JP2001216205A - Fault information gathering/reporting system in fc-al system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make performable the simple gathering and analysis of fault information capable of effectively coping with an intermittent fault as well in an FC-AL system. SOLUTION: A fault information storage means 2 performs the reception state check of a frame for testing to a present device, error check and CRC, and stores error information in the register group 8 of the present device. A test result information storage means 4 stores test result information set to a test result notifying frame to the present device in the register group 8 of the present device. A fault information notifying frame transmission means 5 transmits a fault information notifying frame to an NIC 500 corresponding to a fault information acquisition request frame. A fault information analysis and display software 51 requests the transmission of the fault information acquisition request frame to a fault information acquisition request frame transmission means 6, analyzed fault contents by a fault information group stored in the register group 8 of the NIC 500 and indicates and displays a fault part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a host computer (which can be simply expressed as a computer and can also be regarded as a central processing unit, a processor, or a data processing device) and a peripheral control device (a magnetic disk array device). )) Is connected to FC-AL (Fibre C
The present invention relates to a failure information collection / reporting method in an FC-AL system that collects and analyzes failure information when a failure has occurred in a channel-arbitrated loop system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art JP-A-2-230833 and JP-A-8-249202 exist as patent publications relating to the prior art for the failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system as described above.

[0003] The technique (data error detection method of the optical interface) described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H2-230833 is used when control data and transfer data do not exist.
When garbled bits occur in the padding data added to the data part and transferred, the CRC (Cycle)
ic Redundancy Check) This data error detection method is characterized in that an error is not detected. The object of the present invention is to eliminate retries due to CRC error detection and to improve the processing efficiency of normal processing.

This technique aims to efficiently detect data errors and improve normal performance. Bit errors in a padding data portion are not treated as failures and are processed as normal frames unless data is garbled in the data portion. are doing.

[0005] As can be seen from the necessity of the technology, detection or analysis of an error (failure) may have some adverse effect on the processing efficiency of ordinary data communication. Minimization is required.

Further, the technique described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-249202 (self-diagnosis method of an information processing apparatus)
In the self-diagnosis method of an information processing device that performs data communication via an optical interface, the information processing device has a return function including confirmation of a light emitting element and a light receiving element of its own port immediately before an optical interface cable connection port connected to another device. An optical module (an element having a function of converting an electric signal into an optical signal and an optical signal into an electric signal and a connector portion connected to another device by an optical interface cable) is mounted, and the folding function of the optical module is used. This makes it possible to confirm the return of the transmission function and the reception function.

The problem of this prior art is that it is not a system capable of coping with an intermittent failure or the like which is likely to occur in an optical module, due to the self-diagnosis system of the device. That is, in this technique, when the optical interface cable is not connected, the self-diagnosis is performed by switching the emission signal inside the optical module to the internal folding mode via the loop optical fiber on the light receiving side, and such In the "single self-diagnosis execution", a fixed fault can be detected, but a fault that occurs intermittently cannot be detected.

[0008] In addition to the technology described in the above-mentioned patent gazettes, in the conventional technology, a dedicated frame for detecting and analyzing a fault (“RAS (Reli
availability, Availability and
A frame such as “Serviceability frame” is not used, and the self-diagnosis inside each optical module in the FC-AL system is the center of the failure detection, and the failure detection and analysis of the entire FC-AL system is performed. I didn't.

[0009]

The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

[0010] The first problem is that since processing using a dedicated frame for detecting a failure is not performed, it is difficult to prevent trouble in normal data communication. (Because of the existence of such a problem, a special device such as the technology described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H2-230833 was required).

The second problem is that the self-diagnosis inside each optical module in the FC-AL system has been the center of failure detection, so that it is not possible to appropriately cope with intermittent failures.
The point is that it is not possible to easily collect and hold information that is effective in pointing out a failed part.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide FC-
In the event that a failure occurs in the device that constitutes the AL system, it is possible to easily determine where the suspected part is, to collect and analyze failure information that can effectively cope with intermittent failures, It is an object of the present invention to provide a failure information collecting / reporting method in an FC-AL system capable of displaying a failure analysis result.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a fault information collecting / reporting system in an FC-AL system in which one or more (single or plural) host computers and one or more peripheral controllers are connected by an FC-AL. FC-A
In the L system, an optical interface control implemented in each host computer / peripheral control device that generates a test frame when the FC-AL is in a loop idle state and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device Upon receiving a test frame transmission means in the apparatus and a test frame transmitted from another optical interface control apparatus and addressed to its own apparatus (the optical interface control apparatus in which the apparatus itself exists), the reception state check of the test frame is performed. , Error check, and CRC, and when an abnormal state is detected, fault information storage means in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device for storing the error information in a register group;
Optical interface control implemented in each host computer / peripheral control device that transmits a test result notification frame in which test result information for a test frame addressed to the own device is set to the optical interface control device that is the transmission source of the test frame A test result notification frame transmitting means in the device and, when a test result notification frame addressed to the own device is received, the test result information set in the test result notification frame is stored in a register group in each host computer / peripheral control device. Test result information storage means in the optical interface control device to be transmitted, and failure information acquisition in the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer for transmitting a failure information acquisition request frame to another optical interface control device Request frame transmitting means, and the failure information acquisition request frame; The failure information notification frame in which the failure information accumulated in the own device is set based on the reception of the failure information acquisition request frame transmitted from the system transmission unit, is directed to the optical interface control device that is the transmission source of the failure information acquisition request frame. Fault information notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device, and the own device transmitted from the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device A failure information notification frame receiving unit in the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer that receives the failure information notification frame addressed to the failure information and stores the failure information notified by the failure information notification frame in a register group; The fault information acquisition request frame transmitting means is The transmission of the acquisition request frame is requested, and the failure information relating to each host computer / peripheral control device stored in the register group of the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer in which the self is present (the failure information analysis host computer is also Failure information on all the host computers and all peripheral control devices, including the corresponding failure information, is acquired via the device driver, and the failure content is analyzed based on the failure information (a set of acquired failure information), and the analysis is performed. Failure information analysis and display software in the failure information analysis host computer for pointing out and displaying the failure part based on the result.

Further, the fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system of the present invention is an FC-AL system in which one or more host computers and one or more peripheral controllers are connected by the FC-AL. A
A test frame in an optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that generates a test frame when L is in a loop idle state and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device Transmitting means, upon receiving a test frame addressed to the own device transmitted from another optical interface control device,
The test state check, error check, and CRC of the test frame are performed, and when an abnormal state is detected, the error information is stored in a group of registers in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device. Each host computer / peripheral control device for transmitting a test result notification frame in which test result information for a test frame addressed to the own device is set to the optical interface control device that is the transmission source of the test frame A test result notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on the host, and each host which, when receiving the test result notification frame addressed to the own device, stores the test result information set in the test result notification frame in a register group. Optical interface controller implemented in computer / peripheral controller And a host computer / peripheral for asynchronously transmitting a failure information notification frame in which failure information stored in the own device is set to an optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer A failure information notification frame transmitting unit in the optical interface control device mounted on the control device, and receiving a failure information notification frame addressed to the own device transmitted from the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device A failure information analysis frame receiving means in the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer which stores the failure information notified by the failure information notification frame in a register group; Optical interface control device implemented in computer Obtain fault information about each host computer / peripheral control device accumulated in the register group of the above through a device driver, analyze the fault content based on the fault information, and indicate and display the fault site based on the analysis result. And a software for analyzing and displaying fault information in the host computer.

