JP5803490B2 - Backup device, backup method, and backup program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a backup device, a backup method, and a backup program.

  As business continues in the event of a disaster and interest in cloud services increases, there is a growing need for protecting data in remote locations. As a service for protecting data in a remote place, for example, there is a SaaS (Software as a Service) type backup service via a WAN (Wide Area Network). On the other hand, it is difficult to prepare a high-speed dedicated line for backup because of cost. In such a case, a low-speed line such as a best-efford type line or an inexpensive and low-speed dedicated line is used. In such an environment, it takes a long time to complete the backup.

  Patent Document 1 describes a backup method in which a plurality of information processing devices connected to a network autonomously back up data to another information processing device without monitoring each other. In the backup method described in Patent Document 1, the information processing apparatus collects information on the possibility of backup from other information processing apparatuses connected to the network. The information processing apparatus that has collected information on the possibility of backup transmits a request for backup to another information processing apparatus selected based on the collected information when backup is necessary. The information processing apparatus that has transmitted the request for backup transmits the backup data to another information processing apparatus that has returned a permission response to the backup request. The information processing apparatus that has received the backup data stores the received backup data in its own storage device.

  Patent Document 2 describes a remote backup system that backs up a backup image file in a remote data center. The remote backup system of Patent Document 2 is a management PC installed in the same location as the backup target server, and data provided in a remote location connected to the management PC via a network and a predetermined distance away from the installation location of the management PC. Including the center. The management PC creates and stores a backup image file of data of the backup target server. Also, the management PC transfers the stored backup image file to the data center. The backup image file sent from the management PC to the data center is stored on the data center disk.

JP 2005-301857 A JP 2008-204036 A

  If an information processing device that holds the data to be backed up and a device that holds the backup data for that data exist in a nearby location, if a disaster such as an earthquake occurs in that location, the data to be backed up and the backup data will be May be lost. For example, when one apparatus holds backup data of a plurality of information processing apparatuses, there is a problem that access concentrates on the apparatus holding the backup data. When access concentrates on a device holding backup data, backup is delayed unless the device and the communication line to the device are high speed. On the other hand, if a high-speed device and a high-speed line are prepared so that backup is not delayed even if access is concentrated, the necessary cost is increased.

  In the backup method described in Patent Literature 1, another information processing apparatus that is a transmission destination of backup data continues to hold the received backup data without transmitting it to the other information processing apparatus. Therefore, in the backup method disclosed in Patent Document 1, when another information processing apparatus that is the transmission destination of backup data and the information processing apparatus that is the transmission source exist in the same location, the data to be backed up and the backup data are lost at the same time. There is a problem that there is a possibility.

  In the remote backup system described in Patent Document 2, when there are a plurality of backup target servers, there is usually no data center for each backup target server, so that there is a problem that access associated with backup is concentrated in the data center. is there.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a backup device that performs backup to a device at a location remote from the device that generated the backup data without the access accompanying backup being concentrated on one device.

  The backup device of the present invention includes an instruction receiving means for receiving a backup instruction including information for specifying a partner device, first backup data, and information for specifying the first generation device that has generated the first backup data. Backup data storage means for storing the information in association with each other, distance information storage means for storing a movement source distance that is a distance between the first generation apparatus and the own apparatus, the first generation apparatus, and the counterpart apparatus When receiving the backup instruction, a distance acquisition unit that acquires a destination distance that is a distance between, the destination distance between the first generation device and the counterpart device identified from the backup instruction is If it is larger than the movement source distance, it is determined that the first backup data is transmitted to the counterpart device, and the movement destination distance is smaller than the movement source distance. Lever, and a transmission determination unit for determining not to transmit the backup data.

  According to the backup method of the present invention, a backup instruction including information specifying a partner apparatus is received, and the first backup data is backed up in association with information specifying the first generation apparatus that generated the first backup data. Store in the data storage means, store the movement source distance, which is the distance between the first generation apparatus and the own apparatus, in the distance information storage means, and calculate the distance between the first generation apparatus and the counterpart apparatus. Acquiring a certain destination distance, and transmitting the first backup data to the partner apparatus if the destination distance between the first generation apparatus and the partner apparatus is larger than the source distance. To decide.

  The backup program according to the present invention includes: an instruction receiving unit that receives a backup instruction including information specifying a partner apparatus; a first generation apparatus that generates the first backup data and the first generation apparatus that generates the first backup data. Backup data storage means for storing in association with information to be identified; distance information storage means for storing a movement source distance that is a distance between the first generation apparatus and the own apparatus; the first generation apparatus; A distance acquisition unit that acquires a destination distance that is a distance between counterpart devices, and the destination distance between the first generation device and the counterpart device is greater than the source distance, the first The backup data is operated as transmission determination means for determining to transmit the backup data to the counterpart apparatus.

