Computer cluster interface that sends node status signals between the nodes such that a node can be removed without interrupting the connections

摘要

A high availability cluster with a plurality of computing nodes has a hardware interface connecting each of the nodes. The interface has inter-nodal connections to communicate node heartbeat or status signals between the nodes. The connections in the interface being such that a node can be removed from the interface without interrupting the topological continuity of the connections. The continuity of the heartbeat signal path may be obtained by using a status pass-through circuit in the interface for each node. This allows the status signal from a preceding node to be passed to the next node, if a node is removed. The internode connections may form a point-to-point loop topology. The cluster may have a data communication network, separate from the status signal connection, between the nodes. The nodes may be housed in a chassis and the interface housed in its' own chassis mounted on a rack. The cluster nodes may have connectors configured to mate with a second connector on the interface.