JP2013156878A - Converter, information processing system, converting method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a converter capable of normally performing communication between a first device according to UBS standard and a second device according to SAS standard without increasing costs.SOLUTION: When receiving a response frame including sense data from a tape device 500, a converter temporarily stores the sense data into a sense data storage area in a RAM without transferring the sense data to an information processing device 100, and outputs status information indicating command failure to the information processing device 100. The converter also sets a value indicating that there is an abnormality in the tape device 500 as 1 to an abnormality generation flag. When an abnormality generation flag value becomes 1 and the converter receives a request sense command from the information processing device 100, the converter outputs the sense data stored in the sense data storage area in the RAM to the information processing device 100.

Description

  The present invention relates to a conversion device, an information processing system, a conversion method, a program, and a recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a conversion device provided on a communication path between two devices having different interface standards, and an information processing system including the conversion device. System, conversion method in a conversion device provided on a communication path between two devices having different interface standards, program used for a device provided on a communication path between two devices having different interface standards, and recording the program The recorded recording medium.

  An information processing apparatus such as a personal computer can be expanded in function by adding an external device, and is used as a core apparatus of various systems.

  Therefore, various interfaces have been proposed as an interface for connecting the information processing apparatus and an external device.

  For example, SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) was standardized in 1986 by ANSI (American National Standards Institute).

  In addition, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard was announced in 1996.

  These standards were subsequently expanded for the purpose of improving transfer performance. For example, with regard to SCSI, serialized SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) was standardized in 2003.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a USB storage device.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a USB-ATAPI interface system and an ATAPI-USB conversion device used therefor.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a sense data holding method aimed at reducing the memory capacity required for holding sense data.

Japanese Patent No. 4381036 JP 2001-337911 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-289955

  The inventors have developed a conversion device provided on a communication path between a first device compatible with the USB standard and a second device compatible with the SAS standard.

  The inventors then convert information in a format corresponding to the USB standard from the first device into a format compatible with the SAS standard, output the information to the second device, and also output the SAS standard from the second device. A conversion device that converts information in a format compatible with the USB format into information in a format compatible with the USB standard and outputs the converted information to the first device was prototyped.

  When the information processing device as the first device and the tape device as the second device are connected via this prototype conversion device (hereinafter also referred to as “prototype conversion device” for convenience), the tape device Even if there is an abnormality such as a magnetic tape not being mounted, information regarding the abnormality is not notified to the information processing apparatus.

  The inventors conducted various studies and found the cause of the inconvenience. This cause will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when a read command is issued from the information processing device, the prototype conversion device converts the read command into a predetermined command frame and outputs it to the tape device.

  At this time, if the magnetic tape is not loaded in the tape device, the tape device creates sense data including information regarding the content of the abnormality, and outputs a predetermined response frame including the sense data to the prototype conversion device. In the tape device, the sense data is cleared after the response frame is output.

  When the prototype conversion device receives the response frame from the tape device, it outputs dummy data and status information indicating a command failure to the information processing device.

  When the information processing apparatus receives the status information, it issues a request sense command for requesting sense information.

  The prototype conversion device converts the request sense command into a predetermined command frame and outputs it to the tape device.

  The tape device outputs a predetermined data frame including sense information to the prototype conversion device. However, at this time, since the sense data has already been cleared in the tape device, no sense data is set in the sense information.

  When receiving the data frame from the tape device, the prototype conversion device converts the data frame into a predetermined format and outputs it to the information processing device.

  Even if the information processing apparatus receives the sense information, it cannot know the abnormality content in the tape device because there is no sense data.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the novel knowledge obtained by the inventors described above, and has the following configuration.

  From a first viewpoint, the present invention is a conversion device provided on a communication path between a first device compatible with the USB standard and a second device compatible with the SAS standard, and conforms to the USB standard. A first communication control unit that controls communication with the first device, a second communication control unit that conforms to the SAS standard and controls communication with the second device, and the second When sense data from the second device input via the communication control unit is input, the sense data is stored, and status information indicating command failure is transmitted via the first communication control unit. When a sense data request command for the status information is input from the first device via the first communication control unit, the stored sense data is output to the first device. The first through the control unit A processor for outputting to the device is a conversion apparatus comprising a.

