JP5045303B2 - Information processing system and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method, and more particularly, to an information processing system and an information processing method that perform load distribution among a plurality of central processing units.

  An explanation will be given by taking the field of communication in the information processing system as an example. In recent years, the Internet has been closely linked to our daily lives, and broadband and all-IP (Internet Protocol) have been remarkably progressing. That is, information processing apparatuses such as various information home appliances, mobile phones, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), and game machines are seamlessly connected by IP.

  In such a communication environment, it is necessary for various information processing apparatuses to be able to cope with a complicated communication network, and it is necessary to be able to perform a number of processes corresponding to connected devices. For this reason, the burden placed on the control unit of the information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus is increasing more and more.

  As described above, when the load on the information processing apparatus increases due to the rapid development of the infrastructure of the communication network, the process that must be completed by a certain point appears unprocessed or not completed. Cases arise. As a result, the possibility of occurrence of a failure such as a communication failure due to this increases. In addition, in an information processing apparatus having a mechanism for analyzing a failure after the failure has occurred, CPU (Central Processing Unit) resources are used to obtain necessary failure analysis information, and the load further increases. However, this causes a further failure. There also arises a problem that the failure that has occurred first cannot be identified.

  Furthermore, when a communication failure occurs in one information processing device, a problem of double failure that a failure occurs in another information processing device due to information sent to the communication network by that device also arises. Thus, the occurrence of a failure by one information processing apparatus has a risk of greatly expanding the damage in the present day when the communication network has been developed. Therefore, a technique for avoiding such a failure in advance is required.

  In order to avoid such a failure caused by the high load on the information processing apparatus in advance, there are various techniques for distributing the load in the high load state. For example, there is a first proposal as a first proposal that prepares two completely independent systems to double the apparatus and switch from the active system to the standby system when an abnormality occurs (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  According to the first proposal, an abnormal situation can be avoided by switching the CPU system in which the failure has occurred to another CPU system. However, in the first proposal, even if the CPU is switched from one system to the other system, assuming that both systems have the same processing capability, the system after switching will have the same load processing. Can only be done. Therefore, the system after switching may cause a similar failure, and as a result, the failure can only be temporarily avoided.

  Therefore, a second proposal has been made in which the usage efficiency of a CPU is measured, and if this exceeds a predetermined reference value, the input signal itself is regulated (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the second proposal, when a reference value is exceeded, a predetermined interrupt program is activated to restrict the processing of the input signal itself. As a result, the CPU is not overloaded. However, in the second proposal, the restriction of the input signal prevents the CPU from completing the processing that must be completed by a certain point in time as described above. Therefore, in the end, it becomes impossible to perform other processing linked to this processing, and an abnormal situation is caused.

  Accordingly, a third proposal has been proposed to prepare a plurality of redundantly configured storage control devices and distribute the load to them (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In this proposal, while high-performance processing is realized by load distribution, when a failure occurs in a CPU that performs processing in a fixed manner, this CPU is switched to another CPU.

  In the third proposal, when a certain CPU has a failure, the processing is switched to another CPU and the operation is shifted to the degenerate operation. Then, after the CPU that caused the failure is restored, the original operation state is restored. Therefore, in the third proposal, as described in the second proposal, it is impossible to complete the work that must be completed up to a predetermined point in the degenerate operation, which eventually causes an abnormal situation.

On the other hand, it has also been proposed to prepare a secondary processor in addition to the main processor so that the secondary processor performs the minimum processing of functional blocks when a failure of the main processor occurs (see, for example, Patent Document 4). In the fourth proposal, a sub-processor that collects the running history of the main processor is provided. When a failure occurs in the main processor, the secondary processor stores the travel history in the trace information storage unit at the time of failure. In addition, the secondary processor executes a minimum service together with this.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-181501 (paragraph 0010, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-252552 (paragraph 0009, FIG. 1) JP-A-8-335144 (paragraphs 0014 and 0015, FIGS. 1 and 6) JP-A-8-32676 (paragraphs 0014 to 0016, FIG. 1)

  According to the fourth proposal, after a failure occurs in the main processor, only the secondary processor is involved in data processing. Therefore, advanced processing cannot be performed in this state. That is, when only the secondary processor is in a state of processing data, there is a high risk that a further failure will occur due to the lack of processing capacity. Therefore, the fourth proposal has only a function for temporarily avoiding a failure as in the first proposal.

  As described above, none of the first to fourth proposals related to the present invention can stably execute high-performance processing. In the above description, the field of communication has been taken as an example, but it is obvious that a similar problem occurs in a general information processing system.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and information processing method that can easily enhance the data processing capability of an apparatus by cooperating with the processing capability prepared for other processing. It is to provide.

