JP4990079B2 - Disk space allocation management system, disk space allocation management method, management server, and computer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a disk area allocation management system, a disk area allocation management method, a management server, and a computer.

  The range of applications of computers has expanded, and computers have begun to be used in fields that require strong security that can prevent information leakage such as trade secrets and unauthorized access. In addition, the performance of computers has been improved, so that portable computers can be used not only in corporate buildings where security is ensured but also at homes and business trips outside the buildings. To cope with this situation, a computer that processes files containing important trade secrets is installed in a secure building, and when using a portable computer outside the building, A secure computer system has been devised for remote control of computers. In this system, the portable computer sends keyboard input from humans to the computer in the building, and the computer in the building processes the file in which the trade secret is recorded, and only the image of the execution screen is transferred to the portable computer. Send. As a result, since the file in which the trade secret is recorded is not taken out of the building, it is possible to prevent information leakage and unauthorized access in units of files.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the computers in the building use computers of the same specifications for centralized management. However, since the capacity of the disk area of the computer used by the user varies depending on the user, A method of allocating a disk area for each user to an external storage device different from the above is adopted.
JP 2006-189963 A JP 2005-353035 A JP-A-8-147205

  In the above conventional system, it is necessary to manage the correspondence between the computer and the disk area of the external storage device allocated to the user. For example, Patent Document 1 adopts a method of managing this correspondence with a management server. Here, the computer makes an inquiry to the management server at the time of start-up, and connects to the disk area of the external storage device allocated from the management server.

  In this method, the disk area allocation setting is centrally managed by the management server, so that the operation can be simplified. However, there is a possibility that the correspondence inquiry is concentrated on the management server. In this case, the management server is overloaded and the response is likely to be delayed.

  In particular, a computer that uses the external storage device in a secure computer system is a PC used by an employee for daily work in a company or the like. Easy to concentrate. For example, if a situation occurs in which the disk area of the external storage device is allocated to only some PCs at this time, a computer that does not allocate the disk area also makes an inquiry to the management server, so that an unnecessary load is further imposed on the management server. In light of these circumstances, there is a desire to reduce the load on the management server as much as possible.

  Further, when the user has used up the disk area allocated to the user, it is necessary to further increase the allocated disk area. As an existing method, in the method shown in Patent Document 2, there is a method of transferring a disk area allocated to a computer to another disk having a large capacity.

  In this method, the migration source disk is copied to the migration destination disk, and the management device changes the settings of the external storage device and the management server, so the management effort is relatively small. You must reconnect to the destination disk area. There is also a problem that even if the computer changes the migration source disk area after copying, the changed contents are not reflected in the migration destination disk area. In addition, since a computer generally caches read / write data of a disk in a memory, a disk copy process or capacity change can be executed only when the computer is not connected to the corresponding external storage device. Therefore, in order to increase the allocation of the disk area to the user, it is difficult to automate the process unless the connection state of the computer is appropriately controlled.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is a main object of the present invention to provide a technique for reducing the load and operation cost of the management server in the thin client system and automating the process of increasing the allocated disk capacity to the user. .

A disk area allocation management system of the present invention that solves the above problems is a system that includes a computer remotely operated via a network by an operation terminal, and a management server that manages allocation of disk areas of an external storage device to the computer. Te, the computer, and includes a communication device that communicates with the management server and the external storage device and a storage device disk space of the external storage device to hold the assigned whether data from the management server Received disk area allocation notification in the external storage device is transmitted, and the storage device stores data indicating that the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated, and whether the disk area has been allocated. Whether or not the disk area has been allocated. Processing for inquiring of the connection information to the disk area to the management server, and receiving response data returned from the management server in response to the inquiry of the connection information, and from the response data to the disk area A communication device that reads the connection information to the disk, and performs processing for connecting to the disk area of the external storage device based on the connection information, and the management server communicates with the computer and the external storage device, In the management table, comprising: a storage device storing a management table describing a correspondence relationship between the connection information of the predetermined disk area requested and acquired from the external storage device and a computer to which the predetermined disk area is allocated. The disk area allocation notification in the external storage device is sent to the computer in which the correspondence relation with the connection information of the disk area is described. Receiving a sense, the inquiry of the connection information from the computer, executes the process in response to the connection information is read out from the management table of the storage device to a disk area allocated to said computer, and wherein the.

In the disk space allocation management system, the computer executes a process of responding to an inquiry from an external device whether the main power of the computer is on or off, and the management server If the main power of the computer is inquired whether the main power is on or off, and the response obtained from the computer in response to the inquiry indicates that the main power is off , the current disk area allocated to the computer Information indicating that the connection person is the management server is stored in the management table, and the external storage device allocated to the computer is instructed to increase the capacity of the disk area for the computer, and the external storage The connection from the computer to which the disk area during the capacity increase process is allocated until the notification of the completion of the disk area capacity increase process is obtained from the device To broadcast queries, reads the information of the current connection's regarding allocated disk space in the computer in the management table, it recognizes that the current jointer is the management server, and not connected to the disk space It is also possible to execute the process of making a response.

  Further, in the disk space allocation management system, when the computer receives the disk area allocation notification from the management server, the computer executes a process of returning the allocation notification receipt notification to the management server, When the management server fails to receive the receipt notification from the computer within a predetermined period in response to the allocated notification of the disk area, it executes a process of re-notifying the allocated notification at a predetermined time interval. Also good.

