JP2009163563A - Computer system, setup method and restoration method thereof, and external recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for simplifying operation such as setup or maintenance of a computer system. <P>SOLUTION: The computer system includes a plurality of computers and a plurality of external recording media prepared in correspondence to roles to be assigned to each computer. Each external recording medium stores, with respect to the corresponding role, at least role specific information to be set to the computer, and a role setting program executing processing for assigning the role to the computer. When the external recording medium is mounted on the computer, and the role setting program is executed in this computer, data necessary for execution of the corresponding role is copied from the other computer to this computer, and the role specific information related to the corresponding role is set to this computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer system composed of a plurality of computers, and more particularly to computer setup and maintenance.

  With the spread of the Internet, many services provided via a network, such as Web sites and content distribution, have appeared. These services are usually operated in a computer system installed in a data center or the like. Since this type of system requires continuous operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the system itself has a redundant configuration, and in the unlikely event that a computer or line fails, the load is temporarily A mechanism (maintainability and scalability) that can respond quickly in the case of an increase is desired. In addition, from the viewpoint of reducing maintenance costs, there is a demand for a mechanism that allows anyone to easily and definitely perform operations such as adding servers and changing settings.

As a related technique, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique of using an external storage medium such as a USB memory for software license management. Specifically, a mechanism is disclosed in which installation of software from a CD-ROM is permitted when an external storage medium storing valid license information is loaded into a computer.
JP 2007-41736 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for simplifying the setup and maintenance work of a computer system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following configuration.

  The computer system according to the present invention is composed of a plurality of computers having different roles, and data is multiplexed for each role. Here, “role” refers to a function realized by information processing (execution of a program) by a computer, which is a hardware resource. “Data for roles is multiplexed” means that data (including programs) necessary for realizing the role (function) is a storage device of two or more computers among a plurality of computers constituting the computer system. Means that it is stored inside.

  The computer system of the present invention includes a plurality of computers and a plurality of external storage media prepared corresponding to roles assigned to the respective computers. The external storage medium stores at least role-specific information to be set in the computer and a role setting program for executing a process of assigning a role to the computer regarding the corresponding role, and the external storage medium When the role setting program is attached to a computer and the role setting program is executed on the computer, data necessary for the execution of the corresponding role is copied from the other computer to the computer, and the role specific for the corresponding role is specified. This information is set in the computer.

  According to this configuration, for example, the setup of the computer is completed only by attaching the external storage medium to the spare computer to which the role is not assigned and executing the role setting program.

  Here, the computer can be started from the external storage medium, and the role setting program may be a program that is automatically executed when the computer is started from the external storage medium. Thus, after the external storage medium is attached to the computer, the setup of the computer is completed only by starting the computer.

  Further, it is preferable that the corresponding role is displayed on the external storage medium, and the external storage medium also serves as a label indicating a role assigned to the computer. Thanks to this label function, the operator can immediately grasp (without operating the computer) which role is assigned to the computer by merely looking at the external storage medium attached to the computer. Thereby, for example, during maintenance, the computer to be operated can be easily and definitely identified, so that the workability can be improved.

  Furthermore, it is also preferable that at least one of the color, pattern, and shape of the external storage medium is different depending on the computer specifications necessary for executing the corresponding role. This makes it easy to select a computer that is suitable for attaching an external storage medium (that is, suitable for assigning a role), and that an external storage medium is erroneously attached to a computer that does not satisfy the required specifications. It can be prevented in advance.

  The present invention can be understood as a computer system having at least a part of the above configuration. The present invention can also be understood as an invention of an external storage medium. Furthermore, the present invention can also be understood as a computer system setup method and recovery method including at least a part of the above processing.

  For example, a computer system setup method according to one aspect of the present invention is for setting up each computer in a computer system that includes a plurality of computers having different roles and in which data is multiplexed for each role. A plurality of external storage media corresponding to the roles assigned to each computer are prepared in advance, and the external storage media are at least role-specific information to be set in the computer regarding the corresponding roles. And a role setting program that executes a process of assigning a role to the computer, and when the external storage medium is attached to the computer and the role setting program is executed in the computer, the corresponding role is executed. The required data is other While being copied to the computer from the computer, the corresponding role-specific information about the role, characterized in that it is set in the computer.

