JP2008283418A - Inter-computer communication system and data communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform data communication between computers connected by a LAN or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A personal computer PCC for communication management for performing the entire management of data transmission/reception and a plurality of personal computers PC1-PCn for actually transmitting and receiving data are LAN-connected, and the plurality of personal computers PC1-PCn are connected in a loop shape by optical fibers 2 for the data communication among the personal computers. Thus, the personal computer PCC for the communication management recognizes the state of the personal computers PC of a transmission origin and a destination and the other entire communication processing, supplies required information to the personal computer PC to be an object as needed and urges appropriate processing. Thus, a data collision on the optical fiber 2 and the error of the destination, etc., are prevented, and the loads of each personal computer are reduced since the personal computers of the transmission origin and the destination just confirm only the error of transmission/reception data by parity check and CRC check, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data communication technique between computers connected by a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

  Conventionally, data communication between personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “personal computers”) connected via a LAN or the like uses a single line to transmit information such as a data transmission source, a data destination, and error detection / correction to the transmission data. In addition, communication is performed, and reception is performed while checking whether there is an error in data based on a predetermined protocol.

JP-A-8-23582 JP-A-9-284324

  However, in the conventional data communication method, when receiving, it is necessary to check all information such as the data transmission source and data destination added to the data, so the transmission / reception procedure becomes complicated, and particularly large-capacity data In communication, there are problems that control takes time, and hardware for realizing communication is highly functional and expensive.

  An object of the present invention is to efficiently perform data communication between computers connected by a LAN or the like.

  The present invention provides a first communication network that connects a plurality of computers that perform data communication with each other and a management computer that performs communication management between the computers, and a loop between the plurality of computers for the data communication. A computer-to-computer communication system having a second communication network connected in the form of a computer is configured as follows.

  Each of the plurality of computers, when data to be transmitted to another computer occurs, means for requesting transmission of the data to the management computer via the first communication network, and permission to transmit the data. And obtaining the data via the second communication network, and when receiving a data reception instruction from the management computer via the first communication network, the second communication network. And a means for sending a notification of completion of preparation to the management computer via the first communication network, and preparing for reception of the data sent via the second communication network. And receiving means for notifying the management computer via the first communication network after receiving the data.

  On the other hand, the management computer, based on the transmission permission request, performs the reception instruction to the destination computer of the data, and based on the preparation completion notification to the computer of the data transmission Means for granting transmission, and means for notifying the completion of communication to the data transmission source computer based on the notification of completion of reception.

  According to the data communication method between computers of the present invention, a first communication network that connects a plurality of computers that perform data communication with each other and a management computer that performs communication management between the computers; Therefore, a second communication network for connecting the computers in a loop is provided, and communication between computers is performed by the following processing.

  A process in which a transmission source computer that generates data to be transmitted to another computer among a plurality of computers makes a transmission permission request to the management computer via the first communication network, and based on the transmission permission request A process in which the management computer issues a reception instruction to the destination computer that is the destination of the data via the first communication network; and the destination computer that has received the reception instruction passes the second communication network. Processing to prepare for reception of data sent through the network, and to send a preparation completion notification to the management computer via the first communication network to the effect that the preparation has been completed, A process in which the management computer grants transmission permission to the transmission source computer; and after obtaining the transmission permission, the transmission source computer A process of transmitting the data via a communication network; and after the destination computer receives the data via the second communication network, a notification of reception completion via the first communication network is sent to the management computer. Based on the reception completion notification, the management computer sequentially performs communication completion notification to the transmission source computer based on the reception completion notification.

  In the present invention, a management computer that performs overall management of data transmission and reception and a plurality of computers that actually transmit and receive data are connected by a first communication network such as a LAN, and data such as an optical fiber is connected between the plurality of computers. A second communication network for communication is connected in a loop. As a result, the management computer grasps the state of the transmission source computer and the destination computer, and other overall communication processes through the first communication network, and gives necessary information to the target computer as necessary. Processing can be prompted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent data collisions and destination errors, and the transmission source computer and destination computer need only check transmission / reception data errors by parity check, CRC check, etc. The load can be reduced.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become more fully apparent when the following description of the preferred embodiment is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are for explanation only, and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an inter-computer communication system showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
This inter-computer communication system has personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCn that actually perform data communication, and a communication management personal computer PCC that performs overall communication management. It is connected via a LAN communication device such as a switching hub 1 or a router. Further, each of the personal computers PC1 to PCn includes a communication card 10 having the same configuration.

