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Patent Title: Moving write lock for replicated objects

Assignee: IBM
Patent Number: US5664176
Issue Date: 09-02-1997
Application Number:
File Date:01-31-1995


Abstract: Efficient update and presentation of a plurality of replicated data objects is accomplished with a write lock which moves among the replicas of a data object. After any necessary preparation for updating a data object, a shadow replica requests a write lock from the replica which currently holds the write lock or from the replica designated as the master replica. The write lock is moved to requesting shadow replica which performs an update to itself. The update is then reflected at the local system display to provide visual feedback to the user. The update is propagated to the other replicas which present the change at their associated displays. In the preferred embodiment, the write lock is retained at the replica which last requested the write lock as it is the most likely to receive the next update. While the invention finds particular application in a distributed data processing environment, it can also be used in a single processor having multiple replicas in separate memory partitions.

Notes:

Link to USPTO

IBM Pledge dated 1/11/2005