  In the disk space allocation management system, the computer executes a process of turning on its main power supply in response to an instruction from another computer or the management server via a network. Has a storage device with correspondence data between the connection information of the computer and the operation terminal assigned to the computer, and receives from the operation terminal a request for remote operation of an alternative computer of the computer assigned to the operation terminal. In response to the request, the computer not assigned to any operation terminal and its connection information are identified as the alternative computer and its connection information from the correspondence data of the storage device, and the operation to the alternative computer is performed. A process of setting the terminal assignment in the correspondence data of the storage device and responding the connection information of the alternative computer to the operation terminal; A process of notifying the alternative computer of a main power-on instruction, and a process of allocating the alternative computer to the disk area of the external storage device allocated to the computer of the operation terminal in the management table; , Setting the connection information to the disk area of the external storage device for the corresponding alternative computer in the management table, and notifying that the disk area has already been allocated to the alternative computer, and the allocation to the alternative computer If the receipt notification is not received from the alternative computer within a certain period, a process of changing the time interval until the re-notification may be performed.

  In the disk space allocation management system, the time interval may be shorter than a predetermined value when the management server performs a process of changing the time interval until the re-notification.

The disk area allocation management method of the present invention is a system including a computer that is remotely operated via a network by an operation terminal, and a management server that manages allocation of a disk area of an external storage device to the computer. A communication device that communicates with the management server and the external storage device, and a storage device that holds data indicating whether or not a disk area of the external storage device has been allocated, and is transmitted from the management server, Receiving a disk area allocation notification in the external storage device, storing data indicating that the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated in the storage apparatus, and whether the disk area has been allocated or not Judgment based on data held in the device, and when the disk space has been allocated, A process for querying the management server for connection information to the disk area, and receiving response data returned from the management server in response to the inquiry of the connection information, and obtaining connection information from the response data to the disk area. A process of reading and connecting the external storage device to the disk area according to the connection information, and the management server communicates with the computer and the external storage device, and to the external storage device And a storage device storing a management table describing a correspondence relationship between the requested and acquired predetermined disk area connection information and a computer to which the predetermined disk area is allocated, and the connection of the disk area in the management table. to computer correspondence between the information is described, a process for performing the assigned notification of the disk space in the external storage device, the calculated Receiving an inquiry of the connection information from, executes processing for responding to the connection information is read out from the management table of the storage device to a disk area allocated to said computer, and wherein the.

The management server of the present invention is a management server that performs disk area allocation management of an external storage device for a computer remotely operated via a network by an operation terminal, and communicates with the computer and the external storage device. A storage device storing a management table describing a correspondence relationship between a communication device, connection information of a predetermined disk area requested and acquired from the external storage device, and a computer to which the predetermined disk area is allocated; and the management table Processing to notify the disk area allocation in the external storage device to the computer in which the correspondence relationship with the connection information of the disk area is described, and receives the inquiry of the connection information from the computer, to the computer An arithmetic unit that executes processing for reading and responding to the connection information to the allocated disk area from the management table of the storage device; Characterized in that it comprises.

The computer of the present invention is a computer in which a disk area of an external storage device is allocated by a management server and is remotely operated via a network by an operation terminal, the communication device communicating with the management server and the external storage device, A storage device that holds data indicating whether or not the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated ; and a disk area allocation notification in the external storage device that is transmitted from the management server is received, and the storage device A process for storing data indicating that the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated, and whether or not the disk area has been allocated is determined based on data held in the storage apparatus, and the disk area has been allocated. Processing for querying the management server for connection information to the disk area; and The response data returned in response to the inquiry of the connection information is received, the connection information to the disk area is read from the response data, and the connection to the disk area of the external storage device is determined by this connection information. And a processing unit for executing the processing.

  In addition, the problems disclosed by the present application and the solutions thereof will be clarified by the embodiments of the present invention and the drawings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load and operation cost of the management server in the thin client system and to automate the process of increasing the allocated disk capacity to the user.

--- System configuration ---
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a disk area allocation management system 10 according to this embodiment. A disk area allocation management system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an operation terminal 300, a computer 200 such as a blade PC remotely controlled by the operation terminal 300, and a disk area 401 allocated to the computer 200, which are connected to each other via a network. The system includes an external storage device 400 and a management server 100 that performs allocation management of the disk area 401.

  The operation terminal 300 is a terminal that is connected to the computer 200 via the network 5 and performs remote operation. Specifically, a thin client terminal that is remotely desktop-connected to a blade PC in a thin client system can be assumed. The operation terminal 300 includes a processor 301 such as a CPU, a ROM 302 that stores an OS, a remote operation client program 310, and the like, an internal interface 302, a communication circuit interface 303, a RAM 304, an input / output device 305 such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a display device. .

  The remote operation by the remote operation client program 310 of the operation terminal 300 is specifically performed in the following procedure. First, the user performs input using the input / output device 305 such as a keyboard or a mouse of the operation terminal 300. At this time, the operation terminal 300 transmits the input information at the input / output device 305 to the computer 200 via the network 5. The computer 200 executes a program according to the input information. The computer 200 transmits only the screen image of the execution result of the program to the operation terminal 300 via the network 5. The operation terminal 300 displays the screen image on the input / output device.

