JP2013016186A - Information processor, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor that realizes efficient acquisition of synchronization of data between a server and a client.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an information processor manages each user-specific datum that contains setting information on an operating system at a file server and is provided with a virtualization engine that configures a virtual machine. The virtualization engine includes: virtual disk file generating means that stores user data distributed therein, generates a virtual disk file recognized by the operating system that operates on the virtual machine as a disk as a file that has a data structure for accumulating difference data in time series as a layer and transfers the file to the file server; and data processing executing means for time-sequentially executing data processing executed subsequent to reception of the user data distributed, by receiving the user data transferred from the difference data of a new upper layer.

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing technique suitable for an information processing apparatus applied to, for example, a network system that manages a plurality of clients with a server.

  In recent years, IT (information technology) of business has been promoted in many companies, and in such companies, employees work, for example, using a PC (personal computer) lent from the company. In addition, in order to connect these PCs to each other and share resources including data, a LAN (local area network) is widely laid in an office.

  On the other hand, there is a problem that confidential information of companies leaks through a PC used by employees for business. For this reason, various mechanisms have been proposed to enhance security related to PCs used in office work.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-100991 JP 2001-184294 A Japanese Patent No. 2598486

  For example, a thin client is a computer that includes only a CPU (central processing unit) and a main memory, a communication device, and a keyboard and display device for a user interface. Various programs and data including an operating system include: Managed by a server (thin client server) connected via a network. That is, since no data is stored on the thin client side used by the user, information leakage can be prevented and security can be enhanced.

  By the way, recent operating systems can manage user data unique to each user called a profile, etc., and can set the layout of a basic screen called, for example, a desktop for each logged-in user. It is said. Some thin client servers can construct a plurality of virtual machines, which are virtual hardware environments for operating various programs including an operating system, and assign a thin client to each virtual machine. The thin client server supplies user data for a user who uses the thin client assigned to the virtual machine to the operating system operating on each virtual machine. As a result, a screen for each user is created by the operating system operating on each virtual machine, and the image data is transferred to the thin client and presented to each user. In the following, a work environment for each user constructed on each virtual machine by a combination of various programs including an operating system and user data unique to each user may be referred to as a virtual desktop environment.

  Here, consideration is given to making a PC equipped with an external storage device such as an HDD (hard disc drive) into a thin client. More specifically, various functions including the function of building a virtual machine on a PC, an operating system operating on the virtual machine, and input / output data of the various programs are connected to a management server or file connected via a network. Consider mounting a module having a function managed by a server or the like on a PC. In other words, a system is constructed on the PC that prevents employees from saving data on the PC used for business. The management of various programs by the management server or the like is for the purpose of operation management and does not prevent the various programs from being placed on the PC.

  In this case, user data unique to each user used by the operating system (operating on the virtual machine) at the time of login is managed by, for example, a file server. Therefore, every time a user logs in, it is necessary to acquire user data specific to the user from the file server. The operating system constructs a virtual desktop environment based on the acquired user data.

  Therefore, for example, when a user performs various customizations on the layout of the basic screen, such as arranging many objects (icons) called shortcuts on the desktop, the file server is in a high load state when the user data increases. If the network bandwidth with the file server is narrow, it may take a long time to complete login.

  In addition, when the basic screen layout is customized, it is necessary to reflect the updated user data to the file server at the time of logout, which may increase the time until logout is completed. is there.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method for the information processing apparatus, and a program for realizing efficient synchronization of data between a server and a client.

  According to the embodiment, the information processing apparatus manages user data unique to each user including operating system setting information with a file server connected via a network. The information processing apparatus includes a virtualization engine that constructs a virtual machine that is a virtual hardware environment for operating various programs including the operating system. The virtualization engine has virtual disk file generation means and data processing execution means. The virtual disk file generation means is a file for storing user data distributed from the file server, and a virtual disk file for causing the operating system operating on the virtual machine to recognize the disk as a disk. Difference data generated by the performed operation is generated as a file having a data structure that accumulates as a layer in time series, and is transferred to the file server. The data processing execution means executes data processing to be executed upon receiving the distribution of the user data from the file server, receiving the transfer of the user data from the difference data of the new higher layer in time series.

The figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the network system with which the information processing apparatus of embodiment is applied. The figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the information processing apparatus of embodiment. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the principle which improves the efficiency of the data transfer between the servers of the information processing apparatus of embodiment. 2 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a data structure of a virtual disk file for a virtual disk generated by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network system to which an information processing apparatus (client (PC) 3 or thin client server 4) of this embodiment is applied. This network system is, for example, a network system that a company constructs for business use, and each employee (user) performs work using the client 3 or the thin client 5. Here, for ease of understanding, one client 3 and one thin client 5 are shown here. However, there are generally a plurality of clients 3 and thin clients 5, and the user starts work. In this case, the desktop environment used by the same user can be used regardless of which client 3 or thin client 5 is used. Furthermore, here, both the client 3 and the thin client server 4 and the thin client 5 are shown. However, the client 3 only exists, or only the thin client server 4 and the thin client 5 exist. Of course, it is also possible to configure a network system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this network system includes a management server 1, a file server 2, a client 3, and a thin client server 4 connected to a LAN 6a, and a thin client server 4 and a thin client 5 connected to a LAN 6b. Yes. Here, two LANs 6a and 6b are shown for easy understanding of the logical hierarchical relationship, but these may be physically installed as one LAN.

  First, a case where the user uses the client 3 will be described.

  The client 3 is a notebook PC, for example, and includes a CPU 101, a main memory 102, an external storage device 103, an input device 104, a display device 105, and a communication device 106, as shown in FIG.

  The CPU 101 loads various programs including an operating system from the external storage device 103 to the main memory 102 and executes them. A virtualization engine 10 that is a program for constructing the virtual machine 20 is installed in the client 3. The virtual machine 20 is a virtual hardware environment for operating various programs including an operating system used by a user. The virtualization engine 10 can construct a plurality of virtual machines 20 on one client 3. The virtualization engine 10 also includes a virtual disk file generation module 11, a virtual disk file management module 12, a data transfer module 13, and a thin client server processing module 14, which will be described later.

  When the client 3 is activated, the client 3 loads the first operating system from the external storage device 103 assigned as the activation disk to the main memory 102 and activates the first operating system. The first operating system is an operating system used for starting the virtualization engine 10 defined as a resident program. That is, simultaneously with the activation of the client 3, the virtualization engine 10 is activated under the control of the first operating system.

  The system data DB (database) 1a of the management server 1 connected by communication via the LAN 6a executed by the communication device 106 is for the virtual desktop environment to be constructed on the virtual machine 20 constructed on the client 3. Image data (system data) is stored as a file. The image data includes a second operating system and various application programs that operate under the control of the second operating system. The image data is generated by, for example, building a virtual machine on the management server 1 and executing installation of the second operating system and various application programs on the virtual machine. The second operating system and various application programs are common programs used by each user to perform work.

  The activated virtualization engine 10 uses this image data (and user data specific to each user described later) to construct a virtual desktop environment for each user on the virtual machine 20 constructed on the client 3. This image data is acquired from the management server 1 by the virtualization engine 10 and stored in the external storage device 103 when the client 3 is started for the first time, for example. Thereafter, the virtualization engine 10 checks whether or not the image data stored in the external storage device 103 is the latest version of image data stored in the system data DB 1a of the management server 1, and if not, Then, processing for obtaining the latest version of image data (update program for updating to the latest version) from the management server 1 is performed. When the image data is updated, the latest version of the image data may be distributed from the management server 1 to the client 3. The virtualization engine 10 configures the virtual machine 20 on the client 3 using the image data stored in the system data DB 1a of the management server 1, thereby uniformly managing the business environment of the client 3 used by the user for business. (Operation management). For example, if the application program used is partially different depending on the department in the company, it can be dealt with by creating image data for each department or preparing differential data for each department.