  The present invention has an effect that backup can be performed to a device at a location remote from the device that generated the backup data, without the access accompanying backup being concentrated on one device.

It is a block diagram showing the structure of the backup system of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement which transmits the backup instruction | indication of the management apparatus 3 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure showing the structure of the whole backup system of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement at the time of the backup instruction | indication reception of the backup device 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure showing the 1st example of a movement origin distance and a movement destination distance. It is a figure showing the 2nd example of a movement origin distance and a movement destination distance. It is a block diagram showing the structure of 1 A of backup apparatuses of 2nd Embodiment.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the backup system according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the backup system of the present embodiment includes a backup device 1, a backup device 2, and a management device 3.

  The backup device 1 and the backup device 2 respectively include an instruction reception unit 10, a backup data storage unit 11, a distance storage unit 12, a distance acquisition unit 13, a transmission determination unit 14, a data transmission unit 15, and a data reception. A unit 16, a backup data generation unit 17, a backup target data storage unit 18, and a distance measurement unit 19 are included.

  The management device 3 includes a combination generation unit 31, a backup instruction unit 32, and a distance measurement unit 33. The management device 3 may include a backup device information storage unit 34.

  The backup device 1 and the backup device 2 according to the present embodiment can be realized by a computer and a program for controlling the computer, dedicated hardware, or a combination of the computer and the program for controlling the computer and dedicated hardware. For example, the instruction receiving unit 10, the distance acquisition unit 13, the transmission determination unit 14, the data transmission unit 15, the data reception unit 16, and the backup data generation unit 17 are transferred from the recording medium storing the program to the memory, for example. It can be realized by the read dedicated program for realizing the function of each unit and a processor for executing the program. Further, the backup data storage unit 11 and the distance storage unit 12 can be realized by a memory or a hard disk device included in a computer. Alternatively, a part or all of the instruction receiving unit 10, the distance obtaining unit 13, the transmission determining unit 14, the data transmitting unit 15, the data receiving unit 16, and the backup data generating unit 17 are realized as functions of the respective units. It can also be realized by a dedicated circuit.

  Similarly, the management device 3 of the present embodiment can be realized by a computer and a program for controlling the computer, dedicated hardware, or a combination of the computer and the program for controlling the computer and dedicated hardware. For example, the combination generation unit 31, the backup instruction unit 32, and the distance measurement unit 33 include, for example, a dedicated program for realizing the function of each unit read from a recording medium storing the program into the memory, and the program It can be realized by a processor that executes The backup device information storage unit 34 can be realized by a memory or a hard disk device included in the computer. Alternatively, part or all of the combination generation unit 31, the backup instruction unit 32, and the distance measurement unit 33 can be realized by a dedicated circuit that implements the functions of the respective units.

  The instruction receiving unit 10 receives a backup instruction including information for specifying the partner apparatus. The partner apparatus is a transmission destination apparatus to which data transmission unit 15 described later transmits backup data.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the partner apparatus included in the backup instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 10 of the backup apparatus 1 is the backup apparatus 2. That is, the counterpart device of the backup device 1 is the backup device 2. The partner device included in the backup instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 10 of the backup device 2 is the backup device 1. That is, the counterpart device of the backup device 2 is the backup device 1.

  Hereinafter, the backup device 1 and the management device 3 will be described. Since the configuration and operation of the backup device 2 are the same as those of the backup device 1, description thereof is omitted. In the following description, the backup device 1 and the backup device 2 are interchanged.

  The backup data storage unit 11 stores the backup data in association with information for specifying the generating device that generated the backup data. The generation device is a device that has generated backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11. The generation device may be the backup device 1 or another device.

  The distance storage unit 12 stores a movement source distance that is a distance between the generation apparatus and the backup apparatus 1 that is the own apparatus. The distance storage unit 12 may store a movement source distance between each generation device that has generated each backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 and the backup device 1. For example, the backup device 1 may store the movement source distance measured by the distance measuring unit 19 described later in the distance storage unit 12. Alternatively, for example, the backup device 1 may inquire of the movement source distance by transmitting to the management device 3 information identifying the backup device 1 that is the device itself and information identifying the generation device. Then, the backup device 1 may acquire the movement source distance from the management device 3 and store it in the distance storage unit 12.