  On the other hand, the computer 200 can assume, for example, a blade PC in a thin client system. Also, all or part of a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive used in the computer 200 is realized by a disk area 401 allocated to the external storage device 400. Therefore, the computer 200 is connected to the external storage device 400 via the network 5. The network 5 used for the connection here is assumed to be a secure network such as a LAN.

  The computer 200 includes a processor 201 such as a CPU, a main storage device 202, an internal interface 203, a communication circuit interface 204, a secondary storage device 205, and an input / output device 206. The main storage device 202 stores a program memory 207 and a data memory 208.

  The external storage device 400 connected to the computer 200 is a storage device that can be used by the computer 200 via the network 5. The external storage device 400 is connected as a storage device in the same manner as the secondary storage device 205 by connecting via the network 5 so that the processor 201 of the computer 200 accesses the secondary storage device 205 via the internal bus 203. Accessible.

  Specifically, the computer 200 transmits a request for the processor 201 of the computer 200 to access the secondary storage device 205 to the external storage device 400 via the network 5. Then, the external storage device 400 processes the request, and as a result, for example, the data requested in response to the read request is returned to the computer 200 via the network 5. At this time, the computer 200 can access the external storage device 400 by receiving the data and processing it as if it were a response from the internal bus 105. As another existing method, there is a storage device that is accessed in units of files. Here, the access method to the external storage device 400 is a method that can be accessed like a physical storage device as described above.

  On the other hand, the external storage device 400 can set a plurality of independent storage areas inside, and has a function of setting a password for restricting the computer 200 that can be accessed. That is, the plurality of computers 200 can simultaneously access a storage area (in the external storage device 400) that is independently assigned to each computer and protected by a password. Further, it can be assumed as an example that the external storage device 400 and the computer 200 are connected by the iSCSI protocol.

  On the other hand, the management server 100 is a server device that manages allocation of the disk area 401 of the external storage device 400 to the computer. For example, a plurality of users, a plurality of operation terminals 300, a plurality of computers 200, and an external storage device 400 are used. Manages the correspondence of multiple storage areas. That is, which user manages which computer 200 from which operation terminal 300 is remotely operated and which storage area of which external storage device 400 is accessed. The management server 100 includes a processor 101 such as a CPU, a main storage device 102, an internal interface 103, a communication circuit interface 104, a secondary storage device 105, and an input / output device 106. The main storage device 102 stores a program memory 107 and a data memory 108.

  Each device (the operation terminal 300, the computer 200, the management server 100, etc.) of the disk area allocation management system 10 includes a memory serving as storage means used when performing arithmetic processing, and an arithmetic processing device that performs the arithmetic processing. The computer is provided with at least. The memory is constituted by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like. The arithmetic processing is realized by an arithmetic processing device configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program on the memory.

  Next, the functional configuration of each device will be described. First, the operation terminal 300 includes a remote operation client 310 for remotely operating the computer 200 in a storage device. The remote operation client 310 is a program for the remote operation of the operation terminal 300 connected to the computer 200 by remote desktop in a thin client system, for example.

  The remote operation client 310 has a function of performing user authentication in a verification process such as a password in addition to the remote operation process, and holds a user identifier for identifying the user. It can also be assumed that the operation terminal 300 includes a storage device connection interface (not shown) that can hold a user identifier and a password in a secure storage area. In this case, it is assumed that the user connects the storage device to the operation terminal 300 and further inputs a user identifier and a password through an input interface such as a keyboard. Then, the operation terminal 300 can compare the user identifier and password information held in the storage device with the information obtained from the input interface, and perform user authentication regarding the user.

  On the other hand, the computer 200 communicates with the remote operation client 310 of the operation terminal 300 to realize the remote operation from the operation terminal 300, and when the management server 100 has allocated the disk area, An assigned flag storage unit 231 that holds two states of “ON” and “OFF” when not assigned, and an Operating System (OS) 232 are provided.

Further, other functional units provided in the computer 200 will be described. The computer 200 determines whether or not the disk area of the external storage device 400 has been allocated to itself based on the data held in the allocated flag storage unit 231. When the disk area has been allocated, the computer 200 A connection information request unit 210 that inquires the management server 100 about connection information to the area is provided.
Further, the computer 200 receives response data returned from the management server 100 in response to the connection information inquiry, reads connection information to the disk area from the response data, and uses the connection information to read the connection information. A connection processing unit 211 for connecting to the disk area of the external storage device 400 is provided.
Further, the computer 200 includes a flag setting unit 212 that receives the disk area allocation notification from the management server 100 and holds the allocated data in the allocated flag storage unit 231.
The computer 200 further includes a power status response unit 213 that responds to an inquiry from an external device whether the main power of the computer 200 is on or off.
In addition, the computer 200 includes a receipt notification unit 214 that returns a receipt notification of the allocated notification to the management server 100 when receiving the disk area allocation notification from the management server 100.
In addition, the computer 200 includes a power control unit 215 that turns on its main power in response to an instruction from another computer or the management server 100 via a network.

