JP5026908B2 - Stick server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a removable memory unit that stores an OS (operating system) of a computer device, and more particularly, to start a plurality of OSs stored in a removable memory unit on a removable memory unit without reading them into the computer device. The removable memory unit is connected to a computer device, and any one of a plurality of OSs is started on the removable memory unit so that the computer device can function as various server devices. It is related with the stick server which consists of a removable memory unit.

  A computer device currently used by many users installs a processor chip, an OS startup program, and an OS (operating system / calculation / control program) on a hard disk built in the computer device, and the OS is started by the OS startup program. When activated, the processor chip is configured to control various resources in the computer device according to the OS and perform arithmetic operations.

  The hard disk device is divided into an area managed and used by the OS and an area used by the user, and application programs necessary for the user to use the computer device are installed in the user used area of the hard disk device under the management of the OS. , Operating under the control of the OS. In addition, data created by the user operating the computer device (starting a desired application) can also be stored in the user use area of the hard disk device.

  In addition, when a computer device is placed in a network environment, it accesses resources such as various servers and shared file devices in the network according to the network environment conditions set for the network and the user's computer device. Data permitted in the computer device can be acquired or the data can be rewritten.

  Further, when the computer apparatus is placed in a network environment where an external network can be accessed from the LAN (local area network) via the Internet, various resources such as an external WEB server that can be accessed via the Internet network. Can also be used.

  Such a computer device is also used for creating and storing highly confidential information in a company or the like. Therefore, the computer device is used by a third party who is not allowed to steal or originally use the computer device. There is a risk that confidential information may be leaked. In order to prevent such a situation, security measures for the computer apparatus and the network are required.

  Various methods have been proposed as security measures for computer devices, and many methods have been applied in practice. Generally, a method is employed in which a personal authentication function is installed in the OS startup program, the password set by the original user is input when the OS is started, and the OS is started by checking the set password. In this method, if the password is stolen or the password is taught to another person, the original security function cannot be achieved, and it cannot be said that it is an advanced security measure.

  As a security measure for a computer device, for example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-341957) discloses a computer startup method using a removable unit such as a flash memory. In this computer startup method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a removable unit that is detachable from a computer main body includes a general data recording unit and a user code recording unit made of a flash memory, and can be used as an MP3 player. The BIOS-ROM includes a unit code recording unit, an interface unit to which the removable unit is connected, and a control unit that allows the system to be activated when the user code matches the unit code.

  When the computer user starts the computer, the removable unit is connected to the computer main body. The user code is sent from the removable unit to the computer via the interface, and the controller of the computer compares the contents of the user code with the contents of the unit code. If they match, the system is allowed to start. If they do not match, system startup is not permitted. By doing so, it is possible to start up the computer only when the correct removable unit is connected by simply connecting the removable unit to the computer body without using a password.

  According to this method, as long as the removable unit is properly managed by the user, an operation such as password entry is unnecessary and convenient, but the removable unit is stolen or lent to a third party. If this happens, you will not be able to perform the security function, which is not much different from using a password.

  By the way, since the storage capacity of the removable unit has been dramatically increased, the computer apparatus does not install the OS activation program or the OS itself, and the computer apparatus has a display unit, an input unit such as a keyboard, and a removable unit such as a USB port. It is possible to configure so that only the connection means is provided and does not function as a computer device when the removable unit is not connected.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing such a removable unit and a computer apparatus, and the USB memory unit 100 is used as the removable unit. The computer device 200 includes a display unit 210 such as a liquid crystal display unit, an input unit 220 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a USB port 230 for connecting the USB memory unit 100. Although not shown, the computer device 200 is equipped with a microprocessor chip that controls the display unit 210, the input unit 220, and the USB port 230.

  On the other hand, the USB memory unit 100 includes a USB controller 110, an input / output unit 120, a processing module 130 having an OS activation program 131, an OS 132, and a memory 133. When the user uses the computer device 200, the USB memory unit 100 is connected to the USB port 230 of the computer device 200, and the OS activation program 131 is activated to activate the OS 132, via the input / output unit 120 and the USB port 230. Thus, information can be transmitted and received between the display unit 210 and the input unit 220 of the computer device 200, and the processing module 130 of the USB memory unit 100 operates as a part of the computer device 200.