The information processing system of the present invention adds other functions to the above-described apparatus main body by (a) a first control means for performing various controls within the apparatus main body and (b) a second control means incorporated in itself. an additional device connection means for detachably connecting the additional device to the first mentioned above when additional device described above in the apparatus main body described above is connected and the predetermined condition is satisfied by (c) the additional device connection means And (d) the second control means monitors the data processing load of the first control means described above. (E) The control linkage means described above is described when the first control means load monitoring means measures a load exceeding a predetermined first threshold value. Performed by the device body It is provided with an additional device side control take-up means for causing the second control means to take a predetermined control among the various controls described above, and (f) a control taken by the control linkage means and the control Competing control adjusting means for adjusting the control when the first or second control means as the performing side competes with the originally performed control.

In addition, the information processing system of the present invention has (i) a first control means for performing various controls in the apparatus main body, and (b) a second control means incorporated in the apparatus main body. (C) the additional device connecting means for detachably connecting the additional device for adding the device, and (c) the above-mentioned additional device is connected to the device main body by the additional device connecting means and the predetermined condition is satisfied. Control coordination means for linking the first and second control means with respect to these controls is provided. (D) The first control means monitors the data processing load of the second control means. A second control means load monitoring means; (e) the control linkage means described above when the second control means load monitoring means measures a load exceeding a predetermined second threshold; Control performed by additional equipment And a device main body side control take-up means for letting the above-mentioned first control means take over the predetermined control, and (f) the control taken by the control cooperation means and the side that performs this control. When there is a conflict with the originally performed control of the first or second control means, a competition control adjusting means for adjusting these controls is provided.

Further, in the present invention, (b) a load monitoring step for determining the load of the first control means for performing various controls in the apparatus main body in a state where the additional apparatus is added to the apparatus main body; in step, when a load exceeding a predetermined threshold value determined in advance is determined, to link the various control in the first control means and said second control means used for controlling the above-mentioned additional device A control cooperation step ; (c) a first control means load monitoring step in which the second control means described above monitors the data processing load of the first control means; and (d) the control cooperation means described above. However, when the load exceeding the first threshold value determined in advance in the first control means load monitoring step is measured, the predetermined control among the various controls performed by the apparatus main body described above is performed. Control of 2 The additional device side control taking step to be taken up by the stage, and (e) the control taken in the additional device side control taking step competes with the control originally performed by the first or second control means as the side performing this control. Then , the information processing method includes a competitive control adjustment step for adjusting these controls .

Furthermore, in the present invention, (a) a load monitoring step for determining the load of the first control means for performing various controls in the apparatus main body with the additional device added to the apparatus main body; When a load exceeding a predetermined threshold value is determined in the step, the second control means used for controlling the additional device is linked with the first control means for the various controls described above. A control cooperation step; (c) a second control means load monitoring step in which the first control means monitors the data processing load of the second control means; and (d) the control cooperation means. However, when the load exceeding the second threshold value determined in advance in the second control means load monitoring step is measured, the predetermined control of the control performed by the additional device described above is the first control described above. Pull on means When the control take-up step on the apparatus main body side to be performed and (e) the control taken on at the control take-off step on the apparatus main body side compete with the control originally performed by the first or second control means as the side performing this control. The information processing method includes a competitive control adjustment step for adjusting these controls.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the information processing system or the information processing method configured to be able to connect the additional device to the device main body, the first or second control means for performing the respective control is a predetermined case. Since the control is performed in cooperation with each other, information processing without waste is possible as a whole, which contributes to downsizing and cost reduction of individual control means .

  <First Embodiment>

  FIG. 1 shows an information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 100 includes an information processing apparatus main body 101 that performs a predetermined information processing function alone, and an additional apparatus 102 that is additionally prepared to expand the functions of the information processing apparatus main body 101. . Although only one type of additional device 102 is shown here, a plurality of types may be prepared, and one or more of these may be used for the information processing apparatus main body 101.

  The information processing apparatus main body 101 includes a first control unit 111 including a CPU (not shown) and a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a control program is written. The first control unit 111 includes an additional device connection unit 112 that detachably attaches the additional device 102 to the information processing apparatus main body 101, and the additional device 102 is connected to the information processing apparatus main body 101 by the additional device connection unit 112. In this state, the control coordinating means 113 for coordinating the control of the first control means 111 and the second control means 121 provided in the additional device 102 is connected. Here, the first control means 111 is connected to a circuit device (not shown) in the information processing apparatus main body 101, and performs various controls.