  The distance acquisition unit 13 acquires a destination distance that is a distance between the generation device and the counterpart device. The distance acquisition unit 13 may acquire the movement destination distance between each generation device that has generated each backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 and the opponent. The distance acquisition unit 13 may acquire the destination distance measured by the distance measurement unit 19 described later, for example. Alternatively, for example, the distance acquisition unit 13 sends the information specifying the generation device and the information specifying the partner device to the management device 3 to inquire about the movement destination distance, and acquires the movement destination distance from the management device 3. Also good. In addition, the distance acquisition unit 13 may store the movement destination distance acquired from the distance measurement unit 19 or the management device 3 in the distance storage unit 12 in association with information for specifying the generation device and the counterpart device, for example. Good. And the distance acquisition part 13 may read the stored destination distance from the distance memory | storage part 12, when acquiring the destination distance between the same production | generation apparatuses and a partner apparatus.

  The transmission determination unit 14 determines whether or not to transmit the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 to the counterpart device. For example, when the movement source distance between the backup data generation device and the backup device 1 is smaller than the movement destination distance between the generation device and the partner device, the transmission determination unit 14 sends the backup data to the partner device. What is necessary is just to decide to transmit. Further, for example, when the movement source distance is equal to or greater than the movement destination distance, the transmission determination unit 14 may determine that the backup data is not transmitted to the partner apparatus.

  In general, the data communication speed between devices that are close to each other and that have few communication devices is faster than the data transfer speed between devices that are far from each other and that pass through many communication devices. In particular, the difference between the communication speed between devices that are far away from each other, via best-effort lines or inexpensive, low-speed dedicated lines, and the communication speed between devices that do not pass through these lines and are close to each other It is remarkable. Therefore, it takes less time to complete the backup when the backup data is transferred to a device at a short distance and backed up than when the generated backup data is transferred directly to a device at a long distance. Therefore, backup data is not transferred directly to a device with a long distance, but is transferred to a device with a short distance to perform backup, thereby shortening the time when backup data does not exist in another device and backup is not performed. be able to.

  The data transmission unit 15 reads the backup data determined by the transmission determination unit 14 to be transmitted to the counterpart device and information specifying the backup data generation device from the backup data storage unit 11 and transmits the backup data to the counterpart device.

  The data receiving unit 16 receives backup data and information for specifying the generation device of the backup data from the counterpart device and stores them in the backup data storage unit 11.

  The backup data generation unit 17 generates backup data from the data stored in the backup target data storage unit 18. The backup data generation unit 17 stores the generated backup data in the backup data storage unit 11 in association with information specifying the backup device 1 that is the device itself.

  The backup target data storage unit 18 stores data to be backed up.

  The distance measuring unit 19 measures the distance between the devices. The distance measuring unit 19 may measure the distance between the backup data generation device stored in the backup data storage unit 11 and the counterpart device, for example. For example, the distance measurement unit 19 may measure the distance between the backup data generation device stored in the backup data storage unit 11 and the backup device 1 that is the device itself.

  The distance measured by the distance measuring unit 19 is, for example, a route that connects between communication devices such as a switch, a switching hub, a router, and a gateway that mediate communication between devices when communicating between two devices. Any number of (links) may be used. In this case, for example, if two devices are connected to the same switching hub, the communication path between the two devices does not include a path connecting between the switch, the switching hub, the router, and the gateway. Therefore, the distance in this case is zero. In addition, for example, when two devices are connected to each of two directly connected switching hubs, one route that directly connects the two switching hubs is included in the communication route between the two devices. . The distance in this case is 1.

  The distance measuring unit 19 may measure the above-described distance from, for example, network topology information given in advance. Or the distance measurement part 19 may measure the above-mentioned distance by the existing arbitrary methods for obtaining the topology information of a network, for example. The distance measuring unit 19 can also obtain the distance between the two devices if it can obtain the network topology information. The distance measurement unit 19 may determine the distance between devices based on, for example, the IP (Internet Protocol) address of each device. Alternatively, the distance measuring unit 19 may measure the distance by SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), or the like.

  The distance measured by the distance measuring unit 19 is not the distance described above, but may be a value that is inversely proportional to the communication speed between the devices or a linear distance between the devices. In this case, the distance measuring unit 19 gives in advance information necessary for calculating the distance between the devices, such as the communication speed between the devices, information on the positions where the devices are installed, and the linear distance between the devices. It only has to be done.