  When a USB memory unit is connected to a computer device, a USB driver is incorporated in the computer device. Generally, the USB driver recognizes the USB memory unit as a hard disk drive. A hard disk drive is usually recognized by a computer device as a structure having a plurality of storage areas partitioned by partitions. Therefore, when the OS 132 is stored in the USB memory unit 100 as shown in FIG. 6 and the OS 132 is operated on the USB memory unit 100, the MBR is recorded at the head of the data storage area of the USB memory unit 100, It is necessary to record the storage location where the OS main body is stored in the MBR. That is, it is necessary to record in which partition the storage location of the OS main body is stored.

  The storage area of the USB memory unit is recognized as a structure having a plurality of storage areas sda1 to sda4 divided by a plurality of partitions as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, sda represents a disk drive a, and when there are a plurality of physical drives, each disk drive is represented as sdb... Sdn. Note that sda indicates that the hard disk drive conforms to the SCSI standard, and when the hard disk drive conforms to the IDE standard, it is represented as hda... Hdn. Similarly, when the hard disk drive conforms to the CD standard, it is represented by sr. In addition, the number of partitions by partition can be divided into a maximum of nine partitions of the basic partition 4 and the logical partition 5 in the SCSI standard. The same applies to the IDE standard.

  Information called MBR (Master Boot Record) is used to start the OS of the computer apparatus. This MBR is recorded at the head address of the storage device, and is usually information of about 512 bytes. The MBR is stored in a storage area that is read first in order to start up the OS after the computer apparatus is turned on and a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is started up. Screen information etc. are recorded. Therefore, the OSR program 131 of the USB memory unit 100 stores MBR in the first 512 bytes.

  When the computer apparatus is powered on, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is activated, and the MBR recorded in the first 512 bytes of the storage device is read by the BIOS. Since the MBR stores the address of the storage area of the OS 132 and the initial display screen information, the BIOS displays the initial screen on the display unit 210 and can start the OS 132.

  As described above, as an example of a method for starting the OS 132, the address of the storage area of the OS 132, the initial display screen information, and the like are recorded in the MBR, the BIOS displays the initial screen on the display unit 210, and the OS 132 is started. As another method of starting the OS, the memory location of the OS main body is not directly stored in the MBR, but the memory location of the OS main body is set at the memory location specified by the relative address with respect to the MBR memory location (memory start address). It is also considered that the OS boot program including the search script to be searched is recorded, and the OS body is specified by sequentially searching each storage area divided by the partition.

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the OS startup program search script and the OS search procedure. The OS boot program includes a search script for searching the storage location of the OS main body, and is configured to sequentially search each storage area divided by the partition and specify the OS main body by executing the search script. Has been. This OS boot program can be read and executed by storing it in a position indicated by a relative address with respect to the storage address of the MBR, and specifying the relative address position in the MBR.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the search script included in the OS boot program is a script for sequentially searching the partitions sda1 to sda9 of the disk drive sda,... A script for sequentially searching the partitions sdd1 to sdd9 of the disk drive sdd, All scripts so that there is no dependency on the model of the computer device to which the USB memory unit is connected, such as a script for sequentially searching the partitions hda1 to hda9 of the disk drive, and a script for sequentially searching the partitions hdd1 to hdd9 of the disk drive hdd A search script is provided to meet the disk drive standards. Thereby, the stored partition of the OS body can be searched and the OS body can be started.

  With such a configuration, an OS and a hard disk are not required in the computer apparatus body, and no data remains in the computer apparatus body, so that information leakage can be completely shut out. Furthermore, if an authentication system is combined with this USB memory unit (also referred to as a memory stick type client device), it is possible to have a higher level of individual security.

  On the other hand, many server apparatuses that provide various services to many computer apparatuses (also referred to as client apparatuses for server apparatuses) connected via a network such as the Internet or an intranet are provided. As such a server device, a WW web server, a network server, a file server, a database server, a router, an authentication server, and the like are known.

  In general, the server device as described above installs an OS in a hard disk device provided in the server device in the same manner as a general client device, and sets a system configuration and a communication environment so as to function as a desired server device. It is necessary to define information about the client device as necessary.

  For this reason, when building a system that provides various services to client devices by building a server device, an engineer with appropriate knowledge of computer technology and network technology designs the system and manages the operation of the system. It is common to do. If you do not have such an engineer, it is common to outsource and outsource work to an expert.

