In-memory caches and app server load-balancing

[Venkatesh M.C.]

Hi,

I have a program running on an AIX application server that creates and works
with the following.

(a) in-memory caches of data from the database and
(b) symbolic "locks" used to control concurrent user access to certain
pieces of data.

I have a requirement to have the program run on an application server farm.
Any suggestions on how I can keep my caches in each of the server machines
in synch with one another? The symbolic locks have be kept in synch across
the servers without any delays.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Venkatesh

[Nicholas Dronen]

Venkatesh M.C. <mc.venkatesh@siemens.com> wrote:
VMC> Hi,

VMC> I have a program running on an AIX application server that creates
VMC> and works with the following.

By "application server" do you really mean what people commonly
refer to as an "app server", or do you mean "a machine -- the
server -- on which the application runs"? The distinction is
important for the simple reason that AIX is an operating system,
not an app server.

VMC> (a) in-memory caches of data from the database and
VMC> (b) symbolic "locks" used to control concurrent user access to certain
VMC> pieces of data.

VMC> I have a requirement to have the program run on an application server farm.
VMC> Any suggestions on how I can keep my caches in each of the server machines
VMC> in synch with one another? The symbolic locks have be kept in synch across
VMC> the servers without any delays.

VMC> Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

The purpose of this newsgroup is the discussion of AIX, an operating
system. You problem certainly sounds interesting, but I'm having
a hard time imagining how it fits the mission of comp.unix.aix.
Perhaps, if you provide more information, someone here can direct
you to an appropriate group.

Regards,

Nicholas

--
"Why shouldn't I top-post?" [url]http://www.aglami.com/tpfaq.html[/url]
"Meanings are another story." [url]http://www.ifas.org/wa/glossolalia.html[/url]

[Matthias]

1. This is certainly not a AIX specific question. This belongs into the
distributed computing area.
2. For your problem: You need to write something that is called a Replication
Manager in the literature. It's not a simple thing, but of course possible.
Here is book that covers the topic, among other topics, fairly well:
Title: Distributed Systems
Authors: Coulouris, Dollimore, Kindberg
Publisher: Addison Wesley, 3rd edition

Enjoy !

Matthias