Multisystem Coupling by a Combination of Data Sharing and Data Partitioning

A hybrid architecture is proposed that combines the approaches of a multisystem partitioned database system and a data-sharing multisystem approach offering the advantages of each. With this architecture some databases are shared between systems, while others are retained private by specific systems. The authors examine how to determine which databases to share, which to retain private, and how to route transactions and partition the private databases among systems so as to minimize response time or overheads while balancing the load among systems. A simulated annealing heuristic is used to solve this optimizing problem. Trace data from large mainframe systems running IBM's Information Management System database management system are used to illustrate the methodology and to demonstrate the advantages of the hybrid approach. >