  In order to facilitate the construction of such a server system, for example, the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-72772) discloses an invention of a server construction support system. In a large-scale computer system, this server construction support system automatically generates system construction parameters by inputting the minimum requirement values such as platform system requirements and distributes them to the servers to be constructed. By applying this method, system construction is realized, and the man-hours for detailed parameter design can be reduced.

  In addition, this server construction support system constantly updates the database in response to an OS or software upgrade, and can output data corresponding to the version requested by the user.

JP 2002-341957 A JP 2006-72772 A

  As described above, normally, a server device that provides various services to a client device installs an OS (operating system) in a hard disk device of a computer device that constitutes the server device, and functions as a desired server device. And communication environment must be set, and client device information must be defined as necessary.

  In the invention of the server construction support system disclosed in Patent Document 2, the system construction is realized by automatically generating the system construction parameters and distributing and applying them to the servers to be constructed. However, there is a problem that a general user who is not familiar with the technology such as the setting of the computer device and the network environment cannot easily construct the server device or the server system.

  Further, even if the support system as in Patent Document 2 is used, the OS is installed in the computer device that is the server device, and various backup data stored as the server device is stored in the hard disk device included in the computer device. Therefore, there is a problem that additional security measures against theft of the computer device, the theft of the hard disk device, and hacking entering through the network are required.

  As a result of various studies to solve the above problems, the inventor of the present application stores the first and second OSs in the removable memory unit, and does not read any of them into the computer device, so that The one OS is configured as an OS constituting the server device, and the other OS performs backup processing of the one OS and further upgrade processing of the one OS. By providing a storage area where data can be read and written, a server device can be configured with the removable memory unit alone, and the present invention has been completed with the idea that the above problems can be solved. It is. Hereinafter, in the present specification, such a removable memory unit is referred to as a stick server.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-described problems, and a removable device that allows an operating system to function as a server device by starting the operating system on a removable memory unit without installing the operating system in the computer device. An object of the present invention is to provide a stick server including a memory unit.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
A removable memory unit connected to a computer device having a port for connecting a display means, an input means, and a removable memory unit, and the removable memory unit is recognized as a CD-R drive. And a third file system that is recognized as a readable / writable storage area, and the storage area of the third file system is read using the storage areas of the first and second file systems as CD-R drives. A control storage unit that stores information for recognition as a writable storage area,
In each of the first and second file systems, a storage location is specified by searching the first storage area based on an OS boot program, and the first file system is booted on the removable memory unit. The OS main body and the second OS main body are stored. Further, the first and second file systems are searched for a master boot record and a storage area of the first and second file systems, respectively. An OS boot program including a search script for specifying the storage location of the first and second OS main bodies is stored, and the first or second file system is selected by boot select means included in the BIOS of the computer device. The stick server is characterized in that one of the file systems is activated.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is characterized in that, in the stick server according to claim 1, the first and second OS main bodies use the third file system as a common data area. To do.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the stick server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stick server is connected to the computer device and is started as an OS constituting a normal server. When the OS main body is backed up, the second OS main body is activated, and the second OS main body transmits the first OS main body and data to an external server for backup.

  The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the stick server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stick server is connected to the computer device and is started as an OS constituting a normal server. When the OS main body is upgraded, the second OS main body is activated, and the second OS main body acquires upgrade data for the first OS main body from an external server, and the stick server The first OS main body is updated.

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the stick server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stick server has personal authentication means for acquiring and verifying personal authentication data. Features.

  In the invention according to claim 1, the stick server is composed of a removable memory unit, and the first and second file systems are recognized as CD-R drives, and the third is recognized as a storage area that can be read and written. And storing information for recognizing the storage area of the third file system as a readable / writable storage area with the storage area of the first and second file systems as a CD-R drive. And a storage location of the first and second file systems is specified by searching the first storage area based on an OS boot program, and the removable memory unit The first OS main body and the second OS main body that are started up in the memory are stored, and further, the first and second OS main bodies are stored. Each file system includes an OS boot program including a master boot record and a search script that searches the storage areas of the first and second file systems to identify the storage locations of the first and second OS bodies. Is memorized.

