JP2001014228A - System and method for file distribution, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load on a server of a distribution source and also to improve the reliability of file distribution system. SOLUTION: A management server 1 generates distribution path information showing a distribution path for a file and transmits the distribution path information and a file to a prescribed relaying server 3 according to the distribution path information. The server 3 receives the distribution path information and the file to its own server, judges whether or not its own server is set as the transmission source of he file in the distribution path information, transmits the received distribution path information and file to another relaying server 3 set as a transmission destination in the distribution path information when its own server is judged as set in the distribution path information, and transmits file transmission results to the server 1. The server 1 receives and manages the file transmission results from each relaying server 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a file transfer system for transferring a file to a plurality of servers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network system,
When distributing files to servers distributed at multiple sites, establish a communication path between the server at the source and the server at each site, and then send the server from the source server to the server at each site. The file was being delivered.

[0003]

However, in the above system, as the number of distribution destinations increases, the load on the distribution source server increases, and the number of lines must be increased.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-185563 discloses
In the official gazette, the source communication processing system specifies the destination of the file, transmits the file to each communication processing system, the received communication processing system refers to the destination, and distributes the destination to which the own system distributes. And a system for transmitting other destinations to other communication processing systems. In this system, the files are sequentially transferred by the communication processing system designated as the destination, so that the load on the file distributor can be reduced. However, in this system, there is no function for checking whether or not the delivered file has been transmitted normally, and if the delivery of the file fails, it is not known.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a file distribution system and the like that can reduce the load on the distribution source server and improve the reliability of the system. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a file distribution system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a management server and a plurality of relay servers to which files are distributed from the management server. A file distribution system comprising: a management unit configured to generate distribution path information indicating a distribution path of a file; and a distribution server configured to generate the distribution path information according to the distribution path information generated by the generation unit. Means for transmitting information and files, and transmission result management means for receiving and managing file transmission results from each relay server, wherein the relay server receives distribution path information and files addressed to its own server. Means for determining whether or not the server itself is set as a file transmission source in the distribution route information received by the receiving means, If it is determined that the transmission path information and the file have been transmitted to another relay server set as the transmission destination in the distribution path information, the transmission unit transmits the received distribution path information and the file, and manages the file transmission result by the transmission unit. Means for transmitting to the server.

[0007] According to such a configuration, the management server:
Sends the distribution target file and the distribution path information indicating the distribution path of the file to the relay server, and the relay server that receives the file refers to the distribution path information. If the own server is set as the transmission source, the transmission is performed. First, the file and the distribution route information are transmitted. Thus, the content is relay-distributed by the relay server specified by the distribution route information, and the load on the management server can be reduced. Also,
Since the relay server that has transmitted the file transmits the transmission result of the file to the management server, the management server can manage the distribution status of the file.
A highly reliable system can be realized.

[0008] At least one of the management server and the relay server may further include retransmission means for retransmitting the file when the file transmission fails. This makes it possible to recover from the failure of the file transmission.

A file distribution method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a file distribution method for distributing a file to a plurality of servers. Generating and transmitting the distribution path information and the file to be distributed to a predetermined server in accordance with the distribution path information; and in each server, receiving the distribution path information and the file addressed to the server; Determines whether the server is set as the source of the file, and if so, sends the distribution path information and the file to another server set as the destination in the distribution path information Transmitting the file, and transmitting the file transmission result obtained by the transmitting step to the distribution source of the file. There are provided a step of managing receives the file transmission result from each of said servers, the.

[0010] According to such a configuration, the file distribution source transmits the file to be distributed and the distribution path information indicating the distribution path of the file to the server, and receives the file and the distribution path information from the server. Refers to the distribution path information, and if the server is set as the transmission source, transmits the file and the distribution path information to the transmission destination. Thereby, the content is relay-distributed by the server specified by the distribution route information, and the load on the server which is the file distribution source can be reduced. In addition, since the server that has transmitted the file transmits the transmission result of the file to the file distribution source, the file distribution source can manage the distribution status of the file,
Reliability can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium, comprising: a generating means for generating distribution path information indicating a distribution path of a file; A program for causing the server to function as a means for transmitting the distribution path information and the file, and a transmission result managing means for receiving and managing a file transmission result from each server is recorded.

