JP3864664B2 - OS startup method for multiple computers sharing storage - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for starting up an OS of a plurality of computers sharing a storage, and more particularly to a method of preventing performance degradation due to centralized storage access of a plurality of computers when the OS is started up.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a computer system using a plurality of computers, a computer system including a plurality of computers, a server that manages the plurality of computers, and a storage shared by the plurality of computers is known. This will be described with reference to the example of FIG.
[0003]
In the figure, 200x (200a = 200n) is a computer, 100 is a storage shared by the computer 200x, 1001 is an OS downloaded by the computer 200x, and 400 is physically separated from the place where the computer is installed. A server, 500 is a connection interface for connecting the server 400 and the storage 100, and 600x (600a = 600n) is a LAN (Local Area Network) for communication between the plurality of computers 200x and the server 400.
[0004]
When the computer 200x is powered on, first, the computer 200x accesses the server 400 via the LAN 600x. Next, the OS 1001 in the storage 100 is downloaded, and activation is started. When a plurality of computers 200x are powered on, all the computers 200x that are powered on try to download the OS 1001, so the load on the server 400 and the storage 100 increases.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
(Task)
In the above prior art, if multiple computers are started at the same time, access will be concentrated on the server and storage, and in the case of processing that requires a load such as OS startup, the processing performance will be reduced and the OS startup will be significant. There is a problem that it takes time. The more computers that start up at the same time, the longer the OS start-up time becomes. If a large number of computers are used, the business will be hindered.
[0006]
If each operator starts up with different power-on times, concentration of access to the storage can be avoided, but it is possible to know when other operators turn on the power, wait for other computers to start up, and always turn on the power. There is a problem that the computer must be turned on while considering the above. The power must be turned on every time the computer is used, and there is a problem that the operator takes extra time each time.
[0007]
(the purpose)
An object of the present invention is to provide a method in which an administrator or an operator can start a plurality of computers without spending new labor and time for starting the computers in a computer system sharing a storage, and the plurality of computers By providing a method to distribute the load on the storage temporally at the time of OS startup, it is possible to prevent performance degradation due to concentration of access to the storage and shorten the OS startup time.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a computer system including a plurality of computers, a management console for powering on the plurality of computers, and a storage shared by the plurality of computers and the management console is constructed.
[0009]
In the first means of the present invention, the management console includes a remote power control program for controlling the power sources of a plurality of computers from a remote location, and a management table for managing computer groups.
[0010]
The computer includes remote power-on control means that can control power from a remote location.
[0011]
The remote power control program enables time distribution of access to the storage by powering on the computer groups with a time difference according to the computer groups defined in the management table.
[0012]
In the second means of the present invention, the plurality of computers and the management console are connected to the storage through a connection interface such as a fiber channel.
[0013]
The management console includes a remote power control program for controlling the power sources of a plurality of computers from a remote location.
[0014]
The computer includes remote power-on control means that can control power from a remote location, and a boot-up control program that controls the startup of the OS and transmits the startup status of the computer.
[0015]
The storage includes a logical unit dedicated to each of a plurality of computers, a communication logical unit that can be used by all computers, records the startup status of the computer, and an LU definition program that defines and creates these logical units. Prepare.
[0016]
The boot-up control program refers to the communication logic unit and controls the number of computers, thereby enabling distributed access to the storage and starting up the OS of the computer.
[0017]
According to a third means of the present invention, in the second means, instead of the communication logic unit arranged in the storage, the management console has a computer activation control program for controlling the activation of the computer, and the centralized activation control. It is characterized by performing.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
In the prior art, a system configuration using a server has been taken, but in this embodiment, a serverless system configuration that is excellent in terms of operation management and performance is adopted. In this case as well, the problem of concentration of access to the storage at the time of starting up a plurality of computers as described in the prior art is the same. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to this embodiment. In the figure, 2x (2a = 2n) is the computer, 1 is the storage shared by all the computers 2, 4 is the management console for managing the computer system, 3 is all the computers 2x, storage 1 and management console 4 The fiber channel connection means 5x (5a = 5n) for mutual connection is a fiber channel. 7 is a communication means for communication between the storage 1 and the management console 4, and 6x (6a = 6n) is a LAN (Local Area Network) for communication between the plurality of computers 2x and the management console 4.
