JP2007310780A - Dynamic selection method, dynamic selection system and its program of communication protocol between a plurality of computers - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for dynamic switching of communication protocols between a plurality of computers such as is hiding a transport layer communication protocol from an application. <P>SOLUTION: A transmission side computer PC-S is composed of a negotiation management part 11-S, a negotiation communication part 12-S, a communication protocol determining part 13-S, a communication mate management part 14-S, a communication mate summary data file 15-S, a negotiation information file 16-S, a communication protocol summary data file 17-S, a data communication part 18-S, and the application 19-S. A reception side computer PC-R is composed of a negotiation management part 11-R, a negotiation communication part 12R, a negotiation information file 16-R, a data communication part 18-R, and the application 19-R. The transmission side computer automatically selects the communication protocol used in data communication in response to the number of reception side computers and a computer constitution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for dynamically selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers, a dynamic selection system, and a program thereof. .

  When performing broadcast communication from one computer to multiple computers, the available communication protocols are TCP and UDP, which are communication protocols in the third layer (network layer) of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) reference model. Broadcast communication, multicast communication, and the like. There are advantages and disadvantages in using each communication protocol.

  Of these communication protocols, which communication protocol is used is usually determined at the time of application development, and an application implementation that depends on the communication protocol is created.

  As described above, when the communication protocol to be used at the time of application development is decided, it depends on the communication protocol when the application is implemented. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the application every time the communication protocol to be used is changed. The nature is bad.

  In addition, when the number of computers subject to communication changes, the communication environment such as line quality varies depending on the computer that communicates, so by using a specific communication protocol, the computer load, communication load, and resource usage due to the increase in the number of computers The amount increases.

  Furthermore, by communicating between computers with different communication environments, retransmissions frequently occur for computers with poor line quality, which may increase the communication load. For this reason, it was necessary to select an appropriate communication protocol depending on the number of computers and the arrangement in the network.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an OSI reference model session for simultaneous broadcast communication between a plurality of computers having different communication environments. By controlling the logical communication path corresponding to the layer, the start and end of communication related to the communication protocol of the transport layer and the switching of the communication protocol are performed dynamically in response to changes in the communication environment. An object of the present invention is to provide a dynamic switching method, a dynamic switching system, and a program for a communication protocol between a plurality of computers that hide a transport layer communication protocol from an application.

  To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, among a plurality of computers arranged on a network, one computer or more that becomes a reception side computer from one computer that becomes a transmission side computer. A method of selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers for performing broadcast communication, and common data communication means, negotiation management means, negotiation communication means and application for the transmission side computer and the reception side computer In addition, a communication protocol determination unit and a communication partner management unit are further added to the transmission side computer, and the negotiation management unit of the reception side computer communicates with the transmission side computer when starting communication. In order to query the protocol, the negotiation communication means is negotiated. Notifying the request, receiving the communication protocol transmitted from the transmission side computer from the negotiation communication means, making a communication protocol setting request of the received communication protocol to the data communication means, the negotiation communication means of the reception side computer, The negotiation request received from the negotiation management unit is transmitted to the negotiation communication unit of the transmission side computer, the negotiation response transmitted from the negotiation communication unit of the transmission side computer is received, and the received negotiation response is transmitted to the negotiation management unit. The negotiation management means of the sending computer notifies the communication protocol determination means of the negotiation request received from the negotiation communication means, and transmits the communication protocol. A communication protocol to be used is received from the determination means, a communication protocol setting request for the communication protocol to be used is sent to the data communication means, and a negotiation response request is sent to the negotiation communication means to notify the communication protocol to be used to the receiving computer. The negotiation communication means of the sending computer receives the negotiation request transmitted from the negotiation communication means of the receiving computer, notifies the negotiation management means of the negotiation request, and from the negotiation management means The negotiation response request is received, a negotiation response is transmitted to the negotiation communication means of the receiving computer, and the communication protocol determination means is the negotiation management means of the transmitting computer. Receiving the negotiation request, notifying the communication partner management means of the information on the receiving computer included in the negotiation request, obtaining the list data of the receiving computer from the communication partner management means, and receiving the list data The communication protocol is selected according to the rules according to the number of computers on the side computer and the computer configuration, the selected communication protocol is notified to the negotiation management means, and the communication partner management means is information on the receiving side computer from the communication protocol determination means. To update the list data of the receiving computer, and pass the list data of the receiving computer to the communication protocol determining unit in response to the receiving computer list data acquisition request from the communication protocol determining unit, The data communication means transmits data from the application. When a request is received, data is transmitted to the data communication means of the receiving computer, and a communication protocol setting request is received from the negotiation management means, the communication protocol used for data transmission is switched and received. The data communication means of the side computer receives the data transmitted from the data communication means of the transmission side computer, passes the received data to the application, and receives a communication protocol change notification from the negotiation management means, The communication protocol used for data reception is switched.

  The invention according to claim 9 is for performing broadcast communication from one computer serving as a transmitting computer to one or more computers serving as receiving computers among a plurality of computers arranged on a network. The transmission side computer and the reception side computer are provided with a data communication unit, a negotiation management unit, a negotiation communication unit, and an application in common, and the transmission side computer In addition, a communication protocol determination unit and a communication partner management unit are further added, and the negotiation management unit of the receiving computer, when initiating communication, inquires about the communication protocol used by the transmitting computer. From the negotiation communication unit. The communication protocol transmitted from the receiving computer is received, the communication protocol setting request of the received communication protocol is made to the data communication unit, and the negotiation communication unit of the receiving computer receives the negotiation request received from the negotiation management unit. Transmitting to the negotiation communication unit of the transmission side computer, receiving the negotiation response transmitted from the negotiation communication unit of the transmission side computer, notifying the received negotiation response to the negotiation management unit, of the transmission side computer The negotiation management unit notifies the communication protocol determination unit of the negotiation request received from the negotiation communication unit, receives a communication protocol to be used from the communication protocol determination unit, and A communication protocol setting request for a communication protocol to be used, and a negotiation response request is notified to the negotiation communication unit to notify the protocol to be used to the reception side computer, and the negotiation communication unit of the transmission side computer A negotiation request transmitted from the negotiation communication unit is received, the negotiation request is notified to the negotiation management unit, a negotiation response request is received from the negotiation management unit, and a negotiation response is sent to the negotiation communication unit of the receiving computer. The communication protocol determination unit receives a negotiation request from the negotiation management unit of the transmission side computer, and receives the negotiation request from the communication partner management unit of the reception side computer. Notify the information, acquire the list data of the receiving computer from the communication partner management unit, select the communication protocol according to the number of computers of the receiving computer and the computer configuration of the list data, and select the selected communication protocol The negotiation management unit is notified, and the communication partner management unit receives information on the receiving computer from the communication protocol determining unit, updates the list data of the receiving computer, and receives the receiving computer from the communication protocol determining unit. In response to the list data acquisition request, the list data of the receiving computer is passed to the communication protocol determination unit, and the data communication unit of the transmitting computer receives the data transmission request from the application, and the data communication unit of the receiving computer Data to the communication protocol setting from the negotiation management unit. When a request is received, the communication protocol used for data transmission is switched, and the data communication unit of the receiving computer receives the data transmitted from the data communication unit of the transmitting computer, and the application When receiving the received data and receiving a communication protocol change notification from the negotiation management unit, the communication protocol used for data reception is switched.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 14 is a data communication means that is common to one computer as a transmission side computer and one or more computers as a reception side computer among a plurality of computers arranged on a network. A negotiation management means, a negotiation communication means, and an application, and a communication protocol determination means and a communication partner management means are further added to the transmission side computer so that the transmission side computer can receive from one computer as the transmission side computer. A program for selecting a communication protocol for performing broadcast communication to one or more computers as computers, wherein the negotiation management means of the receiving computer uses a communication protocol used by the transmitting computer when starting communication To negotiate the negotiation communication means. A communication protocol transmitted from the transmission side computer from the negotiation communication means, a communication protocol setting request for the received communication protocol is sent to the data communication means, and the negotiation communication means of the reception side computer The negotiation request received from the negotiation management means is transmitted to the negotiation communication means of the transmitting computer, the negotiation response transmitted from the negotiation communication means of the transmitting computer is received, and the received negotiation response is received as the negotiation response. The negotiation management unit of the sending computer notifies the communication protocol determination unit of the negotiation request received from the negotiation communication unit, and notifies the communication protocol. A communication protocol used from the protocol determining means is received, a communication protocol setting request for the communication protocol used is sent to the data communication means, and a negotiation response is sent to the negotiation communication means to notify the communication protocol used to the receiving computer The negotiation communication means of the transmission side computer receives the negotiation request transmitted from the negotiation communication means of the reception side computer, notifies the negotiation management means of the negotiation request, and the negotiation management means The negotiation response request from the transmission side computer is received, a negotiation response is transmitted to the negotiation communication means of the reception side computer, and the communication protocol determination means is configured to transmit the negotiation management of the transmission side computer. Receiving the negotiation request from the means, notifying the communication partner management means of the information on the receiving computer included in the negotiation request, obtaining the list data of the receiving computer from the communication partner management means, The communication protocol is selected according to the rules according to the number of computers on the receiving side computer and the computer configuration, the selected communication protocol is notified to the negotiation management means, and the communication partner management means is connected to the communication side of the receiving side computer from the communication protocol determination means. The information is received and the list data of the receiving computer is updated, and the list data of the receiving computer is passed to the communication protocol determining unit in response to the receiving computer list data acquisition request from the communication protocol determining unit, The data communication means is a data communication from the application. Switch the communication protocol used for data transmission when receiving a communication protocol setting request from the negotiation management means. The data communication unit of the receiving computer receives the data transmitted from the data communication unit of the transmitting computer, passes the received data to the application, and receives a communication protocol change notification from the negotiation management unit. In this case, the communication protocol used for data reception is switched.

