Abstract: A method and system for ensuring an current and valid copy of a distributed database is re-installed for a file server that has failed and been restored or otherwise has been offline and is then brought online. This invention can include validating the database each time the database is opened. The method can include placing a signature in the database indicating that the database was closed normally. The method can also include indicating the time the database was last used. The method can also check the partition placement and structure with other servers that hold replicas to insure that the partition structure is correct. The method can also include comparing the synchronization state of replicas with the other servers that hold replicas of the database to see if they agree on the synchronized/time/state of the replicas of the restored server. The method can also check to see that the database belongs to this server.

Abstract: A database recovery system and method that associates integrity states with predetermined database elements, each representing one or more conditions of a characteristic of interest of the associated database elements. The system repairs or replaces the database elements having associated integrity states that are less preferred so as to improve their condition and advance their associated integrity state to a more preferred integrity state. The database elements are preferably user-selected, and may be any physical or logical portion of the database, such as data records, partitions and replicas. In an hierarchically-arranged object-oriented database, the database elements may be, for example, objects, attributes or properties of objects as well as data. The database recovery system automatically repairs database elements, preferably using available processes and tools, to advance the associated integrity state from a less-preferred to a more-preferred integrity state.

Abstract: A distributed control interface for managing interoperability and concurrency among agents and system resources in a computer system. The distributed control interface provides access to system resources to all versions of authorized agents that are capable of interoperating with the resources and do not have concurrency conflicts with agents which are currently accessing those resources. It includes a resource control interface that provides resource access to all versions of recognized agents that do not have concurrency conflicts. An agent control interface manages an associated agent's request to access the resource and determines interoperability conflicts when the resource control interface is unable to do so. The agent control interface may also provide means for providing a limited scope of access to the requesting agent should the agent not be completely interoperable with the resource.