[0012] A recording medium according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium, comprising: a receiving means for receiving distribution path information and a file addressed to the server; and a distribution path information received by the receiving means. It is determined whether or not the file is set as the transmission source of the file. If it is determined that the file is set, the received distribution path information and the file are sent to another server set as the transmission destination in the distribution path information. And a means for transmitting the result of file transmission by the transmitting means to a predetermined server.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a file distribution system for distributing content to servers connected to a network will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of the file distribution system of the present embodiment. This system includes a management server 1 arranged at a center and a relay server 3 arranged at each of a plurality of bases, and these servers are connected by a network such as a LAN and the Internet.

The management server 1 distributes and manages contents. For example, as shown in FIG.
A delivery management unit 13, a management DB (database) 15,
And a content storage unit 17.

The communication control unit 11 controls communication between the management server 1 and the relay server 3. The distribution management unit 13 controls the transfer of the content to the relay server 3. Prior to transferring the content to each relay server 3, the distribution management unit 13 selects a distribution path of the content (the order of the relay servers 3 to which the content is distributed) and stores the corresponding distribution path information (route file). Generate.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the file format of the distribution route information (route file). As illustrated, the distribution route information includes “delivery server name”, “receiving server name”, “receiving server IP address”, “receiving server content storage destination”, “distribution server content storage destination”. , “Content name”, “content storage flag (indicating whether to save or delete)”, “re-distribution count”, and the like as one record.

The distribution route information is generated for each relay server 3 to be distributed, for example, for each content.
The number of records of the distribution route information is the number of relay servers 3 to be distributed when one content is distributed to a plurality of relay servers 3, and the number of records is the number of records to be distributed to a plurality of relay servers 3 Contains (number of contents) x
(The number of relay servers 3 to be distributed).

The distribution management unit 13 performs FTP (File Transfer) based on the generated distribution route information (route file).
Protocol) or the like to generate a command for file transfer, and distributes the content to a predetermined relay server 3. Then, it is determined from the log or the like whether or not the distribution has succeeded. If the distribution has failed, the content is redistributed.

The distribution management unit 13 receives a distribution result log (status file) returned from each relay server 3 as the content is relay-distributed, and adds the distribution result log stored in the management DB 15 to the distribution result log. By reflecting the information, the distribution status to each relay server 3 is centrally managed.

Further, the distribution management unit 13 remotely deletes the content already distributed to the relay server 3,
Control of the creation / deletion processing of the directory (folder) of.

The management DB 15 stores distribution status information indicating the distribution status of the content to each relay server 3 and information for creating distribution route information (the server name of each relay server 3,
Address, etc.) are stored. The content storage unit 17
The contents to be distributed and the like are stored.

The relay server 3 receives the content distributed from the management server 1 or the upper relay server 3 and relays the content to each lower relay server 3. The relay server 3 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, a communication control unit 31, a relay control unit 33, and a distribution information storage unit 35.
And a content storage unit 37.

The communication control unit 31 controls communication between the relay server 3 and the management server 1 or each of the other relay servers 3. The relay control unit 33 temporarily stores the received content and the distribution route information in the distribution information storage unit 35, and analyzes the distribution route information. In the analysis of the distribution route information, it is determined whether or not the own server needs to distribute the content to each lower-level server, whether or not the content remains in the own server, and the like.

For example, if the server itself is set as the distribution server in the received distribution path information, the relay control unit 33 sets each of the lower relay servers 3 set as the reception server in the distribution path information. It is determined that the content needs to be distributed to the user, and the content is distributed.
Further, for example, the relay control unit 33 determines whether to save or delete the content according to the setting content of the “content saving flag” of the distribution route information in which the server is set as the receiving server. If it is determined that the content is to be stored, the content is stored in a predetermined directory (folder) of the content storage unit 37 in accordance with the setting of the “content storage destination” of the distribution route information.
At this time, if a predetermined directory (folder) does not exist, the directory is created. If it is determined that the content is to be deleted, the distribution information storage unit 35
Delete the content stored in.

When the contents are distributed to each of the lower-order relay servers 3, the relay control unit 33 determines whether or not the file transfer is successful based on the log. I do. The maximum number of redeliverys is
For example, the number of times indicated by the “number of redistributions” in the distribution route information in which the own server is set as the distribution server. Also,
The relay control unit 33 adds the distribution result to the distribution route information, generates a distribution result log (status file), and returns the log to the management server 1. The distribution information storage unit 35 temporarily stores the received content, distribution route information, and the like. The content storage unit 37 has a directory (folder) for storing content.