  According to the present invention, since the transmitting computer automatically selects the communication protocol to be used for data communication according to the number of receiving computers and the computer configuration, it is possible to use the optimum communication protocol corresponding to the computer configuration. This can reduce the computer load, communication load, and resource usage. In addition, since applications that operate on the transmission side computer and the reception side computer can communicate without being conscious of the communication protocol, it is not necessary to describe a communication processing procedure depending on the communication protocol, and an improvement in application productivity can be expected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a dynamic selection method, a dynamic selection system, and a program for a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Terminology will be explained.

(1) Transmission computer A computer on which an application for transmitting data to the reception computer operates.

(2) Receiving computer A computer on which an application for receiving data transmitted from a transmitting computer operates.

(3) Auto-negotiation Processing to determine the communication protocol used for data communication by exchanging information between the sending computer and the receiving computer. Negotiation is performed by a negotiation request from the receiving computer and a negotiation response thereto.

(4) Communication partner This refers to the receiving computer or vice versa when viewed from the transmitting computer. In the present invention, it refers to a receiving computer as viewed from a transmitting computer.

(5) Communication quality Indicates whether data communication between computers is performed without loss. The frequency of retransmission request transmission at the receiving computer is an actual example.

(6) Communication status Indicates whether data communication between computers is normally performed. A bad communication state refers to a situation in which data transmitted by the transmitting computer does not reach the receiving computer.

(7) Simultaneous broadcast transmission Transmission is performed simultaneously to a plurality of computers. It is a one-sided communication that is transmitted regardless of the reception status on the receiving side. A plurality of computers may be a specific group or may be an unspecified number. In an IP network, multicast communication multi-broadcast communication is an actual example.

(Embodiment 1)
A communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system for dynamically selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the system configuration diagrams of the second and subsequent embodiments, the subscript code (-S) is used for the transmitting computer and its component parts (functions), and the subscript code is used for the receiver computer and its component parts (functions). A distinction is made by adding (-R).

The system configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The transmission side computer PC-S includes a negotiation management unit 11-S, a negotiation communication unit 12-S, a communication protocol determination unit 13-S, a communication partner management unit 14-S, and a communication partner list data file 15-S. A negotiation information file 16-S, a communication protocol list data file 17-S, a data communication unit 18-S, and an application 19-S.

  On the other hand, the reception side computer PC-R includes a negotiation management unit 11-R, a negotiation communication unit 12-R, a negotiation information file 16-R, a data communication unit 18-R, and an application 19-R. The communication protocol determination unit, the communication partner management unit, the communication partner list data file, the communication protocol list data file, and the like provided in the transmitting computer PC-S are not provided.

Next, detailed functions of each part of the transmitting computer PC-S and the receiving computer PC-R will be described.
The negotiation management unit 11-R of the reception side computer PC-R passes the negotiation request to the negotiation communication unit 12-R in order to make a negotiation request to the transmission side computer PC-S, and as a result, from the transmission side computer PC-S. The communication protocol included in the returned negotiation response is set in the data communication unit 18-R.

  The negotiation request is configured to include “IP address; 192.168.20.51”, “subnet mask; 255.255.255.0”, and “communication protocol: empty” as address information of the receiving computer PC-R, for example, as shown in FIG. Has been.

  In the transmission side computer PC-S, the negotiation request transmitted from the negotiation communication unit 12-R of the reception side computer PC-R is received by the negotiation communication unit 12-S of the own device, and passes through the negotiation management unit 11-S. Then, the communication protocol determination unit 13-S is requested to perform “communication protocol automatic determination processing”.

  The communication protocol determined by the communication protocol determination unit 13-S is stored in the negotiation information file 16-S via the negotiation management unit 11-S and set in the data communication unit 18-S, and the negotiation response is sent. In order to transmit, the response data is passed to the negotiation communication unit 12-S.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the negotiation response includes “IP address; 192.168.20.51”, “subnet mask; 255.255.255.0”, and “communication protocol; broadcast”. Thus, in addition to the negotiation request, the communication protocol as the determination result is added to the negotiation response data.

  The negotiation communication unit 12-R of the reception side computer PC-R transmits the negotiation request of FIG. 6 received from the negotiation management unit 11-R to the transmission side computer PC-S, and as a result of the request, the transmission side computer PC-S. The negotiation response transmitted from is received, and the negotiation response is passed to the negotiation manager 11-R.

  The negotiation communication unit 12-S of the transmission side computer PC-S receives the negotiation request transmitted from the reception side computer PC-R and passes it to the negotiation management unit 11-S in order to determine the communication protocol. The negotiation response including the communication protocol determination result is received from the negotiation management unit 11-S and transmitted to the receiving computer PC-R.

  The communication protocol determination unit 13-S of the sending computer PC-S receives the negotiation request from the negotiation management unit 11-S and passes it to the communication partner management unit 14-S, and acquires information from the communication partner management unit 14-S. Communication protocols defined in the communication protocol list data stored in the communication protocol list data file 17-S in accordance with the rules based on the number of computers on the receiving computer PC-R and the computer configuration in the order of the receiving computer PC-R. Select the communication protocol to use.

  The communication partner management unit 14-S provided in the transmission side computer PC-S sends the information on the reception side computer PC-R included in the negotiation request received from the communication protocol determination unit 13-S to the transmission side computer PC-S. Stored in the communication partner list data file 15-S provided, and stored in the communication partner list data file 15-S in response to an acquisition request for information on the receiving computer PC-R from the communication protocol determination unit 13-S Pass all the data.

  The data stored in the communication partner list data file 15-S stores information on the receiving computer PC-R in a table format as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 7, the information of the receiving side computer PC-R is stored for three units. Specifically, as the address information of each of the receiving side computers PC-R1 to 3, IP addresses (192.168.20.51, 192.168. 20.52, 192.168.100.71) and subnet mask (255.255.255.0, 255.255.255.0, 255.255.255.0) are stored. The address information may be a value that can uniquely identify the arrangement on the network. For example, information other than an IP address such as a numerical value or a character string may be used.

  The data stored in the negotiation information file 16-S and the negotiation information file 16-R of both the transmitting computer PC-S and the receiving computer PC-R stores data related to auto-negotiation as shown in FIG. ing. Of these, the negotiation information file 16-R of the receiving computer PC-R stores the communication protocol stored in the negotiation response, and the negotiation information file 16-S of the transmitting computer PC-S stores the communication protocol in response to the negotiation request. The communication protocol determined by the determination unit 13-S is stored.

