JP3512311B2 - Information link management method and information providing 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 system that provides a service for allowing a client computer to access information to a server computer, as represented by a WWW service, and stores the same information on a plurality of server computers. By holding it, in an environment in which access from client computers is distributed, an information link management method and a method suitable for applying when copying information for ensuring consistency of information between server computers are provided. It relates to the information providing system used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to the development of network infrastructure, W
Information providing services using hyperlinks, which are typified by WW (World Wide Web) systems, have become available. Furthermore, companies are also using the same technology to use it for in-house information provision services and business.

The WWW system uses H, which is text information.
By describing a link to another document in the TML document, it is possible to follow the information chain. Therefore, the service user does not need to be aware of which server computer is accessed to obtain information. However, depending on the form of the network, when a WWW server is installed in each branch office in a company and information is exchanged between the branch offices, a narrow band line such as an ISDN line or a public line is used as a communication line. Takes a long time to transfer a large amount of data, and the response to the service user may be very slow.

As a method of solving this, a mirroring technique is used. That is, data can be transferred from one server to another server at times such as at night or in the early morning when the service is not used, and the same information can be duplicated at each branch office so that the information can be used in a LAN environment. By doing so, the response to the service user is improved.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional mirroring technique, there is a time lag until the latest information is changed in order to specify the time for transferring the information. Further, since information that is not referred to is also transferred, there is a problem that traffic increases and the storage device is wasted.

[0006] An object of the present invention is that when a plurality of server computers hold the same information in order to realize the same service, the updated information is immediately transmitted to other server computers so that the user can obtain new information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information link management method and an information providing system capable of promptly referencing information and preventing unnecessary copying of information to prevent traffic reduction and waste of storage devices.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention allows two or more server computers connected to a network to hold the same information.
In the information providing system that realizes the same information providing service in response to the information providing request from the client computer connected to the network to each server computer, if the information is modified on one server computer, the modification The server computer that holds the modified information sends a modification notice to the other server computer, changes the information on the other server computer to a link to the modified information, and converts the modified information to the other server computer. It is characterized in that when the information providing request for the corresponding information is made, the information providing source is transited to the correction source server computer.

Further, the number of accesses to the information changed to the link to the corrected information is measured on the other server computer, and if the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, the information of the link destination is It is characterized by obtaining and replacing the information.

Further, when another server computer obtains information from the server computer holding the corrected information, it is registered which server computer obtained the information, and the same information is stored next time. When is corrected, only the other registered server computers are notified that the correction has occurred.

Further, a backup computer is set for each server computer, and when the information held by itself is modified, a modification notice and a backup notice are sent to the backup computer, and modification is made to the other computers. It is characterized in that only the notification is transmitted, and the backup computer modifies the information held by itself and then changes to the link to the modified information.

When the information changed to the link is not accessed for a certain period of time, the link to the inaccessible information included in the information in the server computer is rewritten to the update source link. Is characterized by.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information providing system to which the information link management method of the present invention is applied.

The information providing system of this embodiment is the first
-Third server computers 1 to 3 and client computer 4 are connected, and these are connected by a network 5.

The first server computer 1 has a CPU 1
A terminal device 11 including 1A and a memory 11B, an information file 12A, a link management program 12B, a log monitoring program 12C, and an information providing service program 12
The external storage device 12 stores the D, the mirror file 12E, the transfer management file 12F, the link registration file 12G, and the like, and the communication port 13.

Similarly, the second server computer 2 is
A terminal device 2 including a CPU 21A and a memory 21B
1, information file 22A, link management program 22
B, a log monitoring program 22C, an information providing service program 22D, a mirror file 22E, a transfer management file 22F, a link registration file 22G, and the like, and an external storage device 22 and a communication port 23.

Similarly, the third server computer 3 is
Terminal device 3 including CPU 31A and memory 31B
1, information file 32A, link management program 32
B, a log monitoring program 32C, an information providing service program 32D, a mirror file 32E, a transfer management file 32F, a link registration file 32G and the like, and an external storage device 32 and a communication port 33.

On the other hand, the client computer 4 is C
A terminal device 41 including a PU 41A and a memory 41B
And an external storage device 42 in which the information reference program 42A is stored and a communication port 43.

