JP2007164240A - File management system and automatic management method for storage and automatic management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a file management system, an automatic management method of a storage and an automatic management program for automatically optimizing a virtual partition assigned to each user, and for achieving the exclusive control of a file in an environment where a large capacity of storage is shared by a plurality of users. <P>SOLUTION: In this file management system equipped with a storage which can be shared by a plurality of users, the storage is provided with a partition setting means for setting a plurality of virtual partitions corresponding to the number of users, and the partition setting means is provided with a partition reconfiguring means for reconfiguring a virtual partition based on the using circumstance of the virtual partition when predetermined conditions are established. Thus, it is possible to efficiently use the available capacity of the storage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a file management system including a large-capacity storage capable of storing files, and more particularly to an automatic storage management method and an automatic management program for automatically optimizing virtual partitions allocated to a plurality of users.

  In recent years, HDD recorders and personal computers equipped with a large-capacity storage such as a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HDD) have become widespread as file management systems capable of storing files such as video contents, and these are shared by multiple users. Increasing cases. In this way, in an environment where the storage is shared by multiple users, it is necessary to worry about the free space of the storage because it is shared with other users, so you have to keep saving large files. In some cases. In order to solve such a problem, a method of setting a virtual partition and assigning it to each user is effective, and thus each user can treat it as if it had its own storage.

  Here, the virtual partition means each area when the storage which is physically one partition is divided into one or a plurality of areas. On the other hand, a physical partition is a technology that electrically divides storage into system boards.

  On the other hand, when a virtual partition is set in the storage, if the file capacity (for example, 3 GB) exceeds the free capacity of the virtual partition (for example, 2 GB), it cannot be stored in the virtual partition. Therefore, it must be stored in another virtual partition having a free space of 3 GB or more. In addition, when a virtual partition is assigned to each user, a file exceeding the free capacity of the assigned virtual partition cannot be saved. Therefore, the following technologies have been proposed as related to the virtual partition setting of the storage.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a storage capacity control method for a voice storage device that controls allocation of a storage memory capable of holding a predetermined number of messages addressed to each user in a voice storage device connected to a PBX and a key telephone device. Specifically, the usage status of the storage memory allocated to each user is measured for a certain period, and the storage memory for each user is newly allocated according to the actual usage status. Yes.

  Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, in a storage device composed of a plurality of storage areas (partitions), readjustment of free areas is performed according to the use status of each storage area, thereby improving the use efficiency of the storage apparatus. A storage area automatic adjustment system and an automatic adjustment method that can be improved are disclosed.

By using the prior application technique, it is possible to efficiently use a storage area in a storage in which a virtual partition is set.
JP-A-6-1113016 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-78604

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since a storage area is newly allocated in accordance with the past usage status of the storage area, if the usage status of the storage area is 0, the storage area is newly allocated. When allocating (free area), there is a possibility that the storage area will be lost (the number of partitions will be reduced).

  In Patent Document 1, it is described that the storage is shared by two users, and in Patent Document 2, the number of users sharing the storage is not described, so the number of users sharing the storage increases or decreases. Can not cope with.

  Furthermore, when the storage is shared by a plurality of users, it is desirable to perform exclusive control of the file because there is a possibility that the saved file may be viewed by other users. However, this point is not described at all.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a file management system capable of automatically optimizing a virtual partition assigned to each user and capable of exclusive file control in an environment in which a large-capacity storage is shared by a plurality of users. An object is to provide an automatic management method and an automatic management program.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a file management system including a storage that can be shared by a plurality of users, and a plurality of virtual partitions (multiple users) corresponding to the number of users in the storage. Partition setting means for setting a virtual partition to be reconfigured based on the usage status of the virtual partition when a predetermined condition is satisfied. It has the construction means. Thereby, in each virtual partition, since free capacity is allocated according to a use condition, the free capacity of a storage can be utilized efficiently.

  Here, the file management system means an HDD recorder, a personal computer, or the like provided with a large capacity HDD as a storage.