[0026] The present system provides:
By providing distribution route information indicating the distribution route of the content, each relay server 3 is referred to this distribution route information,
This system can reduce the load on the management server 1 and the load on the communication line by sequentially relaying the content to the relay server 3 specified by the distribution route information. The operation of each server in this file distribution system is described, for example, by the management server 1 by the relay servers 3A, 3B,
The following describes an example in which content is distributed to 3C.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the management server 1 selects a content to be distributed from the content storage unit 17 in response to, for example, a file distribution instruction input from an input unit (not shown) (step S1). ). Next, the management server 1 selects a content distribution route (in this case, “relay server 3A → relay server 3B → relay server 3C” or the like) according to the input distribution instruction or the like (step S).
2) Based on this, distribution route information (route file)
Is generated (step S3). In this example, three records of distribution route information regarding distribution from the management server 1 to the relay server 3A, distribution from the relay server 3A to the relay server 3B, and distribution from the relay server 3B to the relay server 3C are generated. .

Next, the management server 1 transmits the content to the relay server 3A by FTP or the like (step S4),
After the transmission is completed, it is confirmed from the log file that the file transfer has been properly completed (step S5). At this time,
When an error is detected, re-delivery is performed with, for example, a preset number of distribution times as an upper limit. And the management server 1
Reflects the transfer result to the relay server 3A in the distribution status information in the management DB 15, and transmits the distribution route information to the relay server 3A (step S6).

Thus, the content to be relayed and the distribution route information (route file) are stored in the relay server 3.
A is distributed to A. Thereafter, the management server 1 performs a distribution result receiving process of receiving the result of the relay distribution (delivery result log) from each relay server 3 and reflecting the result in the distribution status information of the management DB 15 (step S7). This distribution result receiving process will be described later.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the relay server 3A receives the contents and the distribution route information from the management server 1 (steps S11 and S12). The relay server 3A
It is determined whether or not the own server is designated to distribute the content to another server by referring to the distribution route information (step S13). If the own server is set as the distribution server, the corresponding distribution is performed. The content is transmitted to the relay server 3 set as the receiving server in the route information (step S14). In this example, since the receiving server is set as “relay server 3B” in the distribution route information in which the distribution server is set as “relay server 3A”, the relay server 3A sends the content to relay server 3B by FTP or the like. To deliver.

After transmitting the content to the relay server 3B, the relay server 3A confirms from the log file that the file transfer has been properly completed (step S1).
5). At this time, if an error is detected, redistribution is performed, for example, with the number of distributions set in the distribution route information as the upper limit.

Next, the relay server 3A refers to the distribution route information, deletes the content of the server itself if the setting is made to delete the content, and leaves the content if the setting is made to leave the content. Leave (Step S
16). Note that, in this example, the content is transferred to the relay server 3.
A, 3B, and 3C are intended to be distributed, so that any record of the distribution route information
A setting has been made to save the content as it is.

Next, the relay server 3A transmits the distribution route information to the relay server 3B (step S17). And
A transfer result of the content or the like to the relay server 3B is added to the distribution route information to generate a distribution result log (status file), which is returned to the management server 1 (step S18).

The management server 1 receives the distribution result log from the relay server 3A (FIG. 7: step S21), and stores the contents of the distribution result log (in this case, the distribution result from the relay server 3A to the relay server 3B). This is reflected in the distribution status information of the management DB 15 (step S22). If the collection of the distribution result log from each relay server 3 is completed, the management server 1 ends this processing. If the collection is not completed, the management server 1 repeats step S2 until the collection of the distribution result log is completed.
1. The processing of S22 is repeated (step S23). In this example, since the distribution result log indicating the distribution result from the relay server 3B to the relay server 3C has not been received from the relay server 3B, the process returns to Step S21.

As a result, the content is relay-distributed from the relay server 3A to the relay server 3B, and the distribution result is reflected in the distribution status information managed by the management server 1.

The relay server 3B is connected to the relay server 3A.
And relays the content to the relay server 3C with reference to the distribution route information, and returns a distribution result log to the management server 1. The operation of relay server 3B is the same as the operation of relay server 3A described above.

In the distribution result receiving process, the management server 1 receives the distribution result log from the relay server 3B and reflects it on the distribution status information (steps S21 and S22).
It is determined that the collection of the distribution result log from each of the relay servers 3A and 3B has been completed, and the process ends.

The relay server 3C is connected to the relay server 3B
(Step S)
11, S12), and determines whether or not the own server is designated to distribute the content to another server by referring to the distribution route information (step S13). In this example, the content distribution route is “relay server 3A → relay server 3B”.
→ Relay server 3C ", and relay server 3C is not set as a distribution server in the distribution route information. Therefore, in step S13, relay server 3C determines that distribution to another server is unnecessary, and ends the process.

