JP7503406B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device that includes a CPU, a basic memory that stores a BIOS, and an auxiliary storage device that stores current data.

Conventionally, in information processing devices such as PCs and industrial equipment, when backing up part of the data stored in an auxiliary storage device to an external storage device connected to the information processing device, the OS stored in the auxiliary storage device is started, and a data transfer function provided by the OS is used to transfer and save part of the data stored in the auxiliary storage device to the external storage device.

However, when backing up all of the above data, including the above OS itself, using the above OS, the contents of the data (for example, the OS operation history record and the contents of the virtual memory page file) change dynamically depending on the operation of the above OS itself, so there is a problem that the data in the auxiliary storage device cannot be backed up correctly. In addition, since the data transfer function cannot be used when the above OS is not running, there is a problem that data cannot be backed up in a situation where the above OS cannot be started due to a malfunction, etc.

Therefore, in the backup system shown in Patent Document 1, a boot OS for starting up the information processing device from an external storage device or network is created separately from the OS installed in the information processing device to be backed up, and the data is backed up by the created boot OS.

JP 2002-358245 A

However, the backup system of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the backup of the above data is cumbersome because it is necessary to create a separate boot OS for starting up the information processing device and use it to start up the information processing device each time a backup is performed. In particular, when backing up the above data for multiple information processing devices, it is necessary to create a boot OS for each information processing device, making the backup process extremely cumbersome.

Another method for backing up data is to use a duplicator, which is a device independent of the information processing device. A duplicator is a device that copies data to another auxiliary storage device by connecting directly to the auxiliary storage device. By using this duplicator to back up the data, it is not necessary to create a boot OS to start up the information processing device. However, since the duplicator needs to be directly connected to the auxiliary storage device, it is necessary to remove the auxiliary storage device (a storage device such as a hard disk) from the information processing device when backing up the data. In addition, after the backup is completed, it is necessary to reintegrate the auxiliary storage device into the information processing device. Therefore, when a duplicator is used, the work of removing and reintegrating the auxiliary storage device is required, which again makes backing up the data complicated.

The present invention aims to provide an information processing device that can accurately and easily back up and restore data in an auxiliary storage device.

The information processing device according to the present invention is an information processing device comprising a CPU, a basic memory for storing a BIOS, and an auxiliary storage device for storing current data, wherein the BIOS has a storage device duplication function, the CPU is capable of connecting to or communicating with an external storage device capable of storing spare data, and the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device can be duplicated as the spare data to the external storage device via the storage device duplication function of the BIOS, and the spare data stored in the external storage device can be duplicated as the current data to the auxiliary storage device.

Also preferably, the CPU stores the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device as the backup data, which is a copy of the data structure of the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device, in the external storage device via the storage device duplication function of the BIOS.

Also preferably, the CPU, via the storage device duplication function of the BIOS, duplicates the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device as a set of archive data and stores it in the external storage device as the spare data.

It is also preferable that the external storage device is capable of storing a plurality of the archive data, and the CPU is capable of replicating one archive data selected from the plurality of the archive data stored in the external storage device to the auxiliary storage device as the current data via the storage device replicating function of the BIOS.

Also preferably, the CPU stores the archive data based on the current data in the auxiliary storage device in the external storage device as compressed data that has been subjected to data compression via the storage device duplication function of the BIOS.

It is also preferable that the CPU is capable of calling up the archive data stored as the compressed data in the external storage device from the external storage device via the storage device duplication function of the BIOS, decompressing the archive data, and then duplication of the archive data as the current data to the auxiliary storage device.

Also preferably, the CPU is configured to be able to receive selection information regarding whether to copy the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device to the external storage device as the backup data or to copy the backup data stored in the external storage device to the auxiliary storage device as the current data via the storage device duplication function of the BIOS, and when duplication of the current data as the backup data is selected, the CPU pre-duplicates the current data by specifying the auxiliary storage device as the source of the current data, the external storage device as the destination of the current data, and the storage format of the current data in the external storage device, and when duplication of the backup data as the current data is selected, the CPU duplications the backup data by specifying the external storage device as the source of the backup data, the auxiliary storage device as the destination of the backup data, and the storage format of the backup data in the auxiliary storage device.

According to the information processing device of the present invention, the storage device duplication function of the BIOS stored in the basic memory allows current data stored in the auxiliary storage device to be written (duplicated) to the external storage device, or backup data stored in the external storage device to be called from the external storage device and written (duplicated) to the auxiliary storage device. These operations can be performed without starting the OS, so there is no risk of the data in the auxiliary storage device changing dynamically when backing up and restoring data in the auxiliary storage device, and there is also no need to create a separate OS for booting or to remove the auxiliary storage device from the information processing device. Therefore, data in the auxiliary storage device can be accurately and easily backed up and restored. In particular, when the operation of the OS stored in the auxiliary storage device is unstable or does not operate normally, it may be important to analyze the cause depending on the purpose, usage situation, and usage environment of the information processing device. Even in such cases, it is effective because the data in the auxiliary storage device can be accurately and easily backed up before the OS starts up.

