Scalable distributed transaction manager for multi-host transactions

Abstract

Transactions such as sales and exchanges of resources are managed in a virtual environment. A transaction manager receives a request for a transaction which involves multiple entities in the virtual environment. The request identifies the entities, as well as resources, such as objects and virtual currency, to be exchanged among the entities in the transaction. The request is first validated. Next, the resources which are to be contributed by the entities are gathered. An object is gathered from a first entity by updating a database record to render the object inaccessible. A new database record associates the object with a second entity, and renders the object inaccessible. A reserve can be imposed on a virtual currency account. The resources are then delivered to the entities, e.g., by updating the new database record to render the object accessible to the second entity. If the gathering fails, an undo phase is entered.