JP2003150321A - Device, method and program for managing virtual storage device, and computer readable recording medium recorded with virtual storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device, a method and a program for managing a virtual storage device, which can suppress the prolongation of an initialization processing in using the virtual storage device, and to provide a computer readable recording medium in which the virtual storage device is recorded. SOLUTION: Whether an access position to the virtual storage device is in an uninitialized area except an initialized area or in the initialized area among storage areas is judged based on end information indicating the end of the initialized area which is initialized among storage areas to be provided by the virtual storage device. When the access position is judged to be in the uninitialized area, an initialization area to be initialized is determined based on the access position and the end information. Thus, only necessary areas are initialized and extension of the initialization processing is suppressed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a virtual storage device management apparatus, a virtual storage device management method, a virtual storage device management program, and a virtual storage that manage a virtual storage device that virtually functions as a storage device provided in an embedded device. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium in which a device management program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, embedded devices have become more sophisticated. Along with this, it has become indispensable to mount a file system that handles a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory in an embedded device. However, in the development stage of embedded devices, hardware development and software development are often performed in parallel. In such a case, it is not possible to confirm the operation of the software using the actual storage device provided in the embedded device.

Therefore, a file system simulator may be used at the software development stage or the like. This simulator virtually provides a storage device included in an embedded device by using a memory, a file, and the like on a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC).

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, this simulator causes a PC to function as a command analysis unit 301, an access preparation unit 302, a write processing unit 303, a read processing unit 304, and an initialization processing unit 305.

When the simulator starts up, the access preparation means 302 prepares for access to the virtual storage device 306 that virtually functions as a storage device of the embedded device. For example, if the virtual storage device 306 is P
When provided by a file on C, the access preparation unit 302 performs a process of creating a file and acquiring a file pointer for accessing the file. Further, the maximum size provided by the virtual storage device 306 is held as the maximum size of the file.

Further, the initialization processing means 305 initializes the virtual storage device 306. Virtual storage device 306
Is initialized by the virtual storage device 30 prepared for access.
It is performed by writing a maximum size provided by 6, for example, a predetermined value such as 0.

The write processing unit 303 and the read processing unit 304 execute a write or read process on the virtual storage device 306 which is made accessible by the access preparation unit 302 and the initialization processing unit 305 according to a command.

[0008]

For example, a digital tuner or a hard disk recorder may be equipped with a large capacity hard disk drive for recording video. As described above, even when the embedded device is provided with a large-capacity storage device, in the conventional simulator, the initialization process is performed by the amount of the capacity when the simulator is activated. As a result, in the conventional simulator, the initialization process and eventually the activation of the simulator take a long time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the conventional technique, and a virtual storage device management apparatus capable of suppressing a long initialization process when using a virtual storage device. A virtual storage device management method, a virtual storage device management program, and a computer-readable recording medium in which a virtual storage device is recorded are provided.

[0010]

To achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means.

In the present invention, for example, a virtual storage device that virtually functions as a hard disk drive provided in a hard disk recorder is managed. A file or memory on the PC is used as this virtual storage device.

When there is access to the virtual storage device,
The determination means determines that the position of access to the virtual storage device is the initial position of the storage area based on the end information indicating the end of the initialized area of the storage area provided by the virtual storage device. It is determined whether it is in an uninitialized area or an initialized area other than the initialized area.

Further, the initialization area determining means determines, based on the position of access to the virtual storage device and the termination information, when it is determined that the position of access to the virtual storage device is in the uninitialized area. An initialization area to be initialized among the initialization areas is determined.

The initialized area is an area in which the initialized area thus determined is initialized. The area of the file or memory used for the virtual storage device may be secured up to the end represented by the end information of the initialized area. Locations that are not accessed are not initialized, and file and memory areas do not need to be secured. Therefore, the area of the file or memory used for the virtual storage device can be suppressed more than ever before. Moreover, only the initialized area of the uninitialized area is initialized. Based on the position of access to the virtual storage device and the termination information, the initialization area can be determined only as much as necessary for access, and thus it is possible to suppress the initialization process from taking a long time. . Of course, since there is no initialization area in the initial state of the virtual storage device, the time required to start using the virtual storage device becomes relatively short.

The initialization area determining means may determine the initialization area only when the virtual memory device is accessed for writing.

In this case, if the access to the virtual storage device is read, the initialization area is not determined and the initialization is not performed.

When it is determined that the position of access to the virtual storage device is the uninitialized area, and the access to the virtual storage device is read, the read processing means determines the access to the virtual storage device. Instead of reading the value from the position, you can read the value used for initialization.

