JP4860671B2 - Program distribution processing system, method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic program distribution technique in a client-server system via a network, and more particularly to an automatic program distribution process technique suitable for efficient program distribution and avoidance of abnormal program distribution.

  Conventionally, as a technique for efficiently updating (updating) a program used in a plurality of computer devices, the program is updated from a computer that supplies a program to each computer that uses the program via a network such as the Internet. Techniques for transferring a program are disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5.

  For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 5, when a program is automatically distributed from a server device to a client device via a network, system version information is transferred from the server device to the client device, and the program version held by the client device If the information does not match, the server apparatus updates the client apparatus with the latest version of the program.

  However, in this technology that performs server-led update work, the start / stop time of the client device must be synchronized with the distribution work time of the server device, and the client device side must synchronize and adjust the operating time. Therefore, unnecessary operation will be forced.

  Also, with the conventional automatic program distribution technology, the process up to the distribution of the update program to the client device is a series of operations. When an abnormality occurs in the distributed program, a time loss occurs until the server administrator detects the abnormality and takes action. Will occur. During this time, programs that may cause anomalies will continue to be distributed to other client devices, which may lead to a fatal quality degradation of the entire client server system.

JP 2006-53609 A JP 2005-92330 A JP 2003-140902 A JP 2003-140905 A JP-A-7-129407

  The problem to be solved is that, in the prior art, when controlling the distribution of a program from the server device to the client device via the network, the start / stop time of the client device is restricted to the start / stop time on the server device side. In addition, when an error factor is included in the update program distributed from the server device, the distribution is stopped by the server administrator even after an abnormality is detected on the client device to which the update program is applied. In the meantime, automatic distribution of the program from the server device to other client devices is continued, leading to deterioration of the quality of the entire system.

  An object of the present invention is to solve these problems of the prior art, and to improve the operating environment of the client device and the quality of the client server system.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the server apparatus is provided with a distribution control function for controlling whether or not program distribution is possible, in addition to a distribution function for an update program. Information indicating whether distribution is possible is associated and stored. Furthermore, this distribution control function has a function of notifying the server administrator when program distribution is stopped. In addition, each client device is provided with an update program distribution request function and an abnormality monitoring function for the update program. The distribution request function stores and manages the name, version number, and operation record of the program in its own device in association with each other. When the system starts up, the server device is accessed to obtain the version number of the program used by the device itself. If the version number stored and managed in the device device does not match, the server device Download the latest version and update the program in your device. In addition, the abnormality monitoring function checks the first start of the updated program and detects the presence or absence of an abnormal code in the program until a normal EOF is detected. Notify the device. The server device that has received the error information from the client device stops the download of the program to the other client device by the distribution control function and notifies the server administrator of the error information.

  According to the present invention, each client device retains information such as the name and version information of the program used in each client device, distribution availability, etc., determines whether the program needs to be distributed, and needs distribution Only the client apparatus side requests the server apparatus to distribute the program, and the latest program environment can be maintained with the minimum necessary access. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to upgrade the program at an arbitrary timing for each client device, and it is possible to reduce the operation time in the client device and the access load to the server device. . Furthermore, according to the present invention, the distribution of a program that may cause an abnormality in the server device is immediately stopped by the feedback from the client device that has detected the abnormality of the downloaded program to the server device, and the server management Can be detected immediately by the user, and the quality of the client server system can be prevented from deteriorating.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a program distribution processing system according to the present invention.

  In the program distribution processing system in FIG. 1, a server apparatus 101 and a plurality of client apparatuses 102 to 104 are connected via a network (denoted “NW” in the figure) 100, and each client apparatus 102 to 104 is connected from the server apparatus 101 via the network 100. The system distributes the program to 104.

  Each of the server device 101 and the client devices 102 to 104 is a computer device including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory, a display device, an input device, an external storage device, and the like. After installing a program or data recorded in a storage medium such as an external storage device, the program is loaded into the main memory from the external storage device and processed by the CPU, thereby executing each processing related to the present invention. is doing.

  That is, the server apparatus 101 includes a version management database (described as “version management DB” in the figure) 101a and a version management information update function 101b as functions for executing programmed computer processing, and stores them as a distribution source 101c. The management process and distribution process of the program stored in the apparatus are executed.

