JP2004206260A - Program delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for performing receipt of a program from a server and updating thereof without stopping a business processing on a client while reducing the load of a network by dispersing the delivery of the program to the client. <P>SOLUTION: An updating program 21 for updating a client program started in a client computer 3 is stored in a server computer 2, and the load of the network 4 is monitored in the client computer 3. The updating program 21 is received from the server computer 3 on the basis of the load of the network 4. Further, the starting state of the client program such as whether the client program is starting or not, or whether its starting is scheduled or not is monitored from the state of a job or process to determine whether the updating of the client program is possible or not, and the updating is performed by use of the updating program 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for distributing information such as programs and data from a server connected via a network to a client.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a program distribution system manages a program on a server computer and distributes the program to a client computer that needs the program. In such a system, when a program is distributed simultaneously by a plurality of client computers, network resources are intensively used, and it takes time to receive the program.
[0003]
Therefore, in order to reduce the load on the network, the server computer sends update information (revision) to the client computer, checks the update information, and requests only the target file that is frequently used on the client computer side from the server computer. In some cases, the load on the server computer is reduced, and the load on the network or the line is also reduced (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2859200
[0005]
However, in such a program distribution system, when a client computer receives a program or updates a program, the business program running on the client computer is stopped and received. And updates must be made. Therefore, it is necessary for the client computer to stop the business program during reception and update. The operator is in a state of being unusable during that time.
[0006]
On the other hand, if the program of the client computer is not properly updated at the required time, it may become inconsistent with other client computers or between processes, which may cause various problems.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and reduces the load on a network by distributing a program to a client, and furthermore, a program from a server without stopping business processing on the client. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for receiving and updating data.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that can be updated at an appropriate time in a client, and that consistency between clients and between client processes can be measured.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In view of the above-described problem, the present invention employs the following configuration.
2. The program distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the server computer and the client computer are connected via a network, and an update program for updating a client program started by the client computer is stored in the server computer. In the program distribution system that distributes the update program to the client computer, the client computer receives the update program from the server computer in advance and stores the update program. A program monitoring unit that creates monitoring information that monitors the activation state of the client program, such as whether it is being activated or whether it is scheduled to be activated, based on the monitoring information, And it determines whether it is possible to update compliant program, and a program update unit for updating the update program stored in the update program storage means.
[0009]
In the configuration described above, the client program is updated by determining which client program is being started or scheduled to be started from the running job or process, so that the business process performed by the client computer is interrupted. It is possible to update the client program without using the client program.
[0010]
3. The program distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the server computer and the client computer are connected via a network, and the server computer stores an update program for updating a client program to be started on the client computer. Is distributed to the client computer, the client computer monitors the load on the network, and determines whether to receive the update program from the server computer based on the load on the network. Program receiving means, an update program storing means for storing the received update program, and whether or not the client program is running from a state of a job or a process, Program monitoring means for creating monitoring information for monitoring the activation state of the client program, such as whether there is a scheduled operation, and determining whether or not the client program can be updated based on the monitoring information, and storing the updated program Program updating means for updating with the update program stored in the means.
[0011]
In the above configuration, the update program is received from the server computer according to the network load status, so that the network load can be distributed. Further, from the running job or process in the client computer, it is determined from the client program that is running or the client program to be started, and the client program is updated with the update program received in advance. In addition, the client program can be updated without interrupting business processing.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the program distribution system according to the first or second aspect, the program monitoring means obtains a status of the job or the process based on definition information storing a procedure for starting the client program. It is characterized by doing.
[0013]
In the above configuration, the definition of the procedure for activating the client program in accordance with the business process or the like allows the client program being activated and the activation schedule (such as a time schedule) to be known. Also, when there is no definition information, by monitoring the input and output of the running program from the outside, it is possible to infer a program that will be operated next (for example, a program that continues if screen input and output continues). Judge as screen input / output).
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the program distribution system according to the second or third aspect, the client computer receives information on an application expiration date of the update program from the server computer, and the program receiving means transmits the update information to the application expiration date. And receiving an update program based on the update program.
