Abstract: A process that executes client software in a computer, hereinafter client process, starts execution of at least a portion of server software, hereinafter listener. The client process retrieves from the listener, an identifier of a port in the computer, at which the listener waits to receive one or more messages, which may contain commands. The client process connects to a server process in another computer and sends only to the server process, at least a command and client information that includes at least the port identifier of its listener. Any remote computer(s) that may receive and execute the command, use the client information to send back information related to the command, directly to the port identifier of the listener started by the client process. Any messages received at the listener's port identifier are processed, e.g. by displaying any output generated in execution of the command by the remote computer(s).

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating an upgrade of a cluster of servers in the presence of one or more inaccessible nodes in the cluster. During operation, the system upgrades a version of a distributed software program on each of a plurality of nodes in the cluster. The system may detect that one or more nodes of the cluster are inaccessible. The system continues to upgrade nodes in the cluster other than the one or more nodes that were detected to be inaccessible, in which upgrading involves installing and activating a newer version of the distributed software on the nodes being upgraded. The system then upgrades an acting version of the cluster.

Abstract: A process that executes client software in a computer, hereinafter client process, starts execution of at least a portion of server software, hereinafter listener. The client process retrieves from the listener, an identifier of a port in the computer, at which the listener waits to receive one or more messages, which may contain commands. The client process connects to a server process in another computer and sends only to the server process, at least a command and client information that includes at least the port identifier of its listener. Any remote computer(s) that may receive and execute the command, use the client information to send back information related to the command, directly to the port identifier of the listener started by the client process. Any messages received at the listener's port identifier are processed, e.g. by displaying any output generated in execution of the command by the remote computer(s).

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating an upgrade of a cluster of servers in the presence of one or more inaccessible nodes in the cluster. During operation, the system upgrades a version of a distributed software program on each of a plurality of nodes in the cluster. The system may detect that one or more nodes of the cluster are inaccessible. The system continues to upgrade nodes in the cluster other than the one or more nodes that were detected to be inaccessible, in which upgrading involves installing and activating a newer version of the distributed software on the nodes being upgraded. The system then upgrades an acting version of the cluster.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating an upgrade of a cluster of servers in the presence of one or more inaccessible nodes in the cluster. During operation, the system receives an instruction to upgrade an older version of a distributed software program installed on each of a plurality of nodes forming the cluster. The system installs and activates a newer version of software on a subset of the plurality of nodes, the subset having fewer nodes than the entire cluster. The system receives an instruction to forcibly upgrade the cluster. Subsequently, the system upgrades the cluster so that the subset of nodes operate with the newer version of software, in which each node remains a member of the cluster during the upgrade.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating an upgrade of a cluster of servers in the presence of one or more inaccessible nodes in the cluster. During operation, the system receives an instruction to upgrade an older version of a distributed software program installed on each of a plurality of nodes forming the cluster. The system installs and activates a newer version of software on a subset of the plurality of nodes, the subset having fewer nodes than the entire cluster. The system receives an instruction to forcibly upgrade the cluster. Subsequently, the system upgrades the cluster so that the subset of nodes operate with the newer version of software, in which each node remains a member of the cluster during the upgrade.