  According to such a configuration, the boot select means included in the BIOS of the computer device can start one of the first and second file systems, and the OS constituting the server device The other OS and data constituting the server device can be backed up by starting the other OS, and similarly, one of the servers constituting the server device can be started by booting the other OS. The OS can be upgraded, and an independent server system can be configured with the stick server itself.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in the stick server according to claim 1, the first and second OS main bodies use the third file system as a common data area.

  According to such a configuration, one of the first and second file systems can be started, and the OS constituting the server device can be started, and the other OS can be started. Can be used to back up one OS and data constituting the server device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the stick server according to the first or second aspect, the first OS main body that is connected to the computer device and is started as an OS constituting a normal server is provided. When backing up, the second OS main body is activated, and the second OS main body transmits the first OS main body and data to an external server for backup.

  According to such a configuration, one of the first and second file systems can be started, and the OS constituting the server device can be started, and the other OS can be started. Since one OS and data constituting the server apparatus can be backed up by starting the server, an independent server system can be constituted by the stick server itself.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the stick server according to the first or second aspect, the first OS main body that is connected to the computer device and started up as an OS constituting the normal server is provided. When the version is upgraded, the second OS main body is activated, and the second OS main body acquires the upgrade data for the first OS main body from an external server. 1 OS body is updated.

  According to such a configuration, one of the first and second file systems can be started, and the OS constituting the server device can be started, and the other OS can be started. It is also possible to upgrade one of the OSs constituting the server device by starting the server, and to make up an independent server system with the stick server itself.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the stick server according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the stick server has personal authentication means for acquiring and collating personal authentication data.

  According to such a configuration, even if the stick server is stolen, the stick server cannot be operated unless personal authentication is passed, and the security of the stick server can be improved.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiments shown below exemplify a stick server for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and are not intended to identify the present invention as this stick server. The present invention is equally applicable to stick servers of other embodiments included in the scope.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a concept of a server system using a stick server 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server system using the stick server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the computer device 20 and the stick server 10, and the computer device 20 functions as a server device by connecting the stick server 10 to the computer device 20. It is comprised as follows. The computer device 20 functions as a server for information equipment such as a client computer device connected to a local allier network (LAN) using a LAN 32, and also exchanges data with an external information processing system via a network 31 such as the Internet. It can be performed.

  Similar to FIG. 6, the computer device 20 includes a display unit, an input unit, a control unit such as a microprocessor for controlling these, and a power supply unit in addition to the USB port which is a connection port of the removable memory unit. Unlike a normal computer device, it does not include an OS boot program or a hard disk device in which an OS is installed. Therefore, the computer device 20 alone cannot be operated as a computer device.

  The stick server 10 stores a first OS and a second OS for realizing various server functions, and a common file system that can be written and read from both the first and second OSs. It consists of a removable memory such as a provided USB memory. Then, the removable memory unit as the stick server 10 activates either the first OS or the second OS on the removable memory and causes the server to operate as in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of the stick server according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the stick server 10 is provided with a first file system 10a to a third file system 10c in a removable memory unit such as a USB memory, a first OS is provided in the first file system 10a, and a second file system is provided. The second OS is stored in 10b, and the third file system 10c is configured as a common file area where the first OS and the second OS can write and read data, respectively.

  The first file system 10a and the second file system 10b are areas recognized as a CD-R area from the computer apparatus 20, and the third file system 10c is an HDD area or a CD-RW area from the computer apparatus 20. Alternatively, it is an area recognized as a memory area where data can be written and read, such as a flash memory area.

  The computer device 20 includes a BIOS (Basic Input Output System), and when the computer device 20 is turned on, the BIOS is activated. In the same manner as a BIOS is provided in a general computer device, any one of a “reset function”, a “setup screen display function”, and a “boot select screen display function” is operated by operating an expansion key of the computer device 20. You can choose.

  The “boot select screen display function” is a function for displaying a setting screen (selection screen) for selectively switching the boot device of the computer device 20, for example, changing the boot device from a hard disk to a CD-R or the like. Can do. Therefore, on this boot select screen, the first file system 10a or the second file system 10b, which is any CD-R area of the stick server 10, can be selected as a boot device.

  Since the first OS or the second OS stored in the first file system 10a and the second file system 10b is processed by the computer device 20 as being stored in the CD-R area, The first OS is activated by activating the boot select function included in the BIOS of the computer device 20, displaying the boot select screen, and selecting either the first file system 10a or the second file system 10b as a boot device. Alternatively, either one of the second OSs can be activated. The first OS or the second OS has a configuration to be described later, and can be activated and operated on the stick server 10 without being installed in the computer device 20.