Further, the fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the present invention is a register group in an FC-AL system in which one or more host computers and one or more peripheral controllers are connected by the FC-AL. A test frame in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer that generates a test frame based on the instruction of the control code written in the host and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device Transmission means; test frame transmission instruction software in each host computer for instructing a register group to write a control code for realizing processing by the test frame transmission means via a device driver; and another optical interface The test file sent from the controller to the own device Upon receiving the over arm, the reception status checking for the test frame, error checking, and C
A fault information storage means in the optical interface controller mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller which stores error information in a register group when an abnormal state is detected by performing RC, A test result notification in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that transmits a test result notification frame in which test result information for the frame is set to the optical interface control device that is the transmission source of the test frame Upon receiving the test result notification frame addressed to the own device, the frame transmission means stores the test result information set in the test result notification frame in a register group, and stores the test result information in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer. Failure information is collected from the information storage means and other optical interface controllers. A failure information analysis requesting frame transmission unit in the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer that transmits the request frame, and a failure information acquisition request frame transmitted from the failure information acquisition request frame transmission unit. Each host computer that transmits a failure information notification frame in which failure information accumulated in its own device is set based on the failure information acquisition request frame to the optical interface control device that is the transmission source of the failure information acquisition request frame
A failure information notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on the peripheral control device; and a failure information notification frame addressed to the own device transmitted from the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device. A failure information analysis frame that receives and stores the failure information notified by the failure information notification frame in a register group in the optical interface control device mounted on the host computer; and transmitting the failure information acquisition request frame. Requesting the means to transmit a failure information acquisition request frame, and transmitting the failure information relating to each host computer / peripheral control device stored in a register group of the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer in which the device exists. Obtained via the device driver and To analyze the failure content based on the information,
Failure information analysis / display software in a failure information analysis host computer that indicates and displays a failure part based on the analysis result may be provided.

In addition, the fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the present invention is provided in an FC-AL system in which one or more host computers and one or more peripheral controllers are connected by the FC-AL. A test frame generated in an optical interface control device mounted on each host computer that generates a test frame based on the instruction of the control code written in the group and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device A frame transmission unit, test frame transmission instruction software in each host computer for instructing a register group to write a control code for realizing processing by the test frame transmission unit via a device driver, and other light The test file sent from the interface controller and addressed to the own device. Upon receiving the over arm, the reception status checking for the test frame, error checking, and C
A fault information storage means in the optical interface controller mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller which stores error information in a register group when an abnormal state is detected by performing RC, A test result notification in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that transmits a test result notification frame in which test result information for the frame is set to the optical interface control device that is the transmission source of the test frame Upon receiving the test result notification frame addressed to the own device, the frame transmission means stores the test result information set in the test result notification frame in a register group, and stores the test result information in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer. Information storage means and fault information set with fault information stored in the own device Fault information notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device for asynchronously transmitting a knowledge frame to the optical interface control device mounted on the fault information analysis host computer; Failure information analysis that receives a failure information notification frame addressed to the own device transmitted from an optical interface control device mounted on a computer / peripheral control device and stores the failure information notified by the failure information notification frame in a register group. Failure information notification frame receiving means in the optical interface control device mounted on the host computer, and each host computer / peripheral control stored in a register group of the optical interface control device mounted on the fault information analysis host computer in which the host computer exists Device failure information Acquired via the device driver, to analyze the failure content on the basis of the failure information, failure information analysis and in the fault information analyzing host computer to display to point out failure site by the analysis result
It may be configured to have display software.

In this case, the above-mentioned “optical interface control device” is connected to an NIC (Network Interface).
e Card), a frame received by the receiver together with a main controller, a transceiver, a receiver, a transmission frame controller, a reception frame buffer, and a transmission / response frame buffer.
A receiving frame control unit that sends the RAS frame to the RAS frame control unit when detecting that the frame is an AS frame, and a RAS frame that is a dedicated frame used for detection, collection, accumulation, and analysis of fault information A RAS frame buffer, a RAS frame analysis unit, a failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit, a RAS frame generation unit, and a RAS frame control unit having a register group. Is considered to be one desirable form.

[0018]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a failure information collecting / reporting system in an FC-AL system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, F according to the present embodiment is shown.
The failure information collection and reporting method in the C-AL system
A plurality of host computers (one failure information analysis host computer 50 and other host computers 10) operating under program control, an FC cable (optical cable) 20, and a plurality of host computers 10
The configuration includes a HUB (hub) 30 that enables the disk array device 40 to be shared by the host computer (including the failure information analysis host computer 50), and a plurality of disk array devices 40. Here, the failure information analysis host computer 50 also includes the function of the host computer 10 (the number of the failure information analysis host computers 50 is 1
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as an extreme example, all the host computers can be configured as the failure information analysis host computer 50). The “disk array device” is an example of a peripheral control device, and a peripheral control device other than the disk array device can be a component of the present invention. An FC-AL is formed by the FC cable 20 and the HUB 30.

The host computer 10 is an optical loop interface control device 100 (in this embodiment, an optical loop interface control device 100 in which an optical control module is mounted and inserted into an I / O (Input / Output) bus of the host computer 10). Is implemented in the form of an NIC, and is hereinafter referred to as “NIC100”). Although not shown, the host computer 10 has an OS (Operating System) including a device driver of the NIC 100.

The disk array device 40 includes an NIC 100 which is inserted into an I / O bus of the disk array device 40 and on which a light control module is mounted. Although not shown, the disk array device 40 includes:
An optical interface control FW (Firmware) including a device driver of the NIC 100 exists.

The NIC 100 in the host computer 10 or the disk array device 40 includes a test frame transmitting means 1, a fault information storing means 2, a test result notifying frame transmitting means 3, a test result information storing means 4, It is configured to include a notification frame transmitting unit 5 and a register group 8 (a register group that can be referred to by software via a device driver).

The failure information analysis host computer 50
An NIC 500 which is inserted into an I / O bus of the failure information analysis host computer 50 and on which an optical control module is mounted;
Failure information acquisition request frame transmission means 6 is requested to transmit a failure information acquisition request frame, and failure information relating to each host computer 10 (including failure information analysis host computer 50) / disk array device 40 stored in register group 8 And a failure information analysis / display software 51 which acquires the failure information via a device driver, analyzes the details of the failure based on the failure information, and indicates and displays the failure part based on the analysis result. Although not shown, the failure information analysis host computer 50 has an OS including a device driver of the NIC 500.

