JP3449884B2 - Client / server system and computer system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a client / server system, and more particularly to an automatic maintenance technique for automatically maintaining the client itself under the initiative of the client. It also relates to computer systems that should be clients in such client / server systems.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, client / server systems have become widespread as the performance of personal computers has improved. By the way, in the client / server system, a user's operation error or a simple environment setting error is likely to cause a trouble affecting the entire network system. On the other hand, maintenance instructions cannot be given. In such a case, maintenance work itself may become impossible and the system may go down until the trouble is resolved. Since such a fear increases as the number of clients connecting to the server increases, the loss in economic terms cannot be ignored as the network system becomes larger.

Further, in a system using a plurality of personal computers as clients and servers, such as a client / server system, the transmission of computer viruses has become an important issue in recent years. That is, when a computer virus invades one personal computer among a plurality of clients of a client / server system, it is transmitted to all clients and servers via a network system, resulting in a serious loss. Therefore, in order to operate the client / server system comfortably, it is very important that the system can be maintained efficiently.

By the way, the maintenance of each client in the conventional client / server system is generally a so-called top-down method in which a user stores information necessary for maintenance on the server and a maintenance instruction is issued from the server. is there. However, in such a top-down method, basically, all clients connected to the server are instructed to perform maintenance at the same time, so that an excessive load is placed on the server and transmission line each time maintenance work is performed. In addition, all the clients are in a non-operational state at the same time while the maintenance work is being performed, so that there is a problem that the capacity of the entire system is deteriorated.

As described above, the conventional client / server system requires maintenance work, and the time required for the maintenance work largely depends on the maintenance capability of the server or the communication capability of the transmission line. Further, when a trouble occurs, the cause of the trouble depends on the ability of the user or the maintenance worker, so that the system cannot be promptly recovered.
The actual situation was that the maintenance workers were bothered.

Under these circumstances, the inventors of the present application have previously applied for the invention of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-272643. This Japanese Patent
In the invention of Japanese Patent No. 8-272643, in short, the client side is provided with a self-maintenance capability, and each client is made to perform self-diagnosis when the power is turned on, and is saved on the server only when a failure occurs. Download only the necessary files from the backup system of a certain client and perform self-repair processing. In this way, each client performs its own maintenance to reduce the load on the server and the transmission path, reduce the probability of occurrence of system down, and further improve the capacity of the entire system.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In the invention of the 8-272643 publication, it is assumed that the server, the network, and the network connection device are normal. Therefore, if the server, network, or network connection device also fails at the same time when the client fails, there is a problem that the client cannot download the files required for maintenance processing from the server. Occurs.

Further, in the conventional client / server system, not only the server, but also the situation where the client routinely moves has not been taken into consideration. However, in recent years, individuals usually carry around a portable personal computer for business use and use it as a stand-alone machine to present various kinds of information to customers, and to input information obtained from customers on the spot. In the office, it is installed in a client / server system and used as a client of a network system to receive various business information and to exchange documents necessary for business as electronic information. Is becoming common in companies. In such a usage form, there is a possibility that the client may fail in a state where it is impossible to connect to the server, for example, when the user goes out. In such a case, as a matter of course, the client cannot obtain the information necessary for the maintenance process from the server, and therefore the failure cannot be recovered, which causes a hindrance to the work.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in short, the backup file required for the maintenance of the client is stored in both the server and the client, and the client performs the self-maintenance. In this case, if the server can be connected, the backup file is downloaded from the server and the software version is upgraded to share the resources of the entire client / server system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a client / server system in which maintenance is independently performed using a backup file held by a computer and a computer system to be a client in such a system.