[0015]
In the above configuration, since the program is received based on the application deadline of the update program, the update of the program is performed at an appropriate time, and omission of the update program is prevented.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the program distribution system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the client computer receives information on an application expiration date of the update program from the server computer, and the program update unit executes the application update. The client program is updated based on a time limit.
[0017]
In the above configuration, since the program is updated based on the application deadline of the update program, the program is updated by an appropriate time. In addition, it becomes possible to quickly update programs and distribute data.
[0018]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the program distribution system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the client computer determines a priority order for updating the client program with the update program for each client computer, and the program receiving means includes: An update program is received from the server computer based on the priority order.
[0019]
In the above configuration, the priority order for updating the client program is set in each client computer, and the update program is received according to the priority order, so that the program of the client computer is updated at an appropriate time.
[0020]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the program distribution system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the client computer determines a priority order for updating the client program with the update program for each client computer, The client program is updated based on the priority.
[0021]
In the above configuration, the priority order for updating the client program is set for each client computer, and the client program is updated according to the priority order. Therefore, the program of the client computer is updated at an appropriate time.
[0022]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the program distribution system according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the priority is set based on the frequency of use of a client program to be updated.
[0023]
In the above configuration, the higher the use frequency of the client program, the higher the priority of the update.
[0024]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the program distribution system according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, a priority is given to a client program which is not updated for a long time by the client computer.
[0025]
With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a specific program from being updated for a long time.
[0026]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the program distribution system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the program updating means manages the update programs corresponding to the client programs that must be updated at the same time, and updates the programs at the same time. It is characterized in that the client programs to be updated are updated simultaneously with the corresponding update program.
[0027]
In the above configuration, programs that must be updated at the same time are managed so that inconsistency does not occur between the client programs to be updated, and at the same time, simultaneous processing of programs, data, and the like in an emergency (virus failure, system failure, etc.) is performed. Updates and simultaneous actions are possible.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a program distribution system according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, the program distribution system 1 includes a server computer 2, a client computer 3, and a network 4. The server computer 2 stores an update program 21 for the client computer. The client computer 3 receives the update program 21 from the server computer 2 based on the load on the network 4 and updates the client program from the status of the job or process. The client program is updated by determining whether or not the client program is possible.
[0030]
Here, the client program includes an application program, a library program, a system program, a data file, and an icon file. And a resource file, including a program loaded on the memory of the client computer and started, and a resource used by the program.
The process is a unit for starting the program, and is a state in which the program is loaded on the main storage, and input and output of an object module and a library program are prepared and started. The process includes a part of the process (thread) and a set of a plurality of processes (task). A job indicates a unit of processing such as which application program is started and in what order in order to perform business processing.
[0031]
The server computer 2 has a communication function and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk device, and has a function of managing files such as programs. The client computer 3 includes a communication function and a control unit, and can start various applications and business processes. The client computer 3 may be a personal computer or a portable terminal. Further, the network 4 can use a network such as a LAN and a WAN, as well as the Internet and an intranet.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2, the server computer 2 includes a distribution program storage unit 22 that stores the update program 21 of the client computer 3 and a program distribution unit 23 that transmits the update program 21 to the client computer 3.
[0033]
The distribution program storage means 22 stores an update information list 24 for managing the update programs 21 distributed to the client computer 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the update information list 24 records a file name 241 of the update program, a group name 242 for managing a group of files that need to be updated at the same timing, an application period 243, a revision 244, and the like. .
[0034]
Further, the program distribution unit 23 transmits the update information list 24 to the client computer 3, and further, when there is a transmission request of the update program 21 from the client computer 3 based on the update information list 24, the update program 21 Send it to computer 3.
[0035]
Further, the client computer 3 stores a client program 30 for performing various business processes. The client computer 3 executes a client program 30 based on job and process states of the client computer 3 based on job and process states. , A network monitoring means 33 for monitoring the network load of the network 4, a program receiving means 34 for receiving the update program 21 from the server computer 2 based on the network load, And an update program storage means 35 for storing the client program 30 and whether or not the client program 30 can be updated by checking the start schedule of the client program 30 to determine whether the program can be updated. Consisting of such as program update means 36 for updating the compliant program 30.