  As described above, when the client 3 is activated, the virtualization engine 10 is activated by the first operating system, and the second operating system is activated on the virtual machine 20 constructed by the virtualization engine 10. Then, a GUI (graphical user interface) screen for the user to log in is presented on the display device 105 by the second operating system. In response to the presentation of the GUI screen, the user uses the input device 104 to input a user ID (identification data) and password. The second operating system executes a login procedure including user authentication using the input user ID and password, and presents a basic screen called a desktop or the like on the display device 105. The second operating system may be different among the plurality of virtual machines 20 constructed by the virtualization engine 10.

  Further, the virtualization engine 10 has a function of preventing data used by the user from being stored in the client 3. The virtualization engine 10 generates a virtual disk file on the main memory 102 or the external storage device 103 for each virtual machine 20. The virtual disk file generation module 11 is a module that manages generation of this virtual disk file. Then, the virtualization engine 10 causes the second operating system operating on the virtual machine 20 to recognize the generated virtual disk file as a disk. That is, the virtualization engine 10 constructs a virtual disk on the virtual machine 20. For example, when an application program operating under the control of the second operating system writes data to a virtual disk on the virtual machine 20 (via the second operating system), the data is stored in the main memory 102 or external storage. It is stored in a virtual disk file on the device 103. The virtual disk file generated on the main memory 102 or the external storage device 103 is temporary, and the virtualization engine 10 transmits the data stored in the virtual disk file via the LAN 6a executed by the communication device 106. It is managed by the file server 2 connected by communication.

  That is, data written to the virtual disk by various programs including the second operating system operating on the virtual machine 20 is actually saved by the user data DB 2a of the file server 2 connected via the LAN 6a, The data that the various programs try to read from the virtual disk actually exists in the user data DB 2a of the file server 2. In other words, data used by the user is not stored in the client 3 even though it exists temporarily. The data transfer module 13 is a module that manages data transfer necessary for synchronizing data between the virtual disk file and the file server 2.

  The virtualization engine 10 transfers the data written in the virtual disk on the virtual machine 20 (virtual disk file in the external storage device 103) to the file server 2 at the time of logout. The virtualization engine 10 deletes the data transferred to the file server 2 at the time of logout from the external storage device 103. Further, when the virtualization engine 10 detects that the client 3 is disconnected from the LAN 6a, the virtualization engine 10 cannot access the virtual disk by various programs including the second operating system operating on the virtual machine 20. To do. For example, the virtual disk is deleted from the virtual machine 20. This prevents data in the virtual disk file from being used away from the network system. That is, the same security enhancement as that of the thin client 5 is realized.

  When the login procedure described above is executed and a basic screen called a desktop or the like is presented on the display device 105, the second operating system reads user data unique to each user called a profile or the like. The second operating system presents the basic screen for the logged-in user on the display device 105 based on the read user data. For example, if an object (icon) called a shortcut for starting a certain program is arranged on the basic screen, it is possible to start the program simply by operating this icon. The arrangement of shortcuts on the basic screen is managed as user data. Therefore, even when the same client 3 is used, the basic screen presented on the display device 105 can be changed between when the user A logs in and when the user B logs in.

  The virtualization engine 10 stores user data unique to each user, which is called this profile (managed by the second operating system), in the user data DB 2a of the file server 2. Therefore, at the time of login, in order to respond to a read request from the second operating system, user data is transferred from the user data DB 2a of the file server 2 to the virtual disk on the virtual machine 20 (virtual disk file in the external storage device 103). It is necessary to do.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, data transfer between the client 3 and the file server 2 is normally performed in units of files that various programs operating on the virtual machine 20 request to read. Therefore, for example, when the user data becomes large due to, for example, the user greatly customizing the basic screen so that the user can easily use it, it may take time to transfer the file from the file server 2 to the client 3, and after the login operation, There is a possibility that the user may wait for a long time until the client 3 becomes usable.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment realizes efficient transfer of user data (acquisition of synchronization of user data) between the file server 2 and the client 3. Will be described in detail.