[0020]
In the following description, the computer is assumed to be a client computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), but the present invention can also be applied to other computers such as servers and workstations. The interface for connecting the computer to the storage (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F) is assumed to be a fiber channel that is optimal in terms of the connection distance and speed, but SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), USB ( It can be applied to various I / Fs such as Universal Serial Bus) and IEEE1394.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the computer 2x. 21 is an input / output device for the user of the computer 2 to input and output information, 22 is a central control means for controlling the entire computer, 25 is a computer 2 for connecting and controlling the fiber channel A fiber channel board 24, a LAN board 24 for performing communication using LAN 6x, and a memory 23 for storing programs and data necessary for the central control means 22 to execute various controls.
[0022]
In the Fiber Channel board 25, 250 is a Fiber Channel controller for controlling the Fiber Channel, 251 is a program and data necessary for the Fiber Channel controller to control, and the central control means 22 is for the Fiber Channel controller 250 to be controlled. A memory for storing necessary programs and data. In the memory 251, 2511 is a boot-up control program executed by the central control means 22 to control the fiber channel controller 250 in order to start the OS from the storage 1 external to the computer 2x connected to the fiber channel 5x. Reference numeral 2512 denotes a WWN (World Wide Name) which is information unique to the world provided for uniquely identifying the Fiber Channel controller 250. In this embodiment, the Fiber Channel board 25 is mounted on the computer 2x. However, the Fiber Channel controller 250 and the memory 251 mounted on the board are directly mounted on the computer 2x without using the board 25. In this case, the function and effect of the present invention are exactly the same.
[0023]
26 is a main power switch of the computer 2x.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the storage 1. 11 is a central control means that controls the entire storage, 15 is a fiber channel controller that connects to and controls the fiber channel 5d, and 12 stores programs and data for the central control means 11 to perform internal control of the storage 1. 16 is a communication means for performing communication with the management console 4, and 13x (13a = 13n) and 14 are logical units (LU).
[0025]
Here, the logical unit LU is a virtual volume provided inside the storage 1, also called a logical volume, and is a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) of one of the I / F protocols that connect the computer and the storage. It is a name defined in the specification. Hereinafter, the logical volume is simply referred to as LU. A number for identifying an LU is called a LUN (Logical Unit Number).
[0026]
The logical unit 13x is a LU dedicated to the computer 2x and a local LU for the computer #x. The local LU 13x stores an OS 131x dedicated to each computer 2x. On the other hand, the logical unit 14 is a shared LU that can be accessed by all the computers 2x and the management console 4.
[0027]
In the memory 12, 121 is an LU definition program executed by the central control means 11 in order to define and create a plurality of LUs, 122 is an access prohibition / permission for each of the plurality of LUs by each computer 2x, LUN management table for the central control means 11 to manage the attribute and the corresponding relationship between the virtual LUN that is a LUN recognized by the host computer and the internal LUN added to manage the LU within the storage, 123 is the LUN Access for restricting / permitting access to each LU from each computer 2x according to the information in the management table 122, and when permitted, access for the central control means 11 to execute read / write access control for the LU It is a control program.
[0028]
Explain LU. An LU is a logical volume as seen from the host computer of storage. The host computer recognizes one LU as one logical disk device.
[0029]
The storage 1 can be constructed by defining a plurality of LUs inside. This is called an internal LU. In storage 1, serial numbers are assigned with integers starting from 0 to manage internal LUs. This number is called an internal LUN.
[0030]
On the other hand, when a plurality of computers 2x share one storage 1 as in the computer system of the present invention, a dedicated LU is assigned to each computer 2x. Generally, a host computer such as a PC searches a storage to be connected at the time of OS booting to detect an LU, but there are cases where there are some restrictions on the search method. that is,
(a) Search LUNs in order from 0
(b) Assuming that LUNs exist with consecutive numbers, if there is no number, no further search is performed.
These are two points. This is a device for shortening the search time. It is assumed that the computer 2 of the present invention is also a computer 2x having such characteristics. In such a case, if an internal LUN is directly assigned to a host computer, a computer to which an LU other than internal LUN = 0 is assigned cannot detect this LU. Therefore, it is desirable to assign LUNs to all computers starting from 0 and using a serial number. Therefore, in the present invention, the storage 1 solves the above-mentioned problem by redefining the internal LU used by the computer 2x for each computer 2x so as to be all continuous LUNs starting from 0. In this way, an LU recognized from each computer 2x is called a virtual LU, and its number is called a virtual LUN, and is distinguished from an internal LU and an internal LUN. The correspondence relationship between these internal LUNs and virtual LUNs is managed by the LUN management table 122 provided in the storage 1.