  According to this, it is possible to normally perform communication between the first device compatible with the USB standard and the second device compatible with the SAS standard without incurring an increase in cost.

  From the second point of view, the present invention is connected to the conversion device of the present invention connected to the first device corresponding to the USB standard and the second communication control unit of the conversion device, and corresponds to the SAS standard. An information processing system comprising a second device.

  According to this, it is possible to construct a system according to the purpose without incurring a cost increase.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the conversion device of the present invention, the first device connected to the first communication control unit of the conversion device and corresponding to the USB standard, and the second of the conversion device An information processing system including a second device connected to the communication control unit and compatible with the SAS standard.

  According to this, it is possible to construct a system according to the purpose without incurring a cost increase.

  From a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a conversion method in a conversion device provided on a communication path between a first device compatible with the USB standard and a second device compatible with the SAS standard. A step of temporarily storing sense data from the second device without outputting to the first device, a step of outputting status information indicating a command failure to the first device, and the first device And outputting the temporarily stored sense data to the first device when a sense data request command for the status information is input from the device.

  According to this, it is possible to normally perform communication between the first device compatible with the USB standard and the second device compatible with the SAS standard without incurring an increase in cost.

  From a fifth viewpoint, the present invention is a program used for a conversion device provided on a communication path between a first device compatible with the USB standard and a second device compatible with the SAS standard, A procedure for temporarily storing sense data from the second device without outputting to the first device; a procedure for outputting status information indicating command failure to the first device; A procedure for outputting the temporarily stored sense data to the first device when a sense data request command for the status information is input from one device to the control computer of the conversion device. It is a program to be executed.

  According to this, communication between the first device compatible with the USB standard and the second device compatible with the SAS standard can be normally performed without causing an increase in cost.

  From the sixth viewpoint, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded.

  According to this, communication between the first device compatible with the USB standard and the second device compatible with the SAS standard can be normally performed without causing an increase in cost.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the information processing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the information processing apparatus in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a SSP frame format. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a “FRAME TYPE” field in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining data (DATA information unit) set in an “INFORMATION UNIT” field in FIG. 3. It is a figure for demonstrating the command (COMMAND information unit) set to the "INFORMATION UNIT" field in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a response (RESPONSE information unit) set in an “INFORMATION UNIT” field in FIG. 3. It is a figure for demonstrating the "DATAPRESS" field in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the converter in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a read (READ) command. It is a figure for demonstrating CBW (Command Block Wrapper). It is a flowchart (the 1) for demonstrating operation | movement of CPU in a converter. It is a figure for demonstrating status information. It is a figure for demonstrating the format (Sense Data Format) of sense data. It is a flowchart (the 2) for demonstrating operation | movement of CPU in a converter. It is a flowchart (the 3) for demonstrating operation | movement of CPU in a converter. It is a figure for demonstrating CSW (Command Status Wrapper). It is a figure for demonstrating a request sense (REQUEST SENSE) command. It is a flowchart (the 4) for demonstrating operation | movement of CPU in a converter. It is a figure for demonstrating the main exchanges between an information processing apparatus, a conversion apparatus, and a tape apparatus when abnormality exists in a tape apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the main exchanges between an information processing apparatus, a converter, and a tape apparatus when there is no abnormality in a tape apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the inconvenience of the prototype conversion apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an information processing system 10 according to an embodiment.

  The information processing system 10 includes an information processing device 100, a conversion device 300, a tape device 500, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 110, a RAM 120, a ROM 130, a display device 140, an input device 150, an HDD device 160, an optical disk device 170, a USB interface (USB I / F) 180, and a USB. It has a port Pu and the like.

  The display device 140 includes a liquid crystal display as a display, and displays various information instructed by the CPU 110.

  The input device 150 includes a keyboard as an input medium, and notifies the CPU 110 of various information input from the operator.

  The HDD device 160 includes a hard disk as a recording medium, an RW device for reading / writing data from / to the hard disk, a control device for controlling the RW device in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 110, and the like. The hard disk stores a plurality of programs including the OS and various data used by the plurality of programs.