A computer system recovery method according to an aspect of the present invention is a computer system that includes a plurality of computers having different roles and in which data is multiplexed for each role. The external storage medium corresponding to the role is attached to each of the computers to which the role is assigned, and the external storage medium is at least related to the corresponding role. When role-specific information to be set in the computer and a role setting program for executing processing for assigning a role to the computer are stored, and a failure occurs in the first computer to which the first role is assigned Replacing an external storage medium from the first computer to a spare computer When the role setting program is executed in the spare computer, data necessary for the execution of the first role is copied from the other computer to the spare computer, and the role specific for the first role is specified. Is set in the spare computer, and the first role is assigned to the spare computer instead of the first computer.

  An external storage medium according to an aspect of the present invention corresponds to a role assigned to each computer in a computer system that includes a plurality of computers having different roles and in which data is multiplexed for each role. An external storage medium prepared, which stores at least role-specific information to be set for a computer and a role setting program for executing a process for assigning a role to a computer with respect to the corresponding role, the external storage When a medium is attached to a computer and the role setting program is executed in the computer, data necessary for the execution of the corresponding role is copied from the other computer to the computer, and the corresponding role Role-specific information set on the computer Characterized in that it is configured to be.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the setup and maintenance work of a computer system.

  The present invention relates to a computer system composed of a plurality of computers. Such a system is used as an infrastructure system for various services provided via a computer network such as a website, content distribution, application provision, and database.

  This type of system is usually realized by the cooperation of a plurality of types of servers having different roles such as a Web server, a mail server, a database (DB) server, a file server, an ftp server, and a log server. Although it is technically possible to mount a plurality of types of servers on the same computer, in reality, a different computer (hardware resource) is often assigned to each role from the viewpoint of load distribution and scalability. Also, as a countermeasure against failures, software and hardware resources are usually multiplexed and made redundant to construct a robust and safe system.

  In this specification, in order to distinguish software (function) and hardware resources, the term “server” is used in the meaning of software unless otherwise specified. On the other hand, terms such as “computer” and “server machine” are used as terms indicating hardware resources. Note that the specific form of the computer (server machine) is not limited to the desktop type, and a notebook type, blade type, one board type, one chip type, or the like is also suitable. However, to apply the present invention, it is necessary that the computer has at least an interface that can exchange data with or without contact with an external storage medium.

  Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described specifically and exemplarily with reference to the drawings.

<System overview>
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a computer system (hereinafter simply referred to as “system”) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  This system is composed of a plurality of computers. All computers constituting the system share a common platform (such as an operation system), and share the basic hardware configuration. However, hardware specifications such as memory and disk capacity, CPU power, etc. may be varied depending on the assigned role.

  Each computer is provided with two NICs (network interface cards), and two LAN cables are connected to the switching hub. A redundant configuration is realized so that communication can be continued even if a failure occurs in one line (NIC, cable, or switching hub).

  In the configuration example of FIG. 1, roles such as an external load balancer (load balancer), an internal load balancer, a master server, a Web server, a DB server, and a file server are assigned to each computer. Furthermore, for each role, multiplexing is performed such as an external load balancer Active / Backup, a master server Primary / Secondary, and a DB server Master / Slave. In this way, not only each server but also a line and a load balancer are made redundant, thereby realizing a highly reliable system configuration without a single failure point.

  Furthermore, one of the features of this system is that "disc content is shared". In this system, the basic contents of the disk are matched (synchronized) between computers with different roles so that the roles (functions) of the computers can be changed by simply switching the program modules to be executed and settings. It has become. In other words, each computer holds data (including programs and settings) related to a plurality of types of roles in a storage device so that it can play any role as necessary.

  By adopting such a redundant and flexible configuration, in this system, maintenance such as replacement and expansion of equipment is facilitated, and maintainability and scalability are improved. For example, even when a load balancer fails, it is possible to quickly and easily implement failure countermeasures by simply changing the role of one of the Web servers to the load balancer. In addition, when access to the Web server increases temporarily, it is possible to change one of the file servers to a Web server. Furthermore, since substantial installation is completed simply by copying the contents of the disk, it is easy to set up a spare computer for server replacement or expansion.

  The disk contents need not be shared (synchronized) between all computers constituting the system. For example, a front end server group (master server, Web server, load balancer) and back end side The server contents may be grouped into a group of servers (DB server, file server), or the DB server may be grouped for each item (provided service), and the disk contents may be shared by those groups. . Also, it is not necessary to make the disk contents exactly the same. For example, data with a high security level, such as customer registration information, and data accumulated later, such as DB records and log files, are stored in a specific server. It may be configured to store only on a disk.

<Role of each server>
The master server is a server having a role as a master of the disk contents of all servers constituting this system. The disk contents of the other servers are synchronized with the disk contents of the master server, and when a program or data update is performed on the master server, it is reflected on the other servers. In the configuration example of FIG. 1, a primary server that operates principally and a secondary server that is an alternative when a failure occurs in the primary server are provided.