Here, the link management programs 12B-3
2B, the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C, and the information providing service programs 12D to 32D are stored in a storage medium such as a CDROM, and are read and executed by each server computer when the operation of each server computer 1 to 3 is started. .

The first server computer 1 to the third server computer
All the server computers 3 of the above can provide the same information in response to the information providing request from the client computer 4, but in the following description, the third server computer 3 will provide the information providing service to the client computer 4. In addition to the above, it is assumed that it is also operated as a backup computer for the first server computer 1.

Further, in each of the server computers 1 to 3, in order to provide the same service in response to the information providing request from the client computer 4, information of the same content is stored as a file in the external storage devices 12 to 32. It is assumed that Then, link management programs 12B to 32B for managing links of these pieces of information, information providing service programs 12D to 32D, and log monitoring programs 12C to 32C are operating.

Further, in the client computer 4,
An information reference program 42A for operating the server computer to display the obtained information on the screen is running.

In such an environment, for example, the information providing service program 12 of the first server computer 1
When D receives a request (information provision request) from the client computer 4 to refer to the information, it searches the external storage device 12 for the target file and transfers it to the client computer 4. At that time, which client computer accesses which information is recorded in a log file.

On the other hand, the client computer 4
Then, the content of the received information is confirmed, and if the content is the link information, the information providing request is transmitted to the server computer (for example, the second server computer 2) indicated by the link information. If it is not link information, first
The information received from the server computer 1 is displayed on the screen or stored in the external storage device 42.

On the other hand, the link management programs 12B to 32B of the respective server computers 1 to 3 are stored in the external storage device 12.
The file that stores the information existing in ~ 32 is constantly monitored, and when it detects that the file has been modified, it notifies the link management program running on another server computer of its own computer name. , Send a fix notification containing the name of the file where the fix occurred.
For example, when the link management program 12B of the first server computer 1 detects that a file that stores information existing in the external storage device 12 has been modified, the link management program 12B that runs on the other server computers 2 and 3 operates. A modification notice including the computer name of itself and the name of the file in which the modification has occurred is transmitted to the programs 22B and 32B. Further, the backup notification is simultaneously transmitted to the third server computer 3 which is the backup computer.

A link management program 22B running on the server computer 2 other than the backup computer
Upon receiving the file modification notification, the server checks whether or not the corresponding server computer name / file name pair is registered in the link registration file 22G managed by itself, and newly registers it if not registered. . After that, the content of the modified file stored in its own external storage device 22 is changed to a link to the modification source file. If it is already registered in the link registration file 22G, nothing is done.

After that, the link notification is transmitted to the log monitoring program 22C, and the access count of the corresponding file stored in the log monitoring program 22C is set to "0".

As described above, by changing the link destination of the information corresponding to the corrected information to the server computer of the correction source, it becomes unnecessary to distribute the corrected information to each server computer, and the network of the correction information is eliminated. It is possible to reduce traffic.

On the other hand, the link management program 32B running on the third server computer 3 which is a backup computer stores a pair of server computer name and file name having original information in the backup management file. After that, the information held by itself is moved to the backup management location, and the corrected information is acquired from the first server computer 1 and set.

When a new file is created in the first server computer 1, the link management program 12B of the first server computer 1 creates a new file including its own computer name and the created file name. The notification is transmitted to the link management programs 22B and 32B on the other server computers 2 and 3. In this case, the link management program 22B running on the server computer 2 other than the backup computer registers the pair of the computer name and the file name in the link registration file 22G as in the case of modification, and stores the link for the newly created file. And create a file.

The third server computer 3, which is a backup computer, obtains a newly created file from the first server computer 1 in addition to the above-mentioned work, and the first information whose original information exists in the backup management file. A pair of the name of the server computer 1 and the file name is stored.

On the other hand, the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C of the server computers 1 to 3 monitor the logs stored by the information providing service programs 12D to 32D one by one, and the reference count values of the newly referenced information are sequentially calculated. increase. Then, when the reference count value exceeds the preset value, the link management programs 12B to 32
A reference notification including the file name is sent to B and the reference count value is returned to "0".

