JP2001169316A - Fiber channel switch subsystem and fault detection method for fiber channel switch subsystem - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of a conventional fiber channel switch subsystem 4 where a system maintenance personnel cannot have taken a quick action because it has been difficult to locate a fault on the occurrence of the fault among fiber channel switches. SOLUTION: Each fiber channel switch is provided with a diagnostic frame analysis means that generates a diagnostic frame diagnosing a fault among the fiber channel switches in each fiber channel switch, transmits the diagnostic frame to other fiber channel switch, receives the diagnostic frame sent or returned from the other fiber channel switch, analyzes the received diagnostic frame and detects a fault among the fiber channel switches and with a notice means that informs a maintenance center about a fault state when each diagnostic frame analysis means detects the fault among the fiber channel switches.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fiber channel switch subsystem comprising a large number of connected fiber channel switches for switching the connection path of an optical fiber cable, which is a transmission path for transmitting light, and each fiber channel switch. The present invention relates to a method for detecting an abnormality in a Fiber Channel switch subsystem for detecting an abnormality during the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing an example in which a fiber channel switch subsystem is applied to a client server system. Here, the client-server system refers to client computers (computers receiving services on the LAN 2) 11 to 15 and server computers (services on the LAN 2) among various systems operating on the LAN (Local Area Network) 2. ) And a system that processes one job by sharing the processing with the computers 31-33.

For example, when the client server system shown in FIG. 2 is a database system, search conditions and the like are designated by each of the client computers 11 to 15,
The search conditions and the like are sent to the server computers 31 to 33 via the LAN 2. Server computers 31-
At 33, when a search condition or the like is sent, the storage device 5
The database stored in the database is accessed via the fiber channel switch subsystem 4 to perform a search process, and the search result is sent back to the client computers 11 to 15 via the LAN 2.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of server computers 31 to 33 and a plurality of storage devices 51 to 5 are provided.
Reference numeral 5 is connected by an optical fiber cable via the fiber channel switch subsystem 4. The fiber channel switch subsystem 4 switches connection paths of a plurality of optical fiber cables connecting the plurality of server computers 31 to 33 and the plurality of storage devices 51 to 55.

As described above, by switching the connection paths of a plurality of optical fiber cables by the fiber channel switch subsystem 4, various storage devices 51 to 55 having various performances and capacities are appropriately combined to process the system. It is possible to optimize the performance and to share data between different platforms (server computers 31 to 33).

[0006] The fiber channel switch subsystem 4 is configured by connecting a large number of fiber channel switches for switching connection paths of optical fiber cables to each other. This means that as the number of server computers 31 to 33 and the number of storage devices 51 to 55 increase, the number of connection ports of the optical fiber cables of the fiber channel switch needs to be increased. There is a limit to the number of ports (that is, simply increasing the number of connection ports of one fiber channel switch complicates switching control and increases the size of the device). Therefore,
By configuring a fiber channel switch subsystem 4 by connecting a large number of fiber channel switches to each other, the number of connection ports of the optical fiber cables can be increased.

[0007]

However, as described above, since the fiber channel switch subsystem 4 is a subsystem configured by combining a plurality of fiber channel switches, an abnormality between the fiber channel switches, for example, However, when an abnormality occurs in the connection state of the optical fiber cable or the like, it is difficult to identify the abnormal state, and there is a problem that a system maintenance person cannot quickly respond.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can identify an abnormality between Fiber Channel switches at an early stage, so that a maintenance person can quickly cope with the problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting an abnormality in a switch subsystem and a fiber channel switch subsystem.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fiber channel switch subsystem, wherein a diagnostic frame for diagnosing an abnormality between each fiber channel switch is created in each fiber channel switch, and the diagnostic frame is created. To another Fiber Channel switch, receive a diagnostic frame sent or returned from another Fiber Channel switch, analyze the received diagnostic frame, and detect an abnormality between each Fiber Channel switch. When the diagnostic frame analyzing means detects an abnormality between the fiber channel switches, the analyzing means and the notifying means for notifying the maintenance center of the abnormal state are provided.