  On the other hand, the additional device 102 includes a second control unit 121 composed of a storage medium such as a CPU (not shown) and a control program, and a first control unit 111 arranged on the information processing apparatus main body 101 side. A main body load monitoring means 122 for constantly monitoring the load is provided. The second control means 121 is connected to a circuit device (not shown) in the additional device 102, and controls the main body load monitoring means 122 as well as these controls. Further, the second control means 121 cooperates with the first control means 111 under the control of the control cooperation means 113. As a result, under a predetermined condition, the first control unit 111 executes a part of the processing on the information processing apparatus main body 101 side that should be originally performed. The main body load monitoring unit 122 has a function of monitoring the load of the first control unit 111 in order to check the conditions for performing such cooperation processing.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control cooperation means in the first embodiment. This will be described with reference to FIG. The control cooperation unit 113 includes a main body side load acquisition unit 115 that acquires the monitoring result of the load of the first control unit 111 by the second control unit 121. The main body load 116 acquired by the main body side load acquisition unit 115 is sequentially input to the first load distribution time determination unit 117. The first load distribution time discriminating means 117 compares the main body load 116 with a preset first operation start threshold value. Then, when the load becomes larger than the first operation start threshold value, the first load distribution start time as the time when the first control unit 111 and the second control unit 121 start cooperation is determined. It has become. The determined first load distribution start timing determination result 118 is transmitted to the first control unit 111. Based on this, the first control unit 111 starts a cooperative operation with the second control unit 121. As a result, the second control unit 121 can distribute the load of the first control unit 111.

  Further, the first load distribution time discriminating means 117 compares the main body load 116 with a preset first operation stop threshold value. Then, when the load becomes smaller than the first operation stop threshold after the load distribution is started, the first load distribution stop as the time when the first control unit 111 and the second control unit 121 end the cooperation. The time is determined. The determined first load distribution stop timing determination result 119 is transmitted to the first control unit 111 in the same manner. Based on this, the first control unit 111 stops the cooperative operation with the second control unit 121.

  By the way, the above description is based on the premise that the additional device 102 is provided with the second control unit 121 and has a relatively advanced configuration that can be independently controlled. Some of the additional devices 102 are not provided with such second control means 121, and the information processing device main body 101 side performs this control. The present invention is also applied to such a case.

  FIG. 3 shows an outline of a circuit configuration corresponding to FIG. 1 when the information processing apparatus main body side performs control on the additional apparatus side. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. The information processing apparatus main body 101A constituting the information processing system 100A includes second control means 121A and main body load monitoring means 122A respectively corresponding to the second control means 121 and the main body load monitoring means 122 shown in FIG. I have. The first control unit 111 and the second control unit 121A include separate CPUs. However, in this case, it is natural that one or more CPUs may share the roles of the first control unit 111 and the second control unit 121A.

  In the following embodiments and examples, the description will be made on the assumption that there is a case where the additional device itself performs control on the additional device side and a case where the information processing device main body side performs control. Therefore, for example, when the description is made with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of FIG. 3 may be included.

  <Second Embodiment>

  FIG. 4 shows an information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. An information processing system 100B according to the second embodiment includes an information processing apparatus main body 101B that performs a predetermined information processing function by itself and an additional apparatus 102B prepared for expanding the functions of the information processing apparatus main body 101B. Has been. Although only one type of additional device 102B is shown here, a plurality of types may be prepared and one or more of them may be used for the information processing apparatus main body 101B.

  The additional device 102B includes second control means 121B made of a storage medium such as a CPU (not shown) and a ROM in which a control program is written. The second control means 121B is connected to a circuit device (not shown) in the additional device 102B and performs various controls.

  On the other hand, the information processing apparatus main body 101B includes a first control unit 111B composed of a storage medium such as a CPU (not shown) and a control program written therein, and a second arranged on the control cooperation unit 113B and the additional device 102B side. Additional device load monitoring means 141 for constantly monitoring the load of the control means 121B. The first control unit 111B is connected to a circuit device (not shown) in the information processing apparatus main body 101B, and performs these controls. The first control unit 111B cooperates with the second control unit 121B under the control of the control cooperation unit 113B. As a result, the information processing apparatus main body 101B executes a part of the processing on the side of the additional apparatus 102B that should be originally performed by the second control unit 121B under predetermined conditions. In order to check the conditions for performing such cooperation processing, the additional device load monitoring unit 141 has a function of monitoring the load of the additional device 102B.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the control cooperation means in the second embodiment. The control cooperation unit 113B includes a second load distribution time determination unit 133 that compares the load on the side of the additional device 102B monitored by the additional device load monitoring unit 141 shown in FIG. 4 with a preset second threshold value. ing. The second load distribution time discriminating means 133 compares with a second operation start threshold preset for cooperation. Then, when the load becomes larger than the second operation start threshold value, the second load distribution start time as the time when the first control unit 111B and the second control unit 121B start cooperation is determined. It has become. The determined second load distribution start time determination result 118B is transmitted to the first control means 111B. Based on this, the first control unit 111B starts a cooperative operation with the second control unit 121B. This enables the first control unit 111B to distribute the load of the second control unit 121B. For example, when the second control unit 121B is in an overload state with the additional device 102B set in the information processing apparatus main body 101B, the first control unit 111B cooperates to reduce this load. Operation is thereby possible.