This makes it possible to speed up the reading process.

Further, for example, when the virtual storage device is returned to the initial state each time even though the same test pattern is repeated, an extra time is required from the initial state to a certain state.

Therefore, the state information storage means and the state restoration means may be provided. The state information storage unit stores state information representing the state of the virtual storage device, and the state restoration unit restores the state of the virtual storage device based on the state information.

As a result, even if the virtual memory device is set to the initial state each time the same test pattern is repeated,
The virtual storage device is quickly returned to its original state.

Further, the state restoring means may have a selecting means for selecting the state information when the state information storing means stores a plurality of state information representing different states of the virtual storage device. In this case, the state restoration means
The state of the virtual storage device is restored based on the state information selected by the selection means.

As a result, even when different test patterns are alternately repeated, the state of the virtual memory device is returned to the state corresponding to each test pattern in a short time.

Further, the determining means determines that the access position to the virtual storage device is uninitialized in the storage region other than the initialized region only when the access position to the virtual storage device is in the storage region. It suffices to make a determination as to whether it is in the area or the initialized area.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the present invention appears in a virtual storage device management program for managing a virtual storage device using a file of a PC.

The virtual storage device management program is a PC
To function as a virtual storage device management apparatus.

Here, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the virtual storage device management apparatus. Further, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining a virtual storage device management method using the virtual storage device management apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 2, the virtual storage device management apparatus includes a command analysis unit 1, a virtual storage device creation unit 2, a write processing unit 3, a read processing unit 4, an information management unit 5, and an uninitialized area initialization. The processing means 6 is provided.

The virtual storage device management device manages the virtual storage device 7 by these. The command analysis unit 1 analyzes a command for the virtual storage device 7. This command includes a command for instructing the format of the virtual storage device 7, writing to the virtual storage device 7, and reading from the virtual storage device 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, when a command instructing the format of the virtual storage device 7 is issued in the initial state (S11), the virtual storage device creating means 2
Creates the virtual storage device 7 (S12). In this case, the virtual storage device 7 is created by creating a new file on the file system of the PC.
The size of the file created at this time may be the minimum size in the file system of the PC. Further, when creating the virtual storage device 7, a pointer to the virtual storage device 7 is acquired.

Next, the virtual storage device creating means 2 stores size information indicating the size of the (largest) storage area provided by the virtual storage device 7 (S13). The size of the storage area provided by the virtual storage device 7 corresponds to the capacity of the storage device actually provided in the embedded device.

The initialization process is performed by the virtual storage device creating means 2
When the size information is stored without being executed by, the standby state is waited for writing to the virtual storage device 7 and reading from the virtual storage device 7 (S14).

When a command is issued to the virtual storage device 7 in the standby state, the command analysis means 1 analyzes the command (S15).

When this command is a write command or a read command for the virtual storage device 7, the information management means 5 is notified of that fact.

The information management means 5 manages size information and end pointers (end information). The end pointer is a pointer that represents the end of the initialized area of the storage area provided by the virtual storage device 7 that has been initialized.
The maximum value of the end pointer matches the value of size information.
The size of the file used for the virtual storage device 7 is
Only the area specified by the pointer to the virtual storage device 7 and the end pointer may be secured.

The information management means 5 has a judgment means 51 and an initialization area determination means 52. The judging means 51
Based on the size information, it is determined whether or not the access position such as writing or reading is in the storage area (S16). For example, when the command is a write command, the write area to be written is given by the write start position and write end position specified by the write command.

If it is determined that the writing area is not in the storage area, that is, it is not within the accessible range, error processing is performed (S17).

On the other hand, the writing area is in the storage area,
That is, if it is determined that it is within the accessible range,
The determining unit 51 determines whether the writing position is in an uninitialized area other than the initialized area or in the initialized area based on the end pointer (S1).
8).

For example, if the write start position and the write end position are before the end pointed by the end pointer, it is determined that the write position is in the initialized area. On the other hand, if the write start position or the write end position is after the end, it is determined that the write position is in the uninitialized area.

When the virtual storage device 7 is created, the end pointer is set to almost the same value as the pointer to the virtual storage device 7, so the write position is
It is determined to be in the uninitialized area.

When it is determined that the writing position is in the uninitialized area, the initialization area determining means 52 determines the initialized area to be initialized among the uninitialized areas based on the writing position and the end pointer. To do.

The initialization area is determined, for example, from the end pointed by the end pointer to the write end position. Further, when the initialization area is determined, the end pointer is updated to the end of the initialization area. Along with this, the size of the file used in the virtual storage device 7 is also updated.