[0036]
The job processing unit 31 has a function of executing a job in accordance with definition information 310 that stores a procedure for starting the client program 30 such as an application program in order to perform a job process or the like.
[0037]
Here, the program monitoring unit 32, the network monitoring unit 33, the program receiving unit 34, and the program updating unit 36 are executed as independent processes, and exchange information with other processes by exchanging messages with each other. The case will be described below.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 4, upon receiving an information provision request message transmitted from another process such as the program updating unit 36, the program monitoring unit 32, as shown in FIG. Information (file) or the current job information that has been started by directly inquiring the job control process and receiving an answer, or the order in which the client program 30 obtained from the definition information 310 is started (time schedule). , Etc., the information of the running job or process, or the job or process started recently, etc. is notified to the requester as the monitoring information 320.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 5, the network monitoring unit 33 has a function of monitoring the load of the network 4 as needed and storing the network load information 331 in the load information storage unit 330. For example, in the case of a LAN connection using Ethernet (registered trademark), all packets other than packets destined for itself always flow on the network. Therefore, packets that pass through the network are always checked, and the load information 331 is read as load information. The load on the network 4 is grasped by storing it in the storage unit 330. Alternatively, the load of the network 4 can be grasped by observing the packet communication response time of the server computer 2 and the client computer 3 by the PING command. In addition, a probe (sensor) is installed in another segment, and another You may comprise so that the load information of a segment may be provided. In addition, when there is an information provision request message from another process, a function of notifying the requestor of the network load information 331 is provided.
[0040]
The program receiving unit 34 receives the update information list 24 from the server computer 2, requests the network monitoring unit 33 to provide information of the network load information 330, and, based on the network load information 331 and the update information list 24, A function is provided for determining whether to receive (hereinafter, download) the update program 21 from the server computer 2.
[0041]
Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the priority order for updating the client program 30 is set according to the conditions of each client computer 3, and the update program 21 is stored in the server in consideration of the priority order information 340. It may be determined whether or not to download from the computer 2. The priority is set based on the use frequency, for example, by storing the number of times the client program 30 has been activated, and increasing the higher the use frequency of the client program 30 to be updated. Alternatively, the priority may be set based on the importance of the client program 30 or the like. In addition, priorities may be assigned in the order of closest renewal expiration date, or a file having a large file size and which takes a long time to download may be assigned first, or a file having a small file size may be downloaded first. Further, in order to prevent the client program 30 from not being downloaded forever, the priority of the client program 30 that has not been downloaded may be appropriately increased.
[0042]
Alternatively, the update program 21 can be downloaded when the CPU usage or the auxiliary storage device input / output amount of the client computer is monitored and the CPU usage amount or the auxiliary storage device input / output amount is equal to or less than a specified value.
[0043]
The program updating unit 36 requests the program monitoring unit 32 to provide an information request in order to obtain the monitoring information 320, and the running job or process included in the monitoring information 320 or the job started recently From the information on the client program 30 and the process, it is determined whether the client program 30 is in an updatable state, based on whether the client program 30 is being executed or is scheduled to be executed recently. Further, a function of determining which client program 30 to update from the update information list 24 received from the server computer 2 and updating the client program 30 with the update program 21 stored in the update program storage means 35 is provided. Prepare. At this time, the job that activates the client program 30 to be updated is exclusively locked to perform the update.
[0044]
Further, it has a function of inquiring of the server computer 2 whether there is a new update program 21 or of receiving an update request from another process in the client computer 3 and updating the program. For example, it is connected to the server computer 2 as appropriate, and polls for a new update program 21 to update the program. Alternatively, a timer is used to periodically inquire whether there is a new update program 21 and update the program.
[0045]
Further, when an update request for the client program 30 is received from another process in the client computer 3 through inter-process communication or the like, the update is determined based on the monitoring information 320 and the update information list 24 to determine whether the update is possible. For example, there is a case where a job control process receives a notification from the job control process that the job is in an idling state (a state in which the user is not operating during a lunch break or the like) as an updatable (recommended) state and updates the job.