The NIC 500 in the failure information analysis host computer 50 includes a test frame transmission unit 1, a failure information storage unit 2, a test result notification frame transmission unit 3,
It is configured to include a test result information storage unit 4, a failure information acquisition request frame transmitting unit 6, a failure information notification frame receiving unit 7, and a register group 8 (a register group that can be referred to by software via a device driver). ing. Note that the NIC 500 also has the function of the NIC 100, and when there are a plurality of failure information analysis host computers 50, the failure information analysis host computer 50
The failure information notification frame transmitting means 5 also exists within the above.

The test frame transmitting means 1 has the FC-AL
Generates a test frame when the device is in the loop idle state, and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device (NIC 100 or 500).

When the failure information storage unit 2 receives a test frame addressed to itself (the optical interface control device in which it is present) transmitted from another optical interface control device (NIC 100 or 500), the failure information storage unit 2 receives the test frame. Frame reception status check, error check, and C
The RC is performed, and when an abnormal state is detected, the error information is stored in a register group 8 (a register group that can be referred to via an OS or a device driver incorporated in the optical interface control FW).

The test result notification frame transmitting means 3 transmits a test result notification frame in which test result information for the test frame addressed to the own device is set, to the NIC 100 or 500 that has transmitted the test frame.

When receiving the test result notification frame addressed to the own device, the test result information storage means 4 stores the test result information set in the test result notification frame in the register group 8.

The failure information notification frame transmission means 5 is a failure information notification frame in which the failure information accumulated in the own device is set based on the reception of the failure information acquisition request frame transmitted from the failure information acquisition request frame transmission means 6. Is transmitted to the NIC 500 that has transmitted the failure information acquisition request frame.

The failure information acquisition request frame transmitting means 6
A failure information acquisition request frame is transmitted to the NIC 100 mounted on each host computer 10 / disk array device 40 (transmitted in a polling manner).

The failure information notification frame receiving means 7 receives the failure information notification frame addressed to the own device transmitted from the NIC 100 mounted on each host computer 10 / disk array device 40, and notifies by the failure information notification frame. The obtained fault information is stored in the register group 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of a plurality of host computers 10 (including a failure information analysis host computer 50) and a plurality of disk array devices 40
The ICs 100 and 500 are connected in a connection form of FC-AL via the FC cable 20 and the HUB 30. In FIG. 1, two NICs 100 or 500 are connected to each host computer 10 / failure information analysis host computer 50 and each disk array device 40.
An example in which the NICs 100 or 5 exist in each host computer 10 / failure information analysis host computer 50 and each disk array device 40 is shown.
It goes without saying that the number of 00 is not limited to two.

Communication via the FC-AL in FIG. 1 is performed by a frame transfer method (the transfer method itself is well known, and a general description thereof is omitted). Here, in the failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment, a dedicated “RA” for failure detection / analysis is provided separately from a normal frame.
"S frame" has been introduced. The format of the RAS frame will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of NIC 100 (NIC 500 has a similar configuration).

Referring to FIG. 2, the NIC 100 includes a transceiver unit 101, a receiver unit 102, a reception frame control unit 103, a reception frame buffer 104, a main control unit 105, a transmission / response frame buffer 10
6, a transmission frame control unit 107, and a RAS frame control unit 200.

Here, when the reception frame control section 103 detects that the frame received by the receiver section 102 is an RAS frame, it sends the RAS frame to the RAS frame control section 200.

The RAS frame control unit 200 includes a RAS frame buffer 201 and a RAS frame analysis unit 202.
And a failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203, an RAS frame generation unit 204, and a register group 205 (corresponding to the register group 8 in FIG. 1).

The RAS frame buffer 201 holds the RAS frame sent from the reception frame control unit 103.

The RAS frame analysis unit 202 determines whether or not the RAS frame held in the RAS frame buffer 201 is addressed to the own device, and if not, sends the RAS frame to the transmission frame control unit 107. The RAS frame is transmitted to the fault information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203 when the RAS frame is addressed to the own device.

The failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203
In response to the RAS frame identification information 401 (see FIG. 4) of the RAS frame sent from the AS frame analysis unit 202, each of the test frame, the test result notification frame, the failure information acquisition request frame, and the failure information notification frame is Controls collection, analysis, and accumulation of fault information.

The RAS frame generator 204 generates a RAS frame and sends the RAS frame to the transmission frame controller 107 in order to transmit the RAS frame to another optical interface controller.

The register group 205 is a register group that can be referred to by the device driver, and stores fault information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram (relation diagram of the RAS frame transmission / reception process) for explaining the operation of the failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment. The test execution device and the test target device in FIG.
Corresponding to any of the NICs 100 or 500. That is, all the NICs 100 and 500 can be both test execution devices and test target devices.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the types and configurations of RAS frames used in the failure information collection / reporting scheme in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, a RAS frame includes a frame start signal 400 indicating the start of the RAS frame.
And a frame header section 402 (including the RAS frame identification information 401 indicating the use of the RAS frame)
The information also includes information indicating the destination of the S frame), a data section 403 having information to be transferred (command, data, status, etc.), a CRC section 404 having data for performing CRC, and a And a frame end signal 405 indicating the end of the RAS frame.

The RAS frame having such a configuration includes the following four types of frames (test frame, test result notification frame, failure information acquisition request frame, and failure information notification frame) shown in the following a to d. .

A. The test frame is an R frame included in the test execution device (arbitrary NIC 100 or 500) in FIG.
The test target device (arbitrary NIC 100 or 5 other than the test execution device) in FIG. 3 is generated by the RAS frame generation unit 204 in the AS frame control unit 200 (see FIG. 2).
00. The test target device is specified by AL_ID (IDenti
) is targeted. Note that test data for the maximum storable length is set in the data portion 403 of the test RAS frame, and no padding data exists.

B. The test result notification frame (response frame of the test frame) is generated and transmitted by the RAS frame generation unit 204 in the RAS frame control unit 200 in the device under test that has received the test frame.

C. The failure information acquisition request frame is provided by the NIC 5 installed in the failure information analysis host computer 50 in response to a request from the failure information analysis / display software 51 operating on the failure information analysis host computer 50.
The failure information generated and transmitted by the RAS frame generation unit 204 in the RAS frame control unit 200 in the 00 and stored in the register group 205 in the RAS frame control unit 200 in the target NIC 100 is used to read out the failure information.