[0031]
An example of the LUN management table 122 provided in the storage 1 is shown in FIG. The LUN management table 122 stores port numbers, Target IDs, virtual LUNs, internal LUNs, WWNs, S_IDs, and attributes.
[0032]
The port number stores the number of the Fiber Channel connection port provided in the storage 1. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the number of ports is one, and 0 is stored uniformly.
[0033]
TargetID is an identification ID assigned to the storage 1 in the connection I / F with the computer 2x. When the connection I / F between the computer 2x and the storage 1 is a fiber channel as in this embodiment, each port has a unique D_ID (Destination ID), but may be omitted because there is a port number term. However, the D_ID determined at the time of initializing the fiber channel may be stored. In the case of SCSI, since the same port can have a plurality of IDs, the Target ID to which each LUN belongs at that time is stored. In this embodiment, since a fiber channel is assumed, the Target ID column is unused and 0 is stored uniformly.
[0034]
The virtual LUN and the internal LUN indicate a correspondence relationship between the internal LUN assigned to the computer 2x and the virtual LUN recognized from each computer 2x. For example, internal LUN0 is defined as virtual LUN0, and internal LUN2 is also defined as virtual LUN0. Both are defined as virtual LUN0, but the computers 2x that can be used are different.
[0035]
The WWN stores a World Wide Name that is information for identifying the fiber channel controller 250 of each computer 2x. The storage device 1 is notified of the WWN 2512 of each computer 2x during the port login process for establishing the connection relationship between the Fiber Channel ports.
[0036]
S_ID is ID information stored in the Fiber Channel frame header, and is an ID for identifying the source (initiator) that created the frame. The S_ID is dynamically assigned when the Fiber Channel is initialized. The WWN mentioned above is a value uniquely set by each Fiber Channel port exchanged at the time of initialization. By associating the WWN with the S_ID, only the S_ID is required without checking the WWN for each frame. By checking, the computer 2x can be identified.
[0037]
The attribute indicates the ownership attribute of each LU. “Dedicated” indicates that the LU is dedicated to one computer 2x. “Shared” indicates that the LU is shared by a plurality of computers 2x.
[0038]
Here, the correspondence between the configuration diagram of the storage 1 in FIG. 3 and the LUN management table 122 in FIG. 4 will be described. If the computer 2a is WWN = WWNa, S_ID = S_IDa, the computer 2b is WWN = WWNb, S_ID = S_IDb, the computer 2n is WWN = WWNn, S_ID = S_IDn, and the management console 4 is WWN = WWNz, S_ID = S_IDz, Local LUN 13a for computer 2a is internal LUN = 0, virtual LUN = 0, local LU 13b for computer 2b is internal LUN = 1, virtual LUN = 0, local LU 13n for computer 2n is internal LUN = n, virtual LUN = 0, computer 2a , 2b,..., 2n are mapped to internal LUN = k and virtual LUN = 1. Since the shared LU 14 is also shared by the management console 4, the internal LUN = k corresponding to WWN = WWNz and S_ID = S_IDz is mapped as virtual LUN = 0. Here, since the management console 4 does not have a dedicated local LU in the storage 1, the shared LU 14 is mapped as virtual LUN = 0.
[0039]
An operator who operates the management console 4 can send an instruction to define and create an LU from the input / output device 41 of the management console 4. This instruction is issued to the storage 1 by the communication means 47. The communication means 16 of the storage 1 receives this instruction and reports it to the central control means 11. The central control means 11 activates the LU definition program 121 and creates an LU according to the instruction. Then, the port number, Target ID, virtual LUN, internal LUN, WWN, S_ID, and attribute are stored in the LUN management table 122 as access control information for the defined LU. By repeating this operation as many times as the number of LUs assigned to all the computers 2x, LUs can be created as described in the LUN management table 122.
[0040]
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the management console 4. 41 is an input / output device for an administrator to operate the management console 4, 42 is a central control means for controlling the entire management console 4, 43 is a memory for storing programs and data executed by the central control means 41, 45 is a Fiber Channel board for connection to and control of Fiber Channel 5e, 44 is a LAN board for communication using LAN 6d, 46 is a disk device for storing the OS and programs of the management console 4, and 47 is a storage device It is a communication means which performs communication between.