  The second load distribution time discriminating means 133 compares the load on the additional device 102B side monitored by the additional device load monitoring means 141 with a preset second operation stop threshold value. Then, when the load becomes smaller than the second operation stop threshold after the load distribution is started, the second load distribution stop as the time when the first control unit 111B and the second control unit 121B end the cooperation. The time is determined. The determined second load distribution stop timing determination result 119B is similarly transmitted to the first control unit 111B. Based on this, the first control unit 111B stops the cooperative operation with the second control unit 121B.

  <Third Embodiment>

  The first load distribution time discriminating means 117 shown in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment described above starts the first load distribution start time for starting load distribution and load distribution. After that, it was decided to determine the first load distribution stop time for ending this. The second load distribution time discriminating means 133 shown in FIG. 5 in the second embodiment also uses the second load distribution start time for starting the load distribution and the load distribution start time after the load distribution is started. This is common in that the second load balancing stop time for termination is determined. In the third embodiment, not only the start and stop times of load distribution are determined, but also the degree of cooperation of the side that cooperates with the distribution when the two control means cooperate to distribute the load. The amount of dispersion is determined. This will be described corresponding to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the control connection means for discriminating and controlling the load distribution timing and the distribution amount in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the control cooperation unit 113 of the information processing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is replaced with a control cooperation unit 113C. This will be described with reference to FIG. However, in order to distinguish from the information processing apparatus main body 101 shown in FIG. 1, in the third embodiment, the reference numeral “C” is appended to the number representing the corresponding part illustrated in the first embodiment. To do.

  The control connection unit 113C receives the main body load 116C acquired by the main body side load acquisition unit 115C and the load distribution time / dispersion amount determination unit 152 that inputs the additional device side load 151 as a measurement result of the load of the second control unit 121C. It has. The load distribution time / distribution amount determination means 152 is a plurality of processes that are originally controlled by the first control means 111C in accordance with the CPU occupancy rates of both the first control means 111C and the second control means 121C. The second control means 121C takes over the above process.

  For example, when the CPU occupation rate of the second control unit 121C is low, the second control unit 121C can take over the processes of many processes during cooperation. On the other hand, when the CPU occupation rate of the second control unit 121C is high, only a small number of processes can be taken over. Further, when the CPU occupancy rate of the first control unit 111C is low, it is sufficient to request processing of a small number of processes when cooperating with the second control unit 121. For this reason, the load distribution time / dispersion amount determination unit 152 performs a process in advance that the second control unit 121C takes over in accordance with the relationship between the CPU occupancy rates of both the first control unit 111C and the second control unit 121C. The data processing system 100C as a whole can realize efficient data processing by creating a table and linking the first control unit 111C and the second control unit 121C.

  Similarly, as an application of the second embodiment, in order to reduce the load on the additional device 102B in FIG. 4, it is also possible to control the amount of dispersion when the information processing device main body 101B takes over the process. . As for the load distribution time, start and stop may be determined for each process.

  Next, a first example embodying the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the communication system in the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 200 according to the present embodiment includes a communication device main body 201, first to third line cards 202 to 204 and a line card / input / output device 205 that are detachable from the communication device main body 201. Here, the communication apparatus main body 201 includes a control unit 211 that performs various controls, a switch unit 212, a load distribution control unit 213, and a card insertion / removal slot 214 for selectively mounting various cards. .

  The control unit 211 includes a first CPU 221, a first storage device 222, and a first input / output device 223. The switch unit 212 has a function for packet communication. The load distribution control unit 213 includes a second CPU 231 and a second storage device 232.

  FIG. 8 is for specifically explaining the configuration of the control unit shown in FIG. The first CPU 221 in the control unit 211 performs management of the entire apparatus and communication processing by executing a predetermined control program. Also, processing for creating or updating information necessary for communication processing is performed. The control program is stored in a first storage device 222 configured by a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). The first storage device 222 is used not only for storing such a control program but also for storing configuration and log information, for example.