  The optical disk device 170 includes an RW device for reading and writing data from and on an optical disk that is a recording medium, and a control device that controls the RW device in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 110.

  The CPU 110 can execute programs stored in the ROM 130 and the RAM 120.

  The ROM 130 stores a program that is executed by the CPU 110 when the power is turned on, a so-called boot program. When this boot program is executed, the OS recorded on the hard disk is transferred to the RAM 120.

  When the execution of the boot program is completed, the CPU 110 activates the OS transferred to the RAM 120.

  The USB port Pu is a communication port compliant with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

  The USB interface 180 controls input / output of information via the USB port Pu.

  Here, a personal computer is used as the information processing apparatus 100. As an OS (Operating System), Windows (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation is used.

  The tape device 500 includes a magnetic tape as a recording medium, an RW device for reading and writing data from and on the magnetic tape, a control device that controls the RW device in accordance with an instruction from the information processing device 100, and the like. It is configured. The magnetic tape is in the form of a cartridge and can be replaced.

  The tape device 500 supports variable-length blocks, and data is recorded in a plurality of blocks of different sizes on the magnetic tape.

  The tape device 500 is compliant with the SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) standard. A transport layer (Transport layer) in communication of information between the tape device 500 and the conversion device 300 conforms to an SSP (Serial SCSI Protocol) transport layer (for example, “Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)). Interface Manual ").

  FIG. 3 shows a frame format (SSP frame format) in SSP. In FIG. 3, when “01h” is set in the “FRAME TYPE” field, the frame is a “data frame”, and data is set in the “INFORMATION UNIT” field (see FIG. 4). When “06h” is set in the “FRAME TYPE” field, the frame is a “command frame”, and a command is set in the “INFORMATION UNIT” field (see FIG. 4). Further, when “07h” is set in the “FRAME TYPE” field, the frame is a “response frame”, and a response is set in the “INFORMATION UNIT” field (see FIG. 4).

  FIG. 5 shows data (DATA information unit) set in the “INFORMATION UNIT” field of the data frame.

  FIG. 6 shows a command (COMMAND information unit) set in the “INFORMATION UNIT” field of the command frame.

  FIG. 7 shows a response (RESPONSE information unit) set in the “INFORMATION UNIT” field of the response frame. In FIG. 7, when “00b” is set in the “DATAPRESS” field, it means that there is no data (see FIG. 8). If “01b” is set in the “DATAPRESS” field, it means that there is response data (see FIG. 8). Further, when “10b” is set in the “DATAPRESS” field, it means that there is sense data (see FIG. 8).

  As an example, the conversion apparatus 300 includes a first communication control unit 310, a processing unit 320, a second communication control unit 330, and the like as illustrated in FIG.

  The first communication control unit 310 includes a USB port 311, a USB interface 312, and a USB transmission / reception unit 313.

  Further, the second communication control unit 330 includes a SAS port 331, a SAS interface 332, and a SAS transmission / reception unit 333.

  The USB port 311 is a communication port compliant with the USB standard, and is connected to the USB port Pu of the information processing apparatus 100 via a USB cable.

  The USB interface 312 controls the USB port 311.

  The USB transmission / reception unit 313 controls bidirectional communication with the information processing apparatus 100 via the USB port 311 and the USB interface 312. The USB transmission / reception unit 305 notifies the processing unit 320 when there is reception from the information processing apparatus 100. In addition, when there is a transmission request from the processing unit 320, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 outputs the instructed information to the information processing apparatus 100.

  The SAS port 331 is a communication port compliant with the SAS standard, and is connected to the tape device 500 via a SAS cable.

  The SAS interface 332 controls the SAS port 331.

  The SAS transmission / reception unit 333 controls bidirectional communication with the tape device 500 via the SAS port 331 and the SAS interface 332. The SAS transmission / reception unit 333 notifies the processing unit 320 when there is reception from the tape device 500. Further, when there is a transmission request from the processing unit 320, the SAS transmission / reception unit 333 outputs the instructed information to the tape device 500.