  Further, the partition restructuring means adjusts the capacity of the virtual partition according to a predetermined algorithm as a predetermined time elapses. As a result, the user is always provided with an optimized virtual partition without being aware of the reconstruction of the virtual partition.

  The partition reconstruction means increases or decreases the number of virtual partitions as the user is added or deleted, and adjusts the capacity of each partition according to a predetermined algorithm. As a result, it is possible to cope with a significant change of the partition accompanying the increase or decrease in the number of users.

  The establishment of the predetermined condition includes not only the elapse of the predetermined time and the increase / decrease in the number of users, but also a case where an existing user requests a capacity change. In this case, it is desirable to set a desired capacity for the requested partition and then reconstruct it by allocating free capacity in another partition.

  Further, the partition setting means has a minimum capacity securing means for securing a free capacity of the virtual partition at least the minimum capacity, and the minimum capacity securing means is a virtual machine after reconstruction regardless of the usage status of the virtual partition. The minimum free space is secured in the partition. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from automatically disappearing due to the reconstruction of the virtual partition or falling into a state in which the storage cannot be used without being allocated a capacity. Note that if the minimum free space cannot be secured, the virtual partition will not be rebuilt, but if the storage free space is extremely small, the effect will be small even if the partition is rebuilt. The resulting failure is considered minor. If the minimum free capacity cannot be secured in the reconstructed virtual partition, the user may be prompted to delete the existing file.

  Furthermore, partition allocation means for allocating the virtual partition to the plurality of users, and exclusive control means for performing exclusive control so that a user other than the user allocated to the virtual partition is inaccessible are provided. . Thereby, exclusive control of a file held by the user can be realized by a simple setting of performing access control in association with the user and the partition.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of virtual partitions corresponding to the number of users are set in the storage and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the virtual partition is reconstructed based on the usage status of the virtual partition. It is possible to provide a virtual partition that is optimized. For example, free space is recalculated at a fixed period or when an event occurs (user increase / decrease, capacity change request, etc.), and the virtual partition is reconstructed to automatically provide the optimum capacity to each user. be able to.

  Furthermore, since the exclusive control of the file owned by the user can be realized simply by associating the user with the partition and performing the access control, it is possible to easily solve the problem that the file is viewed by another user.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an HDD recorder as a file management system according to the present invention will be described. For example, this HDD recorder includes a 100 GB HDD as storage.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a management table of user information and partition information in the HDD recorder according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when a plurality of users A to D share an HDD, virtual partitions Pa to Pd are set in the HDD corresponding to the users A to D, and assigned to the users A to D (partition allocation). means). The user information has an identification information ID and a password PW, and the partition information has an allocated capacity and a used capacity. By using the identification information ID and password PW stored as user information, exclusive control can be performed so that users other than the user associated with the virtual partition are inaccessible (exclusive control means). Thereby, exclusive control of files held in the virtual partition by the unique user can be realized by a simple setting of performing access control by associating user information and partition information.

  In FIG. 1, a virtual partition (25 GB) having the same capacity is assigned to each of the four users A to D. The used capacity is 20 GB for the virtual partition Pa, 15 GB for the virtual partition Pb, and the virtual partition Pc. Shows an example in which 10 GB and the virtual partition Pd are 5 GB.

  Further, it is assumed that the HDD capacity (100 GB) does not include an area used by the operating system (OS). This is because it is desirable that the area used by the OS should not be freely used by the user. In the initial setting of the virtual partition, the virtual partition may be set by equally dividing the HDD capacity by the number of users as shown in FIG. 1, or the user may manually set for each partition. For example, a means for enabling setting of the partition capacity of each user from a menu screen or the like may be provided.