  The first input / output device 223 is used for connection of the external device 241. For this reason, the first input / output device 223 of this embodiment includes an interface circuit that enables use of RS232C (Recommended Standard 232 version C) and Ethernet (registered trademark).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for specifically explaining the load distribution control unit illustrated in FIG. 7. The second CPU 231 in the load distribution control unit 213 executes control for distributing the load of the communication apparatus main body 201 shown in FIG. The second storage device 232 stores a control program for executing this control and temporarily stores various data. Further, a threshold storage table 251 is provided in a part of the nonvolatile memory area. The threshold storage table 251 stores operation thresholds for load distribution. In the present embodiment, a first operation start threshold value and a first operation stop threshold value are provided as operation threshold values. The first operation start threshold is a threshold for the first CPU 221 and the second CPU 213 illustrated in FIG. 7 to start load distribution in cooperation. The first operation stop threshold is a threshold for stopping the load distribution after the first CPU 221 and the second CPU 213 start the load distribution in cooperation.

  FIG. 10 shows a state in which one of the cards is inserted in the card insertion / removal slot in the first embodiment. In this example, the line card / input / output device 205 detachably attached to the card attach / detach slot 214 is connected to a line connection unit 253 for connecting to an external telephone line or the like, and to an external input / output device. And an input / output unit 254 and a function as an interface control unit that performs processing in the physical layer. Thus, for example, the line card / input / output device 205 can be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable (not shown) to communicate with the external device 256. That is, an external device 256 having an input / output circuit other than the external device 241 connected to the first input / output device 223 shown in FIG. 8 is connected to the communication device main body 201 (FIG. 7) or connected to the input / output device. The number of devices can be increased.

  FIG. 11 illustrates an outline of the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment. The second CPU 231 in the load distribution control unit 213 performs a monitoring process 261 that constantly monitors the load of the first CPU 221 in the control unit 211. When the load exceeds the first operation start threshold value stored in the threshold value storage table 251 (FIG. 9), the two CPUs 221 and 231 perform the cooperation process 262, so that FIG. The load distribution by the communication device main body 201 and the line card / input / output device 205 shown in FIG. Thereby, a communication failure can be avoided in advance.

  Further, the first storage device 222 and the second storage device 232 share information 263 through a bus (not shown). Therefore, when any communication failure occurs with the communication device main body 201 shown in FIG. 7, the failure is analyzed with information necessary for failure analysis stored in the first and second storage devices 221 and 231. It becomes possible. At this time, information acquired from the external device 256 from the card attaching / detaching slot 214 via the line card / input / output device 205 is used. Further, when the failure is analyzed, the load of the first CPU 221 increases correspondingly, but the load distribution control unit 213 performs load distribution as necessary.

  FIG. 12 shows the flow of processing of the communication system of the first embodiment. As described with reference to FIG. 11, the first and second CPUs 221 and 231 perform processing in cooperation with respect to load distribution. FIG. 12 shows these comprehensive processes. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11.

  The second CPU 231 reads the first operation start threshold value stored in the threshold value storage table 251 in the second storage device 232, and determines whether or not the load on the first CPU 221 exceeds this value. Monitoring is always performed (step S301). The first CPU 221 monitors whether a failure has occurred in communication with the external device 256 (step S302). These monitoring operations are performed in a time division manner.

  When it is detected by the above monitoring that the load of the first CPU 221 exceeds the first operation start threshold (step S301: Y), the second CPU 231 in the load distribution control unit 213 determines that the first CPU 221 The CPU 221 and the cooperation process 262 are performed (step S303). Thereby, the load of the first CPU 221 is distributed, and the processing delay is improved. For example, the first CPU 221 causes the second CPU 231 to take over the processes B to D among the processes A to K, thereby realizing load distribution. Here, for example, Process B to Process D are processes that occur accidentally, and the remaining processes are processes that occur regularly. Of course, the process that the first CPU 221 causes the second CPU 231 to take over does not need to be classified into an accidental process and a steady process.

  On the other hand, when a communication failure occurs with the external device 256 (step S302: Y), the second CPU 231 uses the card insertion / removal slot 214 and the line card / input / output device 205 to analyze the failure from the external device 256. It becomes possible to acquire information for (step S304). In addition, when the load applied during failure analysis exceeds the operation start threshold value (step S301: Y), the load distribution control unit 213 distributes the load. Therefore, the communication apparatus main body 201 (FIG. 7) can avoid further occurrence of communication failure during communication processing such as sending data to the outside.

