JP2000267921A - Network file transparency system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a program which processes a data file in common-use relation with other computers to operate always for the data file having the same contents in a network by providing a network file management part which manages the update state of the data files in common-use relation and a network file transfer part. SOLUTION: Computers 10 and 20 connected through the network 40 are equipped with network file management parts 11 and 21 which manage the update states of data files in common-use relation with other computers and network file transfer parts 16 and 26 which transfer data files to other computers through the network 40. Each time the data files 15 and 25 in common-use relation are updated, the data files in common-use relation are transferred through the network 40. the computers can always obtain the updated data files 15 and 25 as to the data files in common-use relation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network file transmission system for transferring a data file shared between a plurality of computers between computers via a network in order to ensure the sameness of the data file among the computers. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, in order to access the same data file between a plurality of computers, a file system for managing data files stored in a specific computer is shared and mounted between computers connected to a network. In order to construct such a system, NFS (Network File System) is usually used.
It is defined and published in RFC (Request for Comments) 1094. According to NFS, data files stored in a specific computer can be referenced or updated in real time between a plurality of computers that are shared and mounted via a network.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a configuration of a conventional network file transmission system in a case where data files are shared between computers connected to a network using NFS specified in RFC1094. FIG. In the figure, 50 and 60 are independently operable computers, 70 is a network connecting the computer 50 and the computer 60, 51 is a program stored in the computer 50 for processing a specific data file, and 52 is a program. The NFS of the computer 50, 62 is the computer 6
The NFS of 0, 63 is a data file stored in the computer 60 and processed by the program 51, and 53 has the same contents as the data file 63 transferred from the computer 60 to the computer 50 to execute the program 51. It is a data file. In the drawing, thin arrows indicate the flow of a data transfer request from the computer 50 to the computer 60, and thick arrows indicate the flow from the storage unit (not shown) of the computer 60 until it is processed by the program 51 of the computer 50. 3 shows the process of transferring the data file.

Next, the operation will be described. When the data file to be processed does not exist in the computer 50, the program 51 of the computer 50
52, and requests acquisition of the data file. When this data file acquisition request is issued, the NFS 52 of the computer 50 refers to the internal table in which the storage location of the data file is recorded and sends the request to the NFS 62 of the computer 60 where the data file 63 to be processed exists. , A network request to transfer a data file via the network 70. When this data file transfer request is received by the NFS 62 of the computer 60, the NFS 62 transfers a data file having the same content as the data file 63 stored in the computer 60 via the network 70 to the computer 50.
Network transfer to the NFS 52. When the transfer is completed, the computer 50 stores the data file transferred via the network as a data file 53 therein. The program 51 acquires the data file 53 separately stored in the computer 50 as described above and executes a predetermined process.

In the case where a data file 53 to be processed by the program 51 in the computer 50 exists in the computer 50 but the data file 63 in the computer 60 that has a shared relationship has already been updated, the computer 50
The data file is transferred from the computer 60 to the computer 50 according to the same procedure as in the case where the data file to be processed does not exist in the computer 50, and the data file 53 in the computer 50 is updated. However, the fact that a data file has a shared relationship between a plurality of computers as used herein means that a plurality of data files stored in each computer in association with a specific processing program have the same contents. Must be held in a relationship. The same applies to the following description of the present specification.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-192850 discloses a document relating to such a conventional network file transmission system.

[0007]

Since the conventional network file transmission system is configured as described above, if the data file to be processed by the program does not exist in the computer or exists in the computer, it is necessary. If the data file is not updated, the data file must be obtained or obtained from another computer in which the data file exists via a network or updated. Therefore, if the computer on which the data file exists is stopped, or if the computer on which the data file exists cannot be accessed due to an error in the network connecting the computers, the specific data file required by the computer program There is a problem that the function cannot be executed because the program cannot be executed due to the inaccessibility of the program. Further, when it is necessary for the programs stored on the plurality of computers to process the updated data file each time the data file in the shared relationship is updated, the shared relation stored in the other computer is required. There is a problem that it is necessary to implement a function of monitoring and managing the update status of the data file in each of the programs on a plurality of computers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and a program for processing a shared data file stored in a plurality of computers connected via a network is always processed in the network. An object of the present invention is to provide a network file transmission system that can operate on data files having the same contents. Further, the present invention provides a network file transmission system that can operate with the latest data file immediately before a program stored in each computer becomes incapable of network connection even when network connection between computers is not possible. Aim. Furthermore, the present invention provides an update status of a data file to be processed even when a program that needs to be processed each time a shared data file is updated is stored on a plurality of computers connected to a network. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a simplified network file transmission system that does not need to implement a function of monitoring and managing a program for each program.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A network file transmission system according to the present invention includes a network for managing at least one computer connected by a network to update a data file in a shared relationship with another computer. A file management unit and a network file transfer unit for transferring a data file between another computer via a network are provided.