[0041]
In the memory 43, 431 is a remote power control program for controlling the power supply of the computer 2x, and 4311 is a management table for managing computer groups. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the table 4311. The table 4311 describes the group number of each computer. Computers belonging to the same group are started simultaneously, and the number of computers per group is determined by the storage performance and the like.
[0042]
This figure is an example when the number of simultaneous activations is three. Once the table 4311 is created, it can be used as it is from the next time if there is no change in the computer configuration or storage processing performance.
[0043]
Next, the detailed operation of the computer startup work will be described.
[0044]
(1) Management table creation
An operator who operates the management console 4 divides a plurality of computers to be activated into several groups, and registers the group number of each computer in the management table 4311 from the input / output device 41. The group number is set to 0 for computers that do not start.
[0045]
(2) Computer power on
The remote power control program 431 creates and transmits a remote power-on packet 900 for each group in order from the group number 1 according to the management table 4311 and starts the computer 2x. The transmission interval of the remote power-on packet 900 is preferably substantially the same as the startup time of the computer. The packet 900 is a packet for powering on the computer 2x, and its configuration is shown in FIG. The packet 900 includes a header 901 and a data part 902. The data unit 902 is composed of a synchronization unit 9021 and a MAC address 9022 of the computer 2x to be remotely powered on, which are continued n times.
[0046]
The remote power control program 431 controls the LAN board 44 and transmits the packet 900 from the board 44 to the computer 2x.
[0047]
The remote power-on control means 241 on the LAN board 24 of the computer 2x receives the packet 900. The means 241 detects the MAC address 9021 in the data part 902 of the packet 900. The means 241 compares the detected MAC address 9021 and the MAC address of the LAN board 24, and if they are the same, controls the main power switch 26 to power on the computer 2x. The powered-on computer 2x reads the OS 131x dedicated to each computer 2x in the local LU 13x of the storage 1 and starts it.
[0048]
In this way, since the computer 2x is sequentially activated with a time difference for each group, it is possible to prevent concentration of access to the storage.
[0049]
According to this embodiment, computers are activated for each computer group, and a certain number of computers are always activated, so that access to the storage can be distributed over time and excessive access concentration is suppressed. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the storage performance from degrading, and to shorten the OS startup time in the entire system.
[0050]
(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, although effective in the case of planned power-on from a remote location by the management console, there remains a problem that it cannot be handled in the case of direct power-on by the operator. Therefore, in an environment where both power-on by the management console and power-on by the operator are mixed, access to the storage may be concentrated. An access concentration prevention measure that does not depend on the power-on method is necessary so that it can cope with an environment where the power-on method is mixed. This embodiment can prevent concentration of access to the storage regardless of the power-on method, and can start a plurality of computers. Here, it is assumed that the computer is powered on remotely via a LAN.
[0051]
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the computer system of this embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the storage 1 is newly provided with a communication LU 17. The communication LU 17 can be accessed by all the computers 2x and the management console 4, and is an LU for communicating the activation status of the computers. The communication LU 17 stores a computer status table 171. The table 171 is a table representing the activation status of the computer 2x.
[0052]
FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the table 171. The table 171 has a flag block for performing exclusive control and a block for the computer 2x, and each address in the table 171 is uniquely determined. The status 1 of the flag block indicates that any computer 2x is accessing the table, and the status 0 indicates that no computer is accessing the table. The status 1 of the block for the computer 2x indicates that the computer is being activated, status 0 indicates that the computer has not been activated, and status 2 indicates that the activation has been completed. The bootup control program 2511 of the computer 2x is accessed by a RAW I / O command that directly reads / writes the logical block of the LU, not the file read / write using the file system. Further, the management console 4 can sequentially know the status of each computer 2x by reading this computer status table 171 with RAW I / O and polling at an appropriate timing.
[0053]
The boot-up control program 2511 is used for starting up the OS from the storage 1 external to the computer 2x connected to the fiber channel 5x and communicating with the communication LU 117. The program 2511 can be rewritten by the computer 2 by using a flash memory or the like.
[0054]
Next, the detailed operation of the computer startup operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0055]
(a) Computer power on
The computer 2x is powered on by remote power on by the remote power control program 431 of the management console 4 or direct power on by the operator (step 701 in FIG. 10).
[0056]
(b) Bootup control program start
When the computer 2x is powered on, it starts the bootup control program 2511 in the memory 251 of the fiber channel board 25 (step 702).