  In the stick server 10 of the present invention, either the first OS or the second OS is normally started as an OS constituting the server device, and the other OS is started to execute a backup function as a server. It is used as an operating system.

  In general, a server device requires a function for backing up an OS and data as a server device and a function for coping with version upgrade of the OS itself as a server device. In the stick server 10 of the present invention, one of the first OS and the second OS is normally started as the OS constituting the server device, and the other OS is the backup function of the OS constituting the server device, the server It is started to execute a function for upgrading the OS itself constituting the apparatus.

  That is, when the first OS is an OS that constitutes a server device that is normally started, a backup function of the first OS that constitutes the server device and a function that upgrades the first OS itself that constitutes the server device. When executed, the second OS is activated to execute these functions.

First, when executing the backup function of the first OS constituting the server device, the second OS is started, and the first OS and data (data generated by the first OS are generated by the second OS). Or data of client devices connected to the server device) is sent to an external (remote) server via the network for backup.
Secondly, when executing the function of upgrading the first OS itself constituting the server device, the second OS is started, and the OS data in the external (remote) server is executed by the second OS. (Generally, difference data between the old version OS and the new version OS: called a patch) is acquired via the network, and the corresponding program file is rewritten by overwriting the first OS (applying a patch) May be said).

  Since the stick server 10 according to the present invention includes the third file system 10c that can be read and written by the first OS and the second OS in common, the stick server 10 alone can be used as an arbitrary computer device 20. The computer device 20 (computer device that does not have a hard disk device for installing an OS or storing data) can be used as a server device simply by connecting to the server device. In other words, the stick server 10 itself can function as a server device. Therefore, the user can use the stick server 10 as a portable server device, and can provide a security function by incorporating an RFID tag or biometric authentication means into the stick server 10.

  Details of the configuration of the server system using the stick server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the configuration of the server system using the stick server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the stick server 10 includes a USB memory unit, and the computer device 20 includes a USB port 23 for connecting the USB memory unit.

  Similar to FIG. 6, the computer device 20 has a display unit 21, an input unit 22, and a BIOS (not shown) for controlling these in addition to the USB port 23 that is a connection port of the USB memory unit that is the stick server 10. Although it has a control means such as a microprocessor and a power supply unit, it does not have an OS boot program or a hard disk device in which an OS is installed unlike a normal computer device. Therefore, the computer device 20 alone cannot be operated as a computer device.

  The stick server 10 includes a USB controller 11, an input / output unit 12, and a control storage unit 14 like a general USB memory unit. The memory unit 13 includes memory chips divided into a first file system 10a, a second file system 10b, and a third file system 10c.

  The first file system 10a and the second file system 10b are storage areas recognized as a CD-R drive by the computer device 20, and the third file system 10c is recognized as a drive that can be read from and written to the computer device 20. Storage area. That is, the third file system 10c may be any one of an HD drive or a CD-RW drive from the computer device 20. In the following description, a case where the third file system 10c is set as an HDD drive will be described.

  The control storage unit 14 includes the first file system 10a and the second file system 10b which are configured as logical blocks of the memory unit 13 and used as a CD-R drive, or the third file system 10c is a memory unit. Information indicating which of the logical blocks is used as a storage area (for example, an HD drive) that can be read and written. The information stored in the control storage unit 14 is the same as the information for the CD-ROM drive disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-171536 (FIGS. 1 and 2), for example.

  Thus, when the stick server 10 is connected, the USB driver of the computer device 20 uses the first file system 10a and the second file system 10b of the memory unit 13 as the CD-R drive, and the third file system 10c as the HDD. Recognize as a drive.

  Each of the first file system 10a and the second file system 10b is assigned a logical block having a predetermined storage capacity in the memory unit 13, and the first 512 bytes store MBRs 111 and 121, and store the MBRs 111 and 121, respectively. The OS boot programs 112 and 122 are stored from the storage location specified by the relative address with respect to the position. Further, OS bodies 113 and 123 are stored in the first file system 10a and the second file system 10b, respectively. Further, a logical block having a predetermined storage capacity of the memory unit 13 is allocated to the third file system 10c in order to store a file created by the OS main body 113, the OS main body 123 or the user, a file created by the client PC, and the like. Used as a data storage unit.