[0010] In the network file transmission system according to the present invention, the network file management unit includes, at the time of starting the computer, an update status of a data file which is in a sharing relationship with the network file management unit of another computer connected via the network. A download transmitting unit for requesting notification is provided.

[0011] In the network file transmission system according to the present invention, when a data file that is in a shared relationship with another computer in a computer in which the network file management unit exists is updated in the network file management unit, the shared file is shared. An online transmission unit is provided for notifying the network file management unit of another computer having a related data file of the update status of the updated data file.

[0012] The network file transmission system according to the present invention processes the updated data file every time the data file is updated after the data file having the updated shared relationship is transferred to the network file management unit. A program starting unit for executing a program that needs to be executed is provided.

[0013] In the network file transmission system according to the present invention, the network file management unit includes a data file stored in a computer in which the network file management unit exists and having a sharing relationship with another computer. Is provided with a data file table for associating the data file with another computer in which the data file exists.

[0014] In the network file transmission system according to the present invention, a program activating unit includes a data file stored in a computer in which the program activating unit resides;
When the data file is updated, a program table is provided for associating the data file with a program that needs to process the data file.

[0015] In the network file transmission system according to the present invention, the network file transfer unit compresses the data file when transferring the data file between the computers connected to the network and decompresses the transferred compressed data file. A compression / expansion section is provided.

[0016] The network file transmission system according to the present invention is an optional system connected to any two connected via a network.
In one computer, a master-slave relationship that defines the transfer direction of a shared data file is set.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network file transmission system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, 10 and 20 are computers that can operate independently, 40 is a network connecting the computer 10 and the computer 20, and 11 and 21 are computers 10 and 20 respectively.
A network file management unit for managing the update status of the data file via the network 40 within the network unit 12,
Reference numerals 22 denote network file management units 11 and 21, respectively.
A download transmitting unit that manages the update status of the data files that are in a shared relationship when the computers 10 and 20 are started up in the computer;
Reference numerals 3 and 23 denote the network file management unit 11 and
An on-line transmission unit that manages the update status of the data file when the data file having a shared relationship is updated in the storage unit 21.
Reference numerals 4 and 24 denote program activation units that operate programs that need to be executed in accordance with the update of the data files when the data files are updated in the computers 10 and 20, respectively.

Further, 15 and 25 are computers 10 and 25, respectively.
20, data files in a shared relationship stored in
Reference numerals 6 and 26 denote network file transfer units provided in the computers 10 and 20 for transferring data files via the network 40, respectively. When a data file having a shared relationship is updated, the network file transfer unit 17 responds to the update. A program 27 stored in the computer 10 that needs to be executed, and a program 27 stored in the computer 20 for which the data file 25 is to be processed. In the figure, thin arrows indicate the flow of information such as a request for notification of the update status of the data file, and thick arrows indicate the process of transferring the data file.

Next, the operation will be described. First, a description will be given of information collection regarding the update status of a data file having a sharing relationship when the computer 10 is started. When the computer 10 is started, the download transmission unit 12 of the computer 10 requests the network file management unit 21 of the computer 20 connected via the network 40 to notify the update status of the data file in the sharing relationship. .
Upon receiving this request, the network file management unit 21 of the computer 20 notifies the network file management unit 11 of the computer 10 of the update status of the data file that is in a shared relationship with the computer 10. Each computer 10, 20
Is a data file table that associates a data file stored in the computer with a shared relationship with another computer and another computer in which the shared data file exists.
(Not shown). This data file table is created for each data file when there are a plurality of data files having a sharing relationship in the computer. Therefore, in the above description, the download transmitting unit 12 of the computer 10 requests the notification of the update status only to the illustrated computer 20, but the download transmitting unit 12 of the computer 10 Referring to the provided data file table, if another computer connected via the network 40 has a data file that is in a shared relationship with the computer 10,
Requests that all other applicable computers be notified of the update status of the shared data file.

Next, a description will be given of the collection of information on the update status of the shared data files when the shared data files are updated in the computer 20 during the normal operation of the computer 10. When the program 27 of the computer 20 updates the data file 25, the online transmission unit 23 of the network file management unit 21 of the computer 20 makes the updated data file have a sharing relationship with reference to the above-described data file table. If so, another computer having a data file in a sharing relationship is specified. If the computer 10 has a data file in a sharing relationship, the online transmission unit 23 of the computer 20 notifies the network file management unit 11 of the computer 10 of the update status of the updated data file. As in the case described above, the online transmission unit 23 of the computer 20 has not only the computer 10 shown but also a data file connected via the network 40 and having a shared relationship with the updated data file. The update status of the updated data file is notified to the network file management units of all the other computers.