  In order to efficiently transfer user data between the file server 2 and the client 3, the virtualization engine 10 shows a virtual disk file for constructing a virtual disk on the virtual machine 20 as shown in FIG. A file having such a data structure is generated on the main memory 102. If the main memory 102 is not used in the second operating system and there is a small amount of free memory remaining, it may be generated in the external storage device 103 according to the security level selected by the administrator. In addition, the virtualization engine 10 generates this virtual disk file for each user who logs in to the second operating system operating on the virtual machine 20. In other words, the virtualization engine 10 switches the virtual disk file for the virtual disk constructed on the virtual machine 20 when the user who logs in to the second operating system operating on the virtual machine 20 is switched.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the virtual disk file has a data structure that accumulates difference data as layers in time series. Each layer collects a plurality of blocks in which data exists to form one block file. That is, the virtual disk file exists as an aggregate of a plurality of block files. Each block file has a header or footer at the head or tail, and stores information indicating which sector of the virtual disk corresponds to which data of the block, for example, a bit map.

  When various programs including the second operation program operating on the virtual machine 20 write data, the virtualization engine 10 places this data in the highest layer (a1 and a2 in FIG. 4). For example, when writing new data or the like and the block to be written does not exist in the highest layer (a1 in FIG. 4), the virtualization engine 10 secures a block for storing the data, and In addition to writing data to the uppermost layer (block file), the bitmap stored in the header (H) or footer (F) is rewritten. On the other hand, when writing data for update and the block to be written exists in the highest layer (a2 in FIG. 4), the virtualization engine 10 uses the data in the block existing in the highest layer. Execute the writing. Further, when a block including the update target data exists in the lower layer, the virtualization engine 10 may execute invalidation or deletion of the block together. If it is not deleted, the logical capacity of the disk will increase, but even if the top layer is broken, if the top layer is removed, the latest write data will be lost, but the state before the layer was created Can be returned to.

  Further, when various programs including the second operation program operating on the virtual machine 20 read out data, the block including the data usually exists in any layer. If it exists in the highest layer (a3 in FIG. 4), the virtualization engine 10 executes data reading from the block. On the other hand, when it exists in the lower layer (a4 in FIG. 4), the virtualization engine 10 also executes a process of copying the block to the highest layer when reading data from the block.

  By the operation of the virtualization engine 10, a block including data that has been recently accessed by various programs including the second operation program operating on the virtual machine 20 exists in the block file of the highest layer. The virtual disk file management module 12 is a module that manages update management of a virtual disk file accompanying data access by various programs including a second operation program operating on the virtual machine 20.

  Based on the data structure of the virtual disk file and the procedure for updating the virtual disk file by the virtualization engine 10, the description of the transfer of user data between the file server 2 and the client 3 will proceed.

  In response to the presentation of the GUI screen by the second operation system operating on the virtual machine 20, when the user logs in by entering the user ID and password, the virtualization engine 10 adds the virtual disk for the user to the virtual machine Build on 20. That is, a virtual disk file for the user is generated in the external storage device 103. The virtual disk file is generated by acquiring the virtual disk file stored in the user data DB 2 a from the file server 2 and storing it in the main memory 102 or the external storage device 103. At this time, the virtualization engine 10 sequentially acquires the block file of the highest layer as shown in FIG. More specifically, the virtualization engine 10 requests the file server 2 to first transfer the block file of the highest layer among a plurality of block files constituting the virtual disk file.

  When receiving the block file of the uppermost layer, the virtualization engine 10 transfers the second operation program operating on the virtual machine 20 (transfer from the file server 2 is only partially completed). ) Recognize the virtual disk file as a disk. Since access at the time of login is almost for the data used last time, the data exists in the highest layer. Therefore, the login procedure can be completed only in the highest layer. The virtualization engine 10 considers the load on the client 3 and starts acquiring the block file of the lower layer from the file server 2 at regular intervals after the login procedure is completed, for example. In other words, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment efficiently transfers data (acquisition of data synchronization) in which data that is likely to be accessed is transferred first and data that is unlikely to be accessed is transferred later. ). Thereby, the time until the client 3 becomes usable after the login operation can be greatly shortened.