  Each of the client apparatuses 102 to 103 has a version configuration database (described as “version configuration DB” in the figure) 102a to 104a, a program update control function 102b to 104b, and a program state as functions for executing programmed computer processing. Monitoring functions 102c to 104c are provided.

  In the program distribution processing system composed of the server apparatus 101 and the client apparatuses 102 to 104 configured as described above, the client apparatuses 102 to 104 use the version configuration databases 102a to 104a to name and version numbers of programs used in their own apparatuses. The operation results are stored in the storage device.

  Then, the program update control function 102b to 104b accesses the server apparatus 101 at the time of startup, acquires the version number of the program used in the own apparatus from the server apparatus 101, and stores and manages it in the version configuration databases 102a to 104a. The program is checked against the version number of the program, whether or not the program of the own device is the latest, and if the program of the own device is not the latest as a result of the determination, the latest version of the program from the server device 101 Is downloaded, and the program stored and managed in the version configuration databases 102a to 104a in the own apparatus is updated.

  Furthermore, when the updated latest version program is activated by the program status monitoring functions 102c to 104c to monitor the presence or absence of abnormality of the program, and the abnormality code of the activated latest version program is detected, the content of the abnormality immediately Is generated and transmitted to the server apparatus 101. It should be noted that whether or not there is an abnormality is monitored whether or not a normal EOF is detected within a predetermined time after starting the updated latest version of the program, or after starting the updated latest version of the program. This is performed depending on whether or not an abnormal code from the program is detected within a predetermined time.

  When the server device 101 receives the error information from the client devices 102 to 104 by the version management information update function 101b, the server device 101 notifies the server administrator of the received error information via the display device, the audio output device, etc. Download of the program to other client devices is stopped.

  The program download is stopped by the version management information update function 101b of the server apparatus 101 by operating information on the program stored and managed in the version management database 101a.

  That is, the version management database 101a is distributed together with the name, version number, and operation result of each distribution program stored and managed as the distribution source 101c in the same manner as the version configuration databases 102a to 104a in the client apparatuses 102 to 104. Is generated and stored in a storage device, and the version management information update function 101b is a program that is the target of error information received from the client devices 102 to 104. The version management database 101a is notified of information (NG) prohibiting the distribution of the program together with the name and version information of the program, and the program distribution flag stored and managed in the version management database 101a is changed to NG. Make.

  Upon receiving a program download request from each of the client apparatuses 102 to 104, the version management information update function 101b returns a distribution flag (OK / NG) together with the version number of the program stored and managed in the version management database 101a. To do.

  The client apparatuses 102 to 104 that have received the return from the version management information update function 101b download the new version of the program if the requested version number of the program does not match and the distribution flag is “OK”. If the distribution flag is “NG”, the distribution request for the program is stopped.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the program distribution processing system including the server apparatus 101 and the client apparatuses 102 to 104 having such functions will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation of the program distribution processing system in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of update program monitoring processing operation related to the present invention of the client apparatus in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of program distribution control processing operation of the program distribution processing system in FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows a processing operation example according to the present invention by the program update control functions 102b to 104b of the client apparatuses 102 to 104 in FIG. 1, and the processing operation objectives of the program update control functions 102b to 104b are as follows. The client apparatuses 102 to 104 perform program update control processing and automatically update to the latest version. As a process for that, the process in the following steps (procedures) is executed.

  First, when the system is started for the first time, in the processing in step S201, the server apparatus 101 is accessed from the client apparatuses 102 to 104, the version management database 101a is inquired, and stored and managed in the version configuration databases 102a to 104b of the own apparatus. For the existing program, information (version number, distribution flag OK / NG) regarding the program managed by the version management database 101a is acquired.

  Next, in the processing in step S202, the version number of the program acquired from the server apparatus 101 is compared with the version number of the program held by the own apparatus (the version configuration databases 102a to 104a of the client apparatuses 102 to 104). .

  If the version numbers match, the process of the program update control functions 102b to 104b is terminated as it is. If the version numbers do not match, the process branches to the process of step S203, and the distribution permission of the program is checked.