  Although the remote operation method is not particularly defined, for example, an input from the user's operation terminal 300 is transmitted from the operation terminal 300 to the computer 200, and the computer 200 processes the input as an input performed by the computer 200. Then, the screen image of the processing result is transmitted to the operation terminal 300. The operation terminal 300 has a processing method of outputting the screen image to a display or the like.

  Next, functional units included in the management server 100 will be described. The management server assigns the management table 125 describing the correspondence between the computer 200 and the connection information of the disk area of the external storage device 400 assigned to the computer 200, the connection information of the computer 200, and the computer 200. It is assumed that the correspondence data 126 with the operation terminal 300 is provided in the main storage device 102 (the data memory 108).

The management server 100 includes a connection information response unit 110 that receives an inquiry about the connection information from the computer 200, reads out the connection information to the disk area allocated to the computer 200 from the management table 125, and responds.
Further, if the management server 100 sets the connection information to the disk area of the external storage device 400 allocated to the computer 200 for the corresponding computer in the management table 125, the disk area has already been allocated to the computer 200. An assigned notification unit 111 that notifies the fact is provided.
The management server 100 further includes a power inquiry unit 112 that inquires of the computer 200 whether the main power of the computer is on or off.

In addition, when the response obtained from the computer 200 in response to the inquiry indicates that the main power supply is turned off, the management server 100 sends an external storage device 400 assigned to the computer 200 for the computer. An increase instruction unit 113 for instructing an increase in the capacity of the disk area is provided.
In addition, the management server 100 receives the connection information from the computer 200 to which the disk area being subjected to the capacity increasing process is allocated until the disk area capacity increasing process completion notification is acquired from the external storage device 400. An exclusive processing unit 114 that responds to the inquiry that connection to the disk area is impossible is provided.

In addition, when the management server 100 fails to receive the receipt notification from the computer 200 within a predetermined period in response to the disk area allocation notification, the management server 100 performs re-notification of the allocation notification at a predetermined time interval. A notification unit 115 is provided.
The management server further includes an alternative request receiving unit 116 that receives a request for remote operation of an alternative computer of the computer 200 assigned to the operation terminal 300 from the operation terminal 300.

Further, the management server 100 specifies a computer not assigned to any operation terminal and its connection information in response to the request as an alternative computer and its connection information from the correspondence relationship data 126, and sends it to the alternative computer. An alternative information notifying unit 117 is provided for setting the assignment of the operation terminal in the correspondence data 126 and responding to the operation terminal 300 with connection information of the alternative computer.
The management server 100 also includes a power-on instruction unit 118 that notifies the substitute computer of a main power-on instruction.
In addition, the management server 100 includes an area transfer unit 119 that allocates the alternative computer to the disk area of the external storage device 400 that has been allocated to the computer 200 of the operation terminal 300 in the management table 125. .

The management server 100 sets connection information to the disk area of the external storage device 400 for the corresponding alternative computer in the management table 125, and notifies the alternative computer that the disk area has been allocated. An alternative notification unit 120 is provided.
Further, the management server 100 changes the time interval until the re-notification is received when the receipt notification from the alternative computer is not received within a certain period with respect to the assigned notification to the alternative computer. An interval changing unit 121 is provided. The interval changing unit 121 may make the time interval shorter than a predetermined value when performing the process of changing the time interval until the re-notification.

  The function units 110 to 121, 210 to 215, 310, etc. in the management server 100, the computer 200, and the operation terminal 300 that constitute the disk area allocation management system 10 described so far may be realized as hardware. However, it may be realized as a program stored in an appropriate storage device such as a memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). In this case, the CPU of each device reads the corresponding program from the storage device into each memory in accordance with the program execution, and executes it.

  In addition to the Internet and LAN, the network 5 may employ various networks such as an ATM line, a dedicated line, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a power line network, a wireless network, a public line network, and a mobile phone network. I can do it. If a virtual private network technology such as VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used, communication with improved security is established when the Internet is adopted.

--- Database structure ---
Next, the structure of various tables that can be used by the devices constituting the disk area allocation management system 10 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the management table 125 in this embodiment.

  The management table 125 is a table describing a correspondence relationship between the computer 200 and connection information of the disk area of the external storage device 400 allocated to the computer 200. The management table 125 includes, for example, an external storage device connection information 203 that is connection information to a storage area of the external storage device 400, a retransmission time 204 of the assigned notification, a storage area, using a user identifier 201 that identifies the user as a key. It is a collection of records that associate information such as the connection person 205 that is user information connected to.

  The data of the connection person 205 is “management server” when the management server 100 is connected to the storage area of the external storage device 400, and “none” otherwise. The external storage device connection information 203 is, for example, an IP address of the external storage device 400, an iSCSI target name that is a name for identifying the storage region of the external storage device 400, and a password set for each storage region. Composed. The retransmission time 204 is information for recognizing the interval at which the re-notification unit 115 retransmits the allocated notification to the computer 200, and further, the interval changing unit 121 allocates an allocated notification to the alternative computer. It becomes a target to change the time interval when performing.

  In this embodiment, the concept of the correspondence relationship data 126 is collected in the management table 125. Accordingly, computer information 202 as connection information of the computer 200 is associated with the user identifier 201. Further, the user identifier 201 is associated with the operation terminal 300.

