JP2000215129A - Client-server system, client computer, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a client-server system which decreases the amount of backed-up data by performing minimal necessary backup operation and does not have the operation efficiency affected by the skill of a system administrator by lightening the burden on the system administrator. SOLUTION: All client units 2 connected to a server unit 1 automatically judge whether or not the same data as those which need to be backed up are present on other client units 2 and store one of pieces of data which are common to more than one client and all pieces of data which are used by only one client.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a client / server system, and more particularly, to a technique for efficiently backing up a plurality of client environments. The present invention also relates to a recording medium on which a computer program for causing such a client computer and a general-purpose computer to function as such a client computer is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, client / server systems have become widespread as the performance of personal computers has improved. By the way, in a client / server system, a trouble that affects the entire network system is likely to occur due to a user operation mistake or a simple environment setting mistake, etc. In such a case, the server sends the trouble to the client. On the other hand, maintenance instructions cannot be given. In such a case, the maintenance work itself becomes impossible until the trouble is solved, and the system may be down. Such a risk increases with an increase in the number of clients connected to the server. Therefore, as the size of the network system increases, economical loss cannot be ignored.

Further, in a system using a plurality of personal computers as a client and a server, such as a client / server system, transmission of a computer virus has become an important problem in recent years. That is, when a computer virus invades one personal computer among a plurality of clients of a client / server system, the virus spreads to all clients and servers via a network, resulting in a serious loss. Therefore, in order to operate the client / server system comfortably, it is very important that the system can be maintained efficiently.

As part of maintenance of such a client / server system, a backup operation of each client, specifically, data (application files, data files, etc.) used by each client constituting the client / server system is performed. An operation of storing the copy as backup data in a server or an external storage device is performed. By storing such backup data in a server or an external storage device, it is possible to immediately restore each client when data is damaged or when a computer virus is infected. .

[0005]

By the way, in the backup operation of each client in the conventional client / server system, all data necessary for each client is stored in a server or an external storage device. On the other hand, in recent years, the number of clients connected to the client / server system has been increasing,
In addition, the amount of data of application software installed on each client is increasing,
Further, the data amount of the data file has been increased due to the fact that image data is frequently used. Therefore, storing all backup data required by all clients connected to the client / server system for each client requires a storage device having a huge data capacity, which is not practical.

For this reason, conventionally, the data amount of the backup data is reduced by selecting the data common to all the clients and the data unique to each client and storing only those data at the discretion of the system administrator. I have to. However, as described above, since the number of clients connected to the client / server system has been increasing in recent years, such selection work increases the burden on the system administrator and increases the work time as a whole. And the operating efficiency of the client / server system is reduced.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in short, all the clients connected to the server need to back up the same data to other clients. Automatically determines whether or not the data exists, backs up only one data that is common to two or more clients, and backs up all data used by only one client. It is an object of the present invention to provide a client / server system in which the amount of backup data is reduced by performing a limited backup, the burden on the system administrator is reduced, and the work efficiency is not affected by the ability of the system administrator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer used as a client of the client / server system as described above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium in which a computer program for causing a general-purpose computer to have a function as a client of the client / server system as described above is recorded.

[0010]

A client / server system according to the present invention comprises: a client computer;
What is claimed is: 1. A client / server system connected to a server computer for storing backup data of data used by said client computer, said server computer comprising information for determining the identity of data stored as backup data. The client computer has a backup data information storage unit for storing the data to be backed up, and the client computer determines whether or not the data to be backed up exists. ,
Comparing means for comparing the storage content of the backup data information storage means of the server computer with information for determining the identity of the data to be backed up, and performing backup if the comparison results by the comparing means do not match. The data determined to be transferred is transferred to the server computer for storage, and information for determining the identity of the data is transferred to the server computer for storage in the backup data information storage means. Backup processing means.

In such a client / server system of the present invention, it is automatically determined whether or not each client connected to the server needs to back up the same data in other clients. Only one data common to two or more clients is backed up, and all data used only by one client is backed up.

Further, the client computer according to the present invention has backup data information storage means for storing backup data of data used by itself and storing information for determining the identity of the data stored as backup data. A client computer connected to a server computer provided with a determining means for determining whether or not data to be backed up exists in the client computer; and when the determining means determines that there is data to be backed up, Comparing means for comparing the storage content of the backup data information storage means of the server computer with the information for determining the identity of the data to be backed up; and performing backup if the comparison result by the comparing means does not match. Keep data that you deem necessary Backup processing means for transferring to the server computer for transferring the information to the server computer and for storing information for determining the identity of the data in the backup data information storage means. I do.