  The combination generation unit 31 generates a combination of two backup devices whose mutual distance is a predetermined value or less. The combination generation unit 31 transmits information specifying each of the two backup devices constituting the generated combination to the backup instruction unit 32. The combination generation unit 31 may acquire the distance between the backup devices from the distance measurement unit 33 described later, for example.

  The backup instruction unit 32 generates and transmits a backup instruction in which the other backup device of the combination is the counterpart device to at least one backup device of the combination specified by the combination information generated by the combination generation unit 31. For example, when the combination generation unit 31 generates a combination composed of the backup device 1 and the backup device 2, the backup device that is the backup instruction that the backup instruction unit 32 transmits to the backup device 1 is the backup device 2.

  The distance measuring unit 33 measures the distance between the devices. For example, the distance measurement unit 33 may receive information specifying each of the two devices and measure the distance between the devices. The distance measured by the distance measuring unit 33 is the same as the distance measured by the distance measuring unit 19. The distance measuring unit 33 may measure the distance by the same method as the distance measuring unit 19.

  The backup device information storage unit 34 stores device information that identifies each backup device. For example, the administrator of the management device 3 may store the device information of each backup device in the backup device information storage unit 34 in advance. Alternatively, the management device 3 searches for a backup device that can communicate via the network by an existing arbitrary method, generates device information of the backup device detected as a result of the search, and stores it in the backup device information storage unit 34. It may be stored.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of transmitting a backup instruction of the management apparatus 3 of this embodiment. The management device 3 may start the operation of FIG. 2 according to a schedule set in advance by the administrator of the management device 3, for example.

  Referring to FIG. 2, first, the combination generation unit 31 generates combination information representing a combination of two backup devices whose mutual distance is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (step S <b> 11), and the generated combination information is used as the backup instruction unit 32. Send to. This predetermined value is a threshold value of the distance between the backup devices, which is a reference for generating the combination information. For example, the administrator of the management device 3 may determine the predetermined value as appropriate in advance.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the present embodiment. CL1-1 to CL7-r in FIG. 3 are backup devices.

  The combination generation unit 31 may search for backup devices that can communicate via the network, and select two backup devices from the backup devices detected as a result of the search. When the management device 3 includes the backup device information storage unit 34, the combination generation unit 31 may select two backup devices from the backup devices in which the backup device information storage unit 34 stores the device information. The combination generation unit 31 may transmit information specifying the two selected backup devices to the distance measurement unit 33 and inquire about the distance between the backup devices. If the distance received from the distance measurement unit 33 in response to the inquiry is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the combination generation unit 31 may generate a combination composed of the two selected backup devices. The combination generation unit 31 may generate combination information representing the generated combination and transmit it to the backup instruction unit 32.

  The number of combinations selected by the combination generation unit 31 is not limited to one. The combination generation unit 31 may select a plurality of combinations. In this case, the combination generation unit 31 may select a plurality of combinations so that one backup device is not included in the plurality of combinations at the same time.

  When the administrator of the management apparatus 3 generates a plurality of combinations, the number of combinations in which the distance between the two backup apparatuses constituting the combination (the above-described link) is 0, and combinations that are 1 or more The number and the ratio thereof may be determined in advance. And the combination production | generation part 31 may produce | generate a some combination according to the number and ratio. For example, the combination generation unit 31 may set the number of combinations in which the distance between two backup devices constituting the combination is one or more among a plurality of combinations to be generated to one. The number and ratio of the combinations for each distance between the two backup devices constituting the combination may not be determined.

  Alternatively, the administrator of the management device 3 may store combination information of each of the plurality of combinations in the backup device information storage unit 34. The administrator of the management device 3 may store the distance between the two backup devices constituting the combination in the backup device information storage unit 34 in association with the combination information of the combination. Then, the combination generation unit 31 may select combination information to be transmitted to the backup instruction unit 32 from the combination information stored in the backup device information storage unit 34. When selecting a plurality of combination information, the combination generation unit 31 may select the combination information so that one backup device is not included in the combination represented by the plurality of selected combination information.

  Further, for example, the administrator of the management apparatus 3 generates a plurality of sets including a plurality of combination information representing combinations of two backup apparatuses whose mutual distance is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, and stores, for example, in the backup apparatus information storage unit 34. It may be stored. Then, the combination generation unit 31 selects any set from a plurality of sets of combination information stored in the backup device information storage unit 34, and transmits the combination information included in the set to the backup instruction unit 32. May be.