--- Processing flow example 1 ---
The actual procedure of the disk area allocation management method according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Various operations corresponding to the disk area allocation management method described below are realized by a program that is read and executed in the memory of the management server 100, the computer 200, the operation terminal 300, or the like. And this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for performing the various operation | movement demonstrated below. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow example 1 of the disk area allocation management method according to the present embodiment.

  At this time, the management server 100 assigns the disk area of the external storage device 400 to the user (that is, the operation terminal 300 and the computer 200 associated therewith) designated by the system administrator or the like according to the user request through the input / output device. I do. At this time, it is assumed that the management server 100 accepts designation of the user identifier and the capacity of the allocated disk area as a user request.

  Therefore, the management server 100 requests the external storage device 400 to prepare a disk area having the capacity specified by the user request (s110). At this time, the external storage device 400 cuts out a disk area having a specified capacity from an unused storage area, and sets an identifier for identifying the disk area, a password for connecting to the disk area, and the like ( s111). The external storage device 400 returns the external storage device connection information of the set disk area to the management server 100 (s112).

  It is assumed that the management server 100 checks the unused storage area of the external storage device 400 and requests instruction information on what identifier and what password is set in which disk area in step s110. Also good. In this case, the external storage device 400 may perform the setting in step s111 according to the instruction information, and respond to the management server 3 in step s112 that the setting has been completed.

  There are various methods for managing the disk area that can be used by the external storage device 400 from the computer 200. Eventually, a plurality of computers 200 use the external storage device connection information to separate disk areas that are independent of each other. If it can be used, the setting items and the like that the external storage device connection information should have are not particularly defined here. For example, in the iSCSI protocol, a storage area is realized in units of logical devices, and resources called iSCSI targets are allocated to the logical devices as connection destinations from the network. The iSCSI target can set information such as an IP address, a port number, an iSCSI target name which is a name for identifying the iSCSI target, and a CHAP name and a CHAP password used for authentication of access to the iSCSI target. Connection information.

  The management server 100 that has received the response from the external storage device 400 acquires the user identifier and the external storage device connection information, and stores them in the user identifier 201 and the external storage device connection information 203 of the management table 125, respectively. Further, an initial value preset as the retransmission time (eg, 600 seconds) is stored in the retransmission time 204 of the management table 125, and the connection person 205 is set to “none” (s113).

  Further, if the management server 100 sets the external storage device connection information, which is connection information to the disk area of the external storage device 400 assigned to the computer 200, in the management table 125, the management server 100 It is notified that the disk area has been allocated in the external storage device 400 (s114).

  On the other hand, when the computer 200 receives the assigned notification from the management server 100, the computer 200 turns on the flag in the assigned flag storage unit 231 (s115). After that, the management server 100 is responded by sending a receipt notification that the allocation notification has been received (s116).

  On the other hand, when the management server 100 fails to receive the receipt notification from the computer 200 within a predetermined period (s117: NG), it re-notifies the assigned notification at a predetermined time interval (s118). That is, until the receipt notification in step s116 is received from the computer 200, the management server 100 returns to step s114 every time the retransmission time 204 elapses from the execution time of step s114, and retransmits the assigned notification.

  It should be noted that such a re-transmission of the assigned notification can occur not only when the computer 200 itself or the network fails, but also in a general situation. That is, when the user does not use the computer 200, the power of the computer 200 is turned off. Therefore, the management server 100 needs to continue resending the assigned notification until the user turns on the power of the computer 200.

  So far, the flow of the disk area allocation processing of the external storage device 400 for the user has been described. Next, a flow when the operation terminal 300 tries to perform remote operation by connecting to the computer 200 by remote desktop will be described.

  At this time, the operation terminal 300 started up by the user transmits a remote operation start request to the computer 200 by the remote operation client 310 (s130). In this remote operation start request, the remote operation client 310 inquires the power status response unit 213 of the computer 200 whether the power of the computer 200 is ON or OFF, and when it is OFF, the power control unit 215 is turned ON. Request. When the power of the computer 200 is turned on, the remote operation client 310 of the operation terminal 300 is connected to the remote operation server function 230 via a network and starts remote operation. The operation start request includes a user identifier.

  Next, the computer 200 checks the flag in the allocated flag storage unit 231 and does nothing if the disk area has not been allocated, that is, if the allocated flag 23 is “OFF” (s131: Yes). On the other hand, when the assigned flag 23 is “ON” (s131: No), the computer 200 connects the external storage device to the management server 100 for the disk area of the assigned external storage device 400. In order to query information, a user identifier is transmitted (s132).

  On the other hand, the management server 100 receives the inquired user identifier from the computer 200, searches for the corresponding entry from the user identifier 201 of the management table 125, and checks whether the connection person 205 is “None” (s133). . Here, when the connection person 205 is not “None” (s133: Yes), that is, in a state where it is mounted by the management server 100 (for example, during the process of increasing the disk area), the management server 100 It responds to 200 to that effect. Then, the computer 200 ends the subsequent processing. In this case, the user's operation terminal 300 performs the remote operation of the computer 200 without connecting to the external storage device 400.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step s133 that the connected person 205 is “none” (s133: No), the management server 100 connects to the disk area allocated to the computer 200, that is, an external storage device connection. Information is read from the management table 125 and responded (s134).