When the initialization area is determined by the initialization area determining means 52, the uninitialized area initialization processing means 6
For example, the initialization area is initialized with a predetermined value such as 0 (S
19). As a result, the initialized area becomes an initialized area.

When the initialized area is initialized and becomes an initialized area, the write processing means 3 writes at the write position (S20). When it is determined that the writing position is in the initialized area, writing is performed by the writing processing unit 3 without passing through step S19.

When writing is performed by the writing processing means 3, the state returns to the standby state. FIG. 4 shows an example of the state of the virtual storage device 7 that has been written in this way.

In the example of FIG. 4, most of the storage area 201 is the uninitialized area 204. The area before the end pointer 102 in the storage area 201 is the initialized area 2
02 and a written area 203.
The written area is an area in which writing has been performed in the initialized area.

A pointer 1 to the virtual storage device 7
01 represents the beginning of the storage area 201, and the size information 10
5 represents the end of the storage area 201.

In this state of the virtual storage device 7, a write command is issued while the write start position is at position 103 and the write end position is at position 10.
Suppose it is designated as 4.

In this case, the writing position is the uninitialized area 2
Since it is judged that it is in 04, the area from the end pointed by the end pointer 102 to the write end position is the initialization area 2
05 will be decided. Then, when the initialized area 205 is initialized and becomes the initialized area, writing is performed at the writing position, and as shown in FIG.
Part of this becomes the written area 207.

In the standby state, the procedure when the issued command is a read command is the same as that when the command is a write command, except for steps S19 and S20, as shown in FIG.

If the command is a read command, step S2 is replaced with steps S19 and S20.
1, S22 is performed.

In step S21, it is not necessary for the initialization area determining means 51 to determine the initialization area and for the uninitialized area initialization processing means 6 to initialize the initialization area.

In step S22, the read processing means 4
Reads from the read position of the virtual storage device 7, but in step S21, instead, a predetermined value used for initialization is read.

When the read position is in the uninitialized area,
Since there is no value written in the reading position, there is no inconvenience even if the reading position is not actually initialized, and the reading process is reduced.

As described above, in the virtual storage device management apparatus, the virtual storage device management method, and the virtual storage device management program according to this embodiment, the position where writing is not performed is not initialized, and the access position and the end pointer are set. Based on this, initialization is performed by the required amount. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the initialization process from being prolonged.
In addition, the file size only needs to be secured for the initialized area, and the file size is also suppressed. Of course, since there is no initialization area in the initial state of the virtual storage device, the time required to start using the virtual storage device becomes relatively short. (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, every time the virtual storage device management program is restarted, the procedure from the initial state is performed.

Of course, the same test pattern may be repeated when testing software, for example. In this case, if the procedure from the initial state is performed every time the virtual storage device management program is restarted, extra time is required from the initial state to a certain state.

When different test patterns are alternately repeated, it is inevitable to restart the virtual storage device management program in order to avoid mutual influence.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the virtual storage device management program in the second embodiment is a PC
Also functions as the state information storage means 8 and the state restoration means 9.

When the restart command is issued, the state information storage means 8 stores the state information indicating the state of the virtual storage device 7. This state information includes size information, a termination pointer, a pointer indicating an initialized area and a written area, a value written in the written area, and the like.

When the restart command is issued a plurality of times, a plurality of status information may be stored in the status information storage means 8.

An identifier representing a test pattern may be associated with the state information. If the state information associated with the same identifier is already stored in the state information storage means 8, the state information is overwritten. You may do it.

The virtual storage device 7 is returned to the initial state only after the state information is stored in the state information storage means 8.

The state restoration means 9 restores the state of the virtual storage device 7 based on the state information stored in the state information storage means 8. For example, a file corresponding to an area specified by the end pointer included in the status information and the previous pointer to the virtual storage device 7 is created. Further, a predetermined value is written in the initialized area included in the state information.

As a result, even if the virtual memory device is initialized every time the same test pattern is repeated,
The virtual storage device is quickly returned to its original state.

Further, the state restoration means 9 is composed of the selection means 91.
have. The selection unit 91 selects the state information associated with the identifier that matches the identifier specified by the restart command, for example. Then, when a plurality of state information representing different states of the virtual storage device 7 is stored in the state information storage unit 8, the state restoration unit 9 performs virtual storage based on the state information selected by the selection unit 91. Restore the state of device 7.

As a result, even when different test patterns are alternately repeated, the state of the virtual memory device is returned to the state according to each test pattern in a short time.