  The communication protocol list data file 17-S provided in the transmission side computer PC-S includes the data communication unit 18-S of the transmission side computer PC-S and the data communication unit 18-R of the reception side computer PC-R. And a list of communication protocols configured as shown in FIG. 9, that is, TCP / IP, broadcast (UDP), and multicast (UDP) are stored.

  The communication protocol determination unit 13-S performs automatic determination processing so as to select the communication protocol to be used from the protocol list stored in the communication protocol list data file 17-S. In addition, TCP and UDP are mentioned as a communication protocol of the transport layer of an OSI reference model. As for UDP, broadcast and multicast can be cited as communication protocols for carrying out simultaneous broadcast communication.

  The data communication unit 18-S and the data communication unit 18-R perform transmission / reception processing of the application 19-S and the application 19-R between the transmission side computer PC-S and the reception side computer PC-R. The data communication unit 18-S of the transmission side computer PC-S transmits data to the reception side computer PC-R in response to the transmission request from the application 19-S, and the data communication unit 18 of the reception side computer PC-R. -R receives the data transmitted from the transmitting computer PC-S, and passes the reception notification and the received data to the application 19-R.

(Function)
Next, the normal operation of the communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a communication protocol selection processing procedure by auto-negotiation in the sending computer PC-S. The same processing is performed in a state where communication with the receiving computer PC-R has already been performed or not.

  First, in the first processing step (S201), the negotiation communication unit 12-S receives and accepts the negotiation request transmitted from the receiving computer PC-R.

  In the next second processing step (S202), the negotiation communication unit 12-S passes the received negotiation request to the negotiation management unit 11-S. The negotiation management unit 11-S makes a communication protocol determination request to the communication protocol determination unit 13-S based on the received negotiation request. In response to this determination request, the communication protocol determination unit 13-S passes the negotiation request to the communication partner management unit 14-S. As a result, the communication partner manager 14-S stores the address information in the negotiation request in the communication partner list data file 15-S.

  In the next third processing step (S203), the communication protocol determination unit 13-S performs “communication protocol automatic determination processing” based on the information of the current receiving computer PC-R, and the determination result is transmitted to the negotiation management unit 11-. Pass to S. The “communication protocol automatic determination process” will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  In the subsequent fourth processing step (S204), the negotiation management unit 11-S stores the determination result received from the communication protocol determination unit 13-S in the negotiation information file 16-S.

  Next, in the fifth processing step (S205), the negotiation management unit 11-S creates negotiation response communication data including the communication protocol information of the determination result, and passes the communication data to the negotiation communication unit 12-S. Then, the negotiation communication unit 12-S transmits the received negotiation response to the negotiation communication unit 12-R of the receiving computer PC-R.

  Finally, in the sixth processing step (S206), the negotiation management unit 11-S of the transmission side computer PC-S and the negotiation management unit 11-R of the reception side computer PC-R specify the communication protocol of the determination result as the data communication unit. Set to 18-S and data communication unit 18-R, respectively. As a result, data communication based on the communication protocol determination result can be performed between the transmitting computer PC-S and the receiving computer PC-R.

  Next, details of the communication protocol automatic determination processing (S203 in FIG. 2) performed by the communication protocol determination unit 13-S will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, in the first processing step (S301), the communication protocol determination unit 13-S receives the data of the receiving computer PC-R stored in the communication partner list data file 15-S from the communication partner management unit 14-S. Get information.

  In the next second processing step (S302), the communication protocol determination unit 13-S confirms the number of computers of the receiving computer PC-R. As a result of the confirmation in the second processing step (S302), if the number of receiving side computers PC-R is one (= 1), TCP / IP is selected as the communication protocol in the third processing step (S303). To do. Here, when the number of receiving side computers PC-R is one, it is possible to select unicast (UDP / IP) instead of TCP / IP. In that case, unicast (UDP / IP) may be added to the communication protocol list data file 17-S.

  As a result of the confirmation in the second processing step (S302), when the number of receiving side computers PC-R is more than one (> 1), the receiving side computer PC-R is the same in the fourth processing step (S304). Check if it belongs to the network segment.

  If all the receiving side computers PC-R belong to the same network segment as a result of this confirmation (Yes), UDP / IP broadcast is selected as the communication protocol in the fifth processing step (S305). As a result of the confirmation in the third processing step S303, when even one receiver computer PC-R belongs to a different network segment (No), multicast is selected as the communication protocol in the sixth processing step (S306).

  In this way, by selecting a communication protocol in the third processing step (S303), the fifth processing step (S305), or the sixth processing step (S306), the “communication protocol automatic” by the communication protocol determination unit 13-S is selected. The “determination process” is finished.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a negotiation processing procedure in the receiving computer PC-R. In the first processing step (S401), the negotiation management unit 11-R creates a negotiation request storing the address information of its own computer, and passes it to the negotiation communication unit 12-R. Then, the negotiation communication unit 12-R transmits the received negotiation request to the transmitting computer PC-S.

  In the subsequent second step (S402), the negotiation communication unit 12-R waits to receive a negotiation response from the transmission side computer PC-S, and passes the received negotiation response to the negotiation management unit 11-R.

  In the next third step (S403), the negotiation management unit 11-R stores the communication protocol included in the negotiation response in the negotiation information file 16-R and communicates to the data communication unit 18-R. Set the protocol.

Next, the communication protocol automatic determination processing will be described with reference to a specific example of the number of receiving side computers PC-R.
There are three receiving side computers PC-R, of which two (PC-R1 and PC-R2) exist in the same network as the transmitting side computer PC-S, and one (PC-R3). Suppose they are in different networks.

  When the receiving computer is activated in the order of PC-R1, PC-R2, and PC-R3, when PC-R1 performs auto-negotiation, the receiving computer is added to the communication partner list data file 15-S of the transmitting computer PC-S. Information on the PC-R1 is stored. In this case, since there is one receiving computer PC-R, communication by TCP / IP is performed between the transmitting computer PC-S and the receiving computer PC-R1.

  Next, when the receiving computer PC-R2 performs auto-negotiation, information on the receiving computer PC-R2 is stored in the communication partner list data file 15-S. At this time, since all the two receiving side computers PC-R are in the same network, communication by broadcast (UDP / IP) is performed.

  Further, when the receiving computer PC-R3 performs auto-negotiation, the information on the receiving computer PC-R3 is stored in the communication partner list data file 15-S of the transmitting computer PC-S. At this time, since the three reception side computers PC-R are not in the same network, communication by multicast (UDP / IP) is performed.

(effect)
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the transmission computer PC-S automatically selects the communication protocol to be used for data communication according to the number of the reception computer PC-R and the computer configuration. An optimal communication protocol corresponding to the computer configuration can be used, thereby reducing the computer load, communication load, and resource usage.

  In addition, since applications that operate on the transmission side computer PC-S and the reception side computer PC-R can communicate without being aware of the communication protocol, it is not necessary to describe the communication processing procedure depending on the communication protocol, and the application production The improvement of sex can be expected.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the function part same as Embodiment 1, and it attaches | subjects the related function part, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

(Constitution)
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below.

  If the communication partner manager 14-S 'provided in the transmission side computer PC-S monitors the number of reception side computers PC-R and the number changes due to the negotiation request of the reception side computer PC-R, the number of units Is detected, and a communication protocol re-determination request is sent to the communication protocol determination unit 13-S ′.

  Upon receiving this re-determination request, the communication protocol determination unit 13-S ′ determines the communication protocol according to the changed number of computers and the computer configuration, and notifies the negotiation management unit 11-S ′ of the change of the communication protocol. Only when the communication protocol is changed due to the change in the number of units, the negotiation management unit 11-S ′ sends a communication protocol change notification to the negotiation communication unit 12-R of the reception-side computer PC-R by the negotiation communication unit 12-S. Since other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
Next, the normal operation of the communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 11 and FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the “communication partner monitoring process” in the sending computer PC-S.
In FIG. 11, in the first processing step (S1101), the communication partner management unit 14-S acquires the number of receiving side computers PC-R in the communication partner list data file 15-S.