  Here, in the version management database 101a, when the distribution flag of the program is NG and the distribution is prohibited, the processing of the program update control functions 102b to 104b ends, but the distribution is permitted (OK). In the process of step S204, the latest version of the program is acquired from the server apparatus 101.

  Then, the program is updated in the process of step S205, and then the latest program application status is reflected in the version configuration databases 102a to 104a in the process of step S206, and the process of the program update control functions 102b to 104b is terminated. To do.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the processing operation according to the present invention of the program state monitoring functions 102c to 104c of the client apparatuses 102 to 104 in FIG. 1, and the processing operation purpose of the program state monitoring functions 102c to 104c is as follows. The devices 102 to 104 perform the program state monitoring process, and when the abnormality is detected under the state monitoring at the first activation of the latest version and the state monitoring, the distribution prohibition of the latest version is fed back to the server device 101. As a process for that, the process in the following steps (procedures) is executed.

  After the latest version is applied, the status of the update program is started in the process of step S301 when the user starts the program for the first time. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the feedback process is to be performed.

  Next, in the process of step S302, the end state of the program is checked. Here, the normal end / abnormal end of the program is determined by whether or not the normal EOF is detected.

  If a normal EOF is detected, the process proceeds to the process of step S303, the latest version number of the program is reflected in the version configuration databases 102a to 104a in the own apparatus, the process proceeds to the process of step S307, and the update program monitoring process Exit.

  If a normal EOF is not detected, the process proceeds to step S304 to execute a version back process for changing the program to an old version. The process of step S305 changes the status of this version back process. It is reflected in its own version configuration database 102a-104a.

  In the process of step S306, error information related to the version back process is generated and transmitted to the server apparatus 101. The process proceeds to the process of step S307, and the update program monitoring process ends.

  4 shows an example of the processing operation according to the present invention of the version management information update function 101b of the server apparatus 101 in FIG. 1, and the purpose of the processing operation of the version management information update function 101b is as follows. The program distribution control to 104 is performed. As a process for that, the process in the following steps (procedures) is executed.

  When the server apparatus 101 receives the error information from the client apparatuses 102 to 104, the server apparatus 101 writes the error information to the version management database 101a by the process in step S401, and prohibits the distribution of the program. Subsequently, an operator call for detecting an abnormality is performed by the processing in step S402 to prompt the server administrator to intervene.

  In FIG. 5, the processing from the update program state monitoring start (step S301) to the end of the update program state monitoring (step S307) in FIG. 3, and the program distribution prohibition when the monitoring program abnormality is detected in FIG. 4 (step S401) The processing example which concerns on this invention until is shown.

  The version configuration table 301 is generated and managed by the version configuration databases 102a to 104a of the client apparatuses 102 to 104 in FIG. 1, and the version management table 302 is generated by the version management database 101a of the server apparatus 101 in FIG. Are managed.

  In the version configuration table 301 managed on the client devices 102 to 104 side, as information on the application program, a program name, a version number, an initial activation flag indicating the presence / absence of initial activation, and an application date are stored in association with each other. Yes.

  In the version management table 302 managed by the server apparatus 101, the version number, the distribution flag indicating whether or not the program can be downloaded, the distribution start date, and the error information that caused the distribution prohibition are associated with the program name. The names of the client apparatuses 102 to 104 that transmitted the error and the error contents) are stored.

  The application date in the version configuration table 301 and the distribution start date and error information in the version management table 302 are information referred to by the administrator (server administrator) of the server apparatus 101 when an abnormality is detected. Not used in this process.

  The client apparatuses 102 to 104 query the version configuration table 301 using the program name as a key when starting the program, and acquire the initial startup flag. When the initial activation flag is a space, the program is regarded as the initial activation in the client apparatuses 102 to 104, and the process in step S301 in FIG. 3, that is, the process of starting the status monitoring of the update program is executed.

  When the execution of the update program ends normally under status monitoring, the process in steps S303 and S307 in FIG. 3, that is, the normal update process in the version configuration databases 102a to 104a is executed, and the initial startup in the version configuration table 301 EOF is written in the flag, and the status monitoring of the update program ends.

