Parity-distribution: a shortcut to reliable cluster computing system

This paper presents a device level approach to provide high availability of storage systems to an existing cluster computing system with minimal cost both in hardware and software. The parity-distribution scheme is used to place parity information across the network. After adopting the method, an existing system can tolerate and recover from disk and cluster node failures by enhanced disk drivers. Compared with previous work, this approach provides an attractive shortcut to realize higher availability, lower cost of design and implementation, better compatibility for applications and higher expandability.