  Note that when a request to read data existing in a lower layer that has not been transferred from the file server 2 to the client 3 is made, the virtualization engine 10 temporarily stops accepting the data read request. When the block file of the lower layer is taken into the client 3, the virtualization engine 10 cancels the state where the reception of the data read request is stopped. When all block files have been transferred, there is no data that cannot be read.

  On the other hand, at the time of logout, only the block file of the layer where the update has occurred may be transferred to the file server 2. Thereby, the time until logout is completed can also be shortened. When data for update is written, if a block including update target data exists in the lower layer, the virtualization engine 10 invalidates or deletes the block in the lower layer as described above. Execute. If the block is deleted, the size of the lower layer (block file) can be reduced, so that the transfer time of the block file to the file server 2 can be shortened. Further, the invalidation of the block is performed by attaching attribute information (typically a flag) indicating that the block is invalidated, for example. In this case, since the size of the block file of the lower layer does not change, the transfer time of the block file to the file server 2 is not shortened. However, since the pre-update data remains as a history, it is possible to reproduce the state of the virtual disk at an arbitrary past time, for example.

  When the virtualization engine 10 is requested to read data existing in the lower layer, the virtualization engine 10 copies this data to the uppermost layer as described above. As long as the contents are the same, no inconsistency will occur when reading from any layer. That is, there is no problem even if the same data exists in a plurality of layers. By refraining from updating the lower layer (block file), the virtualization engine 10 suppresses the number of block files transferred to the file server 2 at the time of logout.

  Next, a case where the user uses the thin client 5 will be described.

  The thin client 5 is, for example, a computer having a configuration in which the external storage device 103 is deleted from the configuration of the client 3 illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, the virtualization engine 10 can construct a plurality of virtual machines 20 on one client 3. The virtualization engine 10 is also installed in the thin client server 4 that manages the thin client 5. The thin client server 4 is, for example, a computer having a configuration equivalent to the configuration of the client 3 shown in FIG. The startup procedure of the virtualization engine 10 on the thin client server 4 is the same as the startup procedure of the virtualization engine 10 on the client 3. That is, when the thin client server 4 is started, the first operating system (for starting the virtualization engine 10) is started and defined as a resident program under the control of the first operating system. The virtualization engine 10 is activated.

  The virtualization engine 10 operating on the thin client server 4 constructs virtual machines 20 as many as the number of thin clients 5 to be managed, for example, and uses each virtual machine using image data stored in the system data DB 1a of the management server 1. A virtual desktop environment is constructed on 20. Then, the virtualization engine 10 operating on the thin client server 4 uses the image data for the GUI screen (for the user logging in) created by the second operating system operating on each virtual machine 20 to each thin client. Forward to 5.

  The thin client 5 displays a GUI screen using the image data received from the thin client server 4 and accepts input of a user ID and a password. The thin client 5 transfers the input user ID and password to the thin client server 4. The virtualization engine 10 operating on the thin client server 4 delivers the user ID and password to the second operating system operating on the virtual machine 20. The second operating system executes a login procedure including user authentication using the user ID and password, and creates basic screen image data for the user. The virtualization engine 10 operating on the thin client server 4 transfers the image data for the basic screen to each thin client 5. Thereafter, the virtualization engine 10 operating on the thin client server 4 is interposed between the virtual machine 20 and the thin client 5 and executes processing for relaying image data and operation data. That is, the virtualization engine 10 has a function of operating a computer on which the virtualization engine 10 is installed as a thin client in addition to a function of converting the computer on which the virtualization engine 10 is installed into a thin client. The thin client server processing module 14 is a module that manages this function (operating a computer on which the thin client server is installed as a server that manages the thin client).