  The communication card 10 is used to transfer data between personal computers using a communication line such as an optical fiber 2 or LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) that connects the personal computers PC1 to PCn in a loop shape separately from the LAN. It is an interface circuit. The communication card 10 is mounted in a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slot or the like of the personal computer body, and includes an interface (I / F) unit 11, a memory control unit 12, a communication memory 13, a communication control unit 14, A receiving unit 15 and a transmitting unit 16 are provided.

  The interface unit 11 controls data transfer with the mounted personal computer main body, and the memory control unit 12 controls reading and writing with respect to the communication memory 13. The communication memory 13 is used as a data transfer buffer, and the communication control unit 14 controls data transfer with the communication card 10 of another personal computer via the optical fiber 2. The receiving unit 15 receives data from the optical fiber 2, and the transmitting unit 16 transmits data to the optical fiber 2. When the communication card 10 is not involved in data transfer between personal computers, the communication control unit 14 sets the bypass mode in which the data received by the receiving unit 15 is transmitted as it is from the transmitting unit 16 to the optical fiber 2. It is like that.

  2 to 4 are flowcharts showing the processing of the transmitting personal computer, the receiving personal computer, and the communication management personal computer, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transmitting personal computer (for example, PC1) notifies the communication management personal computer PCC of the data transmission request via the LAN in step S11. In this data transmission request, the data contents such as the data amount are transmitted to the data destination personal computer (for example, PC 4). Thereafter, the transmitting personal computer waits for a response from the communication management personal computer PCC.

  When transmission permission is received from the communication management personal computer PCC via the LAN in step S12, the transmission-side personal computer sets the communication card 10 in a transmittable state and transmits data through the optical fiber 2 in step S13.

  In step S14, the transmission-side personal computer monitors the transmission result of the communication card 10, and if the transmission is normally performed, the process proceeds to step S15. If an abnormal condition occurs, the process returns to step S11 and the same process is repeated.

  In step S15, since transmission has been performed normally, the transmitting personal computer stops the operation of the communication card 10, puts the optical fiber 2 into a bypass state, and waits for a response from the communication management personal computer PCC.

  In step S16, a communication completion notification is received from the communication management personal computer PCC via the LAN. If the communication has been completed normally, the transmission process ends. If an abnormality has occurred, the process returns to step S11 and the same processing is repeated.

On the other hand, the processing shown in FIG. 3 is performed in the receiving personal computer (for example, PC 4).
In step S21, when a reception instruction is received from the communication management personal computer PCC via the LAN, in step S22, the receiving personal computer sets the communication card 10 in a receivable state and prepares the communication management personal computer PCC via the LAN. Notify completion.

  In step S 23, the communication card 10 receives the data sent through the optical fiber 2 and writes it in the communication memory 13. When data can be received normally, the process proceeds to step S24, and when an abnormality occurs, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S24, a reception completion notification indicating that the reception has been completed normally is sent to the communication management personal computer PCC via the LAN. In step S25, the contents of the communication memory 13 are read and processed. On the other hand, in step S26, a reception completion notification is sent to the communication management personal computer PCC via the LAN to indicate that an abnormality has occurred in reception.

  In both cases of normal and abnormal, after receiving the reception completion notification, in step S27, the operation of the communication card 10 is stopped, the optical fiber 2 is returned to the bypass state, and the reception process is terminated.

On the other hand, the communication management personal computer PCC performs the processing shown in FIG.
In step S31, when a data transmission request is received from the transmitting personal computer (for example, PC1) via the LAN, in step S32, the state of the receiving personal computer (for example, PC4) designated by the data transmission request is determined via the LAN. To confirm. If the receiving personal computer is in a receivable state, the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, a reception instruction is given to the receiving personal computer via the LAN. In step S34, when a preparation completion notification is received from the receiving personal computer via the LAN, the process proceeds to step S35, where transmission permission is given to the transmitting personal computer via the LAN. After that, it waits for a reception completion notification from the receiving personal computer.