In the fiber channel switch subsystem according to the second aspect of the present invention, each diagnostic frame analyzing means checks a parity error of a diagnostic frame transmitted from another fiber channel switch,
It is configured to check a parity error, a compare error and a timeout error of a diagnostic frame returned from another fiber channel switch.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting an abnormality in a fiber channel switch subsystem, wherein a diagnostic frame for diagnosing an abnormality between the fiber channel switches in a plurality of fiber channel switches constituting the fiber channel switch subsystem. And send the diagnostic frame to another Fiber Channel switch, receive the diagnostic frame sent or returned from the other Fiber Channel switch, analyze the received diagnostic frame, and Is detected, and the detected abnormal state is notified to the maintenance center.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fiber channel switch subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the fiber channel switch subsystem 4 shown in FIG.
44. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the fiber channel switches 41 to 44 has six connection ports for connecting optical fiber cables, and by connecting each of the fiber channel switches 41 to 44 with an optical fiber cable, The entire fiber channel switch subsystem 4 has twelve connection ports.

In the example of FIG. 1, the fiber channel switch subsystem 4 is provided between the server computers 31 and 32 and the storage devices 51 and 52. The fiber channel switch 41 is connected to the server computer 31 by three optical fiber cables, the fiber channel switch 42 is connected to the server computer 32 by three optical fiber cables, and the fiber channel switch 43 is connected to the storage device 51 and three optical fiber cables. The fiber channel switch 44 is connected by an optical fiber cable, and the storage device 52 is connected by three optical fiber cables.

Incidentally, a plurality of server computers 31,
Although not shown, LA 32 is the same as in FIG.
It is connected to client computers 11 to 15 via N2. Further, a plurality of storage devices 51, 52
Is a storage device such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a magneto-optical disk. These storage devices 51, 5
2 is also called a storage device.

In each of the fiber channel switches 41 to 44, each of the switch controllers 411 to 441 has six connection ports for connecting an optical fiber cable, and switches the connection path of the optical fiber cable connected to the connection port. The control is performed. Each of the control programs 412 to 442 instructs transmission of a diagnostic frame for diagnosing an abnormality between the fiber channel switches 41 to 44.

Each diagnostic frame analyzing means 413 to 443
Creates a diagnostic frame in accordance with the instructions from the control programs 412 to 442, sends the diagnostic frame to the other fiber channel switches 41 to 44 via the switch control units 411 to 441, and The diagnostic frame transmitted or returned from the computer 44 is received, and the received diagnostic frame is analyzed to detect an abnormality between the fiber channel switches 41 to 44.

Each of the notifying means 414 is connected to the maintenance center communication line 6, and each of the diagnostic frame analyzing means 413 to 443.
Detects an abnormality between the fiber channel switches 41 to 44, the abnormality state is notified to the maintenance center through the maintenance center communication line 6.

Next, the operation will be described. Here, a method of detecting an abnormality of the fiber channel switch subsystem 4 will be described by taking an example of detecting an abnormality between the fiber channel switch 41 and the fiber channel switch 44 as an example.

The control program 412 of the fiber channel switch 41 sends an instruction to the fiber channel switch 44 to transmit a diagnostic frame to the diagnostic frame analyzing means 413 at predetermined intervals. Upon receiving the instruction, the diagnostic frame analysis unit 413 creates a diagnostic frame addressed to the fiber channel switch 44, and sends the created diagnostic frame to the switch control unit 411.

When receiving the diagnostic frame addressed to the fiber channel switch 44, the switch control unit 411 determines that the diagnostic frame is addressed to the fiber channel switch 44, and determines that the diagnostic frame is addressed to the fiber channel switch 44.
In the same manner as in the case of the frames exchanged between the storage device 32 and the storage devices 51 and 52), the switching control is performed, and the diagnostic frame is transferred to the fiber channel switch 44 via the optical fiber cable.

When the switch controller 441 of the fiber channel switch 44 receives the diagnostic frame transferred from the switch controller 411, the switch controller 441 determines that the received frame is a diagnostic frame, and converts the diagnostic frame into a diagnostic frame analyzing means. 443.