D. The failure information notification frame (response frame of the failure information acquisition request frame) is generated by the RAS frame generation unit 204 in the RAS frame control unit 200 in the NIC 100 that has received the failure information acquisition request frame (the RAS frame control unit). The fault information accumulated in the register group 205 in the
), And transmitted with the NIC 500 as a target.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of detecting and storing fault information in the fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment. This processing includes a loop idle state determination step 501, a test frame generation / transmission step 502, and a test frame reception / R
An AS frame buffer transfer step 503, a determination step 504 directed to the own apparatus, a test frame check step 505, an abnormal state detection presence / absence determination step 506,
Error information storage step 507, bit error rate determination step 508, bit error related error information storage step 509, other NIC transfer step 510,
Test result notification frame generation step 511, test result notification frame transmission step 512, test result notification frame reception / RAS frame buffer transfer step 513
, An own-device determination step 514, a test result information accumulation step 515, and another NIC transfer step 516.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of collecting and displaying fault information in the fault information collecting and reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment. This processing includes a failure information acquisition request frame transmission request step 601, a failure information acquisition request frame transmission step 602, a failure information acquisition request frame reception / RAS frame buffer transfer step 603, a failure information acquisition request frame failure information collection and analysis Storage unit sending step 604, trouble information fetching step 605, trouble information notification frame generation / transmission step 606, trouble information notification frame reception / RAS
Frame buffer transfer step 607 and failure information notification frame failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit sending step 60
8, failure information accumulation step 609, failure information analysis /
It comprises a display software failure information acquisition step 610, a failure content analysis step 611, and a failure site indication / display step 612.

Next, the overall operation of the fault information collecting / reporting system in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail.

First, referring to FIG.
Processing (operation) at the time of accumulation will be described. Here, a series of cases in which the test execution apparatus in FIG. 3 transmits a test frame to the test target apparatus and transmits a test result notification frame as a response frame to the test execution apparatus. Describe the operation.

The RAS frame control unit 200 in the test execution device (any of the NICs 100 and 500) in FIG.
When detecting that the FC-AL is in the loop idle state (step 501 in FIG. 5), the RAS frame generation unit 204 inside the test target device (F) during the loop idle time.
NIC1 other than the test execution device connected to C-AL
A test frame is generated by targeting the one selected from 00 or 500) and transmitted via the transmission frame control unit 107 and the transceiver unit 101 (step 502). This processing corresponds to the processing of the test frame transmitting means 1.

The received frame control unit 1 in the device under test that has received the test frame via the receiver unit 102
03 is a frame header 402 of the test frame.
, And recognizes that this frame (test frame) is a RAS frame, and transfers the test frame to the RAS frame buffer 201 in the RAS frame control unit 200 (step 503).

The RAS frame analysis unit 202 in the RAS frame control unit 200
With reference to the destination (information in the frame header section 402) of the test frame transferred to the device, it is determined whether the test frame is addressed to the own device (step 504).

If the RAS frame analysis unit 202 determines in step 504 that “the test frame is addressed to the own device”, the RAS frame analysis unit 202 collects the failure information in the test frame.
It is sent to the analysis / accumulation unit 203.

The fault information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203 checks the test frame (reception status check, error check, and CRC) (step 50).
5) It is determined whether any abnormal state has been detected (step 506).

If the fault information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203 determines in step 506 that "an abnormal state has been detected (the test data content was not expected)", error information indicating the abnormal state is provided. Register group 205
(Registers that can be referred to via a device driver) (step 507).

The fault information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203
Calculates the number of occurrences of bit errors among the contents of errors (abnormal states) and checks whether the bit error rate exceeds a preset threshold (step 508).

If the failure information collection / analysis unit 203 determines in the check of step 508 that “the bit error rate has exceeded the threshold value”, the failure information collection / analysis unit 203 outputs error information indicating that (error information on bit errors). Register group 20
5 (step 509).

If the RAS frame analysis unit 202 determines in step 504 that the test frame is not addressed to its own device, the RAS frame analysis unit 202 sends the test frame to the transmission frame control unit 107 and sends it to another NIC 100. Or, transfer to 500 (step 510).

The processing in steps 502 to 510 is as follows:
This corresponds to the processing of the fault information storage unit 2. Here, the present invention can be realized without the determination in step 508 and the processing in step 509.

Thereafter, the RAS frame generation unit 204
A test result notification frame is generated as a response frame of the test frame, test result information relating to the test frame is set in the data portion 403 of the test result notification frame (step 511), and the test execution device is targeted. The test result notification frame is transmitted via the transmission frame control unit 107 and the transceiver unit 101 (step 512).

The processing of steps 511 and 512 corresponds to the processing of the test result notification frame transmitting means 3.

The test result notification frame is transmitted to the receiver 1
02, the received frame control unit 103 in the test target apparatus confirms that the test result notification frame is an RAS frame, and then transmits the test result notification frame to the RAS frame in the RAS frame control unit 200. The data is transferred to the buffer 201 (step 513).

The RAS frame analysis unit 202 in the RAS frame control unit 200
It is determined whether or not the test result notification frame transferred to (1) is addressed to the own device (step 514).

If the RAS frame analysis unit 202 determines in step 514 that “the test result notification frame is addressed to the own device”, the RAS frame analysis unit 202 sends the test result notification frame to the failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203. I do.

The failure information collection / analysis / accumulation section 203 receives the test result notification frame and accumulates the test result information stored in the data section 403 of the test result notification frame in the register group 205 (step 515). .

If the RAS frame analysis unit 202 determines in step 514 that the test result notification frame is not addressed to its own device, the RAS frame analysis unit 202
7 to the other NIC 1
Transfer to 00 or 500 (step 516).

The processing of steps 513 to 516 is as follows:
This corresponds to the processing of the test result information storage means 4.

The test execution apparatus repeatedly executes the above-described series of operations while sequentially changing the target (test target apparatus). Also, as described above, each NIC 100
And 500 each function as the test execution device described above.

Second, with reference to FIG.
The processing (operation) at the time of display will be described.

The failure information analysis / display software 51 in the failure information analysis host computer 50 requests the NIC 500 to transmit a failure information acquisition request frame at regular time intervals via a device driver in the OS (FIG. 10). 6 Step 601).

RAS frame control unit 200 in NIC 500 mounted on fault information analysis host computer 50
The RAS frame generation unit 204 in the middle transmits the failure information acquisition request frame to the transmission frame control unit 107 and the transceiver unit 1 in a manner of polling each NIC 100.
01 (step 602). This processing corresponds to the processing of the failure information acquisition request frame transmitting means 6.

The reception frame control unit 103 in the NIC 100 mounted on each host computer 10 / disk array device 40 receives the failure information acquisition request frame via the receiver unit 102, and receives the failure information acquisition request frame from the RAS. After confirming that the frame is a frame, the RAS frame control unit 2
Then, the data is transferred to the RAS frame buffer 201 in step S00 (step 603).