  In step S36, when a reception completion notification indicating normality or abnormality is received from the reception side personal computer, the process proceeds to step S37 in any case, and the transmission side personal computer is notified based on the reception completion notification received from the reception side personal computer. Then, a communication completion notification indicating normality or abnormality is sent via the LAN. Thereby, a series of data communication processing is completed.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a data communication procedure according to FIG. In FIG. 5, the single line indicates communication via the LAN, and the double line indicates communication via the optical fiber 2.

  When it is necessary to transfer data from the personal computer PC1 to the personal computer PC4, the personal computer PC1 first makes a data transmission request to the communication management personal computer PCC via the LAN.

  Based on the data transmission request, the communication management personal computer PCC issues a reception instruction to the personal computer PC4 that is the data destination. The personal computer PC4 prepares for reception according to the reception instruction, and notifies the communication management personal computer PCC of completion of preparation.

  The communication management personal computer PCC permits transmission to the personal computer PC1 that is the data transmission request source based on the preparation completion notification of the personal computer PC4.

  The personal computer PC 1 that has received the transmission permission transmits data to the optical fiber 2. At this time, the optical fibers 2 are all set to the bypass mode except for the personal computers PC1 and PC4. As a result, the data transmitted from the transmission unit 16 of the PC 1 to the optical fiber 2 is received by the reception unit 15 of the communication card 10 of the personal computer PC4, bypassing the communication card 10 of the personal computers PC2 and PC3.

  The personal computer PC4 that has received data from the optical fiber 2 sends a reception completion notification to the communication management personal computer PCC via the LAN. The communication management personal computer PCC notifies the personal computer PC1 of the communication completion based on the reception completion notification received from the personal computer PC4, and the series of data communication is completed.

  As described above, the inter-computer communication system according to the first embodiment is provided with a communication line such as the optical fiber 2 that connects the personal computers PC1 to PCn that actually transmit and receive data in a loop shape, and these personal computers via the LAN. A communication management personal computer PCC that performs overall management of data transmission / reception between PC1 to PCn is provided. As a result, the communication management personal computer PCC understands the state of the personal computer that transmits data and the personal computer that receives data, and other overall communication processes via the LAN, and if necessary, acquires necessary information for the target personal computer. Appropriate processing can be given (designation of transmission timing to the sending personal computer, designation of timing to make the received data content ready to be received by the receiving personal computer). Therefore, it is possible to prevent data collisions and destination errors, etc., and the sending PC and receiving PC need only check transmission / reception data errors by parity check or CRC check. The load on PC1 to PCn can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since most of the data communication processing other than the data transmission at the time of transmission and the setting to the receivable state at the time of reception is performed by the communication card 10, the main body of each personal computer is occupied by the data communication. There is an advantage that processing other than communication can be executed in parallel.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an inter-computer communication system showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by common reference numerals.

  The difference between the communication system between computers of the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that in the first embodiment, everything from the overall management to the terminal that performs transmission / reception is performed using the personal computer main body and the communication card 10, but this In the second embodiment, these are built-in transmission / reception boards 20. Even in the configuration of the built-in transmission / reception board 20, the control memory 22 and the communication memory 13 are provided separately, and most of the data communication processing is independent of the transmission / reception control unit 21 and the control memory 22. A memory control unit 12, a communication control unit 14, a reception unit 15, and a transmission unit 16 similar to those of the communication card 10 are arranged so that communication can be performed.

  The operation of data communication between personal computers in the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment because it is functionally performed by the same elements as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the computer-to-computer communication system according to the second embodiment is configured by using the built-in transmission / reception board 20 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the entire data transmission / reception. A data communication system is configured with a personal computer body that manages the above. As a result, the receiving-side transmitting / receiving board 20 can receive data after recognizing an outline of data to be received in advance, so that highly reliable data transfer can be realized.

  In addition, by managing the data transmission / reception by the personal computer body, it is possible to reduce the load of data check performed by the transmission / reception board 20, reduce the circuit scale for communication used by the transmission / reception board 20, and efficiently. Data transfer can be realized. Furthermore, by using the built-in transmission / reception board 20, functions of the personal computer main body and the transmission / reception board 20 can be selected and each of them can be configured as necessary and sufficient, thereby reducing the cost.

