one of the services in the group acting as coordinator;    the coordinator service sending a command to the outside service;    the coordinator service receiving the command response from the outside service;    the coordinator service sharing the command response with all the other services in the group; and    returning the group to a peer group.    
   
   
       16 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15  wherein the group does not appear to change group modes to its client.  
   
   
       17 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15  wherein communication between the services in the group is handled by a grouping agent for each service in the group.  
   
   
       18 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15  wherein commands from a client of the group are buffered while the group is a coordinator cohort group.