Methods and apparatus for remotely updating executing processes

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and computer-accessible storage media for remotely updating an executing process that receives I/O requests on I/O port(s), stores write data to a write log on local storage, and uploads data from the write log to remote storage. An update for the process is detected and downloaded, and an updated process is instantiated from the update. The current process is directed to perform a shutdown for update during an update window. In response, the current process saves its current configuration, flushes an in-memory portion of the write log to local storage, and releases its I/O port(s). The updated process loads the saved configuration, detects that the port(s) have been released, and starts accepting I/O requests on the ports. During flushing, the current process flushes current data in memory while continuing to append new write data, stops accepting new write requests, and then flushes the new write data.