[0010]

In a client / server system according to the present invention, a client unit having software installed in hardware is detachably connected to a network to which at least one server unit is connected by network connecting means. In the client / server system, the server unit includes a storage unit that stores backup information of the operating environment of the client unit and update information of the entire system, and the client unit includes its own operation including hardware and software. Backup data holding means for holding environment backup data, system information holding means for holding information on the normal operating environment,
At the predetermined point in time, the operating environment and the network are compared with the normal time information held by the system information holding means for diagnosis, and there is an abnormality in the network, server unit or network connection means. If the diagnostic means diagnoses the client unit from the network, the network disconnecting means disconnects the client unit from the network, and if the diagnostic means diagnoses that an error has occurred in the hardware, the network disconnecting means disconnects itself from the network and the software fails. When the diagnostic means diagnoses that it has occurred and is disconnected from the network by the network disconnecting means, the operating environment is self-repaired according to the contents of the backup data holding means, and the diagnostic means that an abnormality has occurred in software Diagnosed and network Operation ring of the client unit if disconnected from the network by the cutting means has not been made stored in the storage means of the server unit
It is characterized by comprising self-maintenance means for restoring the operating environment by referring to the backup information of the boundary and the update information of the entire system .

In such a client / server system of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the client, all of the network, the server unit and the network connecting means are normal and can be supported by the server. If it is in a state, with the help of the server, the restoration process is performed according to the backup information, and the system update process is performed according to the update information of the entire system.
If any one of the network, the server unit, and the network connection means is not normal and cannot receive the support of the server, the restoration processing is performed independently according to the contents held in the backup data holding means of its own.

[0012] Computer system according to the present invention can be connected / separated for a network in which at least one server unit is connected, it is installed software on the hardware, the backup operating environment to the server unit A computer system that stores information for a network
Can be connected or disconnected
Network connection means, backup data holding means for holding backup data of its own operating environment including hardware and software, system information holding means for holding information of its own operating environment in a normal state, and at a predetermined time point Diagnostic means for diagnosing its operating environment by comparing it with the information at the time of normality held by the system information holding means, and diagnostic means for diagnosing abnormalities in software and connecting to the network by the network connecting means state if it is in the state where no self-repair operation environment according to the contents of the backup data holding means, is a diagnostic tool abnormality in the software has occurred is connected to the network by diagnosing and network connection means If it is in the operating environment which had been stored in the server unit Characterized in that a self-maintenance means for referring to repair the operating environment Kkuappu information.

In such a computer system of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs while being connected to the network by the network connection means , the backup is restored by referring to the backup information of the operating environment stored in the server unit. Process, but by network connection means
Ri when an abnormality in a state that is not connected to the network occurs, alone perform the repair process in accordance with the contents held in their backup data holding means.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a client / server system according to the present invention, the client unit of which is the computer system of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 indicates a LAN line, and reference numerals 1 and 2 respectively indicate a server unit and a client unit, both of which are L
A network system is configured by connecting to the AN line 100. Although a plurality of server units 1 and client units 2 can be connected to one LAN line 100, here one server unit 1 and two client units 2 are connected to the LAN line 100. An example is given.

Each of the server unit 1 and the client unit 2 is a personal computer equipped with an ordinary CPU, memory, disk unit (hard disk, flexible disk, etc.), printer, display, keyboard, mouse, etc. as hardware, and firmware Is installed. Further, large-capacity storage media 10 and 20 using hardware such as a hard disk and a magnetic tape are connected to each unit, and software is installed.

The server unit 1 is hardware-connected to the LAN line 100 by the I / O interface 101, and the client unit 2 is hardware-connected by the I / O interface 102.

The storage medium 10 of the server unit 1 stores filed information such as a client backup file 11, a client individual environment file 12, a maintenance information file 13, and a system update information file 14.

The backup file 11 stores data for backing up a file of a client system common to each client unit 2.
The individual environment file 12 stores data for backing up the client system files individually required for each client unit 2. The maintenance information file 13 stores maintenance information about the operating environment of each client unit 2, that is, error information requiring maintenance. The system update information file 14 stores update information of the operating environment of each client unit 2, that is, data for identifying the version of each client system.