  In the HDD recorder of the present embodiment, when an event occurs, when a predetermined time (for example, one day) elapses, when a user requests to change the partition capacity or when the number of users is increased or decreased, according to the usage status of each virtual partition. The virtual partition is rebuilt. Such processing is performed, for example, by a predetermined program being executed by the system controller of the HDD recorder.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing partition setting processing in the HDD recorder according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S101, it is determined whether an event has occurred. Here, the events include elapse of a predetermined time (a constant cycle), addition of a user, deletion of a user, change of partition capacity by an existing user, and the like. If it is determined in step S101 that an event has not occurred, the virtual partition is returned to the normal state without resetting, and waits until an event occurs.

  If it is determined in step S101 that an event has occurred, it is determined whether the event generated in step S102 is a user addition. If it is determined in step S102 that the event is a user addition event, the process proceeds to A, and partition setting processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the event is not a user addition event, it is determined whether the generated event is a user deletion (step S103). If it is determined in step S103 that the event is a user deletion event, the process proceeds to B, and partition setting processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S103 that the event is not a user deletion event, the partition is reconstructed according to a predetermined algorithm, and the partition information is updated (step S104).

  Here, in the present embodiment, the reconstruction of the partition is performed based on the current usage status of each partition. However, the partition restructuring method is not particularly limited, and can depend on the designer, and each designer's own algorithm may be used.

  As an example, the following method can be considered. First, the ratio of the used capacity of each partition to the used capacity of the entire HDD is calculated, and the ratio of the used capacity in each partition is calculated. Then, according to the ratio of the used capacity, free capacity is allocated to each of the partitions Pa to Pd.

  For example, when the used capacity in each of the partitions Pa to Pd is the value shown in the partition information of FIG. 1, the ratio of the used capacity of the partitions Pa to Pd is 4: 3: 2: 1. Therefore, the free capacity of 50 GB is assigned 20 GB to partition Pa, 15 GB to partition Pb, 10 GB to partition Pc, and 5 GB to partition Pd.

  That is, the allocated capacity (partition capacity), used capacity, and free capacity of the partitions Pa to Pd before and after the reconstruction are changed as shown in FIG. In order to predict that the user who is currently using the most capacity will continue to use the most capacity in the future, it is necessary to rebuild the partition based on the used capacity in each partition in this way. Yes.

  Next, in step S105, it is determined whether a minimum free capacity is secured for each user (each partition) (minimum capacity securing means). In this embodiment, for example, a minimum free space of 1 GB is secured. As an extreme example, if the used capacity is zero in any partition, the free capacity allocated to that partition may become zero depending on the algorithm. As described above, in order to avoid a state in which free capacity is not allocated to the partition or a state in which the partition itself automatically disappears, the process of step S105 is provided.

  If it is determined in step S105 that the minimum free space has been secured, the partition information reconstructed in step S104 is saved as new partition information and returned to the normal state (step S115) until an event occurs. stand by. For example, when the partition is reconstructed according to the algorithm described above (see FIG. 5), the minimum free capacity 1 GB can be secured even in the partition Pd having the smallest free capacity, and thus such processing is performed. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the minimum free capacity cannot be secured in any partition, it is determined whether there is a free capacity that can secure the minimum free capacity for each partition (step S106). . That is, it is determined whether or not the HDD has a free space equal to the minimum free space x the number of partitions. In this embodiment, since the minimum free capacity is set to 1 GB, when the number of partitions is 4, if there is 4 GB of free capacity, the minimum free capacity can be secured for each partition.

  Next, when it is determined in step S106 that the minimum free capacity can be secured for each partition, the minimum free capacity (here 1 GB) is allocated to the partition for which the minimum free capacity cannot be secured (step S113). . In step S114, the used capacity and free capacity of the other partitions excluding the partition to which the minimum free capacity is allocated are disguised as full capacity, and the partition is reconstructed again according to a predetermined algorithm to update the partition information. (Step S104).