  Moreover, the management apparatus 3 may perform operation | movement from step S11 to step S13 mentioned later for every predetermined time according to the preset schedule, for example. In this case, the combination generation unit 31 may select a combination different from the previously selected combination in step S11.

  In the present embodiment, a communication device that mediates communication between devices is configured such that communication between two devices via the communication device is communication between devices other than the two devices via the same communication device. It is desirable that the communication device has no effect. In this case, if the two backup devices that make up the combination are both connected to the same communication device, transmission of backup data between these backup devices will affect communication between devices other than these backup devices. Does not reach. In addition, by generating a combination so that one backup device is not included in a plurality of combinations at the same time, transmission of backup data between backup devices constituting a combination connected to the same communication device can be performed in a plurality of combinations. Even when performed simultaneously, the communication speed does not decrease.

  Next, the backup instruction unit 32 selects at least one of the two backup devices constituting the combination specified by the combination information generated by the combination generation unit 31, and the backup instruction in which the selected backup device is the counterpart device Is generated (step S12).

  The backup instruction unit 32 may generate two backup instructions, each of which is a counterpart device, by the two backup devices constituting the combination.

  Next, the backup instruction unit 32 transmits the backup instruction to the backup device that is not the counterpart device specified by the generated backup instruction among the two backup devices that the combination generation unit 31 constitutes the combination ( Step S13).

  The backup instruction unit 32 may transmit a backup instruction in which the other backup device is the counterpart device to each of the two backup devices constituting the above-described combination. For example, if the backup devices constituting the combination are the backup device 1 and the backup device 2 in FIG. 1, the backup instruction unit 32 transmits a backup instruction to the backup device 1 in which the backup device 2 is the counterpart device. . In this case, the backup instruction unit 32 transmits a backup instruction to the backup device 2 in which the backup device 1 is the counterpart device.

  The backup instruction unit 32 may transmit a backup instruction in which the other backup device is the counterpart device to any one of the two backup devices constituting the combination described above. For example, if the backup devices constituting the combination are the backup device 1 and the backup device 2 in FIG. 1, the backup instruction unit 32 sends a backup instruction to the backup device 1 that the backup device 2 is the counterpart device. That's fine.

  When the backup instruction unit 32 receives a plurality of combination information from the combination generation unit 31, the backup instruction unit 32 may perform the operation of step S13 sequentially for each received combination information.

  Note that a rule for determining the priority order can be set in advance so that the priority order of the two backup devices constituting the combination is uniquely determined. For example, the priority order of the backup devices may be determined by numbers assigned in advance so as not to duplicate numbers for all backup devices. For example, the manager of the management device 3 may determine the number assigned to each backup device by an arbitrary method.

  Next, the operation of the backup device 1 that has received the backup instruction will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the backup device 1 that has received the backup instruction.

  Referring to FIG. 4, first, the instruction receiving unit 10 receives a backup instruction from the management apparatus 3 (step S21).

  In the following description, the counterpart device in the backup instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 10 of the backup device 1 is the backup device 2. Further, the management apparatus 3 may transmit a backup instruction in which the counterpart apparatus is the backup apparatus 1 to the instruction receiving unit 10 of the backup apparatus 2.

  Next, the transmission determination unit 14 determines whether there is unselected backup data in the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11. When the backup data storage unit 11 stores backup data, all the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 is not selected immediately after receiving the backup instruction.

  When unselected backup data exists in the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 (step S22, N), the transmission determining unit 14 selects one backup data from the unselected backup data (step S22). S23).

  The order of selection of backup data by the transmission determination unit 14 is arbitrary. For example, the transmission determination unit 14 may first select the back backup data generated by the backup data generation unit 17 from the data stored in the backup target data storage unit 18 of its own device.

  The transmission determination unit 14 reads the transmission source distance, which is the distance between the generation device that has generated the selected backup data, and the backup device 1 that is the device itself from the distance storage unit 12 (step S24).

  Next, the distance acquisition unit 13 acquires a transmission destination distance that is a distance between the generation device that has generated the selected backup data and the partner device identified from the backup instruction (step S25). The distance acquisition unit 13 transmits the acquired transmission destination distance to the transmission determination unit 14.

  Next, the transmission determining unit 14 determines whether or not to transmit the selected backup data to the partner apparatus (step S26).

  When the transmission destination distance is larger than the transmission source distance, the partner apparatus has a larger distance from the backup data generation apparatus than the backup apparatus 1 storing the selected backup data. In this case, if the backup data selected by the backup device 1 is transmitted to the counterpart device, the backup data moves to a backup device that is remote from the backup data generation device. On the other hand, when the transmission destination distance is smaller than the transmission source distance, if the backup data selected by the backup device 1 is transmitted to the partner device, the backup data moves to a backup device close to the backup data generation device.