  Next, in the second processing step (S1102), it is determined whether or not there is a change in the number on the reception-side computer PC-R side according to the acquired number. If the number has changed from the previous acquisition of the number (Yes) in the second processing step (S1102), a request for re-determination of the communication protocol is made to the communication protocol determination unit 13-S in the third processing step (S1103). The communication protocol determination unit 13-S performs the communication protocol automatic determination process shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, in the fourth processing step (S1104), the communication protocol determination unit 13-S passes the determination result communication protocol to the negotiation management unit 11-S, and the negotiation management unit 11-S determines the determination result communication protocol and negotiation information. The communication protocol stored in the file 16-S is compared to check whether the protocol has been changed.

  In the fourth processing step (S1104), when it is confirmed that the protocol has been changed (Yes), the negotiation management unit 11-S determines the changed communication protocol in the subsequent fifth processing step (S1105). Is stored in the negotiation information file 16-S. Next, in a sixth processing step (S1106), a communication protocol change notification including the changed communication protocol is created and transmitted to the receiving computer PC-R by the negotiation communication unit 12-S.

  Finally, in the seventh processing step (S1107), the negotiation management unit 11-S sets the changed communication protocol in the data communication unit 18-S.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a communication protocol change processing procedure in the receiving computer PC-R.
In FIG. 12, the negotiation communication unit 12-R receives the communication protocol change notification and passes it to the negotiation management unit 11-R in the first processing step (S1101). Next, in the second processing step (S1202), the negotiation management unit 11-R acquires the communication protocol already in use from the negotiation information file 16-R and compares it with the communication protocol included in the change notification. If it is determined that the communication protocol has been changed in the second processing step (S1202) (Yes), the changed communication protocol is stored in the negotiation information file 16-R in the third processing step (S1203), and the data A communication protocol is set in the communication unit 18 for communication.

(effect)
According to the second embodiment, when there is a receiving computer PC-R that is already communicating with the transmitting computer PC-S, when the number of computers increases, the transmitting computer PC-S detects a change in the number of computers. Then, by dynamically selecting the optimal communication protocol for the computer configuration at the time of detection, the computer load, communication load, and resource usage of the sending computer PC-S by changing the number of receiving computers PC-R Increase can be suppressed.
In addition, by notifying the receiving computer PC-R of the change of the communication protocol, it is possible to continue data communication between applications while maintaining the optimum communication protocol.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 16, 17, and 19. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as Embodiment 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Constitution)
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below.

  When the receiving computer PC-R performs the negotiation process, the communication protocol used by the transmitting computer PC-S and the receiving computer PC-R is stored in the negotiation information files 16-S ′ and 16-R ′, and the negotiation management is performed. The communication protocols used by the units 11-S ′ and 11-R ′ are extracted, and negotiation request data including the communication protocol as shown in FIG. 16 is transmitted to the transmitting computer PC-S.

  The transmission side computer PC-S passes the communication protocol of the reception side computer PC-R and the communication protocol used by the transmission side computer PC-S to the communication protocol determination unit 13-S 'by the negotiation management unit 11-S' The determination unit 13-S ′ performs communication protocol automatic determination processing according to the communication protocol determination table shown in FIG.

  As a result of the determination, when the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R is available, the same communication protocol as that shown in FIG. 18 is included in the negotiation response and transmitted to the receiving computer PC-R as a normal determination. If the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R is not available, the information on the abnormality determination is included in the negotiation response and transmitted to the receiving computer PC-R, and communication with the receiving computer PC-R is not performed. Alternatively, a communication protocol that can be used by the receiving computer PC-R is selected and transmitted to the receiving computer PC-R by including it in the negotiation response, and communication is performed using the notified alternative communication protocol.

  As the alternative communication protocol here, it is desirable to use a protocol (TCP / IP or the like) that is not restricted by the computer configuration. In the communication protocol automatic determination process, as shown in FIG. 19, the communication protocol is stored in the receiving computer PC-R in the communication partner list data file, and the receiving computer PC-R for which the communication protocol is not specified is stored. Only the communication protocol automatic determination of the first embodiment is performed.

(Function)
Next, the normal operation of the communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers shown in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 14 and FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a communication protocol selection processing procedure in the transmission side computer PC-S.

  The negotiation manager 11-S receives the negotiation request from the receiving computer PC-R in the first processing step (S1401). Next, in the second processing step (S1402), the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R is extracted from the negotiation request, and the communication protocol determination unit 13-S performs communication protocol determination. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the communication protocol of the transmitting computer PC-S extracted from the negotiation information file 16-S is automatically selected.

  If automatic selection is confirmed in the second processing step (S1402) (Yes), it is confirmed in the next third processing step (S1403) whether or not the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R is automatic selection. . If it is confirmed in the third processing step (S1403) that the receiving computer PC-R is also automatically selected (Yes), the “communication” performed in the first embodiment in the fourth processing step (S1404). "Protocol automatic determination processing" is performed, and the communication protocol is determined.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in the second processing step (S1402) that the communication protocol of the sending computer PC-S is not automatically selected (No), the sending computer PC-S is used in the fifth processing step (S1405). Whether or not the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R is the same, and if it is the same (Yes), the determination is OK in the sixth processing step (S1406).

  However, if the communication protocol of the sending computer PC-S and the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R do not match in the fifth processing step (S1405) (No), or the third processing step (S1403). ), If the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R is not automatically selected (No), it is confirmed whether or not the alternative communication protocol is used in the seventh processing step (S1407).

  If an alternative communication protocol is used in this seventh processing step (S1407) (Yes), an alternative communication protocol is selected in the next eighth processing step (S1408). However, if the alternative communication protocol is not used in the seventh processing step (No), the determination is NG in the ninth processing step (S1409).

  If a determination OK other than determination NG or an alternative communication protocol is selected, the determination result is stored in the negotiation information file 16-S in the tenth processing step (S1410), and the receiving side in the subsequent eleventh processing step (S1411). A negotiation response is transmitted to the computer PC-R. This completes the communication protocol selection process in the sending computer PC-S.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a negotiation processing procedure in the receiving computer PC-R.
In the first processing step (S1501), the negotiation management unit 11-R extracts the communication protocol to be used from the negotiation information file 16-R, and includes the communication protocol in the negotiation request and transmits it to the transmitting computer PC-S. .

  Then, in the second processing step (S1502), the negotiation response from the transmission side computer PC-S is received, and the communication protocol included in the negotiation response is extracted. In the third processing step (S1503), the negotiation management unit 11-R checks whether or not the extracted communication protocol is an effective value (or alternative communication protocol selection), and if it is an effective value (Yes) In the fourth processing step (S1504), the communication protocol is stored in the negotiation information file 16-R ', the communication protocol is set in the data communication unit 18-R, and the communication is performed in the third processing step (S1503). If it is determined that the protocol is not a valid value (No), the communication is stopped and the negotiation process in the receiving computer PC-R is terminated.

  In the case of the third embodiment, for example, in the example shown in the operation of the first embodiment, the transmitting computer PC-S is broadcast, PC-R1 is broadcast, PC-R2 is TCP / IP, and PC-R3 is multicast. Is selected, communication by broadcast is performed between the transmission side computers PC-S and PC-R1, and communication by TCP / IP is performed between the transmission side computers CS and PC-R2. Multicast communication is performed between the PC-S and the PC-R3.

(effect)
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the transmission side computer PC-S performs normal protocol automatic determination, while the reception side computer PC-R designates the communication protocol, it depends on the designated communication protocol. Since communication is also possible, by specifying a highly reliable communication protocol such as TCP / IP when performing communication with low-quality, low-speed lines, it is possible to automatically select a communication protocol, such as UDP / IP. A communication protocol that is not suitable for a low-quality line is selected, and a reduction in communication efficiency can be suppressed.

  In addition, while performing broadcast transmission by UDP on the local network (LAN), by specifying TCP / IP explicitly for computers that communicate via the wide area network (WAN), the efficiency can be improved. It is possible to cope with various types of networks regardless of LAN or WAN, such as mixing highly reliable communication and highly reliable communication on a line with poor communication efficiency.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the function part same as Embodiment 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Constitution)
FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
This FIG. 20 is provided with a communication quality monitoring unit 20-S and a communication quality list data file 21-S in the transmission side computer PC-S in addition to FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, and communication with the reception side computer PC-R. A quality monitoring unit 20-R is provided, and other functions are the same as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 20, the communication quality monitoring unit 20-R of the receiving computer PC-R is connected to the data communication unit 18-R as shown in FIG. 23 in order to monitor the communication quality in the data communication unit 18-R. The reception state data is transmitted to the transmission side computer PC-S, and the communication quality monitoring unit 20-S of the transmission side computer PC-S stores the received communication quality in the communication quality list data file 21-S. Monitor the communication quality.