  The computer 200 receives response data returned from the management server 100 in response to the connection information inquiry, and reads external storage device connection information as connection information to the disk area from the response data. Then, the computer 200 transmits a connection request to the corresponding external storage device 400 according to the external storage device connection information (s135). At this time, the external storage device 400 checks the connection request and responds whether the connection is possible.

  If the response from the external storage device 400 is “connectable”, the computer 200 prepares the external storage device 400 to be used as a storage device (s136). For example, in the iSCSI protocol, the external storage device 400 to be transmitted is determined using the IP address and port number of the external storage device connection information, and the iSCSI target name, CHAP name, and CHAP password are transmitted as a connection request. In the external storage device 400, whether or not the computer 200 can access the disk area determined by the iSCSI target name is authenticated by the verification process related to the CHAP name and CHAP password.

  If the computer 200 is “connectable,” the computer 200 makes the disk area of the external storage device 400 appear to the OS 232 as if it were the secondary storage device 205. While being connected to the external storage device 400, the computer 200 transmits a read / write request to the disk area to the external storage device 400. In accordance with this read / write request, the external storage device 400 executes processing by writing the contents of the storage area in response to a read request, writing data in the storage area in response to a write request, and responding with the result.

  Further, the computer 200 responds to the remote operation start request from the operation terminal 300 as to whether or not remote operation is possible (s137). Thereafter, the operation terminal 300 can remotely operate the computer 200 if the remote operation is “operational”.

If transmission of the assigned notification fails because the power of the computer 200 is OFF at the time of execution of step s114, the assigned flag is OFF in step s131, so the computer 200 sends the information to the external storage device 400. Are not connected, and the user remotely operates the computer 200.
In this case, if the assigned notification in step s114 can be retransmitted before the user finishes the remote operation and turns off the computer 200, the assigned flag is turned on. Therefore, the user requests the next remote operation start request. The connection to the external storage device 400 is performed after (s130) is performed.

--- Processing flow example 2 ---
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow example 2 of the disk area allocation management method in the present embodiment. Next, the process of increasing the capacity of the disk area of the external storage device 400 assigned to the user by the management server 100 will be described. In this case, the system administrator or the like designates the user identifier having the disk area whose capacity is to be increased and the capacity after the increase to the management server 100. The processing for increasing the capacity requires not only increasing the disk area prepared by the external storage device 400 but also changing the contents of the disk area. Generally, the OS stores file system management information in a secondary storage device in order to use the secondary storage device in the file system. The management information includes the capacity of the secondary storage device, and in order for the OS to use the secondary storage device after the capacity increase, a file system increase process for rewriting the management information is necessary.

  This file system increase processing depends on the structure of the file system and is not particularly specified. For example, a file in which the storage area of the secondary storage device is divided into a plurality of blocks and the free area is managed by a free area management table in block units. In the system, the number of entries in the free area management table is increased by an amount corresponding to the increase in the capacity of the user storage area. However, this file system increase processing cannot be performed while the file system is in use. In this embodiment, the capacity increase process of the file system cannot be performed while the operation terminal 300 remotely operates the computer 200 and the computer 200 is connected to the external storage device 400. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the increase processing when the computer 200 is not used.

  Therefore, the management server 100 inquires of the computer 200 about the power supply state (s220). On the other hand, the computer 200 responds to the management server 100 in response to the inquiry whether the power is ON or OFF (s221). Then, the management server 100 receives the response, recognizes whether the computer 200 is turned on (s222), and ends the process when the computer 200 is turned on (s222: Yes).

On the other hand, when the power supply of the computer 200 is OFF (s222: No), the management server 100 searches the management table 125 for an entry having a user identifier to be processed, and “manages the connected person 205 of the corresponding entry. Server "is changed (s223). Further, the management server 100 requests the external storage device 400 to change the disk area capacity corresponding to the external storage apparatus connection information 203 of the entry to the disk area capacity after the increase specified by the administrator. Transmit (s224).
At this time, the external storage device 400 changes the capacity of the corresponding disk area according to the request from the management server 100 (s225), and returns the processing result to the management server 100 (s226).

  The management server 100 receives the processing result from the external storage device 400, and further transmits a connection request to the external storage device 400 using the external storage device connection information 203 of the entry (s227). On the other hand, the external storage device 400 returns a processing result for the connection request (s228). If the management server 100 is able to connect to the disk area of the user, the management server 100 performs the above-described file system increase processing so that the disk area can be used with the increased capacity (s229).

  The management server 100 that has completed the capacity increase process of the disk area transmits a request to disconnect the connection with the external storage device 400 to the external storage device 400 (s230). Then, the external storage device 400 returns a response to the disconnection request to the management server 100 (s231). In addition, the management server 100 sets the connection 205 changed in the management table 125 in step s223 as “none” (s232).

  During the increase processing, since the connected person becomes the “management server” in the management table 125, in the processing flow example 1, when the computer 200 is used, “no connected person” is indicated in step s133. Don't be. Therefore, in this case, the computer 200 is not connected to the external storage device 400. Also, during the time from step s221 to step s223, there is a possibility that the user uses the computer 200 to connect to the external storage device 400, but this time is determined by the management server 100 from the state where the computer 200 is powered off. Since it is shorter than the time until step s133 is executed, it is actually impossible.