[0057]
(c) Bootup control program refers to the computer status table
The bootup control program 2511 refers to the computer status table 171 in the communication LU 17 of the storage 1.
[0058]
The program 2511 first accesses the flag block and checks whether there is any computer being accessed. If no computer is being accessed, the flag block is rewritten to 1 and the block for computer 2x is referenced. If another computer is accessing, it waits until the access is completed (step 703).
[0059]
(d) The number of running computers is below the threshold
The boot-up control program 2511 can know the number of running computers from the total number of statuses 1 of the computer 2x blocks in the computer status table 171. The threshold is a value determined in advance according to storage performance and the like, and represents the number of computers that can be started simultaneously (step 704).
[0060]
(e) Display standby status on screen
If the number of running computers is greater than the threshold, rewrite the status of the flag block to 0, once access is terminated, until the other computers finish booting the OS and the number of running computers falls below the threshold The bootup control program 2511 waits. At this time, the program 2511 displays the standby state on the screen of the input / output device 21 in order to inform the operator that it is in the standby state. The program 2511 accesses the computer status table 171 again after a predetermined time (step 709).
[0061]
(f) The bootup control program rewrites its own computer status to 1.
If the number of running computers is less than or equal to the threshold value, the bootup control program 2511 proceeds to the next process. The program 2511 rewrites the status of its own computer in the computer status table 171 to 1 to return the status of the flag block to 0, and terminates access to the table 171 to indicate that it is being started (step 705). .
[0062]
(g) Boot-up control program starts OS startup
The bootup control program 2511 starts to start the OS 131x in the computer dedicated local LU 13x of the storage 1 (step 706).
[0063]
(h) After completing OS startup, the bootup control program rewrites the status of its own computer to 0.
[0064]
In order to indicate that the activation of the OS 131x is completed, the bootup control program 2511 rewrites the status of the own computer in the computer status table 171 to 0 (step 707).
[0065]
This completes the startup operation of the computer. When multiple computers 2x perform startup operations simultaneously, startup processing of OS 131x is performed simultaneously up to the threshold, but when the threshold is exceeded, the running computer 2x completes startup of OS 131x and the computer status The other computer 2x waits until the status of the table 171 is rewritten. As a result, a certain number of computers or more do not simultaneously perform OS startup processing, and excessive access concentration to the storage 1 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the performance of the storage 1 from being deteriorated, and to shorten the OS startup time in the entire system.
[0066]
According to the present embodiment, when the OS of a plurality of computers is started, the load on the storage can be distributed over time, and excessive access concentration to the storage can be suppressed in the computer system sharing the storage. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the storage performance from degrading, and to shorten the OS startup time in the entire system.
[0067]
Further, since it can be applied regardless of the power-on method, it is also effective in an environment where remote power-on and direct power-on are mixed.
[0068]
In addition, the administrator or the operator can start up a plurality of computers without spending new labor and time for starting up the computers, leading to reduction in management costs and labor costs.
[0069]
(Embodiment 3)
This embodiment can be applied not only to remote computer power-on by the management console but also to direct power-on by the operator, and distributes access to the storage regardless of the power-on method. Can be started. Here, a description will be given assuming that the computer is powered on via a fiber channel by remote control.
[0070]
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the computer system of this embodiment. The difference from the second embodiment is that the LAN 6 in FIG. 8 does not exist and the computer status table 171 arranged in the communication LU 17 is arranged in the management console 4, and a new computer activation control program 432 is installed. The other is the same.
[0071]
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the management console of this embodiment. The difference from the second embodiment is that there is no LAN board, a computer activation control program 432 is newly provided, and a computer status table 171 is stored in the disk device 46. The computer activation control program 432 is a program for controlling the number of computers that perform OS activation processing. The computer status table 171 is the same as that shown in FIG. 9, and is a table representing the startup status of the computer. In the second embodiment, the bootup control program 2511 directly refers to and performs read / write. However, in this embodiment, the bootup control program 2511 notifies the computer startup control program 432, and the computer startup control program 432 reads. / Write.
[0072]
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the computer 2x of the present embodiment. The difference from the computer 2x of the second embodiment is that there is no LAN board and that a remote power-on control means 2501 and a standby power supply 2502 are present on the fiber channel board.
[0073]
The standby power source 2502 is provided in the computer 2x, and is configured such that only the standby power source 2502 is on even when the main power source of the computer 2x is off.