In such a client computer of the present invention, it is automatically determined whether or not the same data exists in another client for each data that needs to be backed up. Only one data is backed up, and all data used only by itself is backed up.

Further, the recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable medium that stores backup data of data used by another computer and stores information for determining the identity of the data stored as the backup data. A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program for causing a client computer connected to a server computer having storage means to back up data used by the client computer, wherein the data to be backed up exists in the client computer. Computer readable program code means for determining whether to perform backup or not, and when it is determined that data to be backed up exists, the client computer informs the client computer of the backup data information of the server computer. Computer-readable program code means for comparing the storage contents of the storage means with information for determining the identity of the data to be backed up; and Computer readable program code means for transferring to the server computer to store data to be stored, and information for determining the identity of the data to be backed up to the client computer when the comparison result is inconsistent. And a computer readable program code means for transferring the backup data information to the server computer for storage in the backup data information storage means.

By reading the recorded contents of the recording medium of the present invention into a general-purpose computer, the client computer as described above is realized.

In the above-described client / server system, client computer and recording medium, the information for judging the identity of the data is a data name, a data size, a data content and / or an update time. I do.

In such a client / server system, client computer, and recording medium, data backup is performed by all or any one of data names, data sizes, data contents, and update times, or any combination of two or more. Is determined. Therefore, even if the data is originally the same, for example, a file of the application software, it can be backed up even when the user customizes it.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a client / server system according to the present invention. In the following embodiments, the data to be backed up is software files, and data files created by software are not included in the backup, but data files created by software are also backed up. It goes without saying that it may be the target of

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a LAN line, and reference numerals 1 and 2 denote a server computer (hereinafter, referred to as a server unit) and a client computer (hereinafter, referred to as a client unit), respectively. Both are connected to the LAN line 100 to form a network system. Note that a plurality of server units 1 and client units 2 can be connected to one LAN line 100. Here, one server unit 1 and two client units 2 are connected to the LAN line 100. An example is shown.

The client unit 2 is a client computer of the present invention, and functions as the client unit 2 of the client / server system of the present invention by causing the client computer 2 to read a program code from a recording medium of the present invention described later.

Each of the server unit 1 and the client unit 2 is a general-purpose personal computer having hardware such as a CPU, a memory, a disk unit (hard disk, flexible disk, etc.), a printer, a display, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The units are connected to large-capacity storage media 10 and 20 using hardware such as a hard disk and a magnetic tape, and an OS (Operating System) and various software are installed.

The server unit 1 is connected to the LAN line 100 by an I / O interface 101, and the client unit 2 is connected to the LAN line 100 by an I / O interface 102.

The storage medium 10 of the server unit 1 stores filed information such as a server system file 11, a backup file 12, a backup management table file 13, and the like.

The server system file 11 stores an OS and various application software necessary for the operation of the server unit 1 in a file form. The backup file 12 stores backup data for each client 2. Registered in the backup management table file 13 is information for managing the backup file 12, specifically, information (backup information to be described later) for determining the identity of backup data stored in the backup file 12. Management table is stored.

The storage medium 20 of the client unit 2 stores filed information such as a client system file 21, a self-maintenance system file 22, and a management table file 23 for backup.

The client system file 21 stores the OS and various application software required for the client unit 2 in the form of files, and when these are executed by the client unit 2, the operating unit 211 Function. The operation unit 211 executes those functions when general application software such as a word processor and a spreadsheet stored in the client system file 21 is executed by the client unit 2.

Also, a self-maintenance system file
Various software required for the self-maintenance of the client unit 2 itself is stored in the file 22. When the software is executed by the client unit 2, the self-diagnosis unit 212 and the backup necessity determination unit 213 are executed. And functions as the backup processing unit 214.

The self-diagnosis unit 212 performs self-diagnosis of the client unit 2 itself at an appropriate timing, for example, when the power is turned on or when an instruction is given from a user, and determines whether there is a file to be restored based on the backup data. If it exists, the necessary file is read from the backup file 12 of the server unit 1 and repaired. The backup necessity determining unit 213 also stores the data of the client unit 2 itself into the server unit 1.
It is determined whether or not it is necessary to make a backup according to the contents of the management table 23 of the client unit 2 and the contents of the backup management table file 13 of the server unit 1. When the backup necessity determining unit 213 determines that the data of the client unit 2 itself needs to be backed up to the server unit 1, the backup processing unit 214 backs up and saves the data in the backup file 12 of the server unit 1. Information (backup information) for determining the identity is stored in the backup management table file 13 of the server unit 1 in the form of a table.