The Web server is a server having a role of providing information in response to access from a Web client. Apache is known as Web server software. Since it is this Web server portion that greatly increases or decreases the access from the end user, it is desirable to be able to flexibly change the number of Web servers according to the load.

  The DB server is a database system that stores and manages contents related to service provision, and stores and manages customer registration information and the like. An SQL server or the like is known as the DB server. Data contents of the Master server and the Slave server are synchronized by automatic replication.

  The file server is a server that stores and manages data shared between servers of this system. An active server that operates principally and a backup server that is an alternative when a failure occurs in the active server are provided. Data contents between the Active server and the Backup server are also synchronized by automatic replication.

  The external load balancer is a load balancer for distributing external access to the internal server. The internal load balancer is a load balancer for distributing connections between internal servers. In this system, a software load balancer is used as a load balancer, not a dedicated device. As a result, even when a failure occurs in the load balancer, it can be replaced by changing the role of another computer, and maintenance is improved.

<Problems related to role setting>
As described above, the disk contents of each computer are basically the same. However, as long as different roles are assigned to a plurality of computers and they cooperate, information unique to the role (hereinafter referred to as “role setting information”) must be given to each computer. As role setting information, for example, network settings such as a host name, an IP address and a gateway address, a role identifier indicating the type of role, whether a primary server or a secondary server, a module to be loaded, and the like are assumed. The role setting information must be different for each role (or for each computer).

  Therefore, when setting up a spare (empty) computer, not only the operation of copying the contents of the disc but also the operation of individually setting (inputting) the role setting information according to the assigned role occurs. In addition, when changing the role assigned to the computer, it is necessary to rewrite the role setting information.

  In the case of a computer system such as this embodiment, appropriate expertise and skills are required to perform setup work and troubleshooting quickly and reliably. However, it is difficult to secure such human resources as system maintenance personnel, and the educational costs for developing such human resources cannot be ignored. Therefore, although it is desired to automate the work, as described above, the input / rewrite work of the role setting information is difficult to fully automate because the work contents differ for each role. It is possible to reduce the difficulty of the work by preparing an interactive installer. However, considering the elimination of human error and the certainty of work, human judgment and input work should be made as zero as possible. This is because, when dealing with a trouble, time and mental pressure is applied to the worker, and even under such a situation, there is a risk of making a mistake even if the worker is excellent.

<Solution: Role setting by external storage medium>
In view of the above-mentioned problems, this system adopts the following solutions.

First, a plurality of external storage media are prepared corresponding to the roles assigned to each computer. At this time, the external storage medium and the role correspond one-to-one. An external storage medium for role A, an external storage medium for role B, and so on. Then, information and functions related to the corresponding roles are collected in each external storage medium. Specifically, role setting information that is role-specific information and a role setting program that executes a process of assigning a role to a computer are stored in each external storage medium. The role setting program includes a function for automating the above-described operations, that is, a function for setting role setting information for a computer to which an external storage medium is attached, and data (including a program) necessary for executing the role. A function of copying to the disk of the computer.

  As a result, for example, the role A can be set up in the spare computer only by attaching the external storage medium of “role A” to the spare (empty) computer and executing the role setting program. If the role of a computer is to be changed from A to B, it is only necessary to remove the external storage medium of role A from the computer, attach the external storage medium of role B instead, and execute the role setting program. . Further, it is possible to recover from a failure only by moving an external storage medium from a failed computer to another computer.

  At this time, the operation required for the operator is only an operation “execute the role setting program after attaching or replacing the external storage medium”. Furthermore, if booting from an external storage medium is possible and the role setting program is set to be automatically executed at the time of booting, the worker's work is "attach the external storage medium and start the computer" Just do it. Thus, according to the configuration of the present system, since no human judgment or input is required, specialized knowledge and skills are not required for maintenance work. In addition, since there is no need for input, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide a console or display on the computer.

  The requirements for the external storage medium are: (a) digital data can be stored; (b) physically attached to the computer and visually recognized as attached; and (c) a corresponding role. It can be visually recognized. Supplementing with respect to requirement (a), the digital data storage method may be an electrical method, a magnetic method, or any method equivalent thereto. Further, the storage capacity may be appropriately set as necessary. Data exchange between the external storage medium and the computer may be either contact or non-contact. Therefore, the requirement (b) “physically attached” not only means that the external storage medium is connected to the external port of the computer, but also a storage medium capable of non-contact data communication such as an IC card. It is also possible to include a mode in which the device is affixed to the case or inserted into a predetermined card compartment provided in the computer. As for requirement (c), it is only necessary to identify the role assigned to the computer to which it is attached simply by looking at the external storage medium. For example, the role name may only be written on the outer surface of the external storage medium, or the shape and color of the external storage medium may represent the role. Alternatively, the external storage medium may be provided with an LCD or LED, and the role can be recognized by looking at the display and the light emission pattern.