  Therefore, when the transmission destination distance is larger than the transmission source distance, the transmission determination unit 14 determines to transmit the selected backup data to the partner apparatus. When the transmission destination distance is smaller than the transmission source distance, the transmission determination unit 14 determines not to transmit the selected backup data to the partner apparatus.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 3, if the backup device 1 is CL5-1, the selected backup data generation device is CL5-2, and the counterpart device is CL6-1, the backup device 1 is between the generation device and the generation device. The number of links (distance) between the above-mentioned communication devices is zero. On the other hand, the number of links between the generating device and the partner device is two. In this case, the transmission determination unit 14 determines to transmit the selected backup data to the partner apparatus.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the destination distance and the source distance in this case.

  Similarly, in the example of FIG. 3, if the backup device 1 is CL5-1, the selected backup data generation device is CL6-2, and the counterpart device is CL6-1, the backup device 1 and the generation device The number (distance) of the link between the above-mentioned communication devices is 2. On the other hand, the number of links between the generating device and the partner device is zero. In this case, the transmission determination unit 14 determines not to transmit the selected backup data to the partner apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the destination distance and the source distance in this case.

  When the transmission determination unit 14 determines not to transmit the selected backup data to the counterpart device (step S27, N), the data transmission unit 15 does not transmit the backup data. In this case, the operation of the backup device 1 returns to step S22.

  When the transmission determination unit 14 determines to transmit the selected backup data to the partner apparatus (step S27, Y). The data transmission unit 15 transmits the selected backup data to the counterpart device (step S28).

  In step S28, the data transmitting unit 15 included in the backup device 1 may instruct the other device to transmit the selected backup data, instead of transmitting the selected backup data. Then, another device that has received the instruction from the transmission determination unit 14 may read the backup data selected from the backup data storage unit 11 and transmit it to the partner device.

  Before transmitting the backup data, the data transmission unit 15 may inquire of the partner apparatus whether or not the backup data storage unit 11 of the partner apparatus can secure a free capacity capable of storing the backup data. . The data transmission unit 15 may transmit backup data to the partner device when the partner device can secure the free space. The data transmission unit 15 may not transmit the backup data to the partner device when the partner device cannot secure the free space. When the partner apparatus cannot secure the free space, the data transmission unit 15 may notify the management apparatus 3 that the backup data has been backed up. When backup failures continue between backup devices of the same combination, the management device 3 may not select the combination when generating information representing the combination of backup devices.

  After transmitting the backup data, the data transmission unit 15 may delete the transmitted backup data from the backup data storage unit 11. Further, the data transmission unit 15 deletes the transmitted backup data from the backup data storage unit 11, and then transmits catalog data indicating what kind of backup data is stored in the backup data storage unit 11 to the management device 3. May be. In this case, the management device 3 may store the received catalog data in a catalog information storage unit (not shown).

  When the backup data selected in step S23 is the backup data of its own device generated by the backup data generation unit 17, the backup device 1 does not perform the operations from step S24 to step S27, but always performs the operation of step S28. Good. Alternatively, the transmission source distance in the case where the own device is a generation device may be smaller than the distance between the backup device connected to the same switching hub as the own device and the own device.

  When the unselected backup data does not exist in the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 (N in step S22), the data receiving unit 16 receives the backup data from the counterpart device (step S29).

  If there is no unselected backup data stored in the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11, for example, the data transmission unit 15 sends a notification indicating that the transmission of the backup data is completed before step S29. What is necessary is just to transmit to an apparatus. The partner apparatus may start transmission of backup data after receiving a notification indicating that transmission of backup data has been completed from the data transmission unit 15.

  The data receiving unit 16 also receives data specifying the received backup data generation device from the counterpart device, and associates the received backup data with the information specifying the backup data generation device in the backup data storage unit 11. Store. The data reception unit 16 stores the received backup data in the backup data storage unit 11, and then transmits catalog data indicating what backup data is stored in the data storage unit 11 to the management apparatus 3. Good.

  After the end of step S29, the catalog transmission unit not shown in the data transmission unit 15 or the data reception unit 16 but the catalog transmission unit, for example, indicates what backup data is stored in the data storage unit 11, and the management device 3 May be sent to.

  Next, the operation of the backup device 2 when the partner device receives a backup instruction for the backup device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The backup device 2 is a backup device that constitutes the above combination with the backup device 1.