  The communication quality list data file 21-S stores computer information and reception status as shown in FIG. 24 as tabular data. As the computer information, the IP address or the computer identification number of the communication partner list data file 15 is used, and as the reception state, the last reception time at the data communication unit 18-S is used. When the transmission side computer PC-S does not perform transmission for a certain period of time, the survival confirmation data is periodically transmitted so that the data is received within a certain time interval.

(Function)
Next, the normal operation of the communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers shown in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 21 and FIG.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a reception state notification processing procedure in the receiving computer PC-R.

  In FIG. 21, in the first processing step (S2201), the communication quality monitoring unit 20-R acquires the latest reception time from the data communication unit 18-R, and includes the reception time in the second processing step (S2202). The reception state data is transmitted to the data communication unit 18-S of the transmitting computer PC-S.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a reception state monitoring processing procedure in the transmission side computer PC-S.
In FIG. 22, in the first processing step (S2201), the communication quality monitoring unit 20-S receives the reception state data transmitted from the data communication unit 18-R of the receiving computer PC-R, and continues to the second step. In the processing step (S2202), the reception status data for the receiving computer PC-R is stored in the communication quality list data file 21.

  Next, in the third processing step (S2203), the communication quality monitoring unit 20-S confirms whether or not the reception state data received in the first processing step (S2201) is abnormal, and is confirmed to be abnormal. If the data is not received for a certain period of time (Yes), the communication protocol determination unit 13-S uses the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R as an alternative communication protocol in the next fourth processing step (S2204). The communication protocol redetermination request is made at the same time as changing. Then, the communication protocol determination unit 13-S requests the communication partner management unit 14-S to change the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R to an alternative communication protocol.

  In the fifth processing step (S2205), the communication partner manager 14-S performs the “communication partner monitoring process” described in the second embodiment with the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R changed. Re-determine the communication protocol.

  In the sixth processing step (S2206), the communication protocol determination unit 13-S issues a communication protocol change notification request to the reception side computer PC-R to the negotiation management unit 11-S.

  For example, in the example shown in the operation of the first embodiment, when automatic selection is designated by all the computers, communication by multicast is normally performed, but between the transmission side computer PC-S and the reception side computer PC-R3. When the multicast communication cannot be performed due to the router setting change or the like, the latest reception time of the PC-R3 is not updated for the communication quality list data file 21-S of the sending computer PC-S. The communication quality monitoring unit 20 regards the PC-R 3 as a reception state abnormality, changes the communication protocol of the PC-R 3 to TCP / IP, and re-determines the communication protocol. As a result, communication by broadcast is performed between the sending computer CS and the receiving computers PC-R1 and PC-R2, and TCP / IP is used between the sending computer PC-S and the receiving computer PC-R3. Communication takes place.

(effect)
According to the fourth embodiment, the transmission side computer PC-S monitors the reception state of the reception side computer PC-R, and currently uses the communication protocol of the reception side computer PC-R when an abnormal state occurs. If the communication protocol that does not depend on the configuration, such as TCP / IP, is changed to an alternative communication protocol other than the existing communication protocol and then the communication protocol of another computer is reselected, broadcast or As for a communication protocol that may cause a case where communication cannot be performed due to the network configuration, such as multicast broadcast communication, it is possible to continue communication by detecting a communication abnormality and switching to an alternative communication protocol.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 25, 26, 27, 29, and 28. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the function part same as Embodiment 4, and it attaches | subjects' to a related part, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Constitution)
FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a dynamic selection system for communication protocols between a plurality of computers according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
The difference between the fifth embodiment and the fourth embodiment is that the monitoring target of the communication quality monitoring unit 20-S ′ and the communication quality monitoring unit 20-R ′ is the communication quality at the time of data reception, and the receiving side computer PC-R Then, the communication quality monitoring unit 20-R ′ transmits a reception omission count within a predetermined time as shown in FIG. 28 to the transmission side computer PC-S as the communication quality at the time of reception from the data communication unit 18-R.

  In the transmission side computer PC-S, the communication quality data received by the communication quality monitoring unit 20-S ′ is stored in the communication quality list data file 21-S. As shown in FIG. 29, the communication quality list data file 21-S stores the reception omission count in addition to the reception time.

  When the communication quality monitoring unit 20-S ′ confirms that the communication quality does not satisfy the required quality of the communication protocol being communicated, the communication protocol determination unit 13-S ′ changes to the alternative communication protocol and reselects the communication protocol. After making the request and after the communication protocol reselection processing, the communication protocol determination unit 13-S ′ makes a transmission request for the communication protocol change notification to the negotiation management unit 11-S, and notifies the reception side computer PC-R of the communication protocol change. Send.

(Function)
Next, the normal operation of the communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers shown in FIG. 25 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a communication quality notification processing procedure in the receiving computer PC-R.

  In the first processing step (S2601) of FIG. 26, the communication quality monitoring unit 20-R ′ acquires the number of reception omissions per fixed time in the data communication unit 18-R, and then the second processing step. The communication quality data is transmitted to the communication quality monitoring unit 20-S of the transmitting computer PC-S (S2602).

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a communication quality monitoring process procedure in the sending computer PC-S.
In the first processing step (S2701), the communication quality monitoring unit 20-S receives the communication quality data transmitted from the receiving computer PC-R, and then in the second processing step (S2702). The communication quality for the PC-R is stored in the communication quality list data file 21.

  Next, in the third processing step (S2703), is the communication quality received in the first processing step (S2701) in the communication quality list data file 21 a value that the communication protocol currently in use needs to satisfy? Confirm whether or not.

  If it is determined that there is no abnormality in the communication quality in the third processing step (S2703) (No), the communication quality monitoring process at the transmission side computer PC-S ends, and the communication quality abnormality, that is, the data within a certain period of time. If it is determined that the number of reception omissions exceeds the allowable range (Yes), the communication protocol determination unit 13-S is changed to the alternative communication protocol of the reception computer and the communication protocol in the fourth processing step (S2704). Make a redetermination request. In response to this, the communication protocol determination unit 13-S requests the communication partner management unit 14-S to change the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R to the alternative communication protocol.

  In the subsequent fifth processing step (S2705), with the communication protocol of the receiving computer PC-R changed, the "communication partner monitoring process" described in the second embodiment is performed to re-determine the communication protocol. .

  In the final sixth processing step (S2706), the communication protocol determination unit 13-S issues a communication protocol change notification request to the reception side computer PC-R to the negotiation management unit 11-S.

  For example, in the example described in the section of the operation of the first embodiment, when automatic selection is designated in all the computers, usually multicast communication is performed, but the transmission side computer PC-S and the reception side computer PC-R3. If the communication throughput of the router interposed between them is low, data reception leakage frequently occurs in the data communication unit 18-R of the receiving computer PC-R3, and the communication quality list data file 21-S of the transmitting computer PC-S. , The number of reception omissions of the receiving computer PC-R3 increases.

  As a result, since the reception omission count value exceeds the upper limit value specified by the communication quality for performing the multicast communication, the communication quality monitoring unit 20-R regards the receiving side computer PC-R3 as a communication quality abnormality, and the receiving side The communication protocol of the computer PC-R3 is changed to TCP / IP, and the communication protocol is re-determined. As a result, communication by broadcast is performed between the transmitting computer PC-S and the receiving computers PC-R1 and PC-R2, and communication by TCP / IP is performed between the transmitting computers PC-S and PC-R3. Is called.