  When the load of the first CPU 221 becomes less than the first operation stop threshold stored in the threshold storage table 251 (step S305: Y), the linkage processing 262 in step S303 ends (return). ). Thereafter, the first CPU 221 executes all of the processes A to K until the cooperation process is started again. Note that the first operation stop threshold is a value equal to or less than the first operation start threshold.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform load distribution within a single communication system 200 by the communication device main body 201 and the additional devices such as the line card / input / output device 205. . Therefore, it is not necessary for the communication device main body 201 to use a special device for load distribution, and power saving and space saving can be realized.

  Further, in this embodiment, when it is necessary to acquire various types of information when a failure occurs in the communication apparatus main body 201, the load distribution control unit 213 can perform processing while realizing load distribution. Therefore, in this state, other functions of the communication apparatus main body 201 are not adversely affected. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the second CPU 231 distributes the load, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a communication failure due to the high load of the first CPU 221.

  In the first embodiment, the first operation start threshold and the first operation stop threshold are different from each other. However, they may be the same value. In this case, the process of step S305 may be omitted.

  FIG. 13 shows, as the second embodiment of the present invention, the first operation start threshold value and the first operation stop threshold value described in the first embodiment with the usage rate per time of the first CPU. The flow of the process of the communication system prescribed | regulated as is shown. The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the second embodiment, the second CPU 231 reads the first operation start threshold value stored in the threshold value storage table 251 in the second storage device 232, and the first CPU 221 per time Whether or not the usage rate exceeds this is constantly monitored (step S321). The first CPU 221 monitors whether a failure has occurred in communication with the external device 256 (step S322). These monitoring operations are performed in a time division manner.

The usage rate per hour of the first CPU 221 is assumed to be ΔCPU ₁ / Δt. The first operation start threshold value is a. In this case, it is determined whether or not the following expression (1) is satisfied. It should be noted that the first operation start threshold value a generally differs if the CPU type is different.

ΔCPU ₁ / Δt> a (1)

  When it is detected by the above monitoring that the usage rate per hour of the first CPU 221 exceeds the first operation start threshold value a (step S321: Y), the second load in the load distribution control unit 213 is set. The CPU 231 performs cooperation processing 262 with the first CPU 221 (step S323). Thereby, the load of the first CPU 221 is distributed, and the processing delay is improved. For example, the first CPU 221 causes the second CPU 231 to take over the processes B to D among the processes A to K, thereby realizing load distribution. Here, for example, the process B is a log control process, the process C is a configuration (config.) Control process, and the process D can be a failure information acquisition control process.

  On the other hand, when a communication failure occurs with the external device 256 (step S322: Y), the second CPU 231 analyzes the failure from the external device 256 using the card insertion / removal slot 214 and the line card / input / output device 205. It is in a state where information for can be acquired (step S324). In addition, when the usage rate per hour required for failure analysis exceeds the operation start threshold (step S321: Y), the load distribution control unit 213 distributes the load. Therefore, the communication apparatus main body 201 (FIG. 7) can avoid further occurrence of communication failure during communication processing such as sending data to the outside.

  When the usage rate per hour of the first CPU 221 satisfies the following expression (2) for a certain time or more and becomes less than the first operation stop threshold value stored in the threshold value storage table 251: (Step S325: Y), the cooperation processing 262 of Step S323 ends (Return). Thereafter, the first CPU 221 executes all of the processes A to K until the cooperation process is started again. In the equation (2), the first operation stop threshold value b generally differs if the CPU type is different. Further, in the equation (2), the continuing time is represented by t, which indicates that this is longer than the time c.

ΔCPU ₁ / Δt <b and t> c (2)

  As described above, in the expression (2), the cooperation processing by the second CPU 231 is stable on the condition that the usage rate of the first CPU 221 continues to be smaller than the value b for a time longer than the time t. To be done.

  FIG. 14 shows a case where the operation of the cooperative process described in the second embodiment is stabilized as the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the third embodiment, the second CPU 231 reads the first operation start threshold value stored in the threshold value storage table 251 in the second storage device 232, and the read first CPU 221 Whether or not the usage rate per hour exceeds the first operation start threshold for a longer time than the finite time d is constantly monitored (step S341). The first CPU 221 monitors whether a failure has occurred in communication with the external device 256 (step S342). These monitoring operations are performed in a time division manner.

The usage rate per hour of the first CPU 221 is assumed to be ΔCPU ₁ / Δt. The first operation start threshold value is a. Further, t is a time as a condition for starting the cooperation process 262. In this case, it is determined whether or not the following expression (3) is satisfied. It should be noted that the first operation start threshold value a generally differs if the CPU type is different.