  The OS boot programs 112 and 122 store minimum programs for booting the OS main bodies 113 and 123, respectively. In addition to a program for displaying the OS desktop screen, the OS main programs 113 and 123 are stored. A search script for searching the designated area is stored.

  The start addresses of the storage locations of the OS startup programs 112 and 122 are stored in the respective MBRs 111 and 121, but are stored as relative addresses with respect to the storage locations of the MBRs 111 and 121. Accordingly, the MBR 111 or 121 can be read, and the OS boot program 112 or 122 stored with the relative address position stored there as the head can be read and executed. Since the OS startup program 112 or 122 stores a search script for searching an area in which the OS main body 113 or 123 is stored, by executing this search script, the storage location of the OS main body 113 or 123 is specified to specify the OS. Can be activated. Search scripts included in the OS startup programs 112 and 122 are the same as the search scripts shown in FIG.

  Note that whether the first file system 10a or the second file system 10b is selected is determined by designating using the boot select screen included in the BIOS of the computer device 20 as described above.

  In the stick server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the MBRs 111 and 121 are stored at the heads of the first file system 10a and the second file system 10b that are recognized as CD-R drives, respectively. When a drive is selected using, a procedure for starting up the OS by reading the MBR 111 or 121 from the selected CD-R drive is started. Therefore, the OS can be started by the CD-R driver provided in all the computer devices without depending on the model of the computer device 20.

  For example, since the MBR 111 read from the first file system 10a stores the location of the OS startup program 112 at a relative address with respect to the storage location (first 512 bytes) of the MBR 111, the OS startup program 112 is stored by the MBR 111. Is read and the search script is executed. The search script can search the storage area recognized as the CD-R drive of the first file system 10a, search the location where the OS main body 113 is stored, and start the OS main body 113. The same applies when the second file system 10b is boot-selected.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for starting the OS in the stick server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, in step S101, the computer apparatus 20 is turned on. In step S102, the stick server 10 is connected to the USB port 23 of the computer device 20.

  Next, in step S103, a boot drive is selected using the BIOS boot select screen of the computer apparatus 20. When the boot drive is selected by the boot select, the drive selected in the stick server 10, for example, the first file system 10a is activated (step S104). In the following description, a case where the first file system 10a is activated will be described.

  When the first file system 10a is activated in the process of step S104, the MBR 111 (master boot record) stored in the first 512 bytes of the storage area allocated to the first file system 10a is read (step S105). . Next, the OS startup program 112 is read based on the MBR 111 in the process of step S106. The storage location of the OS boot program 112 is specified by a relative address with respect to the MBR 111, and since this relative address is stored in the MBR 111, the OS boot program 112 can be read by reading and executing the MBR 111.

  The OS boot program 112 stores a minimum program for booting the OS main body 113 as described above, and includes a search script for searching the storage position of the OS main body 113. The search script is sequentially executed in the process of step S107 to search the storage location of the OS main body 113. When the storage location of the OS main body 113 is known, the OS desktop screen is displayed on the display unit 21 of the computer device 20 in the process of step S108. The OS main body 113 is completely activated. Note that the operation after the OS main body 113 is activated is the same as the operation of the computer device by a normal OS.

  Also, the stick server 10 can be provided with personal authentication means to improve the security of the stick server 10. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of the configuration of a server system in which the stick server 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes personal authentication means using RFID tags.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stick server 10 includes an RFID reading unit 15 that is a reading unit for a non-contact type ID tag and an RFID collating unit 16 that is a collating unit as means for performing personal authentication (individual authentication). Has been. Other configurations are the same as those of the stick server 10 shown in FIG. When it is authenticated by the personal authentication means that the user is a legitimate user, reading of information from the memory unit 13 is permitted, and communication with the computer device 20 in accordance with the USB communication standard is performed. Or 123 can be activated.

  For personal authentication, an authorized user of the stick server 10 has an RFID tag 40 issued to the person, and the RFID tag 40 has a unique ID and key for identifying the authorized user. Information is recorded as personal authentication data 41. The RFID reading unit 15 provided in the stick server 10 reads the personal authentication data 41 recorded on the RFID tag 40 and performs personal authentication by the RFID collating unit 16 in comparison with the authentication data of the stick server 10. The personal authentication data 41 may be biometric authentication data such as fingerprint data. Further, the personal authentication means may be constituted by biometric authentication means using a fingerprint sensor or the like.