As described above, when the update status of the data file is notified from the computer 20 to the computer 10, that is, when the computer 10 is started, the data file which is in a shared relationship is already updated in the computer 20. If the update status of the data file is notified to the computer 10 when the computer 20 updates the shared data in the normal operation, the network file management unit 11 of the computer 10 It requests the network file transfer unit 16 of the computer 10 to transfer the data file updated by the computer 20 based on the update status. When this transfer request is made, the network file transfer unit 16 of the computer 10
It requests the network file transfer unit 26 of the computer 20 to transfer a data file that is in a shared relationship. The network file transfer unit 26 of the computer 20
In response to a file transfer request from the network file transfer unit 16 of the computer 10, the data file having the same contents as the data file 25 stored and updated in the computer 20 is transferred to the network file transfer unit 16 of the computer 10. Then, the computer 10 stores the transferred data file as the updated data file 15. It should be noted that the network file transfer unit 16 of the computer 10 updates or has already updated a data file that is shared by not only the illustrated computer 20 but also other computers connected via the network 40. In such a case, it goes without saying that a request is made to another computer in which the updated data file exists to transfer the updated data file. However, if a plurality of other computers store data files that are in a shared relationship with the computer 10, a computer that requests transfer of the data file for each of the shared data files in the computer 10. Is provided. Therefore, when the computer 10 is activated, if a plurality of computers have notified that a data file in a shared relationship in the computer has been updated with respect to a specific data file, the computer 10 is activated based on the priority table. , Requesting the top-level computer to transfer the updated data file. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the date and time when a data file in a shared relationship is updated in each computer is recorded, and a request for transfer of the data file is made to the computer in which the latest updated data file exists.

Finally, the processing for the transferred data file in the computer 10 after the shared data file is transferred will be described. When the updated data file having the shared relationship is transferred to the computer 10 and stored as the data file 15, the program starting unit 14 of the computer 10 updates the data file stored in the computer 10 and updates the data file. In this case, the program 17 that needs to be executed is referred to by referring to a program table (not shown) that associates the data file with the program that needs to be processed.
Start

As described above, according to the first embodiment, each computer 1 connected via the network 40
A network 40 is provided between the network file management units 11 and 21 for managing update statuses of data files having a shared relationship with other computers 0 and 20 and another computer.
Network file transfer units 16 and 26 for transferring data files via the network, so that each time the shared data files 15 and 25 are updated, the shared data files are transferred via the network. In addition, since each computer can always obtain an updated data file for a data file that is shared between a plurality of computers connected via a network, the data file is stored in a plurality of computers connected via the network. Thus, there is an effect that a program which processes a data file having a shared relationship can always operate on a data file having the same content.

The network file management unit 11
Is a download transmission unit 12 that requests a notification of an update status of a data file having a shared relationship when the computer 10 is started.
And an online transmission unit 13 for notifying the update status of the data file each time a data file having a shared relationship in the computer 10 is updated, so that when the computer is started, the data is stored in the computer immediately. When the data file in the shared relationship is updated and the data file in the shared relationship is updated in one computer even during the normal operation of the computer, the data file in the shared relationship stored in another computer is also updated. Since it is updated immediately, even if the network connection between multiple computers is disabled, the program stored in each computer can operate with the latest data file just before the network connection was disabled. Play.

The network file management unit 11
Is provided with a program activating unit 14 for executing a program 17 that needs to process the data file 15 after the data file 15 in the sharing relationship is updated, so that every time the data file is updated, Because programs that need to process files are automatically executed, even if such programs are stored on multiple computers connected to a network, the data files that are to be processed and shared This makes it possible to obtain a simplified system that does not need to implement the function of monitoring and managing the update status of each program for each program.

Further, the network file management unit 11
Is data that is stored in the computer 10 in which the network file management unit 11 exists and that associates the data file 15 that is in a shared relationship with another computer with another computer in which the data file that is in a shared relationship exists. Since a file table is provided, the download transmission unit 12
When requesting a notification of the update status from the server and when notifying the update status from the online transmission unit 13 to another computer every time the data file 15 is updated, only the computer in which the data file in the shared relationship exists exists. This makes it possible to reduce the communication load on the network.