  The processing unit 320 includes a CPU 321, a ROM 322, and a RAM 323.

  The CPU 321 executes a program stored in the ROM 322.

  The ROM 322 stores a plurality of programs described by codes readable by the CPU 321 and a plurality of data used for executing each program.

  The RAM 323 is a working memory. The RAM 323 is provided with a sense data storage area in which sense data (see FIGS. 14 and 15) is temporarily stored. Here, the size of the sense data storage area is 96 bytes. The second communication control unit 330 can detect the data length of the sense data, and the size of the sense data storage area can be 96 bytes or less.

  Next, a case where data recorded on the magnetic tape set in the tape device 500 is copied to the hard disk of the information processing device 100 will be described. Here, as a data transfer protocol between the information processing apparatus 100 and the conversion apparatus 300, USB Mass Storage Class Bulk-Only Transport (for example, “Universal Serial Bus Mass Storage Bulk-Only Transport USB,” Implementers Forum, September 31, 1999.).

  An operator creates a tape RW software (hereinafter referred to as “tape RW software”), which is application software created for a tape device compliant with the USB standard, and reads / writes data from / to the tape device via the input device 150. 600 ”). Note that the tape RW software 600 is recorded on the hard disk, and is transferred to the RAM 120 by the OS and started when there is an activation request from the operator.

  When started, the tape RW software 600 causes the display device 510 to display an initial menu screen.

  The operator instructs the tape RW software 600 to copy the data recorded on the magnetic tape to the hard disk (hereinafter simply referred to as “copy processing” for convenience). As a result, a read command (see FIG. 10) for the tape device 500 is output from the information processing device 100 to the conversion device 300. The read command is output from the information processing apparatus 100 in the CBW (Command Block Wrapper) format shown in FIG.

  Here, the format of the CBW will be briefly described. “DCBWSignature” in FIG. 11 is a field for recognizing that the data packet is a CBW. “DCBWTTag” is a command block tag, and exists to link the CBW and the corresponding CSW (Command Status Wrapper), and is specified by the information processing apparatus 100.

  Further, “dCBWDataTransferLength” in FIG. 11 is the planned data length of the data transport. When this is 0, there is no data transport. In “bmCBWFlags”, when bit 7 is 0, data transport is performed by bulk-out transfer, and when bit 7 is 1, data transport is performed by bulk-in transfer. Bits 6 to 0 are fixed to 0. Here, since data is received from the tape device 500, the bit 7 is 1.

  Further, “bCBWLUN” in FIG. 11 is the logical unit number (Logical Unit Number) of the device to which the command block is sent. “BCBWCBLlength” represents the number of valid bytes of the next “CBWCCB” field.

  Further, “CBWCB” in FIG. 11 is a field in which a command block executed by the tape device 500 is stored. A command to be executed by the information processing apparatus 100 is set in this field. Here, “SCSI Primary Commands” is set as the command format.

  When the conversion device 300 receives the CBW, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 notifies the CPU 321 of the processing unit 320 that the information has been received from the information processing device 100.

  The operation of the CPU 321 at this time will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 12 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 321 when the communication sequence is in the “idle state” (sequence flag = 0).

  In the first step S401, the CBW from the information processing apparatus 100 is converted into a command frame.

  In the next step S 403, the SAS transmission / reception unit 333 is instructed to transmit the command frame. As a result, the command frame is output to the tape device 500 via the SAS interface 332 and the SAS port 331.

  In the next step S405, the communication sequence is changed from "idle state" to "data waiting state from the tape device" (sequence flag = 1). Then, the process when the communication sequence is in the “idle state” is terminated.

  When the tape device 500 receives a command frame from the conversion device 300, the command of the command frame is a read command here, and therefore performs a data read operation from the magnetic tape. When the data is normally read out, the tape device 500 outputs a data frame including the data to the conversion device 300.

  When the tape device 500 outputs the data frame, it continuously outputs a response frame that does not include sense data to the conversion device 300. At this time, in the “STATUS” field of the response frame, status information (see FIG. 13) in which “Status Code” is “00h” meaning “GOOD” is set.