In this way, the relay server 3A transmits to the relay server 3B, the relay server 3B transmits to the relay server 3C,
Each content is relayed.

FIG. 8 shows a processing sequence of the above example.
As shown in the figure, the relay servers 3A and 3B that have relayed the content distribute the content to another relay server 3B,
When the content is transmitted to the 3C, the distribution result log indicating the transfer result is returned to the management server 1, so that the management server 1 can confirm that the content has reached each relay server 3. As a result, a highly reliable file transfer system can be realized.

In the above example, the relay server 3A
Are not only the relay server 3B, but also other relay servers 3D, 3E, 3F (not shown), and when distributing contents to them, the relay server 3A
Performs the same processing as the distribution processing for the relay server 3B for the relay servers 3D, 3E, and 3F. The same applies to a case where another relay server 3 exists in addition to the relay server 3C as a lower server of the relay server 3B, and the content is distributed to them.

This file transfer system may be applied to a video-on-demand system that distributes video data such as moving images. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the management server 1 in the center and the relay servers 3 (3A to 3F) in each of the bases A to F are connected to an ISDN network,
Satellite network, VPN (Virtual Private Networ)
k; a virtual private network built on the Internet). In each of the bases A to F, for example, a plurality of terminals (not shown) are connected to each relay server 3 via a LAN or the like.

For example, the management server 1 sends the video data to be distributed and the distribution route information for which the distribution route is set to “relay server 3A → relay server 3B” to the relay server 3A at the site A by the ISDN network. (L
1). In addition, the management server 1 has a relay server 3C at the site C.
Then, the video data to be distributed and the distribution route information whose distribution route is set to “relay server 3C → relay server 3D” are transmitted via the satellite network (L2).
Further, the management server 1 sends the video data to be distributed and the distribution route to the
→ Distribution route information set as “relay server 3F”;
Is transmitted via the VPN (L3).

On the other hand, the relay server 3A at the site A
Distributes the video data to a plurality of terminals (not shown) at the site A, and relays the video data to the relay server 3B at the site B according to the distribution route information (L4). The relay server 3B at the site B distributes the video data to a plurality of terminals at the site B.

Further, the relay server 3C at the site C
And distributes the video data to the relay server 3D at the base D in accordance with the distribution route information (L5). The relay server 3D at the site D distributes the video data to a plurality of terminals at the site D.

Further, the relay server 3E at the site E
And distributes the video data to the relay server 3F at the base F in accordance with the distribution route information (L6). The relay server 3F at the site F distributes video data to a plurality of terminals at the site F.

In this manner, video data can be efficiently distributed from the management server 1 to the relay server 3 at each base and a plurality of terminals.

Further, the file transfer system may be realized as a system that distributes an application for version upgrade in an internal system such as an in-house LAN or the like and automatically upgrades the version. in this case,
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a relay server 3 connected to a plurality of terminals and a management server 1 are connected via a LAN.

For example, the management server 1 selects a new version of the application to be distributed, checks the current application version of each relay server 3 with reference to the management DB 15 and the like, and determines the server to be distributed and its distribution. Determine a route and the like. For example, the relay servers 3A, 3B,
When the applications are to be distributed in the order of 3C, the management server 1 creates distribution path information corresponding to the application and transmits it to the relay server 3A together with the new version of the application (L11).

The relay server 3A distributes the application received from the management server 1 to a plurality of terminals under the relay server 3A, and relays the application to the relay server 3B according to the distribution path information (L12). The relay server 3B distributes the application received from the relay server 3A to a plurality of subordinate terminals and relays the application to the relay server 3C according to the distribution path information (L13).

The relay server 3C distributes the application received from the relay server 3B to a plurality of subordinate terminals. In the distribution route information, the relay server 3C is not set as a distribution server, and therefore does not perform relay distribution to another relay server 3. As a result, the version of each relay server 3 and terminal in the system can be efficiently upgraded.

If a desired time is set in the “distribution start time” of the distribution route information, the time can be designated to execute the distribution.

When the relay server 3 performing the relay distribution confirms the distribution failure in the log, a distribution result log including the distribution result is returned to the management server 1 to determine whether the management server 1 performs the re-delivery. It may be determined. When performing redistribution, the management server 1 may perform redistribution by generating and transmitting distribution path information for redistribution to the relay server 3 that has failed in distribution.