ΔCPU ₁ / Δt> a and t> d (3)

  When it is detected by the above monitoring that the usage rate per hour of the first CPU 221 exceeds the first operation start threshold value a and the time t is longer than the time d (step S341: Y). The second CPU 231 in the load distribution control unit 213 performs cooperation processing 262 with the first CPU 221 (step S343). Thereby, the load of the first CPU 221 is distributed, and the processing delay is improved. For example, the first CPU 221 causes the second CPU 231 to take over the processes B to D among the processes A to K, thereby realizing load distribution. Here, for example, the process B is a log control process, the process C is a configuration (config.) Control process, and the process D can be a failure information acquisition control process.

  On the other hand, when a communication failure occurs with the external device 256 (step S342: Y), the second CPU 231 analyzes the failure from the external device 256 using the card insertion / removal slot 214 and the line card / input / output device 205. It becomes possible to acquire information for (step S344). In addition, when the usage rate per hour taken when analyzing the failure satisfies conditions such as an operation start threshold (step S341: Y), the load distribution control unit 213 distributes the load. Therefore, the communication apparatus main body 201 (FIG. 7) can avoid further occurrence of communication failure during communication processing such as sending data to the outside.

  When the usage rate per hour of the first CPU 221 is less than the first operation stop threshold value stored in the threshold value storage table 251 by satisfying the above-described equation (2) for a certain time or more. (Step S345: Y), the cooperation processing 262 of Step S323 ends (Return). Thereafter, the first CPU 221 executes all of the processes A to K until the cooperation process is started again.

  In the embodiment described above, for example, the first control unit 111 shown in FIG. 1 cooperates with the second control unit 121, so that the additional device 102 performs part of the processing originally processed by the information processing apparatus main body 101. I decided to do it on my behalf. At this time, the second control unit 121 has an essential role of processing the additional device 102. Therefore, the second control unit 121 needs to adjust the processing of the additional device 102 and the processing newly taken as a result of cooperation with the first control unit 111. This will be described in the following fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 15 shows the configuration of a line card / input / output device as an additional device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Here, a line card / input / output device 271 is shown as an additional device obtained by improving the line card / input / output device 205 shown in FIG. In addition to the line connection unit 253 and the input / output unit 254, the line card / input / output device 271 includes a processing priority registration unit 272, a processing method selection unit 273, and a process execution unit 274.

  Among these, the processing priority registration unit 272 is a line card among the processes a to c as the internal processing of the line card / input / output device 271 and the processes A to K performed by the communication apparatus main body 201 of FIG. This is a non-volatile memory area in which priorities are registered for each of the processes B to D that the input / output device 271 has taken over. For this non-volatile memory area, the communication device main body 201 side is operated with the line card / input / output device 271 mounted in the card attaching / detaching slot 214 (FIG. 7), and an operation panel and operation keys (not shown) are connected. It is possible to register for each process using. Of course, priorities may be written in advance in the nonvolatile memory area at the time of factory shipment.

  The processing method selection unit 273 is a circuit portion that selects a processing method when processing conflicts according to the user's intention. The processing method to be selected may be designated from the communication device main body 201 side in a state where the line card / input / output device 271 is mounted in the card insertion / removal slot 214, or the line card / input / output device 271 itself. A switch for selection may be provided.

  In this embodiment, the processing method when competing can be selected from three. These are (1) strict priority type, (2) uniform type, and (3) round robin type. When the complete priority type of (1) is selected, when processing (process) competes, the priority of the competing processing (process) registered in the processing-specific priority registration unit 272 is compared, and the priority Processes are selected in descending order of process (process). When the equal type (2) is selected, the CPU usage rate of the competing processes (processes) is equal regardless of the priority order registered in the priority classification registration unit 272 for each process. Process as follows. When the round robin type of (3) is selected, processes are assigned in the same time slice in order regardless of the priority among competing processes (processes). However, when a certain process (process) ends in the middle of the time slice, the process is moved up to the next order and the process (process) is shifted to.

  It should be noted that the processing at the time of such conflict may be limited to only the processing of process B to process D taken from the communication device main body 201 in FIG. 7, or as described above, the line card / input / output device. All processes performed by H.271 may be targeted.

  In the embodiment described above, the communication device main body 201, the line cards 202 to 204, and the line card / input / output device 205 are targeted for cooperation. However, the communication device main body 201 is connected to any information processing device such as a server using various cards as additional devices. Of course, the present invention can be applied. Further, the device added to the communication device main body is not limited to the cards, and it is natural that the device connected by other connection means such as a communication cable can be the subject of the present invention.