[0046]
If the update program 21 has not been downloaded in advance, the update program 21 may be downloaded from the server computer 2 and updated. Further, at the time of updating, it is desirable to update based on the application period 243 of the update information list 24 and the priority information 340.
[0047]
Here, the operation of each function of the program distribution system 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0048]
First, the operation of the program monitoring means 32 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0049]
When the process of the program monitoring means 32 is started, first, the process waits until an information provision request is received from another process (S300). When an information provision request message is received from another process (S301), the currently operating process is checked (S302). Further, the current job status is acquired from the definition information 310 (S303). Based on the status of the running process and the job, the monitoring information 320 of the job and the process that is expected to run in the near future is created (S304), and the monitoring information 320 is notified to the information providing request source (S305). The process returns to a state of waiting for an information provision request (S300).
[0050]
The operation of the network monitoring means 33 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0051]
The process of the network monitoring unit 33 always measures the load ratio of the network immediately after the startup, and stores the load information 331 in the load information storage unit 330 (S310). It is checked whether there is an information provision request message from another process (S311). If there is an information provision request (S312), the load information 331 stored in the load information storage unit 330 is notified to the information provision request source ( In step S313, the process returns to the measurement of the network load ratio (S310).
[0052]
The operation of the program receiving means 34 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0053]
The process of the program receiving means 34 acquires the update information list 24 from the server computer 2 immediately after the start, and records it in the update list storage information 341 (S320). Therefore, when there is no update program 21 for updating the client program 30 of the client computer 3 (S321), after temporarily suspending, the update information list 24 is obtained (S320). If the update program 21 exists (S321), the priority of downloading the update program 21 is added with reference to the usage frequency of the client program 30 (S322).
[0054]
Therefore, the information providing request message is notified to the network monitoring unit 33 (S323), and the load information 331 is acquired (S324). It is determined whether to download the update program 21 in consideration of the load information 331 and the application period 243 of the update information list 24 (S325).
[0055]
If the timing is appropriate for downloading (S326), the update program 21 is downloaded from the server computer 2 and stored in the update program storage means 35. When the download is completed, the program returns to the initial state and checks whether the update program 21 exists (S327). If the download has not been performed, the process returns to the initial state and checks whether the update program 21 exists (S320). The update list storage information 341 records whether the update program has been downloaded.
[0056]
As described above, since the update program is downloaded by monitoring the network load, the network load can be distributed, and the load of the client computer at the time of downloading can be reduced.
[0057]
The operation of the program updating means 36 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0058]
The process of the program update unit 36 checks whether or not the update program 21 exists based on the update list storage information 341 immediately after the startup (immediately after the system startup). Before starting, all are forcibly updated (S330). When the update program 21 has not been downloaded, the client program 30 is requested to download the update program 21 to update the client program 30.
[0059]
Next, the program receiving means 34 checks with the server computer 2 whether there is an update request for the new update program 21 in the server computer 2 (S331). Alternatively, when an update request is received from another process, for example, when the process is congested or when the LAN is congested (freeze or power down, etc.), a A message is issued to confirm whether the process is normal or not, and a dummy request for program update is issued. It is checked whether there is an update request (S332). If there is a request to update (S333), the update list storage information 341 (S334).
[0060]
Therefore, referring to the update list storage information 341, if there is no update program 21 (S335), the process returns to the update request confirmation state (S331). If there is the update program 21 (S335), the program monitoring unit 32 is requested to provide information (S336), and the monitoring information 320 is acquired (S337). Therefore, it is determined from the monitoring information 320 whether the client program 30 can be updated in units of the client program 30 (S338). If the update is possible (S339), the job related to the client program 30 to be updated is exclusively locked (S338). (S340), and update (S341). When updating, all the groups 242 of the group of files that need to be updated at the same timing are updated.
[0061]
When the update is completed, the exclusive lock is released (S342), and, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the data of the updated program (abc in the example of FIG. 12) is deleted from the update list storage information 341 and updated. The state returns to the request confirmation state (S331). The program updating unit 36 updates the program according to the application term 243, the priority information 340, and the like, similarly to the program receiving unit 34.
