SYSTEM FOR CHANGING SOFTWARE DURING COMPUTER OPERATION

摘要

A system (21) for replacement of software in an operating computer system without disturbing the ongoing activities of the computer system. During an initial phase, the system (21) directs all traffic to the old software version, or change unit (22). During a loading phase, the system (21) receives a new software version (23), and data change information (24). The data change information (24) receives semi-permanent data from the change unit (22) and transfers that data, and associated updates, continuously throughout all phases of the replacement. During a test phase, the system (21) first directs test traffic through the new version (23), and then sample traffic if the test traffic is successful. If the test phase is successful, the completion phase directs all new traffic to the new version (23), and only old traffic that has been utilizing the change unit (22), is directed to the change unit (22). Once all old traffic has come to completion, or has been terminated, the change unit is no longer used and can be removed with the data change information (24).