Next, the operation of the client unit 2 of the present invention at the time of backup processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 showing the processing procedure, and FIGS. 3 to 5 showing the file contents of the client unit 2 and the server unit 1.
This will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

Now, one client unit 2
Is newly connected to the network, specifically the LAN line 100, or when new application software is installed in the client unit 2, by giving appropriate instructions to the client unit 2, The client unit 2 starts the backup processing.

First, the self-diagnosis unit 212 stores its own storage medium 20
The client system file 21 is diagnosed to determine whether there is data to be backed up (OS file, application software file, etc., but may include a data file created thereby).
(Step S11). If there is no data to be backed up ("NO" in step S11), the backup processing by the client unit 2 ends at that point.

However, when the client unit 2 is newly connected to a network, or when new application software is installed in the client unit 2, the OS or some application software file is installed. Is stored in the client system file 21 ("YE" in step S11).
S "). Therefore, the self-diagnosis unit 212 obtains information for determining the identity of the data, that is, backup information.
(Step S12).

Here, the backup information is information that can determine the identity of data as files of the OS, application software, etc., for example, data name (file name), data size (file size) ), Content information, update time, etc., and in the present embodiment, all or any one of them or a combination of a plurality of them is used as backup information. In addition,
As the content information, for example, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Ch
eck: Redundant cyclic check) Code, checksum, etc. can be used.

Next, the backup necessity judging unit 213 accesses the backup management table file 13 of the storage medium 10 of the server unit 1 and compares the stored contents with the above-mentioned backup information of the data to be backed up.
(Step S13). And if there is matching information
("YES" in step S14), the process returns to step S11, and the same process as described above is repeated for the next data to be backed up. That is, the fact that the same information as the backup information of the data to be backed up exists in the backup management table file 13 of the storage medium 10 of the server unit 1 means that the backup data of the same data as the data to be backed up is stored in the server unit 1. Since the backup is already stored in the backup file 12 of the storage medium 10, no duplicate backup is performed.

On the other hand, if there is no matching information in step S14 ("NO" in step S14), the backup data of the same data as the data to be backed up is stored in the backup file of the storage medium 10 of the server unit 1.
12, the backup processing unit 214 causes the backup data of the data to be stored in the backup file 12 of the storage medium 10 of the server unit 1 (step S15). Is the storage medium of the server unit 1.
Register in backup management table 13 of 10 (Step
S16). Thereafter, the process returns to step S11, and there is no data to be backed up (“NO” in step S11).
), The above processing is repeated.

The above processing is performed on each file stored in each client system file 21 in each client unit 2, so that the same application software is installed in another client unit 2, for example. And the backup data is the server unit 1
If the backup file 12 has already been backed up, the data is not backed up. Therefore, the data to be backed up in the server unit 1 is only one when two or more of all the client units 2 connected to the server unit 1 exist in common, and only one data is backed up. All data existing in the client unit 1 is backed up.

Now, for example, as shown in FIG.
A file having file names “01”, “02”, and “03” is stored in a client system file 21 of a storage medium 20 of a certain client unit (hereinafter, referred to as a client unit (1) 2-1). It is assumed that no backup data is stored in the backup file 12 of the first storage medium 10.

In this state, the client unit
(1) When the backup process of 2-1 is performed, the self-diagnosis unit 212 sets the file names “01”, “02”, and “03” to the files “01”, “02”, and “03”, and (all
100 MB) and content information ("aaa", "bb
b ”and“ ccc ”) in its own management table file 23 as backup information.

Then, the backup necessity judging unit 213 of the client unit (1) 2-1 stores the same information as the backup information registered in its own management table 23 in the backup management table file 13 of the server unit 1. Check if it is registered, but none have been registered yet. Accordingly, the backup processing unit 214 of the client unit (1) 2-1 registers the backup information of each file “01”, “02”, and “03” registered in its own management table in the backup file 12 of the server unit 1. At the same time, backup data of each file is created and transferred to the backup file 12 of the server unit 1 for storage.

For convenience of explanation, the client unit (1) 2
Assuming that the backup data of the files “01”, “02”, and “03” of -1 are BD1, BD2, and DB3, respectively, at this time, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG.
The backup management table file 13 contains the backup information (“01”, “100”, “aaa”) for files “01”, “02”, and “03” of the client unit (1) 2-1.
”,“ 02 ”,“ 100 ”,“ bbb ”,“ 03 ”,“ 100 ”
, "Ccc") are registered, and the backup file 12 contains the backup data BD1, BD of the files "01", "02", "03" of the client unit (1) 2-1.
2, DB3 is stored.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, another client unit (hereinafter referred to as a client unit)
(2) 2-2) in the client system file 21 of the storage medium 20, files having file names “01”, “02”, and “03” are stored, and a backup file of the storage medium 10 of the server unit 1 is stored. It is assumed that the backup data is not stored in 12.