  In addition, as in the first embodiment, most of the data communication processing other than the data transmission at the time of transmission and the setting to the receivable state at the time of reception is configured to be performed by the communication card function included in the transmission / reception board 20. Therefore, there is an advantage that the main body of each personal computer is not occupied by data communication, and processes other than communication can be executed in parallel.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various deformation | transformation is possible. Examples of this modification include the following.
(A) The configuration in which the communication management personal computer PCC and the personal computers PC1 to PCn are connected via the LAN has been described. However, other communication methods (for example, USB: Universal Serial Bus).
(B) When the same data is transmitted to a plurality of destinations, the personal computer designated as the destination may be configured to further transmit the data received from the optical fiber 2 to the optical fiber 2.

It is a block diagram of the communication system between computers which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the transmission side personal computer. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a receiving side personal computer. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the personal computer for communication management. It is a sequence diagram which shows the data communication procedure by FIG. It is a block diagram of the communication system between computers which shows Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Switching hub 2 Optical fiber 10 Communication card 11 Interface part 12 Memory control part 13 Memory for communication 14 Communication control part 15 Reception part 16 Transmission part 20 Transmission / reception board 21 Transmission / reception control part 22 Control memory PC1-PCn PC PCC PC for communication management

Claims (5)

A first communication network that connects a plurality of computers that perform data communication with each other and a management computer that performs communication management between the computers, and a loop connection between the plurality of computers for the data communication A computer-to-computer communication system having a second communication network,
Each of the plurality of computers is
Means for making a transmission permission request for the data to the management computer via the first communication network when data to be transmitted to another computer is generated;
Means for transmitting the data via the second communication network after obtaining permission to transmit the data;
When receiving a data reception instruction from the management computer via the first communication network, it prepares to receive data sent via the second communication network, and that the preparation has been completed. Means for sending a preparation completion notification to the management computer via the first communication network;
Means for notifying the management computer of reception completion via the first communication network after receiving data via the second communication network;
The management computer is
Means for giving the reception instruction to a destination computer of the data based on the transmission permission request;
Means for granting the transmission permission to the data transmission source computer based on the preparation completion notification;
A communication completion notification to the computer that is the transmission source of the data based on the reception completion notification;
A computer-to-computer communication system.   Each of the plurality of computers transmits and receives data to the second communication network, and a receiving unit that receives data from the second communication network in order to transmit and receive data via the second communication network. A communication memory that temporarily holds data to be transmitted and received, a communication control unit that controls communication by the reception unit and the transmission unit, and reading and writing data between the communication memory and the communication control unit 2. The inter-computer communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication card having a memory control unit for performing an operation and an interface unit connected to the computer main body.   Each of the plurality of computers includes a transmission / reception control unit that communicates with the management computer via the first communication network, a control memory that holds information used in the transmission / reception control unit, and the second A receiving unit that receives data from the communication network, a transmitting unit that transmits data to the second communication network, a communication memory that temporarily holds data to be transmitted and received in the second communication network, and the reception A transmission / reception board comprising: a communication control unit that controls communication by a transmission unit and a transmission unit; and a memory control unit that reads and writes data between the communication memory and the communication control unit. The inter-computer communication system according to 1.   4. The computer according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of computers are set to a bypass state in which a signal input to the receiving unit is directly output from the transmitting unit when data is not transmitted and received. Inter-computer communication system. A first communication network that connects a plurality of computers that perform data communication with each other and a management computer that manages communication between the computers, and a second network that connects the computers in a loop for the data communication. Communication network
A process in which a transmission source computer that has generated data to be transmitted to another computer among the plurality of computers makes a transmission permission request to the management computer via the first communication network;
A process in which the management computer issues a reception instruction to the destination computer, which is the destination of the data, via the first communication network based on the transmission permission request;
The destination computer that has received the reception instruction prepares to receive data sent via the second communication network, and sends a notification of completion of preparation to the first communication network indicating that the preparation has been completed. Processing to be sent to the management computer via
A process in which the management computer grants transmission permission to the transmission source computer based on the preparation completion notification;
A process in which the transmission source computer transmits the data via the second communication network after obtaining the transmission permission;
A process of notifying the management computer of reception completion via the first communication network after the destination computer receives the data via the second communication network;
Based on the reception completion notification, the management computer performs a communication completion notification to the transmission source computer via the first communication network.
A data communication method between computers, which is performed sequentially.

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