Further, the program activating unit 14 stores data files stored in the computer 10 in a shared relationship with each other,
Since a program table is provided for associating a program that needs to perform processing on the data file when the data file is updated, a reliable system can be constructed by reliably executing the program. It works.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network file transmission system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, and a description thereof will not be repeated. Reference numerals 18 and 28 denote file transfer units for transferring data files via the network 40 in the network file transfer units 16 and 26 of the computers 10 and 20, respectively.
When the data files are transferred in the network file transfer units 16 and 26 of 0 and 20, the data files are compressed to increase the transfer efficiency, and when the data files are transferred, the compressed data files are decompressed. File compression / decompression unit. In the drawing, a thin arrow indicates a flow of a data file transfer request from the computer 10 to the computer 20, and a thick arrow indicates a data file transfer process.

Next, the operation will be described. Computer 10
Information about the update status of the data file at the time of the activation of the computer, information about the update status of the data file updated by another computer during the normal operation of the computer 10, and the file transfer request by the network file transfer unit Is the same as in the first embodiment. Here, a transfer process of a data file different from the first embodiment will be described.

From the network file transfer unit 16 of the computer 10 to the network file transfer unit 26 of the computer 20
When a data file transfer request is sent to the computer 2, the file transfer unit 28 of the network file transfer unit 26
The data file having the same contents as the data file 25 stored in the file 0 is sent to the file compression / decompression unit 29 to perform data compression, and then compressed to the file transfer unit 18 of the network file transfer unit 16 of the computer 10. Transfer data files. When receiving the compressed data file, the file transfer unit 18 of the computer 10 sends the compressed data file to the file compression / decompression unit 19 to perform data decompression, and then stores the data file 15 in the computer 10 as the data file 15. Store. In the above description, the operation at the time of transferring the data file from the computer 20 to the computer 10 has been described. However, in the case where the data file is transferred from any one computer connected to the network 40 to another computer. Similarly, the data file can be compressed by the transfer source computer and decompressed by the transfer destination computer.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the network file transfer unit 16 includes the file transfer unit 18 and the file compression / decompression unit 19. With the provision, the compressed data file is transferred via the network 40, so that it is possible to reduce the transfer load of the data file on the network.

Embodiment 3 FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network file transmission system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, and a description thereof will not be repeated. 30 is another computer, 31 is a network file management unit of the computer 30, 35 is a shared data file stored in the computer 30, 3
Reference numeral 6 denotes a network file transfer unit of the computer 30.
However, the computer 30 and the computer 20 have a master-slave relationship in which the computer 30 is a master and the computer 20 is a slave. The computer 20 and the computer 10 have a master-slave relationship in which the computer 20 is the master and the computer 10 is a slave. is there. Here, the master-slave relationship means a relationship in which, when a data file in a shared relationship is updated by a computer in a master position, the updated data file is transferred to a computer in a slave position. The thin arrows show the master-slave relationship between the computers, and the thick arrows show the flow of data file transfer.

Next, the operation will be described. Information collection on the update status of the data file when any one computer is started, information collection on the update status of the data file updated by another computer during normal operation of the computer, and the network file transfer unit The file transfer request to the other computers is the same as in the first embodiment. Here, a different part from the first embodiment is that the data transfer request of the data file from the computer in which the updated data file exists to a plurality of other computers is different. The transfer procedure will be described.

The computers 10, 20, and 30 have data files 15, 25, and 35 in a shared relationship, and when the data file 35 of the computer 30 is updated,
The network file transfer unit 36 of the computer 30 transfers the updated data file to the network file transfer unit 26 of the computer 20 having the slave status to the computer 30. After that, the network file transfer unit 26 of the computer 10 having the slave status with respect to the computer 20
6. Transfer the updated data file to 6.

A master between any two computers
Regarding the setting of the slave relationship, the master-slave relationship is sequentially repeated between a plurality of computers having a data file in a shared relationship, for example, in a case where data files are equally updated in each computer. It is conceivable to adopt a loop structure in which the arrow shown in FIG. 3 representing the master-slave relationship draws a loop. In the case where the computers that temporarily update the data file are limited to a predetermined number of computers, the data files that are in a shared relationship are updated only based on the update information from the computer that temporarily updates the data file. For such computers, it is conceivable that the master-slave relationship is hierarchically set between such computers from a higher-level computer to a lower-level computer.