The RAS frame analysis unit 202 in the RAS frame control unit 200
It confirms that the destination of the failure information acquisition request frame transferred to the device is the own device, and sends the failure information acquisition request frame to the failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203 (step 604).

The failure information collecting / analyzing / accumulating unit 203 stores the failure information (error information and test result information) stored in the register group 205 in the NIC 100 in which the failure information acquisition request frame is received, based on the reception of the frame. Is taken out (step 605).

Further, the RAS frame generation section 204
A failure information notification frame having the failure information extracted in step 605 is generated, and the failure information notification frame is directed to the NIC 500 mounted on the failure information analysis host computer 50 via the transmission frame control unit 107 and the transceiver unit 101. To send (step 60
6).

The processing of steps 603 to 606 is as follows:
This corresponds to the processing of the fault information notification frame transmitting means 5.

The failure information notification frame transmitted from each NIC 100 is received by the N
After confirming that the failure information notification frame is an RAS frame, the reception frame control unit 103 in the IC 500 transfers the failure information notification frame to the RAS frame buffer 201 in the RAS frame control unit 200 (step 607). ).

The RAS frame analysis unit 202 in the RAS frame control unit 200
After confirming that the failure information notification frame transferred to the device is addressed to the own device, the failure information notification frame is sent to the failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203 (step 60).
8).

The failure information collection / analysis / accumulation section 203 receives the failure information notification frame, and accumulates the failure information stored in the data section 403 of the failure information notification frame in the register group 205 (step 609).

The processing of steps 607 to 609 is as follows:
This corresponds to the processing of the failure information notification frame receiving means 7.

The failure information analysis / display software 51 in the failure information analysis host computer 50
0 (failure information stored in the register group 205 in the NIC 500 in step 609) and the N
The IC 500 acquires the fault information accumulated in the register group 205 as the test execution device and the test target device from the register group 205 via the device driver in the OS (step 610). Then, the content of the failure is analyzed based on the failure information (step 611), and the failure site is indicated and displayed based on the analysis result (step 61).
2).

In each of the above operations, a response frame (test result notification frame and failure information notification frame) of a transmission frame (test frame and failure information acquisition request frame) is transmitted in each of the NICs 100 and 500 after a certain period of time. Is not received, failure information collection within the NIC 100 or 500 is performed.
The analysis / accumulation unit 203 uses information indicating which address (AL_ID) of the frame transfer targeted for the time-out error as error information as error information of the NIC 10
It can also be held in the register group 205 in 0 or 500 (this error information is also failure information to be analyzed). This process also corresponds to the process of the fault information storage unit 2.

(2) Modifications of First Embodiment Modifications shown in the following a to c are considered for the failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the first embodiment. Can be

A. Failure information analysis host computer 50
Optical interface control device (NIC50
(0) is unnecessary (the function of requesting transmission of the failure information acquisition request frame by the failure information analysis / display software 51 is not required), and each host computer 10 / disk array device 40 is not required. Optical interface control device (NIC1
00), the failure information notification frame transmitting means 5 “synchronizes the failure information notification frame in which the failure information stored in its own device is set, toward the optical interface control device (NIC 500) mounted on the failure information analysis host computer 50. To perform the process of transmitting to the server. In this modification, the failure information acquisition request frame in FIG. 4 is not used (the failure information notification frame is used independently, not as a response frame of the failure information acquisition request frame).

B. Instead of “test frame transmitting means 1 that generates a test frame when the FC-AL is in the loop idle state and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device (NIC 100 or 500)”, SG (System
The test frame transmitting means 1 that generates test frames at regular time intervals according to the (Generation) value and transmits the test frames to other optical interface control devices is connected to each host computer 10 (failure information analysis). It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the NICs 100 and 500 mounted on the disk array device 40 (including the host computer 50) are provided.

C. As an extension of the above b, “FC-AL
Generates a test frame when the loop interface is in the idle state, and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device (NIC 100 or 5).
00), the test frame transmitting means 1 for transmitting the test frame is replaced with the test frame when the FC-AL is in the loop idle state and at a constant time interval according to a preset SG value. Test frame transmitting means 1 for generating a test frame and transmitting the test frame to another optical interface control device "is mounted on each host computer 10 (including the failure information analysis host computer 50) / disk array device 40. NIC1
It is also possible to adopt a configuration provided in 00 and 500. In this case, for example, “generation and transmission of a test frame when the FC-AL is in a loop idle state” and “test at a fixed time interval according to the SG value” depending on the magnitude of the frame transfer load on the FC-AL. It is conceivable to set so as to switch between “generation and transmission of frame”.

Note that the above-described modification of b or c can be applied to the modification shown in the above-described a.

(3) Second Embodiment FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a failure information collecting / reporting system in an FC-AL system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, F according to the present embodiment is shown.
The failure information collection and reporting method in the C-AL system
Similar to the failure information collection / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), a plurality of host computers (one failure information analysis host computer 50 and other host computers 10)
, An FC cable 20, a HUB 30, and a plurality of disk array devices 40. here,
The failure information analysis host computer 50 includes the functions of the host computer 10 as in the first embodiment.

The host computer 10 is an NIC (optical loop interface control device) which is inserted into the I / O bus of the host computer 10 and on which an optical control module is mounted.
100, and test frame transmission instruction software 11 for instructing the register group 9 to write a control code for realizing the processing by the test frame transmission means 1 via a device driver. Although not shown, the host computer 10 includes:
An OS including a device driver of the NIC 100 exists.

NIC 100 in host computer 10
Is a test frame transmitting means 1 and a fault information storing means 2
A test result notification frame transmitting means 3, a test result information storing means 4, a failure information notification frame transmitting means 5, and a register group 9 (writing and reading from software via a device driver incorporated in the OS (see ) Is possible.

The disk array device 40 includes an NIC 400 which is inserted into the I / O bus of the disk array device 40 and on which a light control module is mounted. Although not shown, the disk array device 40 includes:
An optical interface control FW including a device driver of the NIC 400 exists.

The NIC 400 in the disk array device 40
Is configured to include a failure information storage unit 2, a test result notification frame transmission unit 3, a failure information notification frame transmission unit 5, and a register group 8 (a register group that can be referred to via a device driver). .

The failure information analysis host computer 50
An NIC 500 which is inserted into an I / O bus of the failure information analysis host computer 50 and on which an optical control module is mounted;
Requesting transmission of a failure information acquisition request frame to the failure information acquisition request frame transmitting means 6 and failure information relating to each host computer 10 (including the failure information analysis host computer 50) / disk array device 40 stored in the register group 9 Information analysis / display software 51 that obtains the information via a device driver, analyzes the details of the failure based on the failure information, and indicates and displays the failure site based on the analysis result. It includes test frame transmission instruction software 52 for instructing the register group 9 to write a control code for realization via a device driver. Although not shown, the failure information analysis host computer 50 has an OS including a device driver of the NIC 500.