  When receiving the backup instruction (step S21), the backup device 2 first receives backup data transmitted by the counterpart device (step S29).

  The backup device 2 transmits the backup data from step S22 to step S28 after the reception of the backup data from the counterpart device is completed. If there is no unselected backup data in the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 of the backup device 2 (step S22, N), the process is terminated.

  Since the operation of each part of the backup device 2 in each step is the same as the operation of the component of the same number in the step having the same number, description of the operation in each step is omitted.

  Of the backup device 1 and backup device 2 that constitute the above-mentioned combination, the device that transmits the backup data first (steps S22 to S28) is determined by each backup device according to the rules based on the priorities. do it. For example, each backup device performs backup data transmission (steps S22 to S28) first if the priority is higher than that of the counterpart device, and receives backup data (step S29) if the priority is lower than that of the counterpart device. Just do it. The order of transmission and reception of backup data may be reversed.

  When the backup instruction unit 32 transmits a backup instruction to one of the backup device 1 and the backup device 2, the device that has received the backup instruction may perform the operations of steps S21 to S28. In this case, the device that has not received the backup instruction may perform the operation of step S29.

  The present embodiment has a first effect that backup can be performed on a device at a location distant from the device that generated the backup data without the access accompanying backup being concentrated on one device.

  The reason is that the transmission determination unit 14 sends the backup data to the other party when the destination distance that is the distance between the generation apparatus and the partner apparatus is larger than the movement source distance that is the distance between the generation apparatus that generated the backup data and the own apparatus. This is because it is determined to transmit to the device. The counterpart device is a counterpart device identified from the backup instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 10. The data transmission unit 15 transmits the backup data determined to be transmitted by the transmission determination unit 14 to the counterpart device. After the backup data is transmitted, the backup data is moved to a backup device having a larger distance from the generation device that generated the backup data than the backup device before transmission. Further, in the present embodiment, since the partner apparatus that is the transmission destination of the backup data can be specified by the backup instruction, the transmission destination of the backup data is not fixed to a specific apparatus.

  In addition, in this embodiment, backup data is transferred to a device located at a remote place without transmitting backup data between backup devices located at a distant place where the transfer speed is generally lower than between backup devices located near the place. Can be transferred.

  The reason is that the backup instruction unit 32 repeatedly transmits a backup instruction to each backup device while sequentially changing the counterpart device. The distance between the partner apparatus specified by the backup instruction and the backup apparatus that received the backup instruction is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Therefore, backup data is not transmitted between backup devices located at a distance away from the predetermined value. Each time a backup instruction is received, the data transmission unit 15 of each backup device transmits the backup data to the counterpart device if the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 has a destination distance larger than the source distance. Repeat. As a result, the backup data gradually moves from the backup data generation device to the backup device far from the backup device.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the backup device 1 </ b> A according to the present embodiment includes an instruction receiving unit 10 that receives a backup instruction including information for specifying a partner device, and information that specifies backup data as a generation device that has generated the backup data. A backup data storage unit 11 that is stored in association with a distance, a distance information storage unit 12 that stores a movement source distance that is a distance between the generation device and the own device, and a distance between the generation device and the counterpart device. When the distance acquisition unit 13 that acquires a certain destination distance and the backup instruction are received, if the destination distance between the generation apparatus and the partner apparatus specified from the backup instruction is greater than the source distance , Decide to send the backup data to the counterpart device, and if the destination distance is smaller than the source distance, It includes a transmission determination unit 14 determines not to transmit the serial backup data.

  The transmission determination unit 14 determines to transmit backup data when the above-mentioned destination distance is larger than the above-mentioned movement source distance. The transmission determination unit 14 determines not to transmit backup data when the destination distance is smaller than the source distance. The transmission determination unit 14 outputs a determination result indicating whether to transmit backup data. The output destination of the determination result by the transmission determination unit 14 may be, for example, a transfer unit (not shown) that transmits the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 to the partner apparatus. Other operations of the transmission determination unit 14 are the same as the operations of the transmission determination unit 14 of the first embodiment.

  Each unit other than the transmission determination unit 14 included in the backup device 1A is the same as each unit of the same reference numerals included in the backup device 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description of each part included in the backup device 1A is omitted.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The operation of the backup device 1A of the present embodiment is the same as that obtained by removing step S29 from the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, when there is no unselected backup data (step S22, N), the operation is terminated. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the first backup of the first embodiment is that backup can be performed on a device at a location distant from the device that generated the backup data without the access accompanying backup being concentrated on one device. Has the same effect.