Upon receiving the reference notification, the link management programs 12B to 32B take out the file name included in the received reference notification and extract the link registration files 12G to 32.
Search G for the server computer where the original information resides, get the information from it, and replace it with the current file.
That is, for information whose reference count exceeds a predetermined value,
The original information is obtained from the server computer where the original information exists, and the current file is replaced with a duplicate file of the original information. Furthermore, the link registration file files 12G to 32
Delete the corresponding server computer and file pair from G.

As described above, with respect to the information for which the number of times of reference exceeds the predetermined value, by making a copy of the correction source information, it is possible to reduce the network traffic that follows the link.

On the other hand, the link management program (for example, the link management program 12B of the first server computer 1) on the server computer in which the original information that has received the information acquisition request exists is the server computer of the acquisition request source (for example, the second server computer). The name of the server computer 2) and the pair of files to be acquired are stored in the transfer management file 12
If the same information is stored in F and the same information is corrected next time, the correction notification is sent only to the server computer (for example, the second server computer 2) stored in the transfer management file 12F and having obtained the information. Send.

By doing so, it becomes possible to reduce the network traffic for notification of modification.

Further, the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C
As a result of monitoring the log, if there is a file that has not been accessed for a predetermined period, the link management programs 12B to 32B
Send an unreferenced notification to. The link management programs 12B to 32B that have received the non-reference notification change the links to the unreferenced files included in the files in their own server computers to the links to the files of the server computer having the original information. Files that are not replaced or referenced are deleted from the external storage devices 12-32.

By doing so, the storage spaces 12 to 32 of the external storage device are not wastefully used by the information that has been used less frequently, and the storage spaces 12 to 3 of the external storage device are not used.
The two storage spaces can be used efficiently.

The detailed operation of each section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are examples of the configuration of information stored in each of the server computers 1 to 3 for realizing the information providing service in response to the information providing request from the client 4.

As shown in FIG. 2A, each piece of information 21 for realizing the information providing service is composed of information contained in itself and links to other information. In this example, the HTM used in WWW is used as a method of expressing the information itself.
L (Hyper Text Manipulation Language) is used. The information contained in itself is represented by general character strings 201 and 203.

The link 202 to other information is <A
It is expressed as a character string enclosed by "(double quotes) in an anchor tag defined by HTML called HREF =" xxx ">.

When the content of the information is only a link, FIG.
As shown by the symbol 22 in (b), the META tag is used and the URL (Uniform Resou
In rce Locator), the location 204 of the linked information is specified.

FIG. 3 shows an information providing service program 12D that runs on the server computers 1 to 3 of this system.
32D, log monitoring programs 12C to 32C are examples of the log file 300 used. Each time the client computer 4 accesses the information providing service programs 12D to 32D, the client computer name 301, the access time 302, the location 303 of the accessed information, and the like are recorded in the log file 300.

Further, the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C
Monitors the records in the log file 300 and counts the number of times of access to the accessed information.

FIG. 4 is a log monitoring program 12C to 32C operating on the server computers 1 to 3 of this system.
3 is a configuration example of an access count management table 400 secured in its own storage area. Access count management table 4
In 00, four pieces of information such as a file name 401 indicating the location of information, an access count 402, a maximum reference count 403, and an access check time 404 are collectively stored.

FIG. 5 is a structural example of the maximum access count setting file 500 used by the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C of this system. The maximum access count setting file 500 is a combination of two pieces of information, a file name in which information is stored or a directory in which a file exists is represented in a tree structure, which is the upper directory 501, and the maximum access count 502. Store it. The maximum access count 502 is a check for notifying the link management programs 12B to 32B to transfer information from the server computer having the original information when the number of times the information is accessed exceeds this numerical value. use. However, if the maximum access count is "*", it indicates that copying is not performed.

FIG. 6 shows link management programs 12B to 32 running on the server computers 1 to 3 of this system.
6 is a configuration example of a link registration file 600 used by B. In the link registration files 12G to 32G, the name 601 of the server computer holding the original information and the name 602 of the file in which the information is stored are paired and stored. In this example, the method of storing in a file is adopted, but it goes without saying that a database may be used.

FIG. 7 shows link management programs 12B to 32 running on the server computers 1 to 3 of this system.
7 is a configuration example of a backup management file 700 used by B. In the backup management file 700, the name 701 of the server computer that holds the original information and the name 702 of the file where the information is located are stored in pairs. In this example, the method of storing in a file is adopted, but it goes without saying that a database may be used.