  If the personal authentication is passed, reading of information from the memory unit 13 is permitted, and the first or second OS main body 113 or 123 can be activated. According to such a configuration, even if the stick server 10 is stolen, the stick server 10 cannot be operated unless the RFID tag 40 is used, and the security of the stick server 10 can be improved.

  As described above, the stick server 10 according to the present invention is configured such that the first OS or the second OS stored in the first file system 10a and the second file system 10b is a CD- Since it is processed as being stored in the R area, either the first OS or the second OS is selected by selecting either the first file system 10a or the second file system 10b as a boot device. One can be activated on the stick server 10. In addition, since the first OS and the second OS have a third file system 10c that can be read and written in common, the stick server 10 alone can be connected to an arbitrary computer device 20, The computer device 20 (a computer device having no hard disk device for installing an OS or storing data) can be used as a server device.

  The operation after the OS main body 113 or 123 is started is the same as the operation of the computer device 20 by the normal OS, but the OS (for example, the first OS) that is normally started and configures the server device is changed to the WW web server. , Network server, file server, database server, router, authentication server, etc., specially configured for servers with various functions, system configuration and communication environment can be set in advance to function as a desired server device, or as required By preparing a setting screen that is easy to understand for the user who defines the information of the client device, a user who is unfamiliar with the computer system or the network system can easily construct the server device.

  An OS (for example, a second OS) that is activated when backing up or upgrading an OS (for example, a first OS) that constitutes a server device communicates with an external server via a network. Since a function can be executed, a general OS may be used.

  Further, when the OS (for example, the first OS) constituting the server apparatus is upgraded, the first OS is stored in the file system recognized as the CD-R drive, so that the second OS can remotely Program file that is acquired via the data of the first OS (generally, the difference data between the old version OS and the new version OS: called a patch) and overwrites the first OS and corresponds to the program file Etc. can be rewritten.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a concept of a server system using a stick server according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the concept of the stick server concerning the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of a structure of the server system using the stick server concerning the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows OS starting procedure of the stick server concerning the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of a structure of the server system using the stick server provided with the personal authentication means. It is a block diagram which shows the concept of the removable memory unit which memorize | stored OS starting program and OS main body. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the storage area structure of a removable memory unit. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the search script and OS search procedure in OS starting program.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Stick server (USB memory unit)
11... USB controller 12... Input / output unit 10a... First file system (CD-R drive)
10b 2nd file system (CD-R drive)
10c ... 3rd file system (memory part)
14 .... Control storage unit 20 ... Computer device 21 ... Display means 22 ... Input means 23 ... USB ports 111, 121 ... MBR (Master Boot Record)
112, 122... OS startup program 113, 123.

Claims (5)

A removable memory unit connected to a computer device having a port for connecting the display means, the input means and the removable memory unit;
The removable memory unit includes first and second file systems that are recognized as CD-R drives, and a third file system that is recognized as a storage area that can be read and written. A control storage unit storing information for recognizing the storage area of the file system as a CD-R drive and the storage area of the third file system as a storage area that can be read and written;
In each of the first and second file systems, a storage location is specified by searching the first storage area based on an OS boot program, and the first file system is booted on the removable memory unit. The OS main body and the second OS main body are stored. Further, the first and second file systems are searched for a master boot record and a storage area of the first and second file systems, respectively. An OS boot program including a search script for specifying the storage location of the first and second OS main bodies is stored, and the first or second file system is selected by boot select means included in the BIOS of the computer device. A stick server characterized in that one file system is activated.   The stick server according to claim 1, wherein the first and second OS main bodies use the third file system as a common data area.   When the stick server is connected to the computer device and backs up the first OS main body that is normally started as an OS constituting the server, the second OS main body is started, and the second OS main body 3. The stick server according to claim 1, wherein the first OS main body and the data are backed up by transmitting them to an external server.   When the stick server is connected to the computer device and the first OS main body, which is normally started as an OS constituting the server, is upgraded, the second OS main body is started, and the second OS main body The update data for the first OS main body is acquired from an external server, and the first OS main body in the stick server is updated. Stick server.   The stick server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stick server includes a personal authentication unit that acquires and collates personal authentication data.

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