  On the other hand, if the data reading from the magnetic tape is not normally performed, the tape device 500 generates sense data (see FIGS. 14 and 15) indicating the content of the abnormality without outputting a data frame. Then, the response frame including the sense data is output to the conversion device 300. At this time, in the “STATUS” field of the response frame, status information whose “Status Code” is “02h” meaning “CHECK CONDITION” is set. When the tape device 500 outputs the response frame, the tape device 500 erases (clears) the sense data created here.

  Therefore, when there is no abnormality in the tape device 500, there is no sense data in the response frame, and when there is an abnormality in the tape device 500, sense data exists in the response frame.

  When the conversion device 300 receives a frame from the tape device 500, a notification indicating that the frame has been received from the tape device 500 is sent from the SAS transmitting / receiving unit 333 to the CPU 321 of the processing unit 320.

  The operation of the CPU 321 at this time will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 and 16. The flowcharts of FIGS. 15 and 16 correspond to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 321 when the communication sequence is “waiting for data from the tape device”.

  In the first step S501, it is determined whether the received frame is a data frame or a response frame by referring to the “FRAME TYPE” field. If the value set in the “FRAME TYPE” field is “01h”, it is determined that the received frame is a data frame, and the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, the received data frame is converted into data corresponding to the USB standard.

  In the next step S505, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 is instructed to transmit the data. As a result, the data is output to the information processing apparatus 100 via the USB interface 312 and the USB port 311. Here, the data of the length planned by the above “dCBWDataTransferLength” is output as the data transport. Then, the processing when the communication sequence is “waiting for data from the tape device” is ended.

  On the other hand, if the value set in the “FRAME TYPE” field is “07h” in step S501, it is determined that the received frame is a response frame, and the process proceeds to step S601 in FIG.

  In step S601, the “DATAPRESS” field of the received response frame is referred to, and it is determined whether or not there is sense data in the response frame. If the value set in the “DATAPRESS” field is “10b”, the determination here is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S603, the sense data included in the response frame is stored in the sense data storage area of the RAM 323.

  In the next step S605, 1 indicating that there is an abnormality in the tape device 500 is set in the abnormality occurrence flag. That is, the abnormality occurrence flag is set.

  In the next step S607, dummy data is created.

  In the next step S609, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 is instructed to transmit the dummy data. Thereby, the dummy data is output to the information processing apparatus 100 via the USB interface 312 and the USB port 311.

  In the next step S611, CSW (Command Status Wrapper) shown in FIG. 17 is created as status information.

  Here, CSW will be briefly described. The “dCSWSignature” field in FIG. 17 is a field for recognizing that the data packet is a CSW. The “dCSWTag” field is a command block tag, exists to link the CSW to the CBW, and has the same value as the “dCBWTag” field of the CBW.

  In the “CSWDataResidue” field in FIG. 17, the difference between the value of the “CBBDataTransferLength” field of the CBW and the data amount actually processed by the tape device 500 is set. In the “bCSWStatus” field, a value indicating success or failure of the command is set. For example, “00h” meaning “Command Passed” is set when the command ends normally, and “01h” meaning “Command Failed” is set when the command fails. Here, “01h” is set in the “bCSWStatus” field.

  In the next step S613, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 is instructed to transmit the CSW. As a result, the CSW is output to the information processing apparatus 100 via the USB interface 312 and the USB port 311.

  In the next step S615, the communication sequence is changed from “waiting for data from the tape device” to “waiting for request sense from the information processing device” (sequence flag = 2). Then, the processing when the communication sequence is “waiting for data from the tape device” is ended.

  On the other hand, if the value set in the “DATAPRESS” field is not “10b” in step S601, the determination in step S601 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S621.

  In step S621, a CSW is created in which “00h” indicating normal termination is set in the “bCSWStatus” field.

  In the next step S623, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 is instructed to transmit the CSW. As a result, the CSW is output to the information processing apparatus 100 via the USB interface 312 and the USB port 311.

  In the next step S625, the communication sequence is changed from “waiting for data from the tape device” to “idle state” (sequence flag = 0).

  In the next step S627, the abnormality occurrence flag is set to 0, and the abnormality occurrence flag is reset. Then, the processing when the communication sequence is “waiting for data from the tape device” is ended.