<Example>
Now, a role setting operation using an external storage medium will be described with specific examples.

[A] Initial Setup of System FIG. 2 shows a set of external storage media (here, USB memory) prepared corresponding to each role constituting the system. The set is
LVS1: External load balancer (Active) LVS2: External load balancer (Backup) LLS1: Internal load balancer (Active) LLS2: Internal load balancer (Backup) P: Master server ( Primary: S: Master server (Secondary) Web1: Web server 1 Web2: Web server 2 Web3: Web server 3 DB1: DB server (Master) DB2: DB server (Slave) -DB3: For DB server (Slave)-PS1: For file server (Active)-PS2: Consists of 14 USB memories for file server (Backup).

  On the surface of the main body of the USB memory, role names (abbreviated names) such as “LVS1” and “P” are described. For DB servers and file servers that require large capacity disks, the main body color of the USB memory is different from the colors of other USB memories.

  These USB memories store role setting information and role setting programs regarding the corresponding roles. A minimum kernel image is stored so that USB boot is possible.

FIG. 3 shows an example of role setting information stored in an internal load balancer (Active) USB memory: LLS1, as an example. In this example, the host name is II1,
IP address 0: 192.168.xxx.yyy / 22, IP address 1: 192.168.xxx.zzz / 22, gateway address: 192.168.xxx.254, DNS server: 127.0.0.1, operation parameter LLID: 1, etc. Included in the information. Note that the operation parameter LLID is Active.
It takes a value of “1” for the e server and “2” for the backup server. Although not shown, individual role setting information is stored in each USB memory according to the corresponding role.

  4 to 7 show the flow of setup work.

  (1) First, a predetermined number of computers are mounted on a server rack, and physical settings such as connection of LAN cables are performed (see FIG. 4).

  (2) Next, a USB memory for the master server (Primary) (that is, a USB memory with “P” written on the label) is attached to the USB port of one computer, and the computer is USB booted. When the computer starts up, install the necessary data for this computer. The image to be installed may be stored in a USB memory, may be read from another recording medium such as an external hard disk or a CD-ROM, or may be acquired via a network. Then, the role setting information for the master server (Primary) is set for the computer from the USB memory “P”. With this operation, the master server (Primary) installation is completed (see FIG. 5).

  (3) Next, the USB memory for the master server (Secondary) is inserted into the USB port of another computer, and the computer is turned on. Then, after the USB boot, the role setting program is automatically started. The role setting program sets role setting information for the master server (Secondary) to the computer and copies the disk contents of the master server (Primary). Thereby, the setup of the master server (Secondary) is completed (see FIG. 6).

(4) The setup of all computers is completed by repeating the operation of “inserting the USB memory into the computer and turning on the power” in the following order. For USB memories with different colors, such as a DB server USB memory, the USB memory is attached to a computer having a specification corresponding to the color (a computer with a large disk capacity).

  In the present system, the disk contents of the master server and the Web server are common, and the data to be used differs depending on each role. “Master” in the figure represents data necessary for execution of the master server, “Matter A” represents data necessary for execution of the Web server that provides the service of Matter A, and “Matter B” represents Matter. Data necessary for executing the Web server that provides the service B is shown. In this system, the DB server is grouped according to the case, and only the data of the case is stored in the disk of the DB server (see FIG. 7).

[B] Recovery when Failure Occurs FIGS. 8 to 11 show the flow of recovery work when a failure occurs in one of the Web servers and one of the DB servers (Slaves).

  (1) In this system, each server detects a failure of its own hardware. In addition, the master server (Primary and Secondary) performs failure detection from the outside, such as confirmation of the existence of other servers in addition to itself. When a failure is detected by any of the methods, the content of the failure is automatically notified to an administrator set in advance by e-mail (see FIG. 8).

  (2) The person in charge of the recovery work first removes the USB memory from the computer in which the failure has occurred. Then, those USB memories are attached to the spare computer again (see FIG. 9).

  (3) When a spare computer is activated, role setting information is set from the USB memory to each computer, as in the case of initial setup. Thereby, the role as “Web server” and “DB server (Slave)” is given to each of the spare computers. However, at this point in time, data necessary for executing the role does not exist in each computer, and therefore the service cannot be provided (see FIG. 10).