[0062]
As described above, the update of the client program can be performed so as not to disturb the executing client program such as business processing.
[0063]
As described above, the reception of the update information list of the update program and the setting of the priority of updating the program of each client computer are performed by the program receiving means. It should be done. Alternatively, it may be determined in advance and set.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, since the process and the job are managed and the program is updated, the business process is not hindered.
[0065]
Further, since the program is downloaded during the idle time of the client computer, the network load can be distributed without the download being concentrated in the same time zone. Further, since the download is performed in view of the network load, the download load on the client computer can be reduced.
[0066]
In addition, the application deadline and the priority can be checked and updated by a necessary time, so that consistency of the entire system can be maintained.
[0067]
Further, by managing the related programs to be updated at the same time, the programs can be updated so as to maintain consistency.
[0068]
Furthermore, the program distribution side can issue a distribution instruction in advance without worrying about time or operation work on the client side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a program distribution system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a program distribution system.
FIG. 3 is an example of an update information list.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a program monitoring unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining monitoring of a network load;
FIG. 6 is an example of priority information.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the program monitoring means.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the network monitoring means.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the program receiving means.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a program updating unit (part 1).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the program updating means (part 2).
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a program update and a change of an update information list.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Program distribution system
2 server computer
3 Client computer
4 Network
21 Update Program
22 Distribution program storage means
23 Program distribution means
24 Update information list
30 client programs
31 Business processing means
32 Program monitoring means
33 Network monitoring means
34 Program receiving means
35 Update program storage means
36 Program update means
241 file name
242 Group name
243 Application period
244 revision
310 Definition information
320 Monitoring information
330 Load information storage unit
331 Load information
340 Priority information
341 Update list storage information

Claims (10)

A server computer and a client computer which are connected via a network, store an update program for updating a client program started on the client computer in the server computer, and distribute the update program to the client computer In the system,
In the client computer,
Update program storage means for receiving and storing the update program in advance from the server computer,
From a state of a job or a process, a program monitoring unit that creates monitoring information that monitors the activation state of the client program, such as whether the client program is being activated or scheduled to be activated,
A program distribution system comprising: a program update unit that determines whether or not the client program can be updated based on the monitoring information and updates the client program with an update program stored in the update program storage unit. A server computer and a client computer which are connected via a network, store an update program for updating a client program started on the client computer in the server computer, and distribute the update program to the client computer In the system,
In the client computer,
A program receiving unit that monitors a load on the network and determines whether to receive the update program from the server computer based on the load on the network;
Update program storage means for storing the received update program,
From a state of a job or a process, a program monitoring unit that creates monitoring information that monitors the activation state of the client program, such as whether the client program is being activated or scheduled to be activated,
A program distribution system comprising: a program update unit that determines whether or not the client program can be updated based on the monitoring information and updates the client program with an update program stored in the update program storage unit. The program distribution system according to claim 1 or 2,
The program distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the program monitoring unit acquires a status of the job or the process based on definition information storing a procedure for starting the client program. The program distribution system according to claim 2 or 3,
A program distribution system, wherein the client computer receives information on the application period of the update program from the server computer, and the program receiving means receives the update program based on the application period. The program distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The program distribution system, wherein the client computer receives information on an application expiration date of the update program from the server computer, and the program update unit updates the client program based on the application expiration date. The program distribution system according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
In the client computer, a priority order for updating the client program with the update program is determined for each client computer, and the program receiving means receives the update program from the server computer based on the priority order. Delivery system. The program distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The program distribution system, wherein the client computer determines a priority for updating the client program with the update program for each client computer, and the program updating means updates the client program based on the priority. The program distribution system according to claim 6 or 7,
The program distribution system is characterized in that the priority is set based on the frequency of use of a client program to be updated. The program distribution system according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
A program distribution system for increasing the priority of a client program that is not updated for a long time by the client computer. The program distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The program updating means manages the update programs corresponding to the client programs that need to be updated at the same time, and updates the client programs that need to be updated at the same time with the corresponding update programs. Delivery system.

Images