[0074]
The remote power-on control means 2501 is provided inside the fiber channel controller 250 and is connected to the standby power source 2502. Therefore, it is possible to control the fiber channel controller 250 to operate even when the main power source of the computer 2x is off. Therefore, a frame (packet) arriving via the fiber channel 5 can be received.
[0075]
Next, the detailed operation of the computer startup operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0076]
(a) Computer power on
The remote power-on control using the fiber channel will be described. FIG. 15 is an embodiment of a remote power-on frame 950 using fiber channel. Reference numeral 9501 denotes SOF (Start of Frame), which indicates the beginning of the frame. Reference numeral 9502 denotes a frame header, which stores information such as a frame transmission node information and a frame type. 9502a is a broadcast identifier, which indicates that this frame is a frame issued simultaneously to all nodes connected to the same fiber channel as a broadcast frame. 9503 is a payload, which is the actual state of the transfer data of this frame. 9503x (x is a = n) is a WWN, and stores the WWN 2512 of the fiber channel controller 250 of the computer 2x that performs remote power-on. Reference numeral 9504 denotes a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Code), which is a data guarantee code for detecting a garbled frame. Reference numeral 9505 denotes EOF (End Of Frame), which indicates the end of the frame.
[0077]
Next, the operation of remote power-on control using a fiber channel will be described. The remote power control program 4311 of the management console 4 creates a remote power on frame 950. At this time, the WWN of at least one computer 2x to be remotely powered on is stored in the payload 9503 of the frame 950. Then, the fiber channel board 45 is controlled to transmit the frame 950 by broadcast.
[0078]
Here, it is assumed that all the computers 2x are stopped. Although the computer 2x main body is stopped, the fiber channel controller 250 is operated by the standby power source 2502 and is waiting for a frame arriving by the fiber channel 5. Here, assuming that the remote power-on frame 950 is received, the remote power-on control means 2501 of the controller 250 checks the frame header 9502 of the frame 950 to confirm that it is a broadcast frame. Next, it is checked whether the WWN 2512 of the controller 250 is stored in the payload 9503 of the frame 950. If stored, the same means 2501 controls the main power switch 26 to turn on the power and start the computer 2x. If it is not stored, the frame 950 is ignored and the standby state is entered again.
[0079]
Here, as the WWN stored in the payload 9503 of the remote power-on frame 950, the same WWN may be stored several times in the same manner as the remote power-on packet by LAN described in the first embodiment.
[0080]
As described above, remote power-on control can be performed using the fiber channel 5 without a LAN.
[0081]
In the above, the method of performing power-on control using a Fiber Channel broadcast frame has been described. However, if the Fiber Channel controller supports the IP protocol, there is also a method of using the remote power-on packet shown in FIG. . In this case, the configuration and operation are the same as above. However, since the packet can be used as it is, the remote power control program can be applied as it is.
[0082]
In this way, the plurality of computers 2x are powered on (step 801 in FIG. 14).
[0083]
(b) Bootup control program start
When the computer 2x is powered on, it starts the bootup control program 2511 in the memory 251 of the fiber channel board 25 (step 802).
[0084]
(c) The bootup control program notifies the computer startup control program of the management console and waits for startup permission
The boot-up control program 2511 sends an activation control frame 960 to notify the computer activation control program 432 of the management console 4 that the activation has started. The startup control frame 960 is used by the bootup control program 2511 to notify the computer startup control program 432 of the start / end of startup of the computer 2x, or the computer startup control program 432 gives startup permission to the bootup control program 2511. It is a frame. FIG. 16 shows the configuration of the activation control frame 960. The difference from the remote power-on frame 950 is that an activation identifier 96032 exists. The computer activation control program 432 can identify the computer by the WWN 96031 and know whether the computer is activated or deactivated by the activation identifier 96032 (step 803).
[0085]
(d) Refer to the computer status table for the computer startup control program
The computer activation control program 432 that has received the notification refers to the computer status table 171 in the disk device 46 in order to know the number of computers being activated. The table 171 is the same as that shown in FIG. 9, and is a table representing the activation status of the computer 2x. In this embodiment, the table 171 can be referred to only by the management console, and exclusive control is not required, so no flag block is used (step 804).