  (4) Therefore, the role setting program copies the disk contents of the master server (Primary) to the new Web server, and also copies data from the normally operating DB server to the new DB server. By copying necessary data from each appropriate server in this way, the spare computer is set up in exactly the same state as the failed server, and the service can be provided (see FIG. 11).

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the initial setup and recovery of the system can be completed with a very simple and intuitive work of attaching and starting the USB memory. At this time, there is no need for input from the console or setting using a management tool or the like, and since there is no human judgment, anyone can work without error.

  If a spare USB memory is prepared for adding a Web server, when the load on the Web server increases, the USB memory can be attached to a spare computer or the USB memory of a computer of another role can be replaced. By doing so, it is possible to easily increase the number of Web servers.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a set of external storage media prepared for each role constituting the system. FIG. 3 shows an example of role setting information stored in the internal load balancer USB memory. FIG. 4 shows a flow of initial setup work. FIG. 5 shows a flow of initial setup work. FIG. 6 shows the flow of initial setup work. FIG. 7 shows a flow of initial setup work. FIG. 8 shows a mechanism of fault detection. FIG. 9 shows the flow of recovery work when a failure occurs in one of the Web servers and one of the DB servers (Slaves). FIG. 10 shows the flow of recovery work when a failure occurs in one of the Web servers and one of the DB servers (Slaves). FIG. 11 shows the flow of recovery work when a failure occurs in one of the Web server and one of the DB servers (Slaves).

Claims (10)

A computer system composed of a plurality of computers having different roles and in which data is multiplexed for each role,
Multiple computers,
A plurality of external storage media prepared for the roles assigned to each computer;
With
The external storage medium is
Regarding the corresponding role, at least role-specific information to be set in the computer and a role setting program for executing processing for assigning a role to the computer are stored.
When the external storage medium is attached to a computer and the role setting program is executed on the computer, data necessary for execution of the corresponding role is copied from the other computer to the computer, and the correspondence A computer system characterized in that role-specific information related to a role to be set is set in the computer. A computer can be started from the external storage medium;
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the role setting program is a program that is automatically executed when the computer is started from the external storage medium. The corresponding role is displayed on the external storage medium,
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the external storage medium also serves as a label representing a role assigned to the computer.   4. At least one of a color, a pattern, and a shape of the external storage medium is different according to computer specifications necessary for executing the corresponding role. The computer system described in 1. A setup method for setting up each computer in a computer system composed of a plurality of computers having different roles and in which data is multiplexed for each role,
Multiple external storage media are prepared in advance corresponding to the roles assigned to each computer,
The external storage medium stores at least role-specific information to be set in the computer and a role setting program for executing a process of assigning a role to the computer regarding the corresponding role,
When the external storage medium is attached to a computer and the role setting program is executed on the computer,
A method for setting up a computer system, wherein data necessary for execution of the corresponding role is copied from another computer to the computer, and role-specific information regarding the corresponding role is set in the computer . In a computer system composed of a plurality of computers having different roles, and in which data is multiplexed for each role, a recovery method when a failure occurs in any computer,
Each computer to which a role is assigned has an external storage medium that corresponds to that role,
The external storage medium stores at least role-specific information to be set in the computer and a role setting program for executing a process of assigning a role to the computer regarding the corresponding role,
When a failure occurs in the first computer to which the first role is assigned, an external storage medium is changed from the first computer to the spare computer, and the role setting program is transferred to the spare computer. When executed
Data necessary for execution of the first role is copied from another computer to the spare computer, and role-specific information regarding the first role is set in the spare computer,
A computer system recovery method, wherein the first role is assigned to the spare computer instead of the first computer. In a computer system composed of a plurality of computers with different roles and multiplexed with data for each role, an external storage medium prepared corresponding to the role assigned to each computer,
Regarding the corresponding role, at least role-specific information to be set in the computer and a role setting program for executing processing for assigning a role to the computer are stored.
When the external storage medium is attached to a computer and the role setting program is executed on the computer, data necessary for execution of the corresponding role is copied from the other computer to the computer, and the correspondence An external storage medium characterized in that role-specific information related to a role to be set is set in the computer. A computer can be started from the external storage medium;
8. The external storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the role setting program is a program that is automatically executed when a computer is started from the external storage medium. The corresponding role is displayed on the external storage medium,
The external storage medium according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the external storage medium also serves as a label representing a role assigned to the computer.   10. The system according to claim 7, wherein at least one of a color, a pattern, and a shape of the external storage medium is different according to a computer specification necessary for executing the corresponding role. An external storage medium described in 1.

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