  Even when the second operating system that operates on each of the plurality of virtual machines 20 constructed on the thin client server 4 creates image data for the basic screen, the virtualization engine 10 uses the user for the logged-in user. Data (virtual disk file storing the user data) needs to be acquired from the file server 2. Therefore, the virtualization engine 10 requests the file server 2 to first transfer the block file of the highest layer among the plurality of block files constituting the acquisition target virtual disk file.

  When receiving the block file of the uppermost layer, the virtualization engine 10 transfers the second operation program operating on the virtual machine 20 (transfer from the file server 2 is only partially completed). ) Recognize the virtual disk file as a disk. As described above, since the access at the time of login is almost for the data used last time, the data exists in the highest layer. Therefore, the login procedure can be completed only in the highest layer. In other words, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment efficiently transfers data (acquisition of data synchronization) in which data that is likely to be accessed is transferred first and data that is unlikely to be accessed is transferred later. ). Thereby, the time until the thin client 5 becomes usable after the login operation can be greatly shortened.

  Even if the user using the thin client 5 performs various data updates, the update data exists on the thin client server 4 side. Therefore, when the thin client 5 logs out, the logout is immediately completed. It doesn't matter. After logout, the data of the virtual disk file may be synchronized between the thin client server 4 and the file server 2 (transfer of the block file including the block including the update target data from the thin client server 4 to the file server 2. ).

  As described above, according to the information processing apparatus (client 3, thin client server 4) of the present embodiment, not the file unit recognized by the operating system or the application program (running on the virtual machine) but the virtual disk Data transfer with the file server 2 is performed in units of block files constituting the virtual disk file, and efficient synchronization of data with the file server 2 is realized. Thereby, after a login operation is performed on the thin client 3 or the thin client 5, it is possible to greatly reduce the time until these can be used.

  A new layer is created when a specified period (for example, one week) has elapsed, a new layer is created, or when the top layer block reaches the maximum value of one layer, a new layer is created. To do. The timing for generating a layer can be adjusted according to the use frequency and usage of user data.

  In the above description, the method of synchronizing data for user-specific user data managed by the file server 2 has been described. However, system data managed by the management server 1 can also be targeted. The above-described method can be used for transferring system data to a diskless thin client.

  Note that the operation control processing of the present embodiment can be realized by software (program), and therefore by installing this software on a normal computer through a computer-readable storage medium storing this software, Effects similar to those of the present embodiment can be easily realized.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Management server, 1a ... System data DB, 2 ... File server, 2a ... User data DB, 3 ... Client, 4 ... Thin client server, 5 ... Thin client, 6a ... LAN, 6b ... LAN, 10 ... Virtualization engine , 11 ... Virtual disk file generation module, 12 ... Virtual disk file management module, 13 ... Data transfer module, 14 ... Thin client server processing module, 20 ... Virtual machine, 101 ... CPU, 102 ... Main memory, 103 ... External storage device 104, an input device, 105, a display device, 106, a communication device.

Claims (21)