  If it is determined in step S106 that the minimum free space can be secured for each partition, the partition information before the reconstruction of the partition is restored in step S104 (step S107), and the event generated in step S108 is automatically performed. It is determined whether the event has occurred, for example, an event associated with the elapse of a predetermined time. If it is determined in step S108 that the event is an automatically generated event, the original partition information is saved as new partition information as it is, returns to the normal state (step S115), and waits until an event occurs.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S108 that the event is not an automatically generated event, that is, an event associated with a user request for changing the partition capacity, the file is deleted in step S109 in order to secure the minimum free space for each partition. Prompt. In other words, if it is not an automatically generated event, it can be determined that the user can operate the HDD recorder, so that the user is prompted to delete the file in step S109 so that the partition can be reconstructed as much as possible. Yes.

  Next, in step S110, it is determined whether or not the partition rebuilding process is stopped by an input operation by the user. If it is determined in step S110 that the rebuilding process has been stopped, the original partition information is stored as new partition information as it is, returns to the normal state (step S115), and waits until an event occurs.

  If it is determined in step S110 that the reconstruction process has not been canceled, it is determined in step S111 whether the file has been deleted. If it is determined in step S111 that the file has not been deleted, the process proceeds to step S109.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S111 that the file has been deleted, it is determined in step S112 whether or not there is a free capacity that can secure the minimum free capacity for each partition. The process in step S112 is the same as that in step S106. If it is determined in step S112 that there is not enough free space to secure the minimum free space for each partition, the process moves to step S109 because further file deletion is necessary.

  If it is determined in step S112 that there is free space that can secure the minimum free space for each partition, the process proceeds to step S104, the partition is reconstructed according to a predetermined algorithm, and the partition information is updated. The subsequent processing is repeated. Here, the reason why the processes similar to steps S113 and S114 are not performed is that a large amount of free space is generated due to file deletion, and normal reconstruction can be performed in the partition reconstruction process of step S104 ("Y" in step S105). This is because there is a possibility.

  The partition setting process when an event associated with the elapse of a predetermined time or an event associated with a user request to change the partition capacity occurs is performed as described above. As described above, since the free capacity is allocated and optimized for each virtual partition corresponding to a plurality of users according to the usage status, the free capacity of the storage can be used efficiently.

  Next, the partition setting process when it is determined in step S102 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 that the event is a user addition event will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing partition setting processing when a user addition event occurs.

  If a user addition event occurs, first, user information is added in step S201. That is, the identification information ID and password PW to be stored in the user information management table shown in FIG. 1 are set. This setting is performed by a user input operation.

  In step S202, it is determined whether the partition capacity corresponding to the new user has been manually allocated. For example, after the user information is set, a display for setting the capacity of the partition is performed, and the capacity of the partition can be set by an input operation by the user.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the partition capacity has been manually allocated, the specified capacity is allocated to the partition corresponding to the new user (step S213), and the partition corresponding to another user is reconstructed (step S213). Step S214). For example, in the partition restructuring process in step S214, for example, when there is 50 GB of free space and the setting is manually made so that the capacity of 20 GB is allocated to the partition of the new user, 30 GB excluding the partition capacity of the new user. Will be allocated to existing user partitions.

  Here, when manually setting the partition capacity of the new user, the partition capacity is set to a value that secures the minimum free capacity (1 GB) for each partition. For example, when there are four existing users, the partition capacity (however, 1 GB or more) of the new user is set so that the free capacity excluding the partition capacity of the new user is 4 GB or more. If the minimum free space cannot be secured for each partition, the minimum free space can be secured by deleting a file as described in steps S109 to S112 in FIG. 2, but the processing becomes complicated. In the present embodiment, the process is as described above.

  Next, the added user information and reconstructed partition information are stored (steps S215 and 216).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the partition capacity is not manually allocated, for example, if "automatic setting" is selected in the partition capacity setting display, the free capacity is equally divided by the number of users in step S203. The capacity is allocated as the partition capacity of the new user (step S203), and the partitions of other users are reconstructed (step S204). In the partition rebuilding process in step S204, for example, if there is 50 GB of free space, 10 GB divided into 5 equal parts is allocated to the new user partition, and 20 GB free space other than this is allocated to the existing user partition. Will be assigned. Here, in steps S204 and S214, the partition reconstruction process is performed based on the used capacity of each partition corresponding to the existing user.