Also, for the distribution route, a plurality of patterns are registered with priorities assigned in advance, and when re-distribution,
The distribution route may be changed according to the priority. As a result, distribution failures can be reduced. Before the re-distribution, the state of each relay server 3 (whether or not communication is possible) may be confirmed to determine the distribution route.

In the above description, the distribution route information is created for each relay server 3; however, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one file describing all the distribution routes of the content is generated, and The file may be distributed to each relay server 3. This facilitates creation and management of distribution route information.

It should be noted that the file transfer system of the present invention can be realized using an ordinary computer system without using a dedicated system. For example, by installing the program from a medium (a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like) storing a program for executing the above-described operation in the computer, the management server 1, the relay server 3, and the like that execute the above-described processing are installed Can be configured. In the case where the above-described functions are realized by the OS sharing or the OS and the application being jointly used, only the part other than the OS may be stored in the medium.

The medium for supplying the program to the computer may be a communication medium (medium for temporarily storing the program, such as a communication line, a communication network, or a communication system). For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network and distributed via the network. Then, by starting this program and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, the above-described processing can be executed.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The management server transmits the file to be distributed and the distribution path information indicating the distribution path of the file to the relay server, and the relay server that receives the information refers to the distribution path information, and the own server is set as the transmission source. In this case, the file and the distribution route information are transmitted to the transmission destination. Thus, the content is relay-distributed by the relay server specified by the distribution route information, and the load on the management server can be reduced. In addition, since the relay server that has transmitted the file transmits the transmission result of the file to the management server, the management server can manage the distribution status of the file, so that a highly reliable system can be realized. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a file distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management server used in the file distribution system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a file format of distribution route information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a relay server used in the file distribution system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a management server in a content distribution process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the relay server in the content distribution processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a distribution result receiving process performed by the management server.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing sequence when content is relay-distributed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a case where the file transfer system according to the present embodiment is applied to a video-on-demand system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a case where the file transfer system according to the present embodiment is applied to a system that automatically distributes an application.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 management server 3 relay server 11 communication control unit 13 distribution control unit 15 management DB 17 content storage unit 25 search control unit 26 user condition control unit 27 user condition storage unit 31 communication control unit 33 relay control unit 35 distribution information storage unit 37 Content Storage Unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yusaku Nakajima 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) in NTT DATA Corporation 5B082 HA05 5B089 GA11 GB02 JA32 JB15 KA06 KA12 KA13 KB03 KC27 KC59 KE09

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A file distribution system comprising: a management server; and a plurality of relay servers to which files are distributed from the management server, wherein the management server generates distribution path information indicating a distribution path of the file. Generating means, according to the distribution route information generated by the generating means,
A relay server configured to transmit the distribution path information and the file to a predetermined relay server; and a transmission result management unit configured to receive and manage a file transmission result from each of the relay servers. Receiving means for receiving the distribution path information and the file; determining whether or not the own server is set as the transmission source of the file in the distribution path information received by the receiving means; Transmitting means for transmitting the received distribution path information and the file to another relay server set as a transmission destination in the distribution path information, and means for transmitting a file transmission result by the transmission means to a management server; A file distribution system, comprising: 2. The file distribution according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the management server and the relay server further includes a retransmission unit that retransmits the file when the file transmission fails. system. 3. A file distribution method for distributing a file to a plurality of servers, wherein a distribution source of the file generates distribution path information indicating a distribution path of the file, and sends the file to a predetermined server in accordance with the distribution path information. Transmitting the distribution path information and the file to be distributed; and in each server, receiving the distribution path information and the file addressed to the server, and determining whether the server is set as the file transmission source in the distribution path information. Determining whether the distribution path information and the file are transmitted to another server set as the transmission destination in the distribution path information, Transmitting to a distribution source of a file; receiving a file transmission result from each of the servers at the distribution source of the file And managing the files. 4. A computer, comprising: generating means for generating distribution path information indicating a distribution path of a file, according to the distribution path information generated by the generating means.
A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for functioning as a means for transmitting the distribution path information and the file to a predetermined server, a transmission result managing means for receiving and managing a file transmission result from each server. 5. A computer, comprising: receiving means for receiving distribution path information and a file addressed to the server; and determining whether the server is set as a file transmission source in the distribution path information received by the receiving means. Discriminating and, when judging that it is set, transmitting means for transmitting the received distribution path information and the file to another server set as a transmission destination in the distribution path information; file transmission result by the transmission means Means for transmitting the program to a predetermined server, and a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for functioning as a computer is recorded.