The NIC 500 in the failure information analysis host computer 50 includes a test frame transmission unit 1, a failure information storage unit 2, a test result notification frame transmission unit 3,
The test result information storage means 4, the failure information acquisition request frame transmitting means 6, the failure information notification frame receiving means 7, and the register group 9 (writable and readable from software via a device driver incorporated in the OS. Register group). In addition, NIC5
00 also has the function of the NIC 100, and when there are a plurality of fault information analysis host computers 50, the fault information notification frame transmitting means 5 also exists in the fault information analysis host computer 50.

The test frame transmitting means 1 according to the present embodiment generates a test frame based on the instruction of the control code written in the register group 9 and generates the test frame by using other optical interface control devices (NICs 100 and 400). , Or 500). In the present embodiment, the disk array device 40
Does not include the test frame transmitting unit 1 and the test result information storing unit 4.

FIG. 2 shows the NIC 10 according to the present embodiment.
Hardware configuration (NIC400 and NIC50)
0 has the same configuration).

Referring to FIG. 2, NIC 100 includes a transceiver unit 101, a receiver unit 102, a reception frame control unit 103, a reception frame buffer 104, a main control unit 105, a transmission / response frame buffer 10
6, a transmission frame control unit 107, and a RAS frame control unit 200.

The RAS frame control unit 200 includes a RAS frame buffer 201 and a RAS frame analysis unit 202.
And a failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203, an RAS frame generation unit 204, and a register group 205.

The register group 205 includes the NIC 100
7 correspond to the register group 9 in FIG. 7, and the NIC 400 corresponds to the register group 8 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is also a diagram for explaining the operation of the failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the type and configuration of the RAS frame used in the failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment.

Next, the overall operation of the fault information collecting / reporting system in the FC-AL system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, the processing (operation) at the time of detecting and storing fault information will be described.

In the present embodiment, only the NICs 100 and 500 mounted on the host computer (host computer 10 and fault information analysis host computer 50) correspond to the test execution device in FIG. The mounted NIC 400 is not applicable.

The test frame transmission instruction software 11 and 52 operating on the host computer 10 and the failure information analysis host computer 50 are connected to another optical loop interface controller (NI) connected to the FC-AL.
The RAS frame control unit 200 (see FIG. 2) included in the NICs 100 and 500 in the host computer via a device driver incorporated in the OS, via a device driver incorporated in the OS. 7) (FIG. 7)
Is written as a control code in the register group 9).

The RAS frame generation unit 204 in the RAS frame control unit 200 in each of the NICs 100 and 500
The control code is read out via the fault information collecting / analyzing / accumulating unit 203, and a test frame is generated based on the control code with the specified test target device as a target. The transmission frame control unit 107 and the transceiver unit 101 The test frame is transmitted via the. This processing corresponds to the test frame transmitting means 1 in the present embodiment.
This corresponds to the processing of.

The subsequent operation is performed according to the F mode according to the first embodiment.
This is the same as the operation of the failure information collection / report method in the C-AL system (see step 503 and subsequent steps in FIG. 5). Then, such a series of operations is repeatedly executed the number of times specified by the test frame transmission instruction software 11 and 52.

Second, processing (operation) at the time of collecting and displaying fault information will be described.

This operation is performed according to the FC according to the first embodiment.
-Same as the operation of the failure information collection / report method in the AL system (see FIG. 6).

In each of the above operations, a response frame (a test result notification frame and a failure information notification frame) of a transmission frame (a test frame and a failure information acquisition request frame) is transmitted by the respective NICs 100 and 500 after a certain period of time. Is not received, the NIC 10 is received in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
Fault information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 203 within 0 or 500
Can store, as error information, information indicating which address (AL_ID) has caused a time-out error in frame transfer as a target in the register group 205 in the NIC 100 or 500 (this error information is also an analysis target). Failure information).

(4) Modification of Second Embodiment The following modification is conceivable for the failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to the second embodiment.

That is, the optical interface controller (NIC) mounted on the failure information analysis host computer 50
500) (the function of requesting the transmission of the failure information acquisition request frame by the failure information analysis / display software 51 is not required), and each host computer 10 / disk array device 40 Optical interface control device (NIC
100 and 400), the failure information notification frame transmitting means 5 transmits the failure information notification frame in which the failure information stored in the own device is set to the failure information analysis host computer 5.
Optical interface control device (NIC50
0) is performed. In this variant, FIG.
The middle failure information acquisition request frame is no longer used (the failure information notification frame is used independently, not as a response frame to the failure information acquisition request frame).

(5) Third Embodiment FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a failure information collecting / reporting system in an FC-AL system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the failure information collection and operation in the FC-AL system according to the third embodiment of the present invention are described.
The reporting method is based on the FC according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
A difference is that a recording medium 80 that records a failure information analysis / display program is provided for the failure information collection / reporting method in the AL system. This recording medium 80
It may be a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or another recording medium.

The failure information analysis / display program is read from the recording medium 80 into the failure information analysis host computer 50, and operates (functions) as the failure information analysis / display software 51 on the failure information analysis host computer 50. The operation of the failure information analysis / display software 51 based on the failure information analysis / display program is the first operation.
Since the operation is exactly the same as that of the failure information analysis / display software 51 in the embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(6) Fourth Embodiment FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a failure information collecting / reporting method in an FC-AL system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the failure information collection and operation in the FC-AL system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are described.
The reporting method is based on the FC according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The difference is that a recording medium 80 recording a failure information analysis / display program and a recording medium 90 recording a test frame transmission instruction program are different from the failure information collection / reporting method in the AL system. These recording media 80 and 90 may be magnetic disks, semiconductor memories, and other recording media.

The failure information analysis / display program is read from the recording medium 80 by the failure information analysis host computer 50, and operates (functions) as the failure information analysis / display software 51 on the failure information analysis host computer 50. The operation of the failure information analysis / display software 51 based on the failure information analysis / display program is described in the second section.
Since the operation is exactly the same as that of the failure information analysis / display software 51 in the embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The test frame transmission instruction program is read from the recording medium 90 into each of the host computers 10 (including the failure information analysis host computer 50), and is executed on each of the host computers 10 and the failure information analysis host computer 50. It operates (functions) as the test frame transmission instruction software 11 and 52.
The operation of the test frame transmission instruction software 11 and 52 based on the test frame transmission instruction program is exactly the same as the operation of the test frame transmission instruction software 11 and 52 in the second embodiment. I omit the explanation.

In the failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to employ only one of the recording medium 80 and the recording medium 90.

[0128]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are produced.

The first effect is that fault information which can appropriately cope with intermittent faults while preventing normal processing from being hindered (without adversely affecting the performance of the FC-AL system). (Effective information for pointing out a failed part) can be easily collected and stored.

The reason why such an effect occurs is as follows.
-C.