The storage medium 20 of the client unit 2 stores filed information such as a client system file 21, a maintenance information file 22, a system information file 23, a self-maintenance system file 24 and a backup file 25.

The client system file 21 stores various software and firmware necessary for the client unit 2. The maintenance information file 22 stores abnormality information regarding the operating environment of the client unit 2. The system information file 23 stores a normal operating environment of the client unit 2, in other words, a normal operating environment. The self-maintenance system file 24 stores software for self-maintenance of each client unit 2, which characterizes the present invention. Further, the backup file 25 stores data for backing up the client unit 2 of itself.

Next, regarding the operation at the time of maintenance of the client / server system of the present invention, the self-maintenance system file 24 is set in each client unit 2.
A processing procedure by the software for self-maintenance installed as will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

When one of the existing client units 2 is powered on and activated (step S11), the software for performing the self-maintenance stored in the self-maintenance system file 24 of the client unit 2 is activated. In the present embodiment, the client unit 2 performs the self-maintenance process at the time of activation by turning on the power, but it is not limited to the time of activation, and any time may be used as long as the maintenance process is possible.

First, hardware (HW), firmware (F
W), software (SW) diagnostic processing is performed (step S12). Specifically, various hardware that constitutes the client unit 2, namely, CPU, memory, disk unit (hard disk, flexible disk, etc.),
It is diagnosed whether the printer, display, keyboard, mouse, etc. are normal. However, at this time, the network-related hardware including the I / O interface 102 is not diagnosed, but is performed in step S13 described later. Also, the system environment of the client unit 2,
That is, whether or not any abnormality or change (deletion, new creation and change) has occurred in files such as software and firmware, it is normal that the self-maintenance system file 24 holds the system information file 23, in other words, normal. Diagnosis is made by comparing the system information at that time with the contents of the client system file 21.

Next, a network diagnostic process is performed (step S13). Specifically, the I / O interface 102, L with the LAN line 100 of the client unit 2 itself
It is diagnosed whether the AN line 100 and the server unit 1 are normal. As a result, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the network (“NO” in step S14), the client unit 2 itself performs the independent maintenance process described below (step S50). At this time, the case where the client unit 2 is intentionally disconnected from the network, that is, the case where the client unit 2 is used in a stand-alone state is included, not the abnormality of the network.

If it is determined that there is no abnormality in the network in step S13 ("YES" in step S14)
"), The client unit 2 starts maintenance processing with the support of the server unit 1. First, the client unit 2 performs system update diagnosis processing.
(Step S15). Specifically, the client unit 2
Reads out the system update information file 14 of the server unit 1 via the LAN line 100 and checks whether the system update information exists. What is system update information?
This is information when there is some kind of change in the server system, such as installation of new software, version upgrade of already installed software, or new hardware installation.

It is determined whether or not maintenance is required according to the above diagnostic results (step S16). As a result, when there is no need for maintenance (step S17
Then, "NO"), the self-maintenance processing by the client unit 2 is completed and the client unit 2 is ready for use. However, if maintenance is required (step S17
"YES"), in other words, if an error has occurred, it is created as maintenance information (step S1
8), after saving this in the maintenance information file 22,
Repair processing is performed according to the type of error that has occurred.

First, if a hardware error has occurred during the diagnosis in step S12 ("Y" in step S19).
ES "), the client unit 2 is disconnected from the client / server system to which it belongs by software (step S20). At this time, if the client unit 2 has not been connected to the client / server system from the beginning, the client unit 2 cannot be connected. Furthermore, the self-maintenance system file 24 terminates the maintenance process at this point, because the self-repair cannot be performed for the hardware error.

When a firmware error has occurred in the diagnosis in step S12 (“YES” in step S21)
)), That is, when it is determined that there is a change (deletion, new creation and change) of the firmware file as a result of the comparison between the system information held in the system information file 23 and the contents of the client system file 21. The firmware self-repairs according to the contents of the backup file 25 (step S22).