Upon receiving the diagnostic frame transmitted from the diagnostic frame analyzing unit 413 of the fiber channel switch 41, the diagnostic frame analyzing unit 443 checks a transfer error of the diagnostic frame and transmits the diagnostic frame to the switch control unit 441. It is returned to the fiber channel switch 41 via the switch.

Here, the diagnostic frame transfer error checked by the diagnostic frame analyzing means 443 is a parity error. The parity error check is one of the methods for checking whether or not the data in the diagnostic frame is correctly transmitted when transmitting the diagnostic frame,
It is also called odd / even check.

That is, another one bit is added to one character data represented by 7 or 8 bits so that the total number of "1" bits is always odd (or even). . The diagnostic frame analyzing means 443 determines that an error has occurred if the odd / even relationship is broken as a result of transferring the data in the received diagnostic frame. The newly added one bit is called a parity bit.

When the diagnostic frame analyzing means 443 determines that a transfer error (parity error) has occurred, it notifies the notifying means 444 of the transfer error. Notification means 4
44, upon receiving the notification, notifies the maintenance center of the transfer error via the maintenance center communication line 6.

On the other hand, when the diagnostic frame analyzing means 413 of the fiber channel switch 41 receives the diagnostic frame returned from the diagnostic frame analyzing means 443 of the fiber channel switch 44, the diagnostic frame transfer error (parity error) and the compare error Check timeout error by monitoring timer.

Here, a transfer error (parity error)
Is the same as described above. In addition, the comparison error check is performed, for example, when the data in the diagnostic frame transmitted by the diagnostic frame analysis unit 413 is “AAA”.
If it is “A”, it is checked whether or not the data in the diagnostic frame returned from the diagnostic frame analyzing unit 443 is “AAAAA”. Diagnostic frame analysis means 41
3 determines that an error has occurred somewhere during the transfer if the data in the returned diagnostic frame is, for example, "AA5A".

Further, the check of the timeout error by the monitoring timer is performed by checking whether or not the time from when the diagnostic frame analyzing means 413 sends the diagnostic frame to when the diagnostic frame is returned is within a predetermined time. It is monitored by a monitoring timer (not shown) in the analysis means 413. If a diagnostic frame is not returned within a predetermined time and a timeout occurs, the diagnostic frame analysis unit 413 determines that the connection state of the optical fiber cable between the fiber channel switch 41 and the fiber channel switch 44 is abnormal.

When the diagnostic frame analyzing means 413 determines that any of a transfer error (parity error), a compare error and a timeout error has occurred,
The error is notified to the notification means 414. Notification means 41
4 receives the notification, notifies the maintenance center of the error via the maintenance center communication line 6.

When the maintenance person at the maintenance center is notified of the error through the maintenance center communication line 6, the maintenance person is notified of an error in the connection state of the fiber optic cable between the fiber channel switch 41 and the fiber channel switch 44, and the fiber channel switch. It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the fiber channel switch 41 or the fiber channel switch 44, and prompt action is taken to resolve the abnormal state.

In the above, the method of detecting an abnormality of the fiber channel switch subsystem 4 has been described by taking as an example the case of detecting an abnormality between the fiber channel switch 41 and the fiber channel switch 44.
When detecting an abnormality between the fiber channel switch 41 and the fiber channel switch 43, between the fiber channel switch 42 and the fiber channel switch 43, and between the fiber channel switch 42 and the fiber channel switch 44, the same as above is performed. In addition, each of the diagnostic frame analysis means 413 to 443 can detect the diagnostic frame by sending the diagnostic frame to the other fiber channel switches 41 to 44.

In the above embodiment, the case where the fiber channel switch subsystem 4 is provided on the transmission path between the server computers 31 and 32 and the storage devices 51 and 52 in the client server system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided, for example, on a transmission path connecting between server computers or a transmission path connecting between a host computer and a storage device.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The diagnostic frame analysis means 413 to 443 in the fiber channel switches 41 to 44
A diagnostic frame is created according to the instruction from 442, and the diagnostic frame is transmitted to the other fiber channel switches 41 to 4
4 and receives the diagnostic frame transmitted or returned from the other fiber channel switches 41 to 44, analyzes the received diagnostic frame, detects an abnormality between the respective fiber channel switches 41 to 44, Each of the notifying means 414 to 444 is provided by
3 to 443 detect an abnormality between the fiber channel switches 41 to 44, and notify the maintenance center of the abnormal state through the maintenance center communication line 6.
An abnormality between 1 and 44 can be identified at an early stage, and maintenance personnel can respond quickly.