FIG. 8 shows link management programs 12B to 32 running on the server computers 1 to 3 of this system.
13 is a configuration example of transfer management files 12F to 32F used by B. In the transfer management files 12F to 32F, the name 801 of the server computer that has obtained the information and the name 802 of the file where the information is stored are paired and stored. In this example, the method of storing in a file is adopted, but it goes without saying that a database may be used.

The detailed operation of this embodiment will be described below using a flow chart.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information reference program 42A running on the client computer 4.

When the information reference program 42A receives the input of the name of the server computer in which the information to be referred and the name of the file containing the information are input from the user (step 901), the server computer having the name specified by the user (for example, It connects to the information providing service program 12D of the first server computer 1) (step 902) and notifies the file name of the information to be obtained (step 90).
3).

In response to this information provision request, information is obtained from the information provision service program 12D (step 90
4) It is checked whether the content is only a link (step 905). If there is only the link 22 as shown in FIG. 2B, the character string set in the link 22 is analyzed and the target server computer name and the file name indicating the location of the information are analyzed. Is taken out (step 906) and the process is repeated from step 902. If not, the content of the obtained information is analyzed and, if necessary, displayed on the screen or stored in the external storage device 42 (step 907) and then repeated from step 901.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information providing service programs 12D to 32D operating on the server computers 1 to 3.

Information providing service programs 12D-32
When D receives a connection request as an information provision request from the information reference program 42A running on the client computer 4 (step 1001), the file name included in the connection request is obtained (step 1002),
The file specified by the connection request is searched for in the external storage devices 12 to 32 of its own (step 1003).

If the specified file does not exist, an error message indicating that it does not exist is transmitted to the client computer 4 (step 1004), and step 1001 is executed.
Repeat from. If there is a designated file, the contents of the file are transmitted to the client computer 4 (step 1005) and the process is repeated from step 1001.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C operating on the server computers 1 to 3. Log monitoring program 12C ~
When the 32C is activated, it creates the access count management table 400 in its own storage area, reads the maximum reference count information 403 set for each information, and sets it in the table 400 (step 1101).

Whether or not data has been added to the log file 300 is monitored, and if added, one line of data is read (step 1102) and the location 303 of the accessed information is taken out (step 1103). ,
The corresponding entry in the access count management table 400 is searched (step 1104). If there is a corresponding entry, the value of the access count 402 is incremented by "1" (step 1105).

As a result, the maximum reference count 403 is exceeded, and the link registration file (12G, 22G, 32)
If the corresponding file name is registered in G) (step 1106), the link monitoring program (12B, 2)
2B, 32B) (step 110)
7). After that, the access count is set to “0” (step 11
08), and repeat from step 1102.

If there is no corresponding entry in the access count management table 400, the access count 400 is set to "1".
Then, an entry in which the access check time 404 is set to the current time is created (step 1109), and step 1106 is performed.
Proceed to.

Separately from this, as shown in FIG. 11B, the link management programs (12B, 22B, 32)
When a link notification is received (step 1111) after waiting for a connection from B) (step 1110), the access count of the corresponding file is set to "0" (step 111).
2), repeat from step 1110.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the access count 402 is checked for each entry of the access count management table 400 at a set timing (for example, one day, 36 hours, one week, etc.). (Step 1113), and the access count is "0" even though a certain check period (unit of 2 weeks or 1 month) has passed from the previous access check time.
(Step 1114), link management program (12B,
22B, 32B) to send an unreferenced notification (step 11
15), the corresponding entry is stored in the access count management table 40
It is deleted from 0 (step 1116). For other entries, the access check time 400 of the entry whose check period has passed is set to the current time (step 1117) and the process is repeated from step 1113.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the link management program 12B operating on the server computer (for example, the first server computer 1) storing the original information. When the link management program 12B is activated, a list of server computers that copy their own information is read from the mirror file 12E and a mirror server table is created in the storage area (step 120).
1). Further, the transfer management file 12F is read and a transferred table is created (step 1202).

