JP3484549B2 - Remote information communication method and communication device and terminal adapter used for the same - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote information communication method and a communication device when computers at remote locations are mutually connected via a communication line, and more particularly to a remote location using a communication function. The present invention relates to a communication method for controlling an auxiliary storage device of a computer to communicate remote information, the device and a terminal adapter.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when computers having auxiliary storage devices (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) are connected to each other through a communication line, the data transfer to and from the remote place by the computer is It was necessary to construct an interface (interface circuit and control program) for controlling two types of devices such as communication devices (modems, LAN boards, etc.). An interface with some auxiliary storage devices is generally provided as a standard function by a computer operating system, but an interface with a communication device is
It had to be built by incorporating a program (communication device control program) for controlling the communication device and communication protocol on the operating system. Therefore, in a remote information communication method for controlling an auxiliary storage device at a remote place by using a conventional communication function, data transfer control is performed by using a communication device control program incorporated in a computer connected to a communication line via an adapter. Was going on. For example, modem communication requires communication software, and data transfer is possible only on the communication software. Further, LAN communication requires incorporation of LAN driver software, and data transfer is possible only in a LAN-compatible program.

In such a method and apparatus for transferring data in a remote place, the connected computer is occupied by the communication device control program incorporated in the computer, or the communication device control program There is a problem in that the operating environment of the computer is limited because operations other than programs that can operate simultaneously are not allowed. When data is transferred by incorporating the communication device control program in this way, the data transfer function provided by this program must be used, or a program having a data transfer method other than that assumed by this program cannot be used. There were restrictions such as. In addition, in order for the computer peripheral device to operate corresponding to a plurality of operating systems, a separate communication device control program is operated for each operating system, or a program or special device for eliminating the difference between operating systems is installed. It was necessary to operate the communication device control program after the operation. In addition, the use of a function (communication device control program) other than the standard function of the operating system of the computer has been a factor that makes the operation of the computer unstable, such as collision with other programs. further,
Since this phenomenon is unique to each operating system and communication device control program, different countermeasures when an actual failure occurs are required depending on the combination of operating system and communication device control program.

According to the present invention, a plurality of information processing units each consisting of a computer operating under the environment of a specific operating system and an auxiliary storage device are connected via a communication line. In the information processing systems different from each other in the operating system, when operating the auxiliary storage device in another information processing unit from a computer in a certain information processing unit to receive information registered in the auxiliary storage device, The auxiliary storage device converts the data format according to the operating system of a certain information processing unit and then transmits it to the communication line, and the certain information processing unit follows the operating system of the certain information processing unit through the communication line. The present invention relates to a remote information communication method for directly receiving the information. The conversion in the present invention can also be achieved by an information processing unit on the receiving side. Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of information processing units each including a computer operating under a specific operating system environment and an auxiliary storage device are connected via a communication line, and the operating systems of the respective information processing units are different from each other. In the information processing system, the present invention relates to a remote information communication device including a conversion matrix between operating systems in each information processing unit. Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of information processing units of a computer operating in a specific operating system environment and an auxiliary storage device are connected via a communication line, and the operating systems of the respective information processing units have different information. In a terminal adapter used in a processing system, a port connected to a communication line, a port connected to a computer, and a port connected to an auxiliary storage device, and a port connected to an auxiliary storage device and a communication line Is connected to the computer, and the port connected to the auxiliary storage device and the port connected to the computer are connected, and the connection from the port connected to the auxiliary storage device is connected to the computer. The port that is connected to the communication line can be selectively switched. The present invention relates to a terminal adapter that is.

The operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The adapter A sends a "(a) call setting" signal to the ISDN network triggered by the "(a) call instruction" signal from the computer B, and starts the line connection procedure. After that, adapter A and IS
Signals ((C) to (C) in FIG. 4) are exchanged between the DN network, the ISDN network and the adapter D to transit to the communicating state. After that, the adapter A and the adapter D connect the information channels to each other so that the data transfer is possible. next,
The adapter A transmits the type of operating system set at the time of initial setting to the adapter D as a “(h) operating system information” signal. The adapter D selects an appropriate conversion method from the format conversion matrix based on this information and the type of the operating system set at the time of initial setting of the adapter D, and then changes the internally formed path from the path 14 to the path 15. Switch to "A" (data transfer signal permission) for adapter A
Send a signal. The adapter A that has received the "(K) data transfer signal permission" signal switches the internally formed path from the path 14 to the path 15, and then sends the "(CO) data transfer start notification" signal to the computer B. . As described above, a transmission path for controlling the hard disk F from the computer B is formed, and the hard disk F can be controlled by the computer B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the adapter of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the communication control unit 1 satisfies a protocol for connecting to a communication line and a protocol for data transfer with a device at a remote place (device having the same function as an adapter), and the device at a remote place is satisfied. Data communication with. The computer-side SCSI interface circuit unit 2 is a circuit that is connected to the SCSI interface unit of an externally connected computer and that performs SCSI bus control. The SCSI hard disk side interface circuit unit 3 is a circuit for connecting the adapter and the SCSI hard disk to perform SCSI bus control. The operation unit 4 is a command operation unit that controls transmission and disconnection operations to a communication line and an adapter.
The control unit 5 controls the entire device. Memory 6
Is a memory used by the control unit 5 for work. Also,
It is also used to store the type of operating system in which an externally connected computer and SCSI hard disk are set, which is set through the operation unit 4 during initial setting. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the control unit 5. In FIG. 2, the operation unit control task 7 is a program that analyzes and processes the operation performed by the operation unit 4. The data communication control task 8 is notified when there is a call origination or disconnection operation for the communication line. The data communication control task 8 is a program that performs transmission to the communication control unit 1, a disconnection operation instruction, and data transfer control between the communication control unit 1 and the state management task 11. The computer side SCSI bus control task 9 is a computer side SCSI
This is a program for controlling the interface circuit unit 2. It detects the SCSI bus state (phase) information on the computer side and notifies it to the state management task 11, or outputs the phase information notified from the state management task 11 to the SCSI bus on the computer side. The SCSI hard disk side SCSI bus control task 10 is a program for controlling the SCSI hard disk side SCSI interface circuit unit 3. The SCSI bus status (phase) information on the SCSI hard disk side is detected and notified to the status management task 11, or the phase information notified from the status management task 11 is output to the SCSI hard disk side SCSI bus. The state management task 11 is a program that determines the destination of data from the data communication control task 8, the computer-side SCSI bus control task 9, and the SCSI hard disk-side SCSI bus control task 10 and sends it to the task. When the adapter is in communication, conversion of the file management information using the format conversion matrix 12 is also performed here. The format conversion matrix 12 is a matrix that describes a conversion method of file management information between operating systems. The monitor 13 is a program that manages the execution of the above programs. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication form in an information processing system using the adapter of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a path 14 is a path formed to connect the computer B and the SCSI hard disk C connected to the outside when the adapter A is not communicating. At this time, the adapter A links the state of the SCSI bus between the computer B and the adapter A and the state of the SCSI bus between the adapter A and the hard disk C to make the state equivalent to that when the computer B and the SCSI hard disk C are directly connected. , SCSI hard disk C
Runs under the control of the operating system running on computer B. Adapter D and computer E
And the path 1 formed between the SCSI hard disk F
The same applies to 4. The path 15 is a path for connecting the computer B and the SCSI hard disk F when the adapter A enters a communication state with the transmission operation from the adapter A. At this time, the adapter A and the adapter D use the communication line to connect the computer B to the adapter A.
SCSI Bus Status and Adapter D-Hard Disk F
The states of these SCSI buses are interlocked by mutually notifying each other of the states of the SCSI buses. However, the adapter D converts the file management information using the format conversion matrix 12, and the SCSI hard disk F is under the control of the operating system operating in the computer B without changing the management format of the SCSI hard disk F. Operate as if it were. As described above, in the computer B, the adapter A can be seen as a SCSI hard disk of the same format (under the same operating system). The route 16 is connected to the computer E when the communication state with the adapter A is established by the transmission operation from the adapter D.
And a SCSI hard disk C. At this time, the adapter A and the adapter D perform the same operation as the adapter D and the adapter A when the path 15 is formed, respectively. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram until the path 15 of FIG. 3 is formed and data is transferred between the computer B and the SCSI hard disk F. In this figure, an ISDN network is assumed as the communication line. First, "(A) Calling instruction" and "(CO) Data transfer start notification" which are signals flowing only between the adapter A and the computer B in this figure will be described. Here, adapter A
By making an arrangement between the computer and the computer B, "the adapter A considers that when the computer B writes with a specific file name, the computer (B) considers that the ((a) transmission instruction" signal is sent ". "(A)
A call origination signal will be generated. Further, upon receiving this signal, the adapter A does not notify the computer B of the end of writing, leaves the computer B in a waiting state for writing a specific file, and ends writing when data communication becomes possible. Computer B sends this notification to the “(co) data transfer start notification”.
Interpreted as a signal. From the above, computer B
The exchange of these signals can be realized by using only the auxiliary storage interface of the operating system of the computer B without changing the operating environment of the operating system. In the following description of the sequence, only the “(a) transmission instruction” signal and the “(co) data transfer start notification” signal will be described. Adapter A
In response to the "(a) Call origination instruction" signal from the computer B, sends a "(b) call setup" signal to the ISDN network to start the line connection procedure. The instruction to call Adapter A is
It can also be performed by a call operation from the operation unit 4.
Thereafter, signals ((C) to (C) in FIG. 4) are exchanged between the adapter A and the ISDN network, and between the ISDN network and the adapter D to transit to the communicating state. After that, the adapter A and the adapter D connect the information channels to each other so that the data transfer is possible. Next, the adapter A sets the operating system type set at the time of initial setting to “(
It is transmitted to the adapter D as an "operating system information" signal. The adapter D selects an appropriate conversion method from the format conversion matrix on the basis of this information and the type of the operating system set at the time of initial setting of the adapter D, and then selects the path formed inside the path 1
The path is switched from No. 4 to the path 15 and the “(K) data transfer signal permission” signal is transmitted to the adapter A.
The adapter A that has received the "(K) data transfer signal permission" signal switches the internally formed path from the path 14 to the path 15, and then sends the "(CO) data transfer start notification" signal to the computer B. . From the above, the computer B
To provide a transmission path for controlling the SCSI hard disk F, and the computer B can control the SCSI hard disk F. After that, the adapter A and the adapter D pass through the path 15 and the state of the SCSI bus between the computer B and the adapter A (phase information) and the state of the SCSI bus between the adapter D and the hard disk F (phase information).
By mutually notifying each other, the states of these SCSI buses are linked and data transfer is realized. However, when the phase information includes the file management information, the adapter D uses the format conversion matrix 17 to convert the phase information. FIG. 5 is an example of the format conversion matrix 12. Here, three types of operating systems, A, B, and C, are assumed.
The format conversion matrix describes the format conversion method for each combination of operating systems. The adapter searches the matrix from the two types of operating system set in advance and the operating system information sent from the adapter on the other side after it enters the communication state, and selects the conversion method. Convert data between computer and SCSI hard disk originally. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of format conversion depending on the difference in operating system. The inside of a SCSI hard disk can be classified into a data area and a management area of the data area (IPL, partition data, BOOT, file allocation table, etc.), but the usage of these differs depending on the operating system. Therefore, the format conversion matrix 12 in which the difference between the operating systems to be supported is described is incorporated in advance, and data conversion and address conversion are performed based on it.