[0086]
(e) The number of running computers is below the threshold
The computer activation control program 432 can know the number of activated computers based on the number of statuses 1 in the computer status table 171. When the number of activated computers is greater than the threshold, a startup completion notification is received from another computer, and the bootup control program 2511 is made to wait until the number of activated computers is equal to or less than the threshold. At this time, the computer activation control program 432 sends an activation control frame 960 to transmit a standby command to the bootup control program 2511. If the number of activated computers is less than or equal to the threshold value, the computer activation control program 432 proceeds to the next process (step 805).
[0087]
(f) Screen display of standby status
When the activation control frame 960 is transmitted, the bootup control program 2511 determines whether the frame is addressed to itself by the WWN 96031 and can know that the standby command has been received by the activation control identifier 96032. The program 2511 that has received the standby command displays the standby state on the screen of the input / output device 21 in order to inform the operator that it is in the standby state. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the program 2511 again sends the start control frame 960 to the computer start control program 432 of the management console 4 (step 812).
[0088]
(g) The computer startup control program rewrites the status of the computer that received the notification to 1.
If the number of activated computers is equal to or less than the threshold value, the computer activation control program 432 proceeds to the next process. In order to indicate that the computer that has received the notification is being activated, the program 432 rewrites the status of the computer that has received the notification in the computer status table 171 to 1 (step 806).
[0089]
(h) The computer startup control program gives startup permission to the bootup control program
The computer activation control program 432 sends an activation control frame 960 to give activation permission to the bootup control program 2511. The bootup control program 2511 that has been waiting determines whether the frame is addressed to itself by WWN 96031, and can know that the activation has been permitted by the activation control identifier 96032 (step 807).
[0090]
(i) Boot-up control program that has received start permission starts OS start
The bootup control program 2511 that has received the start permission starts to start the OS 131x in the computer-dedicated local LU 13x of the storage 1 (step 808).
[0091]
(j) After completing OS startup, the bootup control program notifies the computer startup control program of startup completion.
The boot-up control program 2511 sends an activation control frame 960 to notify the computer activation control program 432 that the activation of the OS 131x has been completed (step 809).
[0092]
(k) The computer startup control program rewrites the status of the notified computer to 0
In order to indicate that the activation of the OS 131x has been completed, the computer activation control program 432 rewrites the status of the computer that has received the notification in the computer status table 171 to 0 (step 810).
[0093]
This completes the startup operation of the computer. When multiple computers 2x execute startup operations simultaneously, startup processing of OS 131x is performed simultaneously up to the threshold, but when the threshold is exceeded, the running computer 2x completes startup of OS 131x and the management console The other computer 2x waits until the activation end is notified. As a result, a certain number of computers or more do not simultaneously perform OS startup processing, and excessive access concentration to the storage 1 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the performance of the storage 1 from being deteriorated, and to shorten the OS startup time in the entire system. While the second embodiment is a distributed activation number control method using each computer, this embodiment can be said to be a centralized activation number control method using a management console.
[0094]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform communication necessary between a plurality of computers and a management console in order to check the OS startup status and remote power-on control via a fiber channel without using a LAN. Yes, you can delete the LAN itself. Thereby, in addition to the same effect as the second embodiment, there is an effect that the LAN equipment cost and the maintenance cost can be further reduced, and further cost reduction can be realized.
[0095]
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the activation control is performed by communicating with the management console, there is an effect that the load on the storage can be further reduced. Furthermore, by centralizing the start control, there is an effect that it becomes easy to grasp the management / start state of the computer.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the OS of a plurality of computers is activated, the load on the storage can be temporally distributed, so that excessive access concentration to the storage can be suppressed in the computer system sharing the storage. Therefore, the storage performance can be prevented from being lowered, and the OS startup time in the entire system can be shortened. Further, according to the present invention, an administrator or an operator can start up a plurality of computers without spending new labor and time for starting up the computers, leading to an effect of reducing management costs and labor costs.