  When the information processing apparatus 100 receives data (including dummy data) from the conversion apparatus 300, the CPU 110 stores the data in the RAM 120.

  When the information processing apparatus 100 receives a CSW in which “00h” indicating normal termination is set in the “bCSWStatus” field, the CPU 110 writes the data stored in the RAM 120 to the hard disk in the HDD apparatus 160. To the control device. As a result, the data recorded on the magnetic tape is copied to the hard disk of the information processing apparatus 100, and the copy process by the tape RW software 600 is completed.

  On the other hand, when the information processing apparatus 100 receives a CSW in which “01h” indicating a command failure is set in the “bCSWStatus” field, the request sense (REQUEST SENSE) command which is a command for requesting sense data (see FIG. 18). Are output to the converter 300.

  When the conversion device 300 receives the CBW, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 notifies the CPU 321 of the processing unit 320 that the information has been received from the information processing device 100.

  The operation of the CPU 321 at this time will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 19 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 321 when the communication sequence is “waiting for request sense from information processing apparatus”.

  In the first step S701, it is determined whether or not the value of the abnormality occurrence flag is 1. If the value of the abnormality occurrence flag is 1, the determination here is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S703, 0 is set to the abnormality occurrence flag in order to clear the abnormality occurrence flag.

  In the next step S705, it is determined whether or not the received CBW command is a request sense command. If the received CBW command is a request sense command, the determination here is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S707.

  In step S707, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 is instructed to transmit sense data stored in the sense data storage area of the RAM 323. As a result, the sense data is output to the information processing apparatus 100 via the USB interface 312 and the USB port 311.

  In the next step S709, after confirming the transmission of the sense data, the sense data stored in the sense data storage area is deleted.

  In the next step S711, a CSW in which “00h” indicating normal termination is set in the “bCSWStatus” field is created.

  In the next step S713, the USB transmission / reception unit 313 is instructed to transmit the CSW. As a result, the CSW is output to the information processing apparatus 100 via the USB interface 312 and the USB port 311.

  In the next step S715, the communication sequence is changed from “waiting for request sense from information processing apparatus” to “idle state” (sequence flag = 0). Then, the process when the communication sequence is “waiting for request sense from information processing apparatus” is terminated.

  In the information processing apparatus 100, when the sense data and the CSW are received, the tape RW software 600 causes the display device 510 to display the details of the abnormality in the tape device 500, stops the copy process, and instructs the operator. wait.

  On the other hand, if the received CBW command is not a request sense command in step S705, the determination in step S705 is denied and the process proceeds to step S731.

  In step S731, the CBW is converted into a command frame.

  In the next step S733, the transmission / reception unit 333 is instructed to transmit the command frame. As a result, the command frame is output to the tape device 500 via the SAS interface 332 and the SAS port 331.

  In the next step S735, the communication sequence is changed according to the command. For example, if the command is a read command, the communication sequence is changed to “waiting for data from the tape device” (sequence flag = 1). If the command is a write command, the communication sequence is changed to “waiting for data from information processing apparatus” (sequence flag = 3). Then, the process when the communication sequence is “waiting for request sense from information processing apparatus” is terminated.

  If the value of the abnormality occurrence flag is not 1 in step S701, the determination in step S701 is denied and the process proceeds to step S731.

  20 and 21 illustrate the main exchange among the information processing apparatus 100, the conversion apparatus 300, and the tape apparatus 500 in an easy-to-understand manner. 20 shows a case where there is an abnormality in the tape device 500, and FIG. 21 shows a case where there is no abnormality in the tape device 500.

  As is clear from the above description, the conversion method of the present invention is implemented in the processing performed by the CPU 321 of the conversion apparatus 300. It should be noted that at least a part of the processing according to the program by the CPU 321 may be configured by hardware, or all may be configured by hardware.

  The CPU 321 of the conversion device 300 constitutes a control computer according to the present invention, and the ROM 322 of the conversion device 300 constitutes the recording medium of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the conversion apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the first communication control is provided on the communication path between the information processing apparatus 100 compatible with the USB standard and the tape apparatus 500 compatible with the SAS standard. A processing unit 320, a second communication control unit 330, and the like.