An information processing apparatus that manages user data unique to each user including operating system setting information by a file server connected via a network,
A virtualization engine for constructing a virtual machine that is a virtual hardware environment for operating various programs including the operating system;
The virtualization engine is
A file that stores user data distributed from the file server, and a virtual disk file that is recognized as a disk by the operating system operating on the virtual machine is generated by an operation performed on the virtual disk file. Virtual disk file generation means for generating data as a file having a data structure for storing data as a layer in time series, and transferring the file to the file server;
Data processing execution means for receiving and transferring the user data from the file server and executing the transfer of the user data from the new upper layer difference data in time series, and
An information processing apparatus. The data processing is processing related to a login operation of an operating system operating on the virtual machine,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log-in operation is started when upper layer difference data including setting information of the operating system arrives.   When the data requested to be read from the operating system operating on the virtual machine exists in a layer other than the top layer in the virtual disk file, the virtualization engine replicates the data on the top layer. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising virtual disk file management means.   The virtual disk file management means attaches attribute information indicating that the update target data is invalidated when the data to be updated exists in a lower layer when data writing is requested from the operating system operating on the virtual machine. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data of the lower layer is invalidated.   The virtual disk file management unit deletes data of the lower layer when update target data exists in a lower layer when data write is requested from an operating system operating on the virtual machine. The information processing apparatus described.   The virtualization engine transfers image data of a screen created by an operating system operating on the virtual machine based on user data managed by the file server to a thin client terminal connected via the network. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising client server processing means.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the thin client server processing unit transfers operation data received from the thin client terminal to an operating system operating on the virtual machine. A virtual machine which is a virtual hardware environment for operating various programs including an operating system is constructed, and user data unique to each user including setting information of the operating system operating on the virtual machine is transmitted via a network. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus managed by a file server connected to
A file that stores user data distributed from the file server, and a virtual disk file that is recognized as a disk by the operating system operating on the virtual machine is generated by an operation performed on the virtual disk file. Generate data as a file with a data structure that accumulates data as layers in time series, transfer to the file server,
Data processing to be executed upon receiving the distribution of the user data from the file server is executed by receiving the transfer of the user data from the new upper layer difference data in time series,
Information processing method of information processing apparatus. The data processing is processing related to a login operation of an operating system operating on the virtual machine,
9. The information processing method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the login operation is started when upper layer difference data including setting information of the operating system arrives.   The data according to claim 8, wherein when data requested to be read from an operating system operating on the virtual machine exists in a layer other than the highest layer in the virtual disk file, the data is replicated on the highest layer. Information processing method of information processing apparatus.   When data write is requested by the operating system running on the virtual machine, if the update target data exists in the lower layer, the data in the lower layer is invalidated by adding attribute information indicating that it is invalidated. The information processing method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 10.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when data writing is requested from an operating system operating on the virtual machine, if the update target data exists in a lower layer, the data in the lower layer is deleted. Method.   9. The information processing according to claim 8, wherein image data of a screen created by an operating system operating on the virtual machine is transferred to a thin client terminal connected via a network based on user data managed by the file server. Information processing method of the apparatus.   The information processing method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein operation data received from the thin client terminal is transferred to an operating system operating on the virtual machine. A computer that manages user-specific user data including operating system setting information by a file server connected via a network,
Function as a virtualization engine for constructing a virtual machine that is a virtual hardware environment for operating various programs including the operating system,
The computer functioning as the virtualization engine;
A file that stores user data distributed from the file server, and a virtual disk file that is recognized as a disk by the operating system operating on the virtual machine is generated by an operation performed on the virtual disk file. Virtual disk file generation means for generating data as a file having a data structure for accumulating data as layers in time series and transferring the file to the file server,
Data processing execution means for receiving and delivering the user data from the file server, and receiving and transferring the user data from the new upper layer difference data in time series,
Program to function as. The data processing is processing related to a login operation of an operating system operating on the virtual machine,
The program according to claim 15, wherein the login operation is activated when upper layer difference data including setting information of the operating system arrives.   If the data requested to be read from the operating system operating on the virtual machine is present in a layer other than the top layer in the virtual disk file, the computer functioning as the virtualization engine The program according to claim 15, further causing it to function as virtual disk file management means for copying on a layer.   The virtual disk file management means attaches attribute information indicating that the update target data is invalidated when the data to be updated exists in a lower layer when data writing is requested from the operating system operating on the virtual machine. The program according to claim 17, wherein the data of the lower layer is invalidated by the above.   The virtual disk file management unit deletes data of the lower layer when update target data exists in a lower layer when data write is requested from an operating system operating on the virtual machine. The listed program.   Thin client to which the computer functioning as the virtualization engine is connected via the network with image data of a screen created by an operating system operating on the virtual machine based on user data managed by the file server The program according to claim 15, further causing it to function as a thin client server processing means for transferring to a terminal.   21. The program according to claim 20, wherein the thin client server processing unit transfers operation data received from the thin client terminal to an operating system operating on the virtual machine.

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