--- Processing flow example 3 ---
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow example 3 of the disk area allocation management method in the present embodiment. Next, a flow when the user uses an alternative computer that is a substitute computer when the computer 200 fails will be described. The alternative computer is one of the computers 200 managed in the same manner as the computer 200 except that the management server 100 manages which alternative computer the user uses. However, for the computer 200, when the disk area of the external storage device 400 is allocated, the flag is turned ON in the allocated flag storage unit 231, but the user to be allocated is not determined for the alternative computer. Therefore, the flag in the assigned flag storage unit 231 is OFF. Therefore, in this state, the disk area cannot be used immediately after a user who has already been allocated a disk area of the external storage device 400 has assigned an alternative computer from the management server 100 instead of the computer 200.

  Therefore, the operation terminal 300 that has received the substitute computer assignment request via the input interface or the like transmits a request to assign the substitute computer for the user to the management server 100 (s340). The request includes a user identifier.

  The management server 100 receives the request from the operation terminal 300 and assigns an alternative computer to the user (s341). In this alternative computer assignment process, for example, a plurality of alternative computers are managed in a table (for example, stored in a storage device in correspondence data between connection information of computers and operation terminals assigned to the computers). The identifier, the IP address of the alternative computer, and the user identifier of the assigned user are set as one entry, and processing such as selecting a computer not assigned to the user as an alternative computer from the table is performed. Then, the management server 100 newly allocates the replacement computer to the disk area of the external storage device 400 that has been allocated to the computer before replacement (having failed) in the management table 125.

  Subsequently, the management server 100 transmits a request to turn on the power to the computer selected as the alternative computer (s342). On the other hand, the computer as the alternative computer returns a response to the power-on request (s343).

  In addition, the management server 100 sets the retransmission time 204 of the management table 125 to an initial value (eg, 10 seconds here) of the retransmission time that is different from the execution time of step s114 in the processing flow example 1 ( s344). The initial value is shorter than the initial value in step s114. This is because it is clear that this alternative computer receives (can) the assigned notification from the management server 100 immediately after turning on the power of the alternative computer.

  The management server 100 transmits an assigned notification to the alternative computer (s345). On the other hand, when receiving the assigned notification, the alternative computer turns on the flag in the assigned flag storage unit 231 (s346).

  The step s345 is not always successful. In general, from the power-on request in step s342 to the execution of s345, it takes several minutes because it requires processing such as OS startup, hardware initialization, and various program startup in an alternative computer. A case where the connection processing function with the storage device is not activated is conceivable. In this case, the management server 100 re-executes step s345 after the retransmission time 204 in the management table 125 has elapsed. Here, the retransmission time 204 is “10 seconds”. Step s345 is completed within 10 seconds after the connection processing function is activated. Such re-transmission of the assigned notification is performed as appropriate until a receipt notification is received from the alternative computer.

  On the other hand, if the replacement computer receives the assigned notification from the management server 100, the substitute computer responds to the management server 100 with a receipt notification (s347). Thereafter, the management server 100 responds to the operation terminal 300 that the replacement computer has been assigned (s348). At this time, after the assignment of the alternative computer is completed, the operation terminal 300 starts remote operation to the computer that is the alternative computer described in the processing flow example 1.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load and operation cost of the management server in the thin client system and to automate the process of increasing the allocated disk capacity to the user.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described concretely based on the embodiment, it is not limited to this and can be variously changed in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

It is a network block diagram of the disk area allocation management system of an embodiment. It is a figure which shows each data structure example of (a) management table and (b) correspondence data in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow example 1 of the disk area allocation management method in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow example 2 of the disk area allocation management method in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process flow example 3 of the disk area allocation management method in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

5 Network 10 Disk space allocation management system 100 Management server 110 Connection information response unit 111 Allocated notification unit 112 Power inquiry unit 113 Increase instruction unit 114 Exclusive processing unit 115 Re-notification unit 116 Substitution request reception unit 117 Substitution information notification unit 118 Power source ON instruction unit 119 area transfer unit 120 substitution notification unit 121 interval change unit 125 management table 126 correspondence data 200 computer 210 connection connection request unit 211 connection processing unit 212 flag setting unit 213 power status response unit 214 reception notification unit 215 power control Unit 300 operation terminal 310 remote operation client program 400 external storage device

Claims (8)