Next, the name of the file holding the information stored in its own server computer and the list of creation times are created and held as an information table in the storage area (step 1203). After that, it is checked whether each file is updated (step 120).
4) If it has been updated, check whether the file is registered in the transferred table (step 1
205), if registered, it sends the computer name of itself and the updated file name as a correction notice to the link management program of each server computer in the table. (Step 1206).

If not registered, the computer name of itself and the updated file name are transmitted as a correction notice to the link management programs of all the server computers registered in the mirror server table (step 1207).

A backup notice is also sent to the third server computer 3, which is a backup computer, at the same time (step 1208), and the process is repeated from step 1204.

When a new file is created
(Step 1209), and transmits to each server computer that is registered on the mirror server table their computer names and file name as a new creation notification (step
1210) .

[0069]

Further, the link management program 12B is
As shown in FIG. 12B, waiting for connection from other link management programs 22B and 32B (step 121
1) When connected, the name of the server computer from which information is to be acquired and the name of the file to be acquired are read (step 1212). The two are paired and stored in the transfer management file 12F (step 1
213), after transmitting the contents of the file corresponding to the other link management programs 22B and 32B (step 121).
4), repeat from step 1211.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the link management program 22B running on a server computer (for example, the second server computer 2) that is not the backup computer storing the copy information. When the link management program 22B is activated, the link management program 12B running on the server computer (first server computer 1) having the original information and the log monitoring program 22C running on the own server computer
Waits for a connection (step 1301).

If the connection is from the link management program 12B running on another server computer (step 1302), it is checked whether the received notification is a correction notification (step 1303). In 22G, a pair of the name 601 of the server computer having the original information extracted from the modification notice and the file name 602 storing the information is registered (step 130).
4) After changing the contents of the corresponding file stored in the external storage device 22 of the own server computer 2 to the link to the file of the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1305), the log monitoring program 22C
The link notification is transmitted to (step 1309) and the process is repeated from step 1301.

If the received notification is not a modification notification, it is checked whether it is a new creation notification (step 13
06), if it is a new creation notification, as in the case of a modification notification, the name 601 of the server computer having the original information extracted from the new creation notification in the link registration file 22G.
And a pair of file names 602 storing the information are registered (step 1307), and the server computer 1 having the original information is stored in the external storage device 22 of the own server computer 2.
A file is created (step 1308) having a link to the file of (1), and the process is repeated from step 1301.

On the other hand, if the connection is from the log monitoring program 22C running on the server computer 2 itself, it is checked whether the received notification is a reference notification (step 1310). The server computer name 601 and the file name 602 having the corresponding original information are retrieved from the link registration file 22G (step 1311), and an information acquisition notice is transmitted to the link management program 12G running on the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1311). 1312), replace the existing file with the obtained information (step 1313), delete the corresponding entry from the link registration file 22G (step 1314), and repeat from step 1301.

Further, it is checked whether or not the received notification is a non-reference notification (step 1315), and if it is a non-reference notification, the file included in the information stored in the storage device in the server computer 2 itself. Is replaced with the link to the file of the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1316), the unreferenced information is deleted (step 1317), and the processing is repeated from step 1301.

FIG. 14 shows a third server computer 3 which is a backup computer storing copy information.
It is a flow chart which shows operation of link management program 32B which operates above.

When the link management program 32B is activated, the link management program 12B running on the server computer 1 having the original information and its own server computer 3
It waits for a connection from the log monitoring program 32C operating above (step 1401).

If the connection is from the link management program 12B operating on another server computer 1 (step 1402), it is checked whether the received notification is a correction notification (step 1403). If it is a correction notification, a backup notification is sent. Is also simultaneously received (step 1404), and a pair of the name 601 of the server computer 1 having the original information extracted from the modification notice and the file name 602 storing the information is registered in the link registration file 32G (step 1405). , External storage device 3 of own server computer 3
After moving the corresponding file stored in 2 to the backup directory (step 1406), the contents of the file are newly created as a link to the file of the server computer 1 having the original information (step 140).
7), the name 701 and file name 7 of the server computer 1 whose original information was in the backup management file 700
The pair 02 is registered (step 1408), and a link notification is transmitted to the log monitoring program 32C (step 1).
423) and repeat from step 1401.