(effect)
According to the fifth embodiment, the transmission computer PC-S monitors the communication quality of the reception computer PC-R, and when the communication quality changes abnormally, the communication protocol of the reception computer PC-R is changed. By changing the communication protocol to an alternative communication protocol other than the one currently in use and reselecting the communication protocol of another computer, a communication protocol that performs highly reliable communication even with a low communication quality line such as TCP / IP When an alternative communication protocol is used, if a low-reliable communication protocol such as UDP / IP is selected in communication with a computer belonging to a network with poor communication quality of the sending computer PC-S, a decrease in communication quality is detected. However, by switching to a highly reliable communication protocol such as TCP / IP, it is possible to recover a decrease in communication efficiency.

(Embodiment 6)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 30, 31, 32, and 33. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as Example 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Constitution)
FIG. 30 is a configuration diagram of a dynamic selection system for communication protocols between a plurality of computers according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
The difference between the sixth embodiment and the first embodiment is that when the receiving computer PC-R is activated, the negotiation management unit 11-R ′ adds a list of candidates for the transmitting computer PC-S as shown in FIG. For the candidates for the transmission side computer PC-S acquired from the negotiation information file 16-R, a process for searching for the transmission side computer PC-S in an order from the candidates is added.

  The negotiation management unit 11-R ′ transmits inquiry information to each candidate entry of the transmission side computer PC-S, returns a response to the inquiry information received by the transmission side computer PC-S, and receives the reception side computer PC-R. The negotiation management unit 11-R ′ recognizes the computer that has received the response as the transmission-side computer PC-S, and performs negotiation processing thereafter.

(Function)
Next, the normal operation of the communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers shown in FIG. 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a sending computer inquiry processing procedure in the receiving computer PC-R.

  In the first processing step (S3101), the negotiation management unit 11-R ′ obtains a list of candidates for the transmitting computer CS from the negotiation information file 16-R, and then in the second processing step (S3102). It is determined whether there is a candidate. If the negotiation management unit 11-R ′ determines that there is a candidate in the second processing step (S3102) (Yes), in the third processing step (S3103), all the acquired candidates are inquired about communication availability. Is transmitted from the negotiation communication unit 12-R, and subsequently, a response related to the inquiry is received by the negotiation communication unit 12-R in the fourth processing step (S3104).

  In the fifth processing step (S3105), it is determined whether or not there is a response from the computer and communication is possible. When a response is received from the communicable computer (Yes), the remaining candidates are not inquired.

  As a result of inquiring about all candidates in the sixth processing step (S3106), it is determined whether there is a communicable transmitting computer PC-S, and a response from the communicable transmitting computer PC-S is received. If there is (Yes), in the seventh processing step (S3107), the above-described “negotiation process” of the first embodiment is performed on the transmitting computer PC-S.

  However, if there is no communicable computer in the second processing step (S3102) (No), or if there is no candidate for the transmitting computer PC-S in the sixth processing step (S3106) (No), the eighth In the process step (S3108), the communication start fails, and the inquiry process for the sending computer ends.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a communication permission / inquiry inquiry reception processing procedure in the transmission side computer PC-S.
The negotiation management unit 11-S receives the communication availability inquiry information from the receiving computer PC-R via the negotiation communication units 12-R and 12-S in the first processing step (S3201), and performs the second processing. In step (S3202), response information for the inquiry is generated and transmitted to the receiving computer PC-R, and the communication availability inquiry accepting process is terminated.

(effect)
According to the sixth embodiment, the receiving computer PC-R registers the candidate list of the transmitting computer PC-S in advance, and inquires of the transmitting computer PC-S from the receiving computer PC-R when the computer is activated. By transmitting information and receiving a response from the transmitting computer PC-S, the receiving computer PC-R can recognize the transmitting computer PC-S regardless of the network configuration in which the computer is arranged. .

(Embodiment 7)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 34, 35, 36 and 37. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as Embodiment 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Constitution)
FIG. 34 is a configuration diagram of a communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
The difference between the seventh embodiment and the first embodiment is that when the receiving computer PC-R is started up, the negotiation management unit 11-R ′ uses the broadcast address for search of the transmitting computer PC-S shown in FIG. The search information of the sending computer PC-S is transmitted by broadcast communication to the broadcast address for searching of the sending computer PC-S acquired from the negotiation information file 16-R to which is added, and the sending computer This is to add a process for specifying the sending computer PC-S by the response from the PC-S.

  The negotiation management unit 11-R ′ transmits the search computer PC-S search information to the search broadcast address of the transmission computer PC-S, and sends a response to the search information received by the transmission computer PC-S. In return, the negotiation management unit 11-R ′ of the reception side computer PC-R recognizes the computer that has received the response as the transmission side computer PC-S, and performs negotiation processing thereafter.

(Function)
Next, the normal operation of the communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers shown in FIG. 34 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 35 and FIG.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a transmission side computer search processing procedure in the reception side computer PC-R.

  In the first processing step (S3501), the negotiation management unit 11-R acquires the transmission side computer search broadcast address from the negotiation information file 16-R. Next, in the second processing step (S3502), if it is determined that a search address exists (Yes), the transmission side computer search information is transmitted by broadcast communication in the third processing step (S3503). Send from R.

  In the fourth processing step (S3504), the negotiation communication unit 12-R receives a response from the transmitting computer to the search information.

  The negotiation management unit 11-R determines whether or not there is a response to the search information in the fifth processing step (S3505). If there is a response to the search information (Yes), in the next sixth processing step (S3506). The “negotiation process” in the first embodiment is performed on the transmitting computer PC-S.

  However, if the search address does not exist in the second processing step (S3502) described above (No), or if there is no response to the search information in the fifth processing step (S3505) (No), the seventh processing is performed. In step (S3507), the communication start fails, and the transmission side computer search process in the reception side computer PC-R is terminated.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a search request response processing procedure in the transmitting computer PC-S.
The negotiation management unit 11-S of the transmission side computer PC-S receives the transmission side computer search information transmitted from the reception side computer PC-R through the negotiation communication unit 12-S in the first processing step (S3601). To do. Then, in the next second processing step (S3602), response information for the search information is generated and transmitted to the receiving computer PC-R via the negotiation communication unit 12-S, and the search request response process is terminated.

(effect)
According to the present embodiment, the search side broadcast address of the transmission side computer PC-S is registered in the reception side computer PC-R, and the inquiry to the transmission side computer PC-S is performed by simultaneous broadcast communication when the computer is started. By receiving the response from the transmitting computer PC-S, the receiving computer PC-R recognizes the transmitting computer PC-S without being conscious of which computer is the transmitting computer PC-S. be able to.

(Embodiment 8)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as Embodiment 4, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Constitution)
FIG. 38 is a configuration diagram of a dynamic selection system for communication protocols between a plurality of computers according to the eighth embodiment.

  FIG. 38 shows a communication protocol determination unit 13-R, a communication partner management unit 14-R, and a communication partner list data file for the receiving computer PC-R in addition to FIG. 20 according to the fourth embodiment. 15-R, a communication protocol list data file 17-R, and a communication quality list data file 21-R are provided as components.

  That is, both the transmission side computer PC-S and the reception side computer PC-R adopt the configuration of the fourth embodiment, and in order to perform bidirectional communication, the negotiation request communication data example of FIG. 39, the negotiation of FIG. As shown in the communication data example of the response, the communication data example of the reception state notification in FIG. 41, and the communication data example of the communication quality notification in FIG. 42, the transmission side includes the negotiation request, the negotiation response, the reception state notification data, and the communication quality notification data. Negotiation processing is performed by adding the address information and communication identification information of the computer CS.

  The communication identification information here is information used in the data communication units 18-S and 18-R, and is defined for each communication between applications. Specifically, TCP / IP and UDP / Use the port number in IP.

(Function)
Next, the normal operation of the communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers shown in FIG. 38 will be described.
In the “negotiation process” described in the first embodiment, when the receiving computer PC-R makes a negotiation request, the negotiation management unit 11-R sends the address information and data communication of the transmitting computer PC-S to the negotiation request. The communication identification information used in the section 18-R is added.

  In addition, in the “communication protocol selection process” in the first embodiment, when the transmitting computer PC-S transmits a negotiation response, the same address information and communication identification information of the transmitting computer PC-S as the negotiation request are added. To do.

  As for the “reception status notification process” in the fourth embodiment and the “communication quality notification process” in the fifth embodiment, the communication quality monitoring unit 20-R of the receiving computer PC-R is similar to the negotiation request. The transmission side computer PC-S with address information and communication identification information added is transmitted.