A system including a computer remotely operated via a network by an operation terminal, and a management server for managing allocation of a disk area of an external storage device to the computer,
The calculator is
A communication device that communicates with the management server and the external storage device;
A storage device for holding data indicating whether or not the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated,
A process of receiving a disk area allocation notification in the external storage device transmitted from the management server, and storing data indicating that the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated in the storage apparatus;
Determining whether or not the disk area has been allocated based on data held in the storage device, and when the disk area has been allocated, a process of querying the management server for connection information to the disk area; and
Response data returned from the management server in response to the inquiry of the connection information is received, connection information to the disk area is read from the response data, and the connection information is sent to the disk area of the external storage device. Execute the process to connect
The management server is
A communication device that communicates with the computer and the external storage device;
A storage device storing a management table describing a correspondence relationship between the connection information of the predetermined disk area requested and acquired from the external storage device and the computer to which the predetermined disk area is allocated ;
Processing for notifying the disk area allocation in the external storage device to the computer in which the correspondence relationship with the connection information of the disk area is described in the management table;
Receiving the inquiry of the connection information from the computer, and executing a process of responding by reading the connection information to the disk area allocated to the computer from the management table of the storage device;
A disk area allocation management system characterized by the above. The calculator is
Execute the process to respond to the inquiry from the external device whether the main power of the computer is on or off,
The management server is
Processing for inquiring of the computer whether the main power of the computer is on or off;
When the response obtained from the computer in response to the inquiry indicates that the main power supply is off, information indicating that the current connection person to the disk area allocated to the computer is the management server is the management table. And instructing the external storage device assigned to the computer to increase the capacity of the disk area for the computer;
In response to the inquiry of the connection information from the computer to which the disk area being subjected to the capacity increasing process is allocated until the notification of the completion of the disk area capacity increasing process is obtained from the external storage device, it is assigned to the computer. Read the information of the current connection person regarding the disk area in the management table, recognize that the current connection person is the management server, and execute a process of responding that connection to the disk area is impossible.
The disk area allocation management system according to claim 1 . The calculator is
If the disk area allocation notification is received from the management server, a process of returning the allocation notification receipt notification to the management server is executed.
The management server is
In response to the disk area allocation notification, if the receipt notification from the computer has not been received within a certain period, a process of re-notifying the allocation notification at a predetermined time interval is executed.
3. The disk area allocation management system according to claim 1 or 2 , The calculator is
In response to an instruction from another computer or the management server via the network, a process of turning on its own main power supply is executed.
The management server is
The storage device is provided with correspondence data between computer connection information and operation terminals assigned to the computer,
A process of receiving a request for remote operation of an alternative computer of the computer assigned to the operation terminal from the operation terminal;
In response to the request, a computer that is not assigned to any operation terminal and its connection information are specified as an alternative computer and its connection information from the correspondence data of the storage device, and the operation terminal is assigned to the alternative computer. Processing corresponding to the operation terminal, setting the correspondence relationship data of the storage device and connection information of the alternative computer;
A process of notifying the alternative computer of a main power-on instruction;
In the management table, a process of assigning the alternative computer to the disk area of the external storage device that was assigned to the computer of the operation terminal;
Processing for setting connection information to the disk area of the external storage device for the corresponding alternative computer in the management table, and notifying that the disk area has been allocated to the alternative computer;
In response to the assigned notification to the alternative computer, if the receipt notification from the alternative computer is not received within a certain period, a process of changing the time interval until the re-notification is performed.
4. The disk area allocation management system according to claim 3 , wherein: The management server is
5. The disk area allocation management system according to claim 4 , wherein when performing the process of changing the time interval until the re-notification, the time interval is shorter than a predetermined value. In a system including a computer that is remotely operated via a network by an operation terminal, and a management server that manages allocation of a disk area of an external storage device to the computer,
The calculator is
A communication device that communicates with the management server and the external storage device;
A storage device for holding data indicating whether or not the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated,
A process of receiving a disk area allocation notification in the external storage device transmitted from the management server, and storing data indicating that the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated in the storage apparatus;
Determining whether or not the disk area has been allocated based on data held in the storage device, and when the disk area has been allocated, a process of querying the management server for connection information to the disk area; and
Response data returned from the management server in response to the inquiry of the connection information is received, connection information to the disk area is read from the response data, and the connection information is sent to the disk area of the external storage device. Execute the process to connect
The management server is
A communication device that communicates with the computer and the external storage device;
A storage device storing a management table describing a correspondence relationship between the connection information of the predetermined disk area requested and acquired from the external storage device and the computer to which the predetermined disk area is allocated ;
Processing for notifying the disk area allocation in the external storage device to the computer in which the correspondence relationship with the connection information of the disk area is described in the management table;
Receiving the inquiry of the connection information from the computer, and executing a process of responding by reading the connection information to the disk area allocated to the computer from the management table of the storage device;
And a disk area allocation management method. A management server that performs disk space allocation management of an external storage device for a computer remotely operated via a network by an operation terminal,
A communication device that communicates with the computer and the external storage device;
A storage device storing a management table that describes the correspondence between the connection information of the predetermined disk area requested and acquired from the external storage device and the computer to which the predetermined disk area is allocated ;
Processing for notifying the disk area allocation in the external storage device to the computer in which the correspondence relationship with the connection information of the disk area is described in the management table;
An arithmetic device that receives the inquiry of the connection information from the computer, and executes a process of responding by reading the connection information to the disk area allocated to the computer from the management table of the storage device;
A management server comprising: A computer which is allocated a disk area of an external storage device by a management server and is remotely operated via a network by an operation terminal,
A communication device that communicates with the management server and the external storage device;
A storage device for holding data indicating whether or not the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated;
A process of receiving a disk area allocation notification in the external storage device transmitted from the management server, and storing data indicating that the disk area of the external storage device has been allocated in the storage apparatus;
Determining whether or not the disk area has been allocated based on data held in the storage device, and when the disk area has been allocated, a process of querying the management server for connection information to the disk area; and
Response data returned from the management server in response to the inquiry of the connection information is received, connection information to the disk area is read from the response data, and the connection information is sent to the disk area of the external storage device. A processing for performing connection, and an arithmetic device for executing
A computer comprising:

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