  The first communication control unit 310 includes a USB port 311, a USB interface 312, and a USB transmission / reception unit 313. Further, the second communication control unit 330 includes a SAS port 331, a SAS interface 332, and a SAS transmission / reception unit 333. The processing unit 320 includes a CPU 321, a ROM 322, a RAM 323, and the like.

  The CPU 321 converts the CBW from the information processing apparatus 100 into a command frame and outputs it to the tape device 500. In addition, the CPU 321 converts the data frame from the tape device 500 into data corresponding to the USB standard, and outputs the data frame to the information processing device 100.

  Further, when the CPU 321 receives the response frame including the sense data from the tape device 500, the CPU 321 temporarily stores the sense data in the sense data storage area of the RAM 323 without transferring the sense data to the information processing apparatus 100. The meaning CSW is output to the information processing apparatus 100. At this time, the CPU 321 sets 1 indicating that there is an abnormality in the tape device 500 in the abnormality occurrence flag.

  Further, when the value of the abnormality occurrence flag is 1 and the CPU 321 receives the CBW of the request sense command from the information processing apparatus 100, the CPU 321 outputs sense data stored in the sense data storage area of the RAM 323 to the information processing apparatus 100. To do.

  In this case, if there is an abnormality such as a magnetic tape not being attached to the tape device 500, the information processing apparatus 100 can correctly know the content of the abnormality.

  Therefore, by arranging the conversion device 300 on the communication path between the information processing device 100 compatible with the USB standard and the tape device 500 compatible with the SAS standard, the information processing corresponding to the USB standard is not caused without increasing the cost. Communication between the apparatus 100 and the tape apparatus 500 corresponding to the SAS standard can be normally performed.

  And since the information processing system 10 is provided with the conversion apparatus 300, the system according to the objective can be constructed | assembled as a result, without causing a cost increase.

  Further, in the above embodiment, even when the data recorded on the magnetic tape is copied to the optical disk, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the operator can instruct the tape RW software 600 to copy the data recorded on the hard disk and the optical disk to the magnetic tape set in the tape device 500. Even in this case, if there is an abnormality such as the magnetic tape not being attached to the tape device 500, the information processing apparatus 100 can correctly know the content of the abnormality.

  Incidentally, Patent Document 1 describes that data transferred from a USB storage device is converted to another interface (for example, IDE, SCSI) different from USB. However, a technique for solving the problems associated with the conversion between USB and SAS is not described.

  Patent Document 2 describes a status register for writing status information to a device and a means for issuing a USB request for acquiring the contents of the status register to a second device (PC). However, a technique for solving the problems associated with the conversion between USB and SAS is not described.

  Patent Document 3 describes a device sense data holding method. However, a technique for solving the problems associated with the conversion between USB and SAS is not described.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the USB Mass Storage Class Bulk-Only Transport is used as the data transfer protocol between the information processing apparatus 100 and the conversion apparatus 300 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. USB Mass Storage Class Control / Bulk / Interrupt (CBI) Transport may be used.

  In the above embodiment, another storage device that supports the SAS standard may be used instead of the tape device 500. In this case, instead of the tape RW software 600, software corresponding to the storage device is used.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the indicator of the display apparatus 140 was a liquid crystal display, it is not limited to this. For example, instead of a liquid crystal display, a CRT display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, or the like may be used.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where a personal computer was used as the information processing apparatus 100, it is not limited to this.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where Windows (trademark) by Microsoft Corporation was used as OS (operating system), it is not limited to this.

  In addition, the configuration of the first communication control unit 310 is not limited to the above embodiment.

  Further, the configuration of the processing unit 320 is not limited to the above embodiment.

  The configuration of the second communication control unit 330 is not limited to the above embodiment.

