Abstract: A record lock processor provides a common facility for control of the locking and unlocking of mass storage objects (for example, records, files, pages or any other logical entity) that is shared by a number of loosely-coupled data processors. The terms "record" or "records" wherever they are used in this document are intended to refer to all such objects, including records, files, pages or any other logical grouping or entity into which the mass storage may be portioned. Each of the data processors has access to all of the shared mass storage. Three Lock Modules all receive the same requests and majority voting techniques are used to determine the result. A fourth lock module is included as a Hot Spare Module. A Maintenance Module receives the same requests as the voting Lock Modules and, therefore, it is able to interpret results on-line based on user requests. Programmable Channel Interfaces provide the operational interface to the host processors.

Abstract: A Record Lock Processor is utilized in a multi-host data processing system to control the locking of Objects upon request of each of the multiple host data processors in non-conflicting manner. The Record Lock Processor has storage provisions which include a Lock List for storing bits that identify the Objects and bits that identify the requesting processor, a Queue List that stores entries that are formatted like the Lock List entry when a prior Lock List entry has been made for the same Object, and a Cache List for each processor that stores Cache List entries that identify each Object that is stored in the cache memories, each of which Cache List entries is associated with one of the requesting processors, wherein such Cache List entries include validity bits that identify whether each Object stored in a Cache List has a Valid or an Invalid status.