As described above, according to the third embodiment,
The same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and a master-slave relationship can be set between any two computers to control the transfer order of updated data files. Is distributed to a plurality of computers, thereby reducing the data file transfer load on a specific computer.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one computer connected via a network manages an update status of a data file which is in a shared relationship with another computer. Management department,
A network file transfer unit for transferring a data file to and from another computer via a network, so that each time a data file in a shared relationship is updated, data in a shared relationship via the network is updated. The files are transferred, and each computer can always obtain an updated data file for a data file in a shared relationship between a plurality of computers connected via a network. This has the effect that a program that processes data files that are stored in a computer and that are in a shared relationship can always operate on data files that have the same contents.

According to the present invention, the network file management unit updates the data file having the sharing relationship in the computer with the download transmission unit requesting the update status of the data file having the sharing relationship when the computer is started. And an online transmission unit for notifying the update status of the data file every time the computer is started. As soon as the computer is started, the shared data file stored in the computer is updated and the computer is updated. Even in the normal operation, when a data file in a shared relationship is updated in one computer, a data file in a shared relationship stored in another computer is also updated immediately. Even if it becomes impossible, the program stored in each computer cannot connect to the network. An effect that can operate in a data file of the latest contents of up to immediately before the.

According to the present invention, the network file management unit needs to process the updated data file every time the data file is updated after the updated data file having the shared relationship is transferred. Since the system is provided with a program starting unit for executing the program, every time a data file is updated, a program that needs to perform processing on the data file is automatically executed. A simplified system that does not need to implement a function to monitor and manage the update status of data files in a shared relationship to be processed for each program, even when stored on multiple computers connected via a network Is obtained.

According to the present invention, the network file management unit stores the data file stored in the computer where the network file management unit exists and in a shared relationship with another computer, and the data file exists. It is configured to have a data file table that associates with other computers, so when requesting notification of the update status from the download transparent unit and whenever the data file is updated, the online transparent unit notifies the other computer of the update status Also in this case, since communication can be performed only with the computer in which the data file having the sharing relationship exists, the communication load on the network can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the program starting unit includes:
A program table for associating a data file stored in a computer in which the program start unit exists with a program that needs to process the data file when the data file is updated Therefore, there is an effect that the program can be executed reliably and a reliable system can be obtained.

According to the present invention, the network file transfer unit compresses the data file when transferring the data file between the computers connected via the network, and decompresses the transferred compressed data file. With the configuration including the decompression unit, the compressed data file is transferred via the network, and the effect of reducing the transfer load of the data file on the network is achieved.

According to the present invention, in any two computers connected via the network, the master-slave relationship that defines the transfer direction of the shared data file is set. The transfer order of the updated data file can be controlled, and the transfer load of the data file can be distributed to a plurality of computers, so that the transfer load of the data file on a specific computer can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network file transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network file transmission system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network file transmission system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional network file transmission system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30 Computer, 11, 21, 31 Network file management unit, 12, 22 Download transmission unit, 13, 23 Online transmission unit, 14, 24 Program start unit, 15, 25, 35 Data file, 1
6, 26, 36 Network file transfer unit, 19, 2
9 File compression / decompression unit, 40 networks.

Claims (8)

[Claims] In a network file transmission system for transferring data files having a shared relationship between a plurality of computers between computers via a network, at least one computer connected via the network communicates with another computer. A network, comprising: a network file management unit that manages an update status of a data file that is in a shared relationship with each other; and a network file transfer unit that transfers a data file to another computer via a network. File transparency system. 2. The network file management unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a download transmission unit that requests the network file management unit of another computer connected via the network to notify the update status of the data file in a shared relationship when the computer is started. The network file transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. When the network file management unit updates a data file that is in a shared relationship with another computer in a computer in which the network file management unit is located, the network file management unit has a data file that is in a shared relationship. 2. The network file transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising an online transmission unit for notifying the network file management unit of the computer of the update status of the updated data file. 4. The network file management unit, after the data file having the updated shared relationship is transferred,
2. The network file transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a program starting unit that executes a program that needs to process the updated data file every time the data file is updated. 5. A network file management unit comprising: a data file stored in a computer in which the network file management unit exists and having a sharing relationship with another computer; and a data file having a sharing relationship with another computer. 4. The network file transmission system according to claim 2, further comprising a data file table for associating the computer with the computer. 6. A program activating unit comprising: a data file stored in a computer in which the program activating unit is located; and a program which needs to process the data file when the data file is updated. The network file transmission system according to claim 4, further comprising a program table that associates 7. The network file transfer unit includes a file compression / decompression unit that compresses the data file when transferring the data file between computers connected via a network and decompresses the transferred compressed data file. 2. The network file transmission system according to claim 1, wherein: 8. The network according to claim 1, wherein any two computers connected via the network have a master-slave relationship that defines a transfer direction of a data file in a shared relationship. File transparency system.