(effect)
According to the eighth embodiment, the reception side computer PC-R and the transmission side computer PC-S have the same configuration, and the communication data of the negotiation request, negotiation response, reception state notification, and communication quality notification is transmitted to the transmission side computer PC-. By transmitting the information to which the address information of S and the communication identification information are added, two-way communication is possible by regarding the receiving computer PC-R as the transmitting computer PC-S. And n-to-n communication between the receiving computer PC-R.

  Further, it is not necessary to create a computer-dependent application such as transmission processing on the transmission side computer PC-S and reception processing on the reception side computer PC-R, so that the productivity of the application can be improved.

1 is a configuration diagram of a dynamic selection system for a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a communication protocol selection processing procedure between a plurality of computers according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a communication protocol automatic determination processing procedure between a plurality of computers according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the negotiation process procedure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data by the negotiation request | requirement which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data by the negotiation response which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the communication partner list data file which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the negotiation information which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the communication protocol list data file between the multiple computers which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The dynamic selection system block diagram of the communication protocol between the multiple computers which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the communication other party monitoring process procedure which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the communication protocol change process sequence between the multiple computers concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. The dynamic selection system block diagram of the communication protocol between the multiple computers which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a communication protocol selection processing procedure between a plurality of computers according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the negotiation process procedure which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data of the negotiation request | requirement which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the negotiation determination table which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data of the negotiation response which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the communication partner list data file which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The dynamic selection system block diagram of the communication protocol between the multiple computers which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the reception status notification process procedure which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the reception status monitoring process sequence which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data of the reception status notification which concerns on Embodiment 4 which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the communication quality list data file which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the communication quality notification process procedure which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the communication quality monitoring process procedure which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data of the communication quality notification which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the communication quality list data file which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the transmission side computer inquiry processing procedure which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the communication availability inquiry reception processing procedure which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the negotiation information which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. The dynamic selection system block diagram of the communication protocol between the multiple computers which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the transmission side computer search processing procedure which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the search request response process sequence which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the negotiation information which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention. FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a dynamic selection system for communication protocols between a plurality of computers according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data of the negotiation request | requirement which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data of the negotiation response which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data of the reception status notification which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the communication data of the communication quality notification which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Negotiation management part, 12 ... Negotiation communication part, 13 ... Communication protocol determination part, 14 ... Communication partner management part, 15 ... Communication partner list data file, 16 ... Negotiation information file, 17 ... Communication protocol list data file, 18 ... Data communication unit, 19 ... application, 20 ... communication quality monitoring unit, 21 ... communication quality list data file.

Claims (14)