  On the other hand, if execution of the update program ends abnormally under status monitoring, after performing the version back process in step S304 in FIG. 3 and the process of reflecting the version back information in the version configuration table 301 in step S305. The process in step S306, that is, the process of transmitting error information to the server apparatus 101 is executed.

  Receiving this error information, the server apparatus 101 executes the processing in step S501 in FIG. 5 by the version management information update function 101b, writes NG to the distribution flag of the program in the version management table 303, and subsequent program distribution Is prohibited.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, in the program distribution processing system of this example, the distribution control function (version management database) that controls whether or not the program distribution can be performed together with the distribution function of the update program. 101 and a version management information update function 101b), and in the version management database 101, information (distribution flag) indicating whether or not program distribution is possible is associated with and stored in the program name and version number.

  Upon receiving error information from the client apparatuses 102 to 104, the version management information update function 101b updates the distribution flag in the version management database 101a to NG, stops distribution of the program thereafter, and Notify the server administrator that distribution has been stopped.

  Each of the client apparatuses 102 to 104 has an update program distribution request function (version configuration databases 102a to 104a and a program update control function 102b to 104b) and a program status monitoring function 102c to 104c for monitoring abnormal operation of the update program. The version configuration databases 102a to 104a store and manage the names, version numbers, and operation results of the programs in their own devices in association with each other, and the program update control functions 102b to 104b access the server device 101 when the system is started. The program acquires the version number of the program used in its own device from the version management database 101a, compares it with the version number stored and managed in its own version configuration database 102a-104a, and is inconsistent. For, to download the latest version of the program from the server device 101, and updates the program in the own device.

  Furthermore, when the program status monitoring function 102c to 104c checks the initial activation of the updated program, monitors whether there is an abnormality in the program, and detects an abnormality code of the latest version of the program that has been activated, Error information indicating the contents is generated and transmitted to the server apparatus 101.

  It should be noted that whether or not there is an abnormality in the update program by the program status monitoring functions 102c to 104c is determined whether or not a normal EOF is detected within a predetermined time after starting the updated latest program, or update Depending on whether or not an abnormal code from the program is detected within a predetermined time after starting the latest program.

  The server apparatus 101 that has received the error information from the client apparatuses 102 to 104 updates the distribution flag in the version management database 101a to NG by the version management information update function 101b, and stops the distribution of the program thereafter. Notify the server administrator that distribution of the program has been stopped.

  As described above, according to the program distribution process of the present example, each client apparatus 102 to 104 holds information such as the name and version information of the program used in each client apparatus 102 to 104 and distribution availability, The client apparatus 102 to 104 requests the server apparatus 101 to distribute the program only when distribution is necessary, and the latest program can be obtained with the minimum necessary access. It becomes possible to keep the environment.

  Further, according to this example, it is possible to upgrade the program at an arbitrary timing for each of the client apparatuses 102 to 104, reduce the operating time in the client apparatuses 102 to 104, and access load to the server apparatus 101. Can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the present example, distribution of a program that may cause an abnormality in the server apparatus 101 is immediately stopped by feedback from the client apparatuses 102 to 104 that detected the abnormality of the downloaded program to the server apparatus 101. In addition, the server administrator can immediately detect the failure, and the failure can be located, the occurrence of a fatal failure can be prevented, and the quality of the client server system can be prevented from being deteriorated.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the example demonstrated using FIGS. 1-5, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, various changes are possible. For example, in this example, the number of client devices 102 to 104 is not limited to three, and a configuration in which more client devices are provided may be employed.

  The client apparatus 102 is directly connected to the network 100, and the client apparatuses 103 and 104 are connected to the network 100 via a LAN (Local Area Network). However, the network apparatus is limited to such a network configuration. For example, the client devices 102 to 104 may be connected to each other via a LAN, or the client devices 102 to 104 may be directly connected to the network 100.