It is a system configuration figure of an information processing system in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the control cooperation means in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a circuit configuration corresponding to FIG. 1 when the information processing apparatus main body side performs control on the additional device side. It is a system configuration figure of an information processing system in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the control cooperation means in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the control connection means which discriminate | determines and controls the time and the amount of dispersion | distribution of load distribution in 3rd Embodiment. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a communication system in a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the load distribution control part shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram showing the state where one of the cards is inserted into the card insertion / removal slot in the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing illustrating the outline | summary of operation | movement of the communication system of a 1st Example. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process of the communication system of a 1st Example. It is a flowchart showing the process of the communication system of 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the process of the communication system of the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the line card | curd and input / output device as an additional apparatus in the 4th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 100A, 100B, 100C Information processing system 101, 101A, 101B Information processing apparatus main body 102, 102A, 102B Additional apparatus 111, 111B First control means 112 Additional apparatus connection means 113, 113B Control cooperation means 115, 115C Main body side Load acquisition means 117 First load distribution time determination means 121, 121A, 121B Second control means 122, 122A Main body load monitoring means 133 Second load distribution time determination means 141 Additional device load monitoring means 152 Load distribution time / distribution Quantity discriminating means 200 Communication system 201 Communication device body 202 First line card 203 Second line card 204 Third line card 205, 271 Line card / input / output device 211 Control unit 213 Load distribution control unit 221 First CPU
231 Second CPU
261 Monitoring processing 262 Cooperation processing 263 Information sharing 272 Processing-specific priority registration section

Claims (8)

A first control means for performing various controls in the apparatus body;
An additional device connecting means for detachably connecting an additional device for adding another function to the device main body by a second control means built in the device;
The additional apparatus is connected to the apparatus main body by the additional apparatus connecting means, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the first and second control means are provided to cooperate with respect to these controls .
The second control means comprises a first control means load monitoring means for monitoring a data processing load of the first control means,
The control cooperation means performs predetermined control among the various controls performed by the apparatus body when the first control means load monitoring means measures a load exceeding a predetermined first threshold value. 2 is provided with an additional device side control take-up means that allows the control means of 2 to take over,
When the control taken by the control cooperation means competes with the control originally performed by the first or second control means as the side that performs this control, it further includes a competition control adjustment means that adjusts these controls. An information processing system characterized by the above. A first control means for performing various controls in the apparatus body;
An additional device connecting means for detachably connecting an additional device for adding another function to the device main body by a second control means built in the device;
The additional apparatus is connected to the apparatus main body by the additional apparatus connecting means, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the first and second control means are provided to cooperate with respect to these controls.
The first control means includes a second control means load monitoring means for monitoring a data processing load of the second control means,
The control linking means performs a predetermined control among the controls performed by the additional device when the second control means load monitoring means measures a load exceeding a predetermined second threshold value. The apparatus main body side control take-up means to let the means take up,
When the control taken by the control cooperation means competes with the control originally performed by the first or second control means as the side that performs this control, it further includes a competition control adjustment means that adjusts these controls. An information processing system characterized by the above.   3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the device main body is a communication device, and the additional device is a function addition card for adding a function of the communication device. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the contention control adjustment unit executes each control according to a predetermined priority . The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the contention control adjustment unit executes each control at an equal CPU usage rate . 3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contention control adjustment unit sequentially executes each control in an equal timetable . A load monitoring step for determining a load of a first control means for performing various controls in the apparatus main body in a state where the additional apparatus is added to the apparatus main body;
  In this load monitoring step, when a load exceeding a predetermined threshold value is determined, the second control means used for controlling the additional device is linked to the first control means and the various controls. Control coordination step;
A first control unit load monitoring step in which the second control unit monitors a data processing load of the first control unit;
When the control cooperation means measures a load exceeding a first threshold value predetermined in the first control means load monitoring step, predetermined control among the various controls performed by the apparatus main body is performed. An additional device-side control take-over step that causes the control means of 2 to take over;
Competitive control adjustment step for adjusting these controls when the control taken in the additional device side control take-off step and the control originally performed by the first or second control means as the side performing this control compete.
An information processing method comprising: A load monitoring step for determining a load of a first control means for performing various controls in the apparatus main body in a state where the additional apparatus is added to the apparatus main body;
In this load monitoring step, when a load exceeding a predetermined threshold value is determined, the second control means used for controlling the additional device is linked to the first control means and the various controls. Control coordination step;
A second control means load monitoring step in which the first control means monitors the data processing load of the second control means;
When the control cooperation means measures a load exceeding a second threshold value predetermined in the second control means load monitoring step, a predetermined control of the control performed by the additional device is performed by the first control means. An apparatus main body side control taking step to make the control means take over;
Competing control adjustment step for adjusting these controls when the control taken in the apparatus main body side control taking-in step and the control originally performed by the first or second control means as the side performing this control compete.
An information processing method comprising:

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