If the received notification is not a modification notification, it is checked whether it is a new creation notification (step 14
09), if it is a new creation notification, the backup notification is received as in the case of the correction notification (step 1410),
An information acquisition notice is sent to the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1411), a new file is created using the acquired information (step 1412), and a copy of this file is created in the backup directory (step 141).
3), the server computer name 701 and the file name 702 whose original information was in the backup management file 700
Register the pair of (step 1414) and step 1401.
Repeat from.

On the other hand, if the connection is from the log monitoring program 32C running on the server computer 3, it is checked whether the received notification is a reference notification (step 1415). The server computer name 601 and the file name 602 having the corresponding original information are extracted from the link registration file 32G (step 1416), and an information acquisition notice is transmitted to the link management program 12B operating in the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1417). ), Replace the existing file with the obtained information (step 1418), delete the corresponding entry from the link registration file 32G (step 1419), and repeat from step 1401.

If the received notification is not a reference notification, it is checked whether it is a non-reference notification (step 14).
20) If the notification is an unreferenced notification, the link to the file included in the information stored in the storage device in the server computer 3 itself is replaced with the link to the file of the server computer 1 having the original information (step). 1421) and further delete the unreferenced information
(Step 1422) and step 1401 are repeated.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow between the client computer 4 and the server computers 1 and 2 in this embodiment. Here, the information to be referred to by the client computer 4 is created by the first server computer 1 and the information by the second server computer 2 is created.
A copy of the original information is stored in. In such a case, as a result (step) of the client computer 4 transmitting the information providing request to the second server computer 2, the information returned from the second server computer 2 is the link information for the first server computer 1. If there is (step), the client computer 4 transmits an information providing request to the linked first server computer 1 (step), and obtains the target information (step).

When the information provision request for the target information exceeds the maximum access count 502 set in the maximum access count setting file 500, the second server computer 2 sends the original information from the first server computer 1. Copy (step). After this copying, the client computer 4 makes a second request for providing the copied information.
Second server computer 2, the second server computer 2 repeats the operation of transferring the copied information to the client computer 4.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow between the client computer 4 and the server computers 1 and 2 when the conventional mirroring technique is used. Here, it is assumed that the information to be referred to by the client computer 4 exists in the first server computer 1.

In such a case, the client computer 4 transmits the information providing request to the first server computer 1 and repeats the operation of obtaining the target information (step,). When this repetition is frequent, all the information existing in the first computer 1 is copied to the second server computer 2 at a specific time such as night (step),
After that, the client computer 4 repeats the operation of obtaining the target information from the second server computer 2 (step,).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the client computer 4 sends the information providing request to the second server computer 2, the information of the link destination indicating the place where the original information exists is sent to the second server. Even if there is a correction in the first server computer 1, since the computer 2 sends the reply to the client computer 4 and obtains the target information from the first server computer in which the original information exists, the correction information is used as the second information. Since it is not necessary to transfer and copy to the server computer 2, it is possible to reduce the traffic associated with the modification of the original information.

Further, since the information existing in the second server computer is changed to the link to the corrected information of the first server computer, the user can quickly refer to the latest information.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various detailed configurations can be implemented as necessary.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, two or more server computers connected to the network hold the same information, and the client computers connected to the network connect to each server. In an information providing system that realizes the same information providing service in response to an information providing request to a computer, when the information is modified on one server computer, the server computer holding the modified information changes the server computer to another server. When a correction notice is sent to the computer, the information on the other server computer is changed to a link to the corrected information, and when the other server computer is requested to provide information corresponding to the corrected information, the correction source By changing the information provider to another server computer, There is no need to distribute to each server computer, it is possible to reduce the network traffic of the correction information.

Further, the number of accesses to the information changed to the link to the information corrected on the other server computer is measured, and when the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, the information of the link destination is obtained. Then, by replacing the information, the network traffic that follows the link can be reduced.

Further, when another server computer obtains information from the server computer holding the corrected information, which server computer obtained the information is registered, and the same information is stored next time. When the above is corrected, only the other registered server computers are notified that the correction has occurred, so that it is possible to reduce the network traffic for the notification of the correction.