  In this example, the server apparatus 101 and the client apparatuses 102 to 104 may be configured as a computer without a keyboard or an optical disk drive. In this example, an optical disk is used as a recording medium. However, an FD (Flexible Disk) or the like may be used as a recording medium. As for the program installation, the program may be downloaded and installed via a network via a communication device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the program distribution processing system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation example of the program distribution processing system in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an update program monitoring processing operation related to the present invention of the client device in FIG. 1; 3 is a flowchart showing an example of program version management processing operation related to the present invention of the server device in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of program distribution control processing operation of the program distribution processing system in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

  100: Network, 101: Server device, 101a: Version management database, 101b: Version management information update function, 101c: Distribution source, 102 to 104: Client device, 102a to 104a: Version configuration database, 102b to 104b: Program update Control function, 102c to 104c: Program status monitoring function, 301: Version configuration table, 302: Version management table.

Claims (7)

A program distribution processing system for distributing a program from a server device to a client device via a network,
The client device is a programmed computer processing means,
Means for storing the name and version number of the program used in the own device and the operation results;
Means for accessing the server device at the time of startup, obtaining the version number of the program used in the own device from the server device, checking, and determining whether the program of the own device is the latest;
As a result of determination by the means, if the program of the own device is not the latest, a means for downloading the latest version of the program from the server device and updating the program in the own device;
Means for starting the latest updated program and monitoring the program for anomalies;
Means for generating error information of the abnormality and transmitting it to the server device when an abnormality of the latest version of the activated program is detected by the means;
The server device is a programmed computer processing means,
Means for receiving error information from the client device;
A program distribution processing system comprising means for notifying a server administrator of received error information and stopping download of the program to another client device. The program distribution processing system according to claim 1,
The server device includes storage processing means for storing, in a storage device, table information in which flag information indicating whether distribution is possible is associated with the name and version number of each distribution program,
The means to stop the download is
A program distribution prohibition instruction is notified to the storage processing means together with the name and version information of the program that is the target of the error information received from the client device, and the flag of the program stored in the storage device by the storage processing means Means for changing the information to a content indicating prohibition of distribution, and means for returning a flag information together with the version number of the program stored in the storage device when receiving a program download request from each client device,
When the client device receives a return of flag information indicating that the distribution of the program is prohibited together with the version number of the requested program from the server device, the distribution of the program is performed even if the version number of the requested program does not match. A program distribution processing system comprising means for stopping a request. A program distribution processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The abnormality monitoring means in the client device is:
If the normal EOF is not detected within a predetermined time after starting the updated latest program,
Or
When an abnormal code from the program is detected within the predetermined time after starting the updated latest program,
A program distribution processing system comprising means for generating the error information indicating an abnormality of the program. A processing method for distributing a program from a server device to a client device via a network,
The client device can be programmed by computer processing.
A procedure for storing the name and version number of the program used in the own device and the operation results;
A procedure for accessing the server device at the time of startup, obtaining and collating the version number of the program used in the own device from the server device, and determining whether the program of the own device is the latest;
As a result of the determination by the procedure, if the program of the own device is not the latest, a procedure for downloading the latest version of the program from the server device and updating the program in the device;
Start up the latest updated program and monitor for abnormalities in the program,
According to the procedure, when an abnormality of the latest version of the program that has been activated is detected, a procedure for generating error information of the abnormality and transmitting it to the server device is executed.
The server device is programmed by computer processing.
A procedure for receiving error information from the client device;
A program distribution processing method comprising: notifying a server administrator of received error information and executing a procedure for stopping download of the program to another client device. The program distribution processing method according to claim 4,
The server device is programmed by computer processing.
A procedure for storing in the storage device the flag information indicating permission or prohibition of distribution of the program in association with the name and version information of the program that is the target of the error information received from the client device;
Upon receiving a program download request from the client device, a procedure for returning the flag information together with the version number of the program stored in the storage device is executed.
The client device can be programmed by computer processing.
If the flag information returned together with the version number of the requested program from the server device indicates that the distribution of the program is prohibited, the distribution of the program is performed even if the version number of the requested program does not match. A program distribution processing method comprising: executing a procedure for stopping a request. A program distribution processing method according to claim 4, wherein:
The procedure for monitoring the presence or absence of abnormality by the client device is as follows:
If the normal EOF is not detected within a predetermined time after starting the updated latest program, or within the predetermined time after starting the updated latest program, A program distribution processing method comprising a step of generating the error information indicating an abnormality of the program when an abnormal code is detected from the program.   A program for causing a computer to execute each procedure in the program distribution processing method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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