In this state, the client unit
(2) When the backup process of 2-2 is performed, the self-diagnosis unit 212 sets the file names “01”, “02”, and “03” to the files “01”, “02”, and “03”, and (100, 100, and 200 MB, respectively) and content information (represented as "aaa", "222", and "333", respectively) are registered in the own management table file 23.

Then, the backup necessity judging unit 213 of the client unit (2) 2-2 checks whether the information registered in its own management table 23 is also registered in the backup management table file 13 of the server unit 1. Find out. In this case the client unit as described above
(1) The backup data BD1, BD2, DB3 of 2-1 has already been registered. Accordingly, the backup necessity determination unit 213 of the client unit (2) 2-2 stores the backup information of each of the files “01”, “02”, and “03” registered in its own management table in the backup file 12 of the server unit 1. Is registered in the backup management table 13 of the server unit 1 only for files for which there is no matching information, and backup data of those files is created to create a backup file of the server unit 1. Transfer to 12 and save.

For convenience of explanation, the client unit (2) 2
Assuming that the backup data of files "01", "02", and "03" of -2 are BD4, BD5, and DB6, respectively, as a result of the above comparison, file "01" of client unit (1) 2-1 and client unit (2) File "01" of client unit (2) 2-2 because backup information matches both "01", 100MB and "aaa" for file "01" of 2-2
Is not backed up. However, since information matching the backup information of the other files “02” and “03” of the client unit (2) 2-2 is not registered in the backup management table file 13 of the server unit 1, their backup data DB5 and DB6 are backed up.

Therefore, at this time, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5, the backup management table file 13 of the server unit 1 has the files “01”, “02”, The backup information of “03” and the files “02” and “03” of the client unit (2) 2-2 is registered, and the backup file 12 stores the files “01” and “01” of the client unit (1) 2-1. "0
2 and 03 backup data BD1, BD2, DB3 and client unit (2) 2-2 files "02" and "03"
Backup data BD5 and BD6 are stored.

The self-maintenance of each client unit 2 is performed as follows. Now, for example, when a certain client unit 2 is turned on and activated, the self-diagnosis unit 212 is activated by software for self-diagnosis stored in the self-maintenance system file 22 of the client unit 2. Then, the self-diagnosis of the client unit 2 is first performed by the self-diagnosis unit 212. However, in the present embodiment, the same self-maintenance can be performed not only at the time of turning on the power but also at any time as long as the maintenance process is possible, by giving an instruction from the user at any time.

By executing the self-diagnosis by the self-diagnosis unit 212, the system environment of the client unit 2, that is, whether or not a file such as software needs to be repaired is diagnosed, and a file that needs to be repaired is specified. The self-diagnosis unit 212 reads the backup data of the file from the backup file 12 of the server unit 1 and updates the contents of its own client system file 21 to reinstall the file.

Incidentally, the client unit 2 of the client / server system of the present invention as described above is realized by installing a software program for backup processing recorded on a recording medium in a personal computer as a general-purpose computer. You.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a personal computer as the client unit 2. In this personal computer, a flexible disk drive 205 for reading the recorded content (program code) from the flexible disk 205M on which the backup processing program PG is recorded and / or the processing program PG described above is recorded. CD-ROM206M
And a CD-ROM drive 206 for reading the recorded contents (program code) from the computer.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a display device such as a CRT display, 203 denotes a pointing device such as a mouse, and 204 denotes an input device such as a keyboard.

Program read from flexible disk 205M by flexible disk drive 205
CD-ROM 206M by PG code or CD-ROM drive 206
The code of the program PG read from is installed in the storage medium 20 using, for example, a hard disk,
As described above, it functions as the operation unit 211, the self-diagnosis unit 212, the backup necessity determination unit 213, the backup processing unit 214, and the like.

Here, the recording medium is a flexible disk and / or a CD-ROM, but the recording medium is not limited to these, and can be combined with an appropriate drive (reading means) to produce a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk. Needless to say, it is possible to use such a method.

FIG. 7 shows the contents of a program PG recorded on a flexible disk 205M as an example of a recording medium.
That is, it is a schematic diagram showing a program code.

The flexible disk shown in FIG.
205M is connected to the server unit 1 having a backup management table file 13 which stores backup data of data used by the client unit 2 and stores information for judging the identity of the data stored as backup data. This is a computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program that causes the client unit 2 to back up data used by itself is recorded.