According to the present invention, the communication control program is used even when the computer in the information processing unit accesses the information in the auxiliary storage devices of different operating systems at remote locations. Without doing so, remote information can be handled as if the auxiliary storage device operating with its own operating system is directly operated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an adapter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a software configuration of an adapter of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication form of an information processing system using the adapter of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a remote information communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conversion matrix in an information processing unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of format conversion depending on operating systems.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Communication control unit, 2 ... Computer side interface circuit unit, 3 ... Auxiliary storage device side interface circuit unit, 4 ...
Operation unit, 5 ... Control unit, 6 ... Memory, 7 ... Operation unit control task, 8 ... Data communication control task, 9 ... Computer side S
CSI bus control task, 10 ... SCSI hard disk side SCSI bus control task, 11 ... State management task, 1
2 ... format conversion matrix, 13 ... monitor, 1
4 ... Data transmission path when adapter A and adapter D in FIG. 3 are not communicating, 15 ... Adapter A in FIG.
From the adapter D to the adapter A in FIG.
Data transmission route when sending to and communicating with

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. Information processing units each comprising a computer operating under a specific operating system environment and an auxiliary storage device are connected through a communication line, and the operating systems of the respective information processing units are different from each other. In the processing system, when the computer in the information processing unit is operated to receive the information registered in the auxiliary storage device by operating the auxiliary storage device in another information processing unit, Is transmitted to the communication line after being converted into a data format according to the operating system of the information processing unit, and directly received as information according to the operating system of the information processing unit through the communication line in the above certain information processing unit. A remote information communication method characterized by: 2. An information processing unit comprising a computer operating under a specific operating system environment and an auxiliary storage device is connected by a plurality of units via a communication line, and the operating systems of the respective information processing units are different from each other. In the processing system, when a computer in a certain information processing unit operates an auxiliary storage device in another information processing unit to receive information registered in the auxiliary storage device, Sent to the communication line as information according to the operating system of the other information processing unit, and after receiving as information according to the operating system of the other information processing unit via the communication line in the certain information processing unit, Conversion to a data format according to the operating system of the certain information processing unit on the receiving side Remote information communication method according to claim Rukoto. 3. An information processing unit comprising a computer operating under the environment of a specific operating system and an auxiliary storage device is connected by a plurality of units via a communication line, and the operating systems of the respective information processing units are different from each other. In the processing system, a remote information communication device characterized in that each of the information processing units is provided with a conversion matrix between mutual operating systems. 4. When a computer in a certain information processing unit operates an auxiliary storage device in another information processing unit to receive information registered in the auxiliary storage device, the other information processing unit 4. The remote information communication device according to claim 3, wherein the data format of the received information is converted by the conversion matrix in the. 5. When a computer in a certain information processing unit operates an auxiliary storage device in another information processing unit to receive information registered in the auxiliary storage device, the certain information processing unit 4. The remote information communication device according to claim 3, wherein the data format of the received information is converted by the conversion matrix in the. 6. A computer operating under a specific operating system environment and a plurality of information processing units of an auxiliary storage device are connected via a communication line, and the operating systems of the respective information processing units are different from each other in information processing. In the terminal adapter used in the system,
A terminal adapter comprising a port connected to a communication line, a port connected to a computer, and a port connected to an auxiliary storage device. 7. A port connected to an auxiliary storage device and a port connected to a communication line are connected, and a port connected to the auxiliary storage device and a port connected to a computer are connected. 7. The connection from the port connected to the auxiliary storage device is configured so that the port connected to the computer and the port connected to the communication line can be selectively switched. The listed terminal adapter.