Select a communication protocol between multiple computers to perform broadcast communication from one computer serving as the sending computer to one or more computers serving as the receiving computer among the multiple computers placed on the network A method,
A data communication means, a negotiation management means, a negotiation communication means and an application are provided in common for the transmission side computer and the reception side computer, and a communication protocol determination means and a communication partner management means are further provided for the transmission side computer. To add,
When the negotiation management means of the receiving computer starts communication, in order to inquire about the communication protocol to be used by the transmitting computer, the negotiation communication means notifies the negotiation request to the negotiation communication means, and transmits from the sending communication computer from the negotiation communication means. A communication protocol setting request for the received communication protocol is made to the data communication means,
The negotiation communication means of the reception side computer transmits the negotiation request received from the negotiation management means to the negotiation communication means of the transmission side computer, and receives the negotiation response transmitted from the negotiation communication means of the transmission side computer. , Notifying the negotiation management means of the received negotiation response,
The negotiation management unit of the sending computer receives the communication protocol used from the communication protocol determination unit by notifying the communication protocol determination unit of the negotiation request received from the negotiation communication unit, and used for the data communication unit. A communication protocol setting request of the communication protocol to be performed, and a negotiation response request is notified to the negotiation communication means in order to notify the communication protocol to be used for the receiving computer.
The negotiation communication unit of the transmission side computer receives the negotiation request transmitted from the negotiation communication unit of the reception side computer, notifies the negotiation management unit of the negotiation request, and requests a negotiation response from the negotiation management unit. , And send a negotiation response to the negotiation communication means of the receiving computer,
The communication protocol determination means receives a negotiation request from the negotiation management means of the transmitting computer, notifies the communication partner management means of the information on the receiving computer included in the negotiation request, from the communication partner management means Obtain the list data of the receiving computer, select the communication protocol according to the number of computers of the receiving computer and the computer configuration of the list data, notify the negotiation management means of the selected communication protocol,
The communication partner management means receives the information on the receiving computer from the communication protocol determining means, updates the list data of the receiving computer, and receives the receiving computer list data acquisition request from the communication protocol determining means Pass the list data of the side computer to the communication protocol determination means,
When the data communication means of the sending computer receives a data transmission request from the application, transmits data to the data communication means of the receiving computer, and receives a communication protocol setting request from the negotiation management means , Switch the communication protocol used for data transmission,
When the data communication means of the receiving computer receives the data transmitted from the data communication means of the transmitting computer, passes the received data to the application, and receives a communication protocol change notification from the negotiation management means A method for dynamically selecting a communication protocol among a plurality of computers, wherein the communication protocol used for data reception is switched. The communication partner management means of the transmission side computer monitors the communication state of the negotiation communication means with the reception side computer, and detects a change in the number of reception side computers, the communication partner management means lists the reception side computers. Update the data, make a communication protocol re-determination request to the communication protocol determination means,
The communication protocol determining means of the sending computer reselects the communication protocol from the latest receiving computer list data,
When the communication protocol is changed by reselecting the communication protocol, the negotiation management unit of the sending computer performs a communication protocol setting request to the data communication unit, and performs a communication protocol change notification to the negotiation communication unit,
The negotiation communication unit of the receiving computer notifies the negotiation management unit of a communication protocol change notification transmitted from the transmitting computer,
2. The multiple computer according to claim 1, wherein the negotiation management means of the receiving computer makes a communication protocol setting request to the data communication means when the communication protocol change notification is different from the already selected communication protocol. Method of dynamically selecting communication protocols between the two. If you specify the communication protocol you want to use on the receiving computer, the negotiation management means of the receiving computer sends the communication protocol in addition to the address information of the receiving computer as a negotiation request,
The communication protocol determining means of the sending computer determines whether or not the communication protocol specified by the address information and communication protocol of the receiving computer can be used, and if it can be used, the specified communication protocol cannot be used. 3. The method of dynamically selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to claim 2, wherein an available alternative communication protocol is transmitted as a negotiation response to the receiving computer. The sending computer and the receiving computer each have communication quality monitoring means for monitoring the communication quality between the two,
The communication quality monitoring means of the receiving computer transmits the data reception state of the data communication means to the communication quality monitoring means of the transmitting computer,
The communication quality monitoring means of the transmission side computer stores the received data reception state in the communication quality list data file, and when a reception side computer that has not received data is found, the communication side computer determines the reception side computer. Request re-determination of the communication protocol by the number of computers excluding
3. The method for dynamically selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to claim 2, wherein the communication protocol determination unit notifies the negotiation management means of the reselected communication protocol.   The communication quality monitoring means of the receiving computer transmits the communication quality at the time of data reception of the data communication means to the transmitting computer, and sets the communication protocol of the receiving computer that does not satisfy the communication quality required for the selected communication protocol. 5. The method for dynamically selecting a communication protocol among a plurality of computers according to claim 4, wherein the communication protocol is changed to a communication protocol that satisfies the communication quality condition, and the communication protocol is reselected for the remaining receiving side computers. The receiving computer stores list data of computers that are candidates for the transmitting computer in the negotiation information,
The negotiation management means of the reception side computer inquires the transmission side computer candidate whether or not it is a transmission side computer, and notifies the transmission side computer candidate that the transmission side computer candidate is the transmission side computer. 2. The method for dynamically selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to claim 1, wherein the side computers are recognized.   The negotiation management means of the reception side computer makes a search request for the transmission side computer to the negotiation communication means, and the negotiation communication means transmits the search request for the transmission side computer by broadcast communication, and the transmission side that has received the search request 2. The method for dynamically selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to claim 1, wherein the computer on the receiving side recognizes the computer on the transmitting side when the negotiation communication means of the computer responds. Add communication protocol judgment means and communication partner management means to the receiving computer,
In the communication at the negotiation communication unit and the communication at the communication quality monitoring unit, including information on the transmission side computer, and when the information on the transmission side computer matches, the negotiation management unit performs a communication protocol selection or a negotiation request The method for dynamically selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to any one of claims 1, 4, and 5. A system that selects a communication protocol for broadcast communication from one computer that is the sending computer to one or more computers that are the receiving computer among multiple computers that are placed on the network Because
The transmission side computer and the reception side computer are commonly provided with a data communication unit, a negotiation management unit, a negotiation communication unit, and an application. Further, a communication protocol determination unit and a communication partner management unit are added to the transmission side computer. Like
The negotiation management unit of the receiving computer notifies the negotiation request to the negotiation communication unit and transmits the negotiation request from the transmission computer from the negotiation communication unit in order to inquire about the communication protocol used by the transmitting computer when starting communication. A communication protocol setting request for the received communication protocol to the data communication unit,
The negotiation communication unit of the receiving computer transmits the negotiation request received from the negotiation management unit to the negotiation communication unit of the transmitting computer, and receives a negotiation response transmitted from the negotiation communication unit of the transmitting computer. , Notifying the negotiation manager of the received negotiation response,
The negotiation management unit of the transmitting computer notifies the communication protocol determination unit of the negotiation request received from the negotiation communication unit, receives a communication protocol to be used from the communication protocol determination unit, and uses it for the data communication unit Make a communication protocol setting request for the communication protocol, notify the negotiation response request to the negotiation communication unit to notify the protocol to be used to the receiving computer,
The negotiation communication unit of the transmitting computer receives the negotiation request transmitted from the negotiation communication unit of the receiving computer, notifies the negotiation management unit of the negotiation request, and requests a negotiation response from the negotiation management unit. And send a negotiation response to the negotiation communication unit of the receiving computer,
The communication protocol determination unit receives a negotiation request from the negotiation management unit of the transmission side computer, notifies the communication partner management unit of information on the reception side computer included in the negotiation request, from the communication partner management unit Obtain the list data of the receiving computer, select the communication protocol according to the number of computers and the computer configuration of the receiving computer of the list data, notify the negotiation management unit of the selected communication protocol,
The communication partner management unit receives the information on the receiving side computer from the communication protocol determining unit, updates the list data of the receiving side computer, and receives the receiving side computer list data acquisition request from the communication protocol determining unit Pass the list data of the side computer to the communication protocol determination unit,
The data communication unit of the sending computer receives a data transmission request from the application, transmits data to the data communication unit of the receiving computer, and receives a communication protocol setting request from the negotiation management unit , Switch the communication protocol used for data transmission,
The data communication unit of the receiving computer receives the data transmitted from the data communication unit of the transmitting computer, passes the received data to the application, and receives a communication protocol change notification from the negotiation management unit A system for dynamically selecting a communication protocol among a plurality of computers, wherein the communication protocol used for data reception is switched. The communication partner management unit of the sending computer monitors the communication state with the receiving computer of the negotiation communication unit, and when the change in the number of receiving computers is detected, the communication partner management unit lists the receiving computer. And re-determination request of the communication protocol to the communication protocol determination unit,
The communication protocol determination unit of the sending computer reselects the communication protocol from the latest receiving computer list data,
When the communication protocol is changed by reselecting the communication protocol, the negotiation management unit of the transmitting computer performs a communication protocol setting request to the data communication unit, and performs a communication protocol change notification to the negotiation communication unit,
The negotiation communication unit of the reception side computer notifies the negotiation management unit of a communication protocol change notification transmitted from the transmission side computer,
10. The multiple computer according to claim 9, wherein the negotiation management unit of the receiving computer makes a communication protocol setting request to the data communication unit when the communication protocol change notification is different from the already selected communication protocol. System for dynamically selecting communication protocols If you specify the communication protocol you want to use on the receiving computer, the negotiation manager of the receiving computer sends the communication protocol in addition to the address information of the receiving computer as a negotiation request,
The communication protocol determination unit of the transmitting computer determines whether or not the communication protocol specified by the address information and communication protocol of the receiving computer can be used. If the communication protocol can be used, the specified communication protocol cannot be used. 11. The system for dynamically selecting communication protocols between a plurality of computers according to claim 10, wherein an available alternative communication protocol is transmitted as a negotiation response to the receiving computer. The sending computer and the receiving computer each have a communication quality monitoring unit that monitors the communication quality between the two,
The communication quality monitoring unit of the receiving computer transmits the data reception state of the data communication unit to the communication quality monitoring unit of the transmitting computer,
The communication quality monitoring unit of the transmission side computer stores the received data reception state in the communication quality list data file, and when a reception side computer that has not reached the data is found, the communication protocol determination unit sets the reception side computer to the reception side computer. Make a re-determination request for the communication protocol based on the number of excluded computers,
11. The communication protocol dynamic selection system between a plurality of computers according to claim 10, wherein the communication protocol determination unit notifies the negotiation management unit of the reselected communication protocol. The receiving computer stores list data of computers that are candidates for the transmitting computer in the negotiation information,
The negotiation management unit of the reception side computer inquires of the transmission side computer candidate whether or not it is a transmission side computer, and notifies the transmission side computer candidate that the transmission side computer candidate is a transmission side computer. 10. The system for dynamically selecting a communication protocol between a plurality of computers according to claim 9, wherein the transmission side computer is recognized. Data communication means, negotiation management means, negotiation communication means, and application that are common to one computer serving as a transmission side computer and one or more computers serving as a reception side computer among a plurality of computers arranged on the network In addition, a communication protocol determination unit and a communication partner management unit are further added to the transmission side computer, so that one computer as the transmission side computer can be connected to one or more computers as the reception side computers. A program for selecting a communication protocol for information communication,
When the negotiation management means of the receiving computer starts communication, in order to inquire about the communication protocol to be used by the transmitting computer, the negotiation communication means notifies the negotiation request to the negotiation communication means, and transmits from the sending communication computer from the negotiation communication means. A communication protocol setting request for the received communication protocol is made to the data communication means,
The negotiation communication means of the receiving computer transmits the negotiation request received from the negotiation management means to the negotiation communication means of the transmitting computer, and receives the negotiation response transmitted from the negotiation communication means of the transmitting computer. , Notifying the negotiation management means of the received negotiation response,
The negotiation management unit of the sending computer receives the communication protocol used from the communication protocol determination unit by notifying the communication protocol determination unit of the negotiation request received from the negotiation communication unit, and used for the data communication unit. A communication protocol setting request of the communication protocol to be performed, and a negotiation response request is notified to the negotiation communication means in order to notify the communication protocol to be used for the receiving computer.
The negotiation communication unit of the transmission side computer receives the negotiation request transmitted from the negotiation communication unit of the reception side computer, notifies the negotiation management unit of the negotiation request, and requests a negotiation response from the negotiation management unit. , And send a negotiation response to the negotiation communication means of the receiving computer,
The communication protocol determination means receives a negotiation request from the negotiation management means of the transmitting computer, notifies the communication partner management means of the information on the receiving computer included in the negotiation request, from the communication partner management means Obtain the list data of the receiving computer, select the communication protocol according to the number of computers of the receiving computer and the computer configuration of the list data, notify the negotiation management means of the selected communication protocol,
The communication partner management means receives the information on the receiving computer from the communication protocol determining means, updates the list data of the receiving computer, and receives the receiving computer list data acquisition request from the communication protocol determining means Pass the list data of the side computer to the communication protocol determination means,
When the data communication means of the sending computer receives a data transmission request from the application, transmits data to the data communication means of the receiving computer, and receives a communication protocol setting request from the negotiation management means , Switch the communication protocol used for data transmission,
When the data communication means of the receiving computer receives the data transmitted from the data communication means of the transmitting computer, passes the received data to the application, and receives a communication protocol change notification from the negotiation management means A program for dynamically selecting a communication protocol among a plurality of computers, wherein the communication protocol used for data reception is switched.

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