The specific contents of the computer program are as follows: a computer readable program code PC11 that allows the client unit 2 to determine whether or not data to be backed up exists; If determined,
A computer readable program code PC12 for causing the client unit 2 to compare the backup information of the data with the storage content of the backup management table file 13 of the server unit 1; The program code PC13 to be transferred to the server unit 1 for storing the data to be backed up, and the backup information of the data to be backed up to the client unit 2 when the comparison result is not identical. And a program code PC14 to be transferred to the server unit 1 for registration.

When the client unit 2 reads the program PG recorded on the flexible disk 205M as an example of such a recording medium, the client unit 2 functions as the client computer of the present invention as described above.

[0057]

As described in detail above, according to the client / server system of the present invention, for each data used by all clients connected to the server, the same data exists in other clients. It automatically determines whether or not it is necessary, backs up only one data that is common to two or more clients, and backs up all data used by only one client, so that the minimum necessary backup To reduce the amount of backup data, reduce the burden on the system administrator, and realize a client / server system in which work efficiency is not affected by the ability of the system administrator.

According to the client computer of the present invention, it is automatically determined whether or not the same data as the data to be backed up has already been backed up in the server. By reducing the amount of backup data by performing the minimum necessary backup of the entire system by reducing the backup of the system, the burden on the system administrator is reduced, and work efficiency is reduced by the ability of the system administrator. A client computer that is not affected by the above is realized.

Further, according to the recording medium of the present invention, the above-mentioned client computer is realized by causing a general-purpose computer to read the program code contained therein.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a client / server system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a backup process by a client unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a backup process by a client unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a backup process by a client unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a backup process by a client unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a general-purpose computer as a client unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing contents of a computer program recorded on a recording medium installed in a computer as a client unit according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 server unit 2 client unit 10 storage medium 12 backup file 13 backup management table file 20 storage medium 22 self-maintenance system file 23 management table 212 self-diagnosis unit 213 backup necessity judgment unit 214 backup processing unit 205M flexible disk 206M CD-ROM PG Computer program

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B045 BB47 DD17 JJ32 5B082 AA01 DA02 DD06 DE06 EA09 GA04 HA08 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB02 JA32 JB22 KA08 KA11 KB04 LB25 ME09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a client / server system in which a client computer and a server computer for storing backup data of data used by the client computer are connected, the server computer is the same as the data stored as backup data. Backup data information storage means for storing information for determining the nature of the data, wherein the client computer determines whether or not the data to be backed up exists in the client computer; and the data to be backed up by the determination means When it is determined that the data exists, a comparison unit that compares the storage content of the backup data information storage unit of the server computer with information for determining the identity of the data to be backed up; If they match, the data determined to be backed up is transferred to the server computer for storage, and information for determining the identity of the data is stored in the backup data information storage means. And a backup processing means for transferring the data to the server computer. 2. The client / server system according to claim 1, wherein the information for determining the identity of the data is a data name, a data size, a data content, and / or an update time. 3. A server computer having backup data information storage means for storing backup data of data used by itself and storing information for judging the identity of the data stored as backup data. A determination means for determining whether or not data to be backed up exists in the client computer; and a backup data information storage means of the server computer when the determination means determines that there is data to be backed up. Comparing means for comparing the storage content with information for determining the identity of the data to be backed up; and when the comparison results by the comparing means do not match, the data determined to be backed up Transfer to the server computer for saving And a backup processing means for transferring information for judging the identity of the data to the server computer in order to store the information in the backup data information storage means. 4. The information for judging the identity,
4. The client computer according to claim 3, wherein the data is a data name, a data size, a data content, and / or an update time. 5. A server computer having computer-readable storage means for storing backup data of data used by another computer and storing information for judging the identity of the data stored as backup data. A computer-readable recording medium that records a computer program that causes a client computer connected to a computer to back up data used by the client computer, and causes the client computer to determine whether or not the data to be backed up exists in the client computer. Computer-readable program code means, and when it is determined that there is data to be backed up, the client computer stores, in the backup data information storage means of the server computer, Computer readable program code means for comparing information for determining the identity of data to be backed up, and for causing the client computer to store the data to be backed up if the comparison results do not match. Computer readable program code means for transferring to the server computer; and a backup data information storage means for storing information for determining the identity of the data to be backed up to the client computer when the comparison result is inconsistent. A computer program which includes computer readable program code means to be transferred to the server computer for storage in the storage medium. 6. The recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the information for determining the identity of the data is a data name, a data size, a data content, and / or an update time.