When a software error has occurred in the diagnosis in step S12 (“YES” in step S23)
)), That is, as a result of comparison between the system information held in the system information file 23 and the contents of the client system file 21, a change (deletion, deletion,
If it is determined that there has been a new creation and a change, for example, application software that can be self-repaired is self-repaired according to the contents of the backup file 25 (step S24). Also, if there is a change in the file of the basic software of the system, such as the operating system (OS), which is difficult to self-repair, the backup file 11 of the server unit 1 is read via the LAN line 100. Re-installation processing is performed (step S24). Note that useless files created by the user's carelessness are deleted during this self-repair.

Next, when there is system update information in the diagnosis in step S15 ("YES" in step S25)
Specifically, the software version stored in the client system file 21 of the client unit 2 and the backup file of the server unit 1
If the version of the software stored in 11 does not match, or client unit 2
If new software that is not stored in the client system file 21 of is stored in the backup file 11 of the server unit 1, the software stored in the backup file 11 of the server unit 1 will be transmitted via the LAN line 100. Read out and reinstalled in the client system file 21, and the content of the backup file 25 is updated (step S26).

Thereafter, the maintenance information previously created in step S18 and stored in the maintenance information file 22 is transferred to the server unit 1 via the LAN line 100.
Is sent to (step S27). The server unit 1 records the maintenance information sent from the client unit 2 in the maintenance information file 13.

When there is no abnormality in the network, the client unit 2 executes the self-maintenance process with the support of the server unit 1 by the above procedure. As a result, the client unit 2 can operate normally in its operating environment, that is, the hardware and the software and firmware, and the same version as that of all the other client units 2 is installed. Ends.

By the way, when an abnormality is detected in the network diagnostic process in step S13, the client unit 2 cannot receive the support from the server unit 1 as described above, and therefore the maintenance process is performed independently. I need to do it. In other words, the feature of the present invention resides in the independent maintenance process performed by the client unit 2 when there is an abnormality in the network. The independent maintenance process shown as step S50 in FIG. 2 by the client unit 2 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 showing the procedure.

First, the client unit 2 is hardware-isolated from the network, specifically, by invalidating the I / O interface 102 (step S51). Then, it is determined whether or not maintenance is necessary according to the results of the diagnosis in step S12 described above (step S52). As a result, if maintenance is not required (“NO” in step S53), the self-maintenance processing by the client unit 2 ends. However, if maintenance is required (“YES” in step S53), maintenance information is created (step S54) and this is the maintenance information file.
After the data is stored in 22, the repair processing is performed according to the type of the failure that has occurred.

First, if a hardware error has occurred in the diagnosis in step S12 ("Y" in step S55)
ES "), the client unit 2 is disconnected from the network by software (step S56).

If a firmware error has occurred during the diagnosis in step S12 ("YES" in step S57)
)), That is, the firmware file changes (delete,
System information and client system file 21 that the system information file 23 holds
If it is determined as a result of the comparison with the contents of the above, the self-repair of the firmware is performed according to the contents of the backup file 25 (step S58).

When a software error has occurred in the diagnosis in step S12 (step S59), that is, a change in the software file (deletion, new creation and change)
If it is determined that there was a comparison between the system information held in the system information file 23 and the contents of the client system file 21, the backup file
The firmware self-repairs according to the contents of 25 (step S60).

When there is an abnormality in the network, the client unit 2 independently executes the self-maintenance process according to its own backup file 25 without the support of the server unit 1 by the above procedure. As a result, the client unit 2 will be able to operate even if there is an abnormality in the network or intentionally
Even when the server system is separated from the server system and is in a stand-alone state, it is in an operable state by performing self-maintenance by itself.