[0097]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the start-up operation can be performed only by the fiber channel without using the LAN, the introduction cost generated by laying two types of cables of the LAN and the fiber channel at the time of system introduction, and maintenance management Therefore, there is an effect that the operation cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a computer according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a storage according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a storage LUN management table according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a management console according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a management table according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a remote power-on packet according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a computer status table according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the startup operation of the computer according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a management console according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a computer according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the startup operation of the computer according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a fiber channel remote power-on frame according to a third embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of an activation control frame according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a conventional computer system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Storage, 11 ... Central control means, 12 ... Memory, 13 ... Computer local LU, 14 ... Shared LU, 15 ... Fiber channel controller, 16 ... Communication means, 17 ... Communication LU, 121 ... LU definition program, 122 ... LUN management table, 123 ... Access control program, 131 ... OS, 171 ... Computer status table, 2 ... Computer, 21 ... I / O device, 22 ... Central control means, 23 ... Memory, 24 ... LAN board, 241 ... Remote power on Control means, 25 ... Fiber channel board, 250 ... Fiber channel controller, 2501 ... Remote power-on control means, 2502 ... Standby power supply, 251 ... Memory, 2511 ... Boot-up control program, 2512 ... WWN, 26 ... Main power switch, 3 ... Fiber channel connection device, 4 ... Management console, 41 ... I / O device, 42 ... Central control means, 43 ... Memory, 431 ... Remote power control program, 4311 ... Management table 432 ... Computer startup control program, 44 ... LAN board, 45 ... Fiber channel board, 46 ... Disk device, 47 ... Communication means, 5 ... Fiber channel, 6 ... LAN, 7 ... Communication I / F, 900 ... Remote power On-packet, 950 ... Remote power-on frame, 960 ... Start-up control frame, 100 ... Storage, 1001 ... OS, 200 ... Computer, 400 ... Server, 500 ... Connection interface, 600 ... LAN.

Claims (8)

In a computer system in which at least two or more computers and all the computers are connected to a storage that is directly accessible via a storage interface,
The storage has a local logical volume dedicated to each computer and a communication logical volume accessible to all computers.
The communication logical volume has a computer status table that records the startup status of all computers.
The computer has a boot-up control program that controls the startup of the OS and communicates the startup status of the computer.
The computer status table describes the startup status of each computer by the boot-up control program. The boot-up control program refers to the computer status table to know the number of computers that are running, and the OS startup of the computer depends on the startup status. A computer system that distributes access to storage by controlling the start timing and executes the OS startup of the computer. In the computer system according to claim 1 ,
Powering on the computer and starting the bootup control program;
The bootup control program accessing the computer status table of the communication logical volume and referring to the startup status of all computers;
The bootup control program includes a step of writing a boot status in a dedicated area of each computer in the computer status table. In the computer system according to claim 1 ,
The storage has a shared logical volume called a communication logical volume that can be accessed by all computers and consoles.
The communication logical volume is dedicated to each computer and has a dedicated logical area that is defined as writable only by that computer.
The dedicated logical area describes the activation status of each computer, and the computer recognizes the activation status of each computer by reading the dedicated logical area of each computer at an appropriate timing. Communication method. In the computer system further comprising a console in the configuration of the computer system according to claim 1 ,
The computer has a boot-up control program that controls the startup of the OS and communicates the startup status of the computer.
The console has a computer startup control program that controls the startup of the computer and a computer status table that records the startup status of the computer.
The boot-up control program communicates the startup status to the computer startup control program, and the computer startup control program refers to the computer status table and communicates with the boot-up control program to control the number of startups of the computer. A computer system characterized by enabling time distribution of access and executing OS startup of computers. The computer system according to claim 4, wherein
The computer is powered on and the bootup control program is started; the bootup control program notifies the computer startup control program of the startup status; and the computer startup control program refers to the computer status table And a step of rewriting the computer status table by the computer activation control program, and a step of notifying the bootup control program by the computer activation control program. The computer system according to claim 4, wherein
The interface for connecting the console and the computer is Fiber Channel,
Said console and computer comprise means for controlling the fiber channel;
The means for controlling the fiber channel included in the console and the computer is a message frame that can be broadcast, and is an identifier for specifying the means for controlling the fiber channel mounted in at least one computer inside the message frame. Name, and a message frame storing a startup control identifier for specifying the startup status of the computer and control information issued by the console can be transmitted,
When the means for controlling the Fiber Channel confirms that a World Wide Name that is an identifier for identifying the means for controlling the Fiber Channel is stored in the broadcast message frame issued by the console and the computer. A method of communication between a computer and a console, characterized in that activation control is executed according to the contents of the activation control identifier. In the computer system according to claims 1 and 4 ,
In order to inform the operator of the computer that the boot-up control program is in a standby state by controlling the number of activations, the computer startup method displays the fact on the computer output device. . In the computer system according to claims 1 and 4 ,
The bootup control program provided in the computer is a program executed when the power is turned on,
A computer system comprising a boot-up control program that controls the number of startups of the computer and is rewritable by the computer.

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