  Next, in step S205, it is determined whether the minimum free capacity is secured for the new user's partition, that is, whether the partition capacity allocated in step S203 is 1 GB or more.

  If it is determined in step S205 that the minimum free space has been secured, the user information is saved, and the partition information reconstructed in step S204 is saved as new partition information to return to the normal state (step S215). , 216), and waits until an event occurs.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the minimum free space cannot be secured for the new user's partition, an error message indicating that the user cannot be added is displayed in step S206, and the addition of the number of users is continued in step S207. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined in step S207 that the addition of the number of users is to be stopped, the user information is returned to the user information before the user information is added in step S201, and the partition information is restored to the partition information before the reconstruction of the partition in step S204 (step S204). S210, S211). Next, the original user information and partition information are stored as they are, and the process proceeds to C (steps S215 and S216), and waits until an event occurs.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S207 that the addition of the number of users is to be continued, deletion of a file is prompted in step S208 in order to secure the minimum free space for the new user partition. Next, in step S209, it is determined whether the file has been deleted. If it is determined in step S209 that the file has not been deleted, the process proceeds to step S207.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S209 that the file has been deleted, it is determined in step S210 whether or not there is a free space that can secure the minimum free space for the partition of the new user. The process of step S210 is the same process as step S205. If it is determined in step S210 that there is not enough free space to secure the minimum free space for the new user's partition, the process moves to step S207 because further file deletion is necessary.

  If it is determined in step S210 that there is a free space that can secure the minimum free space for the new user's partition, the process proceeds to step S203, and the capacity obtained by equally dividing the free space by the number of users is the partition capacity of the new user. (Step S203), and the other user's partition is reconstructed (step S204).

  The partition setting process when a user addition event occurs is performed as described above. As described above, the number of virtual partitions is increased as a user is added, and the capacity of each partition is optimized so as to be able to cope with a significant change of the partition accompanying the addition of the user.

  Next, the partition setting process when it is determined in step S103 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 that the event is a user deletion event will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing partition setting processing when a user deletion event occurs.

  When a user deletion event occurs, first, in step S301, a file stored in the partition of the corresponding user is deleted. Free space increases by the deleted file capacity.

  In step S302, user information is deleted. That is, the identification information ID and the password PW stored in the user information management table shown in FIG. 1 are deleted. This setting is performed by a user input operation.

  Next, the partition is reconstructed in step S303. For example, in the partition restructuring process in step S303, for example, when there is 50 GB of free space and a 10 GB file is stored in the deleted user's partition, 60 GB of data added to the deleted file is added. Free space will be allocated to the remaining user partitions.

  Next, the user information from which the corresponding user is deleted and the reconstructed partition information are stored (steps S304 and S305).

  The partition setting process when a user addition event occurs is performed as described above. As described above, the number of virtual partitions is reduced as the user is deleted, and the capacity of each partition is optimized to cope with a significant change in the partition accompanying the user reduction.

  As described above, according to the HDD recorder according to the present embodiment, a plurality of virtual partitions corresponding to the number of users are set in the storage, and the virtual partition is reconstructed based on the usage state of the virtual partition. Therefore, a virtual partition optimized for each user can be provided. For example, free space is recalculated at a fixed period or when an event occurs (user increase / decrease, capacity change request, etc.), and the virtual partition is reconstructed to automatically provide the optimum capacity to each user. be able to.

  Regardless of the usage status of the virtual partition, the minimum free capacity is secured in the reconstructed virtual partition, so the user can disappear or the capacity can be reduced by automatically rebuilding the virtual partition. It is possible to prevent the storage from being used without being allocated.

  Furthermore, since access control is performed by associating user information and partition information, it is possible to solve the problem that other users can view files stored in their own partitions.