A. Processing using a RAS frame, which is a dedicated frame for failure detection and analysis, is performed.

B. Optical interface controller (NIC)
, A RAS frame control unit having a function independent of a normal frame control unit is mounted.

C. Fault detection and analysis are performed for the entire system of the FC-AL system (not “self-diagnosis inside the optical module” as in the related art).

The second effect is that, in the case of the invention in which the test frame transmission instruction software is present, a register group that can be written and read via a device driver is used as an interface and the instruction is issued from the test frame transmission instruction software. Since the functions of the present invention can be executed, it is possible to easily perform a reproduction test, a confirmation test after replacement, and the like with a command from software for a target pointed out as a failure part during a failure investigation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a failure information collecting / reporting method in an FC-AL system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an NIC in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a failure information collection / report method in the FC-AL system shown in FIGS. 1 and 7;

FIG. 4 shows the FC-A shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and types of a RAS frame employed in a failure information collection / reporting scheme in the L system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process at the time of detecting and storing fault information in the fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of collecting and displaying fault information in the fault information collecting and reporting method in the FC-AL system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a failure information collecting / reporting method in an FC-AL system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a failure information collecting / reporting method in an FC-AL system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a failure information collecting / reporting method in an FC-AL system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Test frame transmission means 2 Failure information storage means 3 Test result notification frame transmission means 4 Test result information storage means 5 Failure information notification frame transmission means 6 Failure information acquisition request frame transmission means 7 Failure information notification frame reception means 8, 9 Register Group 10 Host computer 11, 52 Test frame transmission instruction software 20 FC cable 30 HUB 40 Disk array device 50 Failure information analysis host computer 51 Failure information analysis / display software 80, 90 Recording medium 100, 400, 500 NIC (optical interface control) Apparatus) 101 Transceiver unit 102 Receiver unit 103 Received frame control unit 104 Received frame buffer 105 Main control unit 106 Transmission / response frame buffer 107 Transmission frame control unit 200 RAS file Frame control unit 201 RAS frame buffer 202 RAS frame analysis unit 203 Fault information collection / analysis / accumulation unit 204 RAS frame generation unit 205 Register group 400 Frame start signal 401 RAS frame identification information 402 Frame header unit 403 Data unit 404 CRC unit 405 frame End signal

Claims (17)