The virtual storage device management program in the first and second embodiments is distributed in a state in which it is distributed through an electric communication line such as the Internet or recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Sometimes.

The virtual storage device 7 may be created not by using a file on the PC but by using, for example, a memory.

Further, the actual storage device corresponding to the virtual storage device is a hard disk drive or a flash memory, and the built-in equipment provided with these storage devices is a digital tuner, a hard disk recorder, a personal digital assistant, or the like.

[0070]

As described above, in the present invention, initialization is performed by the amount based on the access position and the end pointer. As a result, the lengthening of the initialization process is suppressed.

Further, when it is determined that the access position to the virtual memory device is an uninitialized area which has not been initialized, the value used for initialization when the access to the virtual memory device is read. Is read, the reading process is speeded up.

The state information indicating the state of the virtual memory device is stored, and the state of the virtual memory device is restored based on the state information, so that the virtual memory device is returned to the initial state each time the same test pattern is repeated. Even in such a case, the time required to return to the original state is significantly reduced.

Furthermore, even if the virtual storage device is returned to the initial state each time different test patterns are alternately repeated by selecting a plurality of stored state information, the state of the virtual storage device remains the test state. It returns to the state according to the pattern in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a conventional file system simulator.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual storage device management device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a virtual storage device management method using a virtual storage device management apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state of a virtual storage device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the state of the virtual storage device.

FIG. 6 is another flowchart for explaining a virtual storage device management method using the virtual storage device management apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual storage device management device according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Command analysis means 2 Virtual storage device creation means 3 Writing processing means 4 Read processing means 5 Information management means 6 Uninitialized area initialization processing means 7 Virtual storage device 8 State information storage means 9 State restoration means 51 Judgment means 52 initialization area determining means 91 selection means 102 end pointer 202 Initialized area 204 uninitialized area 205 initialization area

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 12/00 550 G06F 13/00 301X 5B083 13/00 301 11/22 360B // G06F 11/22 360 1 / 00 350C (72) Eiji Kawahara Eiji Kawahara 3-1018 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima City Matsushita Electric Information Systems Co., Ltd. Hiroshima Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Hiroshi Sasaki 3-1018 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima-shi Matsu Co., Ltd. Shimoden Information System Hiroshima Research Institute F-term (reference) 5B048 AA14 DD08 DD17 5B054 AA08 BB20 CC04 5B060 AA13 5B065 CC03 CC08 CH18 ZA06 5B082 FA04 5B083 AA01 CC11 CD07 EE08

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A virtual storage device management apparatus for managing a virtual storage device that virtually functions as a storage device included in an embedded device, wherein initialization is performed in a storage area provided by the virtual storage device. Whether the position of access to the virtual storage device is in an uninitialized area other than the initialized area based on the end information indicating the end of the initialized area And a terminating information based on the position of access to the virtual storage device and the termination information when the position of access to the virtual storage device is determined to be in the uninitialized area. A virtual storage device management apparatus comprising: an initialization area determining unit that determines an initialization area to be initialized among the uninitialized areas. 2. The initialization area determining means only when the access to the virtual storage device is writing.
The virtual storage device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initialization area is determined. 3. When the access position to the virtual storage device is determined to be in the uninitialized area and the access to the virtual storage device is a read, the access to the virtual storage device 3. The virtual storage device management apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising read processing means for reading a value used for initialization instead of reading the value from the position. 4. The state information storage means for storing state information representing the state of the virtual storage device, and the state restoration means for restoring the state of the virtual storage device based on the state information. Virtual storage device management device. 5. The state restoration means has a selection means for selecting the state information when a plurality of state information representing different states of the virtual storage device is stored in the state information storage means, The virtual storage device management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the state of the virtual storage device is restored based on the state information selected by the selection unit. 6. The virtual storage device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit makes the determination only when an access position to the virtual storage device is within the storage area. 7. A virtual storage device management method for managing a virtual storage device that virtually functions as a storage device provided in an embedded device, wherein initialization is performed in a storage area provided by the virtual storage device. Whether the position of access to the virtual storage device is in an uninitialized area other than the initialized area based on the end information indicating the end of the initialized area And a step of determining whether the access position to the virtual storage device is in the uninitialized area, based on the access position to the virtual storage device and the termination information, A virtual storage device management method comprising: a step of determining an initialized area to be initialized among the uninitialized areas. 8. A virtual storage device management program for causing a computer to function as the virtual storage device management apparatus according to claim 1. 9. A computer-readable recording medium recording a virtual storage device management program for causing a computer to function as the virtual storage device management apparatus according to claim 1.