Such self-maintenance of the client unit 2 alone is of course effective in the case where there is an abnormality in the network as described above. It is particularly effective when used as a client unit of a server system and used as a single computer system when a user goes out.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the client / server system of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the client, all of the network, the server unit and the network connecting means are normal and the server If it is possible to receive assistance, with the assistance of the server, the contents held in the backup data holding means , that is,
Repair processing is performed according to the operating environment backup information of the client unit, and the update information of the entire system is also used.
It also updates the system according to certain system update information, and if any one of the network, server unit, and network connection means is not normal and cannot receive the support of the server, it retains its own backup data. The restoration process is performed independently according to the contents held by the means. Therefore, even if any one of the network, the server unit, and the network connection means is not normal, the client alone can repair the abnormality.

Further, according to the computer system of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs while being connected to the network by the network connecting means , the backup information of the operating environment stored in the server unit is referred to. Performs repair processing, but using network connection means
Ri when an abnormality in a state that is not connected to the network occurs, alone perform the repair process in accordance with the contents held in their backup data holding means. Therefore, in the case of being used in a stand-alone form separated from the network, self-diagnosis and, if an abnormality occurs as a result, can be repaired independently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a client / server system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for self-maintenance by a client unit of the client / server system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for self-maintenance by a client unit of the client / server system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for self-maintenance by a client unit of the client / server system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 server unit 2 client unit 11 (server unit) backup file 12 (server unit) individual environment file 13 (server unit) maintenance information file 14 (server unit) system update information file 21 (client unit) client system File 22 (Client unit) Maintenance information file 23 (Client unit) System information file 24 (Client unit) Self-maintenance system file 25 (Client unit) Backup file

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Takashi Miyamoto 1-7 West 1 Terashimahoncho, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture 1 In Fujitsu Tokushima System Engineering Co., Ltd. No. 5 (56) Reference JP 8-272643 (JP, A) JP 5-61754 (JP, A) JP 6-242892 (JP, A) JP 8-95714 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 11/22 G06F 13/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A client / server system in which a client unit in which software is installed in hardware is detachably connected by network connection means to a network to which at least one server unit is connected, wherein the server unit comprises: The client unit includes a storage unit that stores backup information of the operating environment of the client unit and update information of the entire system, and the client unit stores backup data of its own operating environment including the hardware and software. And a system information holding means for holding information on its own operating environment in a normal state, and comparing its own operating environment and network at a predetermined time with information on a normal state held by the system information holding means And a network disconnecting unit that disconnects the client unit from the network when an abnormality occurs in the network, the server unit, or the network connecting unit, and an abnormality in the hardware. If the diagnostic means diagnoses that a problem has occurred, the network disconnecting means disconnects itself from the network, and if the software has an abnormality, the diagnostic means diagnoses and the network disconnecting means disconnects from the network. If disconnected, the operating environment is self-repaired according to the contents of the backup data holding means, the diagnostic means diagnoses that a software error has occurred, and the network disconnecting means disconnects from the network. hand Back if not the client unit of the operating environment stored in the storage means of the server unit
A client / server system comprising self-maintenance means for restoring an operating environment by referring to update information and update information of the entire system. Wherein it is possible at least one server unit for the connected network connection / separation, it is installed software to hardware,
In a computer system in which backup information of operating environment is stored in the server unit, it is connected to the network or separated.
Network connection means that can be put into a state, backup data holding means that holds backup data of its own operating environment including the hardware and software, and system information that holds information when the operating environment of itself is normal A holding means, a diagnosis means for diagnosing the operating environment of itself at a predetermined time by comparing it with the information at the normal time held by the system information holding means, and the diagnosis means that the software is abnormal. If it is in a state not connected to the network by diagnosing and said network connecting means to self-repair the operating environment in accordance with the contents of said backup data holding means, the said diagnostic means abnormal software has occurred Jo connected to the network by diagnosing and said network connection means Computer system characterized in that a self-maintenance unit if it is to repair the operating environment refers to the backup information of the operating environment which had been stored in the server unit.