[Claims] In an FC-AL system in which one or more host computers and one or more peripheral control devices are connected by an FC-AL, a test frame is generated when the FC-AL is in a loop idle state to generate another test frame. A test frame transmitting unit in the optical interface controller mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller that transmits the test frame to the optical interface controller, and a self-transmitted frame transmitted from another optical interface controller. When a test frame addressed to the device is received, the reception state check, error check, and C of the test frame are performed.
A fault information storage means in the optical interface controller mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller which stores error information in a register group when an abnormal state is detected by performing RC, A test result notification in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that transmits a test result notification frame in which test result information for the frame is set to the optical interface control device that is the transmission source of the test frame An optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device for storing the test result information set in the test result notification frame in a register group when receiving the test result notification frame addressed to the own device; Between the test result information storage means in the server and other optical interface controllers. A failure information acquisition request frame transmitting unit in the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer that transmits the failure information acquisition request frame, and a failure information acquisition request transmitted from the failure information acquisition request frame transmitting unit. Implemented in each host computer / peripheral controller that transmits a failure information notification frame in which failure information stored in the own device is set based on the reception of the frame toward the optical interface controller that is the source of the failure information acquisition request frame A failure information notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device, and a failure information notification frame addressed to the own device transmitted from the optical interface control device mounted in each host computer / peripheral control device. Registers the failure information notified by the information notification frame And fault information notification frame receiving means of the optical interface control device to be mounted on the failure information analyzing host computer for storing the data group,
The host computer requests the transmission of the failure information acquisition request frame to the failure information acquisition request frame transmitting means, and stores each host computer / register stored in the register group of the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer where the host computer is located. Obtain fault information related to the peripheral control device via a device driver, analyze the details of the fault based on the fault information, and indicate and display a fault location based on the analysis result. Fault information analysis in the host computer .F characterized by having display software
Failure information collection / reporting method in the C-AL system. 2. An optical device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that generates a test frame when the FC-AL is in a loop idle state and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device. Instead of "test frame transmission means in the interface control device",
"Optical interface mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that generates test frames at regular time intervals according to a preset SG value and transmits the test frames to other optical interface control devices The fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to claim 1, further comprising "test frame transmitting means in the control device". 3. An optical device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that generates a test frame when the FC-AL is in a loop idle state and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device. Instead of "test frame transmission means in the interface control device",
Each host computer that generates a test frame when the FC-AL is in the loop idle state and at a fixed time interval according to a preset SG value and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device /
2. The fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to claim 1, further comprising "test frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on the peripheral control device". 4. In an FC-AL system in which one or more host computers and one or more peripheral controllers are connected by an FC-AL, a test frame is generated when the FC-AL is in a loop idle state and another test frame is generated. A test frame transmitting unit in the optical interface controller mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller that transmits the test frame to the optical interface controller, and a self-transmitted frame transmitted from another optical interface controller. When a test frame addressed to the device is received, the reception state check, error check, and C of the test frame are performed.
A fault information storage means in the optical interface controller mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller which stores error information in a register group when an abnormal state is detected by performing RC, A test result notification in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that transmits a test result notification frame in which test result information for the frame is set to the optical interface control device that is the transmission source of the test frame An optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device for storing the test result information set in the test result notification frame in a register group when receiving the test result notification frame addressed to the own device; Set the test result information storage means in the device and the fault information stored in the own device. A failure information notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device for asynchronously transmitting the fault information notification frame to the optical interface control device mounted on the fault information analysis host computer; and Receives the failure information notification frame addressed to the own device transmitted from the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device, and stores the failure information notified by the failure information notification frame in a register group. Failure information notification frame receiving means in the optical interface control device mounted on the fault information analysis host computer, and each host computer stored in the register group of the optical interface control device mounted on the fault information analysis host computer in which the host computer exists / For peripheral control devices Failure information analysis and display software in the host computer that acquires the failure information to be performed via the device driver, analyzes the details of the failure based on the failure information, and identifies and displays the failure part based on the analysis result. And a failure information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system. 5. An optical device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that generates a test frame when the FC-AL is in a loop idle state and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device. Instead of "test frame transmission means in the interface control device",
"Optical interface mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that generates test frames at regular time intervals according to a preset SG value and transmits the test frames to other optical interface control devices The fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to claim 4, further comprising "test frame transmitting means in the control device". 6. An optical device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device that generates a test frame when the FC-AL is in a loop idle state and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device. Instead of "test frame transmission means in the interface control device",
Each host computer that generates a test frame when the FC-AL is in the loop idle state and at a fixed time interval according to a preset SG value and transmits the test frame to another optical interface control device /
The fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to claim 4, further comprising "test frame transmitting means in an optical interface control device mounted on the peripheral control device". 7. The number of occurrences of a bit error in an error check of a test frame is counted, and when the bit error rate exceeds a predetermined threshold, error information indicating that fact is stored in a register group. And a fault information storage unit having a function of performing fault information collection and operation in the FC-AL system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. Reporting method. 8. A failure information storage means having a function of detecting a timeout error of a response frame and storing error information indicating the timeout error in a register group. F according to claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, or claim 7.
Failure information collection / reporting method in the C-AL system. 9. A recording medium for recording a program having the contents of the failure information analysis / display software, wherein the recording medium is read by the failure information analysis host computer and functions as the failure information analysis / display software. A fault information collecting / reporting method in an FC-AL system according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, or claim 8. 10. One or more host computers and one or more host computers.
In the FC-AL system in which the above peripheral control devices are connected by the FC-AL, a test frame is generated based on the instruction of the control code written in the register group, and the test frame is generated for another optical interface control device. A test frame transmitting unit in an optical interface control device mounted on each host computer that transmits a test frame, and a control code for realizing the processing by the test frame transmitting unit are stored in a register group via a device driver. When receiving the test frame transmission instruction software in each host computer instructing to write and the test frame transmitted from another optical interface control device and addressed to the own device, the reception status check of the test frame, an error, and the like are performed. If an abnormal condition is detected by performing checks and CRC, The fault information storage means in the optical interface controller mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller that stores the error information in a register group, and the test result in which the test result information for the test frame addressed to the own device is set A test result notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device for transmitting the notification frame to the optical interface control device of the transmission source of the test frame; Upon receiving the result notification frame,
Test result information storage means in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer that stores the test result information set in the test result notification frame in the register group, and failure information acquisition for other optical interface control devices A failure information analysis requesting frame transmission unit in the optical interface control device mounted on the failure information analysis host computer that transmits the request frame, and a failure information acquisition request frame transmitted from the failure information acquisition request frame transmission unit. An optical interface mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller that transmits a failure information notification frame in which the failure information stored in the own device is set based on the failure information acquisition request frame Fault information notification frame transmission means in the control device Receives the failure information notification frame addressed to the own device transmitted from the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device, and stores the failure information notified by the failure information notification frame in a register group. Failure information analysis Requests transmission of a failure information acquisition request frame to the failure information notification frame reception means in the optical interface control device mounted on the host computer and the failure information acquisition request frame transmission means, and the failure in which the self exists Information analysis Obtains fault information for each host computer / peripheral control device stored in a register group of the optical interface control device mounted on the host computer via a device driver, and analyzes the fault content based on the fault information. , Indicating the location of the fault based on the analysis results FC-AL fault information collection and reporting scheme in a system characterized by having a failure information analysis and display software in the information analysis host computer. 11. One or more host computers and one or more
In the FC-AL system in which the above peripheral control devices are connected by the FC-AL, a test frame is generated based on the instruction of the control code written in the register group, and the test frame is generated for another optical interface control device. A test frame transmitting unit in an optical interface control device mounted on each host computer that transmits a test frame, and a control code for realizing the processing by the test frame transmitting unit are stored in a register group via a device driver. When receiving the test frame transmission instruction software in each host computer instructing to write and the test frame transmitted from another optical interface control device and addressed to the own device, the reception status check of the test frame, an error, and the like are performed. If an abnormal condition is detected by performing checks and CRC, The fault information storage means in the optical interface controller mounted on each host computer / peripheral controller that stores the error information in a register group, and the test result in which the test result information for the test frame addressed to the own device is set A test result notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device for transmitting the notification frame to the optical interface control device of the transmission source of the test frame; Upon receiving the result notification frame,
A test result information storage unit in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer that stores the test result information set in the test result notification frame in the register group, and a fault in which the fault information stored in the own device is set. A fault information notification frame transmitting means in the optical interface control device mounted on each host computer / peripheral control device for asynchronously transmitting the information notification frame to the optical interface control device mounted on the fault information analysis host computer; Failure information for receiving a failure information notification frame addressed to the own device transmitted from the optical interface control device mounted on the host computer / peripheral control device and storing the failure information notified by the failure information notification frame in a register group Optical interface implemented in the analysis host computer A failure information notification frame receiving means in the control device, and a failure information analysis device in which the failure information relating to each host computer / peripheral control device stored in a register group of the optical interface control device mounted on the host computer in which the failure information is present is provided by the device driver And a failure information analysis / display software in the failure information analysis host computer which analyzes the details of the failure based on the failure information, identifies the failure site based on the analysis result, and displays the failure location. A failure information collection / reporting method in the FC-AL system. 12. The number of occurrences of a bit error in an error check of a test frame is counted, and when the bit error rate exceeds a preset threshold value, error information indicating that fact is stored in a register group. The FC-AL according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a failure information storage unit having a function of performing the operation.
A system for collecting and reporting fault information in the system. 13. A failure information storage means having a function of detecting a timeout error of a response frame and storing error information indicating the timeout error in a register group. A method for collecting and reporting fault information in the FC-AL system according to claim 12. 14. A recording medium for recording a program having the contents of the failure information analysis / display software, wherein the recording medium is read by a failure information analysis host computer and functions as the failure information analysis / display software. Claim 10, Claim 11, Claim 12,
14. A failure information collection / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to claim 13. 15. A recording medium for recording a program having the contents of test frame transmission instruction software,
14. The fault information in the FC-AL system according to claim 10, wherein the recording medium is read by each host computer and functions as test frame transmission instruction software. Collection and reporting method. 16. A failure information analysis / display software comprising a first recording medium for recording a program having the contents of the failure information analysis / display software, wherein the first recording medium is read by a failure information analysis host computer and used as failure information analysis / display software. A second recording medium that functions and records a program having the contents of the test frame transmission instruction software, and the second recording medium is read by each host computer and functions as the test frame transmission instruction software. 14. The fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to claim 10, wherein the fault information is collected. 17. An optical interface control device comprising: an NIC
And the main control unit, the transceiver unit, the receiver unit, the transmission frame control unit, the reception frame buffer, and the transmission / response frame buffer, together with detecting that the frame received by the receiver unit is an RAS frame. A receiving frame control unit for transmitting the RAS frame to the RAS frame control unit in the case;
A control unit for handling a RAS frame, which is a dedicated frame used for detecting, collecting, accumulating, and analyzing failure information.
Frame analysis unit, failure information collection / analysis / accumulation unit, RAS
And a RAS frame control unit having a group of registers and a RAS frame control unit having a register group. Claim 8, Claim 9, Claim 10, Claim 1
1, Claim 12, Claim 13, Claim 14, Claim 1
17. The fault information collecting / reporting method in the FC-AL system according to claim 5 or claim 16.