[0034]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic frame for diagnosing an abnormality between each fiber channel switch is created in each fiber channel switch, and the diagnostic frame is transmitted to another fiber channel switch. Diagnostic frame analysis means for transmitting to the channel switch, receiving a diagnostic frame transmitted or returned from another fiber channel switch, analyzing the received diagnostic frame, and detecting an abnormality between each fiber channel switch; When each diagnostic frame analyzing means detects an abnormality between the fiber channel switches, a notifying means for notifying the maintenance center of the abnormal state is provided, so that the maintenance center identifies the abnormality between the fiber channel switches at an early stage. And the maintenance staff can respond quickly.

In the fiber channel switch subsystem according to the second aspect of the present invention, each diagnostic frame analyzing means checks a parity error of a diagnostic frame transmitted from another fiber channel switch,
Since the configuration is such that a parity error, a compare error, and a timeout error of a diagnostic frame returned from another Fiber Channel switch are checked, it is possible to reliably detect an abnormal state between each Fiber Channel switch. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting an abnormality in a fiber channel switch subsystem, wherein a diagnostic frame for diagnosing an abnormality between the fiber channel switches in a plurality of fiber channel switches constituting the fiber channel switch subsystem. And send the diagnostic frame to another Fiber Channel switch, receive the diagnostic frame sent or returned from the other Fiber Channel switch, analyze the received diagnostic frame, and Abnormality is detected and the detected abnormal state is notified to the maintenance center, so that the maintenance center can quickly identify the abnormality between the fiber channel switches at the maintenance center, and the maintenance staff can quickly respond. It has the effect that it can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a Fiber Channel switch subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing an example in which a fiber channel switch subsystem is applied to a client server system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Fiber Channel Switch Subsystem 41-44 Fiber Channel Switch 413-443 Diagnostic Frame Analysis Means 414-444 Notification Means

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04L 12/28 H04L 11/00 310D 9A001 12/56 11/20 102Z F-term (Reference) 5K002 BA06 DA09 EA06 FA01 GA07 5K014 AA01 BA02 DA01 EA00 HA01 5K030 GA12 HC14 JA12 JL03 JT10 KA02 LD01 MA14 MB04 5K033 AA06 BA15 DA15 DB03 EA04 5K069 AA10 DB33 EA30 FA23 FA26 FD12 HA01 9A001 BB06 KK56 LL05

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a fiber channel switch subsystem configured by interconnecting a large number of fiber channel switches for switching connection paths of optical fiber cables, a diagnosis for diagnosing an abnormality between the fiber channel switches in each fiber channel switch. A frame is created, the diagnostic frame is transmitted to another Fiber Channel switch, the diagnostic frame transmitted or returned from the other Fiber Channel switch is received, the received diagnostic frame is analyzed, and each Fiber Channel switch is analyzed. Diagnostic frame analyzing means for detecting an abnormality between the fiber channel switches, and notifying means for notifying the maintenance center of the abnormal state when each diagnostic frame analyzing means detects an abnormality between the fiber channel switches. Fiber Channel switch subsystem Stem. 2. The diagnostic frame analyzing means checks a parity error of a diagnostic frame sent from another fiber channel switch, and checks a parity error, a compare error and a timeout of a diagnostic frame returned from another fiber channel switch. A fiber channel switch subsystem for checking for errors. 3. A diagnostic frame for diagnosing an abnormality between the fiber channel switches in a plurality of fiber channel switches constituting the fiber channel switch subsystem, and transmitting the diagnostic frame to another fiber channel switch. Receives a diagnostic frame transmitted or returned from another Fiber Channel switch, analyzes the received diagnostic frame, detects an abnormality between each Fiber Channel switch, and notifies the maintenance center of the detected abnormal state. An abnormality detection method for a fiber channel switch subsystem.