  As described above, the conversion device of the present invention is suitable for normally performing communication between a device compatible with the USB standard and a device compatible with the SAS standard. The information processing system of the present invention is suitable for constructing a system according to the purpose. Further, the conversion method of the present invention is suitable for normally performing communication between a device conforming to the USB standard and a device conforming to the SAS standard. Further, the program and the storage medium of the present invention are suitable for normally performing communication between a device compatible with the USB standard and a device compatible with the SAS standard.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information processing system 100 ... Information processing apparatus (first apparatus) 110 ... CPU, 120 ... RAM, 130 ... ROM, 140 ... Display device, 150 ... Input device, 160 ... HDD device, 170 ... Optical disk device, 180 ... USB I / F, 300 ... conversion device, 310 ... first communication control unit, 311 ... USB port, 312 ... USB interface, 313 ... USB transmission / reception unit, 320 ... processing unit (processing device), 321 ... CPU, 322 ... ROM (recording medium), 323 ... RAM, 330 ... second communication control unit, 331 ... SAS port, 332 ... SAS interface, 333 ... SAS transmission / reception unit, 500 ... tape device (second device), Pu ... USB port.

Claims (15)

A conversion device provided on a communication path between a first device compatible with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard and a second device compatible with a SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) standard,
A first communication control unit that conforms to the USB standard and controls communication with the first device;
A second communication control unit that is compliant with the SAS standard and controls communication with the second device;
When sense data from the second device input via the second communication control unit is input, the sense data is stored, and status information indicating command failure is stored in the first communication control unit. When the sense data request command for the status information is input from the first device via the first communication control unit, the stored sense data is output to the first device via the first communication control unit. And a processing device that outputs to the first device via one communication control unit. When the processing device outputs status information indicating the command failure to the first device via the first communication control unit, the abnormality occurrence flag is set,
The conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the sense data request command is a sense data request command input when the abnormality occurrence flag is set.   The processing device outputs status information indicating the command failure to the first device via the first communication control unit, and then from the first device via the first communication control unit. The conversion apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the command is received, the abnormality occurrence flag is reset.   4. The processing device erases the stored sense data when the stored sense data is output to the first device via the first communication control unit. The conversion apparatus as described in any one of. The conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, connected to a first device corresponding to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard,
An information processing system comprising: a second device connected to a second communication control unit of the conversion device and compatible with a SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) standard. The conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A first device connected to the first communication control unit of the conversion device and compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard;
An information processing system comprising: a second device connected to a second communication control unit of the conversion device and compatible with a SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) standard. A conversion method in a conversion device provided on a communication path between a first device compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard and a second device compatible with the SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) standard,
Temporarily storing sense data from the second device without outputting to the first device;
Outputting status information indicating command failure to the first device;
And a step of outputting the temporarily stored sense data to the first device when a sense data request command for the status information is input from the first device. Following the step of outputting the status information to the first device,
The method further includes the step of setting the abnormality occurrence flag.
In the step of outputting the sense data to the first device, a sense data request command input when the abnormality occurrence flag is set is used as a sense data request command for the status information. Item 8. The conversion method according to Item 7.   9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of resetting the abnormality occurrence flag when a command is input from the first device after the status information is output to the first device. Conversion method. Following the step of outputting the status information to the first device,
The conversion method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of erasing the temporarily stored sense data. A program used for a conversion device provided on a communication path between a first device compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard and a second device compatible with the SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) standard,
A procedure for temporarily storing sense data from the second device without outputting to the first device;
A procedure for outputting status information indicating command failure to the first device;
A step of outputting the temporarily stored sense data to the first device when a sense data request command for the status information is input from the first device; A program to be executed by a computer. Following the procedure of outputting the status information to the first device,
In the procedure for causing the control computer to further execute a procedure for setting an abnormality occurrence flag to the control computer, in the procedure for outputting the sense data to the first device, a sense data request command input when the abnormality occurrence flag is set. The program according to claim 11, wherein the command is a sense data request command for the status information.   The control computer is caused to further execute a procedure for resetting the abnormality occurrence flag when a command is received from the first device after the status information is output to the first device. Item 13. The program according to item 12. Following the procedure of outputting the status information to the first device,
The program according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further causing the control computer to execute a procedure of erasing the temporarily stored sense data.   The computer-readable recording medium with which the program as described in any one of Claims 11-14 was recorded.

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