  As mentioned above, although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be changed without departing from the gist thereof.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the partition is reconstructed when various events occur, but the user may be allowed to select whether or not to reconstruct the partition.

  Moreover, when setting a partition, it is not forced to divide by the number of users. For example, a shared partition that can be accessed by a plurality of users may be set without setting a special access right.

  In addition, in order to avoid allocating an area that is already in use to other users, when reconstructing a partition in response to an event such as a user addition, allocate a capacity to each partition after all capacity calculations have been completed. It is desirable to do it.

  The file management system according to the present invention can be applied not only to video equipment such as an HDD recorder used at home, but also to set a plurality of access rights in a storage device (both main memory and auxiliary storage). It can be applied to any system that has the property of being shared by users.

It is a conceptual diagram of the management table of user information and partition information in the HDD recorder according to the present embodiment. It is the flowchart shown about the partition setting process in the HDD recorder concerning this embodiment. It is the flowchart shown about the partition setting process when a user addition event generate | occur | produces. It is the flowchart shown about the partition setting process when the event of a user deletion generate | occur | produces. It is explanatory drawing which shows the allocation capacity | capacitance of each partition Pa-Pd before rebuilding, and used capacity | capacitance, and free capacity.

Claims (8)

A file management system with storage that can be shared by multiple users,
Partition setting means for setting a plurality of virtual partitions corresponding to the number of users in the storage,
The partition setting means includes
As the predetermined time elapses, the capacity of the virtual partition is adjusted according to a predetermined algorithm, while the number of virtual partitions is increased or decreased as the user is added or deleted, and the capacity of each partition is Partition reconstruction means to adjust according to the algorithm;
Having a minimum capacity securing means for securing the free capacity of the virtual partition above the minimum capacity;
The file management system characterized in that the minimum capacity securing means secures the minimum capacity in the reconstructed virtual partition regardless of the usage status of the virtual partition. A file management system with storage that can be shared by multiple users,
Partition setting means for setting a plurality of virtual partitions corresponding to the number of users in the storage,
The file management system, wherein the partition setting means includes partition rebuilding means for rebuilding a virtual partition based on a usage state of the virtual partition when a predetermined condition is satisfied.   The file management system according to claim 2, wherein the partition restructuring unit adjusts the capacity of the virtual partition according to a predetermined algorithm as a predetermined time elapses.   The partition rebuilding means increases or decreases the number of virtual partitions as a user is added or deleted, and adjusts the capacity of each partition according to a predetermined algorithm. 3. The file management system according to 3. The partition setting means includes a minimum capacity securing means for securing a free capacity of the virtual partition above the minimum capacity,
5. The file management system according to claim 2, wherein the minimum capacity securing unit secures the minimum free capacity in the reconstructed virtual partition regardless of the usage state of the virtual partition. . Partition allocation means for allocating the virtual partition to the plurality of users;
6. The file management system according to claim 2, further comprising: exclusive control means for performing exclusive control so that a user other than the user assigned to the virtual partition cannot access. An automatic storage management method that can be shared by multiple users,
Set up multiple virtual partitions corresponding to the number of users in the storage,
When a predetermined time elapses, the capacity of the virtual partition is adjusted according to a predetermined algorithm, while when a user is added or deleted, the number of virtual partitions is increased or decreased and the capacity of each partition is set to a predetermined value. Adjust according to the algorithm,
An automatic storage management method, wherein a minimum free capacity is secured in a reconstructed virtual partition regardless of the usage status of the virtual partition. An automatic storage management program that can be shared by multiple users,
Setting a plurality of virtual partitions corresponding to the number of users in the storage;
Adjusting the capacity of the virtual partition according to a predetermined algorithm when a predetermined time has elapsed;
Increasing or decreasing the number of virtual partitions when users are added or removed, and adjusting the capacity of each partition according to a predetermined algorithm;
An automatic storage management program, comprising: a step of ensuring a minimum free space in the reconstructed virtual partition regardless of the usage status of the virtual partition.

Images