If a backup computer is set for each server computer and the information held by each server computer itself is modified, a modification notice and a backup notice are sent to the backup computer, and the other computers are sent. If the backup computer cannot restore the original information by sending only a correction notice to the backup computer, modifying the information held by the backup computer and then changing the link to the corrected information However, it can be easily restored by transferring the backed up information.

Further, when the information changed to the link is not accessed for a certain period of time, the link to the inaccessible information included in the information in the server computer is rewritten to the update source link. By
The storage space of the external storage device is not wastefully used by the information that is used less frequently, and the storage space of the external storage device can be efficiently used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information providing system to which an information link management method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of information stored on each server computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a log file stored on each server computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an access count management table secured by a log monitoring program in its own storage area.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a maximum access count setting file used by a log monitoring program.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a link registration file used by a link management program.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a backup management file used by a link management program.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a transfer management file used by a link management program.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information reference program according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing service program according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the log monitoring program according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an operation of a link management program running on a server computer storing original information according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a link management program running on a server computer that is not a backup computer that stores copy information according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of a link management program running on a server computer which is a backup computer storing copy information according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of information between a client computer and a server computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of information between a client computer and a server computer when a conventional mirroring technique is used.

[Explanation of Codes] 1,2,3 ... Server Computer, 4 ... Client Computer, 5 ... Network 11, 21, 31, 4
1 ... Terminal device, 12, 22, 32, 42 ... External storage device, 12B, 22B, 32B ... Link management program,
12C, 22C, 32C ... Log monitoring program, 12
D, 22D, 32D ... Information service program, 4
2A ... Information reference program.

Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 12/00 G06F 13/00

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. The same information is held in two or more server computers connected to a network, and the same information is requested from a client computer connected to the network to an information providing request to each server computer. In an information providing system that realizes an information providing service, when information is modified on one server computer, a server computer that holds the modified information sends a modification notification to another server computer, and the other server Change information on a computer to a link to modified information, and when requesting information provision to information corresponding to the modified information to another server computer, transition the information provision source to the server computer of the modification source. Information link management method characterized by. 2. The number of accesses to the information changed to the link to the corrected information is measured on the other server computer, and when the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, the information of the link destination is displayed. The information link management method according to claim 1, wherein the information is acquired and replaced. 3. When another server computer obtains information from a server computer which holds the corrected information, which server computer obtained the information is registered, and the same information is stored next time. 3. The information link management method according to claim 2, wherein when the correction is made, only the other registered server computers are notified that the correction has occurred. 4. A backup computer is set for each server computer, and when the information held by itself is modified, a modification notice and a backup notice are sent to the backup computer, and corrections are made to other computers. 2. The information link management method according to claim 1, wherein only the notification is transmitted, and the backup computer modifies the information held by the backup computer and then changes the link to the modified information. 5. When the information changed into a link has not been accessed for a certain period of time, a link to the inaccessible information included in the information in the server computer is updated as a link from the update source. Rewritten into the original changed to the above link
The information link management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information of (1) is deleted . 6. The same information is held in two or more server computers connected to the network, and the same information is requested in response to an information request from a client computer connected to the network to each server computer. In an information providing system that realizes an information providing service, each server computer, when modifying its own information, means for transmitting a modification notice of the modified information to another server computer, and another server. When a correction notice is received from the computer, the notified information is changed to a link to the information of the correction source, and when the information provision request to the information is requested, a means for returning the link destination to the information provision request source An information providing system comprising: 7. A means for measuring the number of accesses to the information linked to the information of the correction source, and when the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, further acquiring the information from the link destination and replacing the information. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:
Information provision system described. 8. A means for notifying the registered server computer that the correction has occurred when the server computer that has acquired the correction source information is registered and the same information is corrected next time. The information providing system according to claim 7, further comprising: 9. A backup computer is provided for each server computer, and each server computer transmits a modification notice and a backup notice to the backup computer when the information held by itself is modified, and other The server computer is provided with means for transmitting only the notice of modification, and the backup computer is provided with means for modifying the information held by itself in accordance with the notice of modification and then changing it to a link to the modified information. The information providing system according to claim 6, wherein: 10. When there is no access for a certain period of time to the information changed to the link of the correction source information, the link to the inaccessible information included in the information in the server computer is updated. rewriting the link, said Li
10. The information providing system according to claim 6, further comprising means for deleting the original information changed to the link .