  The reason is that the transmission determination unit 14 determines to transmit backup data when the movement destination distance is larger than the movement source distance. The transfer unit (not shown) that transmits the backup data stored in the backup data storage unit 11 to the partner apparatus identifies the backup data that the transmission determination unit 14 has determined to transmit from the backup instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 10 Send to partner device. After the backup data is transmitted, the backup data is moved to a backup device having a larger distance from the generation device that generated the backup data than the backup device before transmission. Further, in the present embodiment, since the partner apparatus that is the transmission destination of the backup data can be specified by the backup instruction, the transmission destination of the backup data is not fixed to a specific apparatus.

  The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 2 Backup apparatus 3 Management apparatus 10 Instruction receiving part 11 Backup data storage part 12 Distance storage part 13 Distance acquisition part 14 Transmission determination part 15 Data transmission part 16 Data reception part 17 Backup data generation part 18 Backup object data storage part 19, 33 Distance measurement unit 31 Combination generation unit 32 Backup instruction unit 34 Backup device information storage unit

Claims (10)

An instruction receiving means for receiving a backup instruction including information for identifying the counterpart device;
Backup data storage means for storing first backup data in association with information for identifying the first generation device that generated the first backup data;
Distance information storage means for storing a movement source distance that is a distance between the first generation device and the own device;
Distance acquisition means for acquiring a destination distance that is a distance between the first generation device and the counterpart device;
Transmission determining means for determining that the first backup data is to be transmitted to the counterpart device if the destination distance between the first generation device and the counterpart device is greater than the source distance. Backup device. Data transmission means for transmitting the first backup data and information for identifying the first generation device to the counterpart device;
The second backup data and the information specifying the second generation device that generated the second backup data are received, and the received second backup data and the information specifying the second generation device are associated with each other. The backup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a data receiving unit that stores data in the backup data storage unit. Including backup data generation means for generating backup data;
The backup device according to claim 2, wherein, when the data transmission unit receives the backup instruction, the data transmission unit transmits the generated backup data in association with information specifying the own device to the counterpart device. Combination generating means for generating combination information for specifying a combination of two units whose mutual distances are not more than a predetermined value of the backup device according to claim 1;
A backup instructing unit that generates and transmits a backup instruction in which the other backup device of the combination is the counterpart device to at least one of the backup devices of the combination specified by the generated combination information;
A backup system comprising: the backup device included in the combination specified by the combination information. Receives a backup instruction that includes information identifying the partner device,
Storing the first backup data in the backup data storage means in association with the information specifying the first generation device that generated the first backup data;
Storing a movement source distance, which is a distance between the first generation apparatus and the own apparatus, in a distance information storage unit;
Obtaining a destination distance that is a distance between the first generation device and the counterpart device;
A backup method for determining to transmit the first backup data to the counterpart device if the destination distance between the first generation device and the counterpart device is greater than the source distance. Sending the first backup data and information identifying the first generation device to the counterpart device;
The second backup data and the information specifying the second generation device that generated the second backup data are received, and the received second backup data and the information specifying the second generation device are associated with each other. The backup method according to claim 5, wherein the backup data storage unit stores the backup data. Generate backup data,
The backup method according to claim 6, wherein, when the backup instruction is received, the generated backup data is transmitted to the counterpart apparatus in association with information for identifying the own apparatus. Computer
An instruction receiving means for receiving a backup instruction including information for identifying the counterpart device;
Backup data storage means for storing first backup data in association with information for identifying the first generation device that generated the first backup data;
Distance information storage means for storing a movement source distance that is a distance between the first generation device and the own device;
Distance acquisition means for acquiring a destination distance that is a distance between the first generation device and the counterpart device;
Transmission determination means for determining that the first backup data is to be transmitted to the counterpart device if the destination distance between the first generation device and the counterpart device is greater than the source distance. A backup program that works. Computer
Data transmission means for transmitting the first backup data and information for identifying the first generation device to the counterpart device;
The second backup data and the information specifying the second generation device that generated the second backup data are received, and the received second backup data and the information specifying the second generation device are associated with each other. The backup program according to claim 8, wherein the backup program is operated as data receiving means stored in the backup data storage means. Computer
Backup data generation means for generating backup data;
10. The backup program according to claim 9, wherein when the backup instruction is received, the backup program causes the counterpart device to operate as the data transmission unit that transmits the generated backup data in association with information identifying the device itself.

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