The preferred method for backing up data in an auxiliary storage device varies depending on the purpose, usage, and environment of the information processing device. The present invention allows the user to select an external storage device (USB memory or server computer storage device) as the backup destination or restore source, and the copy format of data in the auxiliary storage device (the format in which data is saved to the external storage device) according to the purpose, usage, and environment of the information processing device, thereby achieving optimal backup and restore for the user.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an industrial computer according to an embodiment of the present invention and an external storage device connected to or communicating with the industrial computer; 11 is a flowchart for copying (backing up) current data and the like stored in a storage device to an external storage device in the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an industrial computer and an external storage device connected to or communicating with the industrial computer according to another embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a flowchart for restoring spare data and the like stored in an external storage device to a storage device in the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1, an industrial computer 10, which is an example of an information processing device according to the present embodiment, mainly includes a CPU 11, a BIOS memory 12 (an example of a "basic memory"), a storage device 13 (an example of an "auxiliary storage device"), a USB connector 14, a LAN port 15, and a main memory 16 (primary storage device). The CPU 11, the BIOS memory 12, the storage device 13, the USB connector 14, the LAN port 15, and the main memory 16 are provided on a CPU board 17 and connected via a bus 18 such as an SPI.

The CPU 11 executes various arithmetic processes through program control and controls the entire industrial computer 10.

The BIOS memory 12 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off (e.g., flash ROM). The BIOS memory 12 stores basic programs such as the BIOS 19 that are executed when the industrial computer 10 is started up, and data used by the basic programs.

In this embodiment, the BIOS 19 has a disk copy function (an example of a "storage device duplication function") described below, and can copy the user data 22 in the storage device 13 to a storage device other than the storage device 13 without starting the OS 21.

The storage device 13 is a storage device that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off (e.g., a hard disk or solid state drive). The storage device 13 stores system data such as programs such as the OS 21 for managing the industrial computer 10, and user data 22 created by the user. In the following, the system data such as the OS 21 and user data 22 that are stored in the storage device 13 of the industrial computer 10 under consideration and are used when the industrial computer 10 is operating are also referred to as current data 20A (data currently being used).

The USB connector 14 is for removably connecting an external USB memory 31 (an example of an "external storage device"), etc. The LAN port 15 is for connecting external storage devices, such as multiple external industrial computers 32A, 32B, a server computer 33, and a manufacturer's computer 34, to the industrial computer 10 via a LAN 50. In other words, the industrial computer 10 is connected to the multiple industrial computers 32A, 32B and the server computer 33, etc., via the LAN 50. The LAN 50 may be wired or wireless.

As shown in FIG. 1, in an industrial computer 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, current data 20A including OS 21 and user data 22 stored in storage device 13 is copied (backed up) to a computer other than the industrial computer 10, for example, multiple industrial computers 32A and 32B, a server computer 33, a manufacturer's computer 34 (more precisely, the storage device provided in these computers), or an external storage device such as a USB memory 31. The current data 20A including OS 21 and user data 22 backed up in this way to an external storage device is also referred to as spare data 20B below.

The procedure for copying (backing up) current data 20A stored in storage device 13 to an external storage device in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2.

First, the user turns on the power supply of the industrial computer 10, thereby starting the industrial computer 10 (S1). While the industrial computer 10 is running, the user performs a specific operation (for example, pressing a specific key such as "Delete" at a specific timing), which causes the BIOS menu to appear (S2). When the BIOS menu appears, the user selects the disk copy item from the BIOS menu (S3). That is, the user selects to copy the current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 to an external storage device as spare data 20B. Here, the disk copy item in the BIOS menu is an item for using the disk copy function of the BIOS 19. This disk copy function can copy (back up) the current data 20A, etc. stored in the storage device 13 to an external external storage device using the hardware control function provided by the BIOS 19. The disk copy function can also write (restore) the spare data 20B, etc., to be written from the external external storage device to the storage device 13. In the disk copy item, the user can select whether to perform copying (backup) or restoration. The CPU 11 receives information (selection information) related to the selection via the disk copy function. Here, the selection information is information related to the result of the user's selection of whether to duplicate (copy) the current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 to an external storage device as backup data 20B, or to duplicate (restore) the backup data 20B stored in the external storage device to the storage device 13 as current data 20A.

When the user selects to copy from among copy and restore in the disk copy item, the user then selects the copy format (the format in which the current data 20A is saved) (S4). Here, the copy format refers to the format in which the current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 is copied and saved in the destination external storage device when copying the current data 20A to the destination external storage device (the format in which the current data 20A is saved in the external storage device, or the format in which it is saved as backup data 20B). Specifically, in this embodiment, the following three formats can be selected:

1. "Cloning format": A format in which current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 is copied as spare data 20B to a copy destination external storage device with the data structure intact, including metadata, data arrangement, and the like.
2. "Archive format": A format in which the entire current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 is collected into a single piece of archive data (e.g., first to third archive data 23A, 23B, 23C), which is then copied to a destination external storage device as spare data 20B.
3. "Compression format": A format in which the current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 is made into a set of archive data (e.g., first to third archive data 23A, 23B, 23C), which is then compressed to produce compressed data, which is then copied to a destination external storage device as spare data 20B.

After selecting the copy format, the user then selects the copy source (duplication source) (S5). Here, the copy source refers to the storage device 13 of the industrial computer 10 when copying (backing up) current data 20A from the industrial computer 10 to an external storage device, and refers to the external storage device when copying (restoring) spare data 20B from the external storage device to the industrial computer 10. In other words, the copy source refers to the medium on which the OS 21, user data 22, etc. to be copied are stored.

After selecting the copy source, the user then selects the copy destination (duplicate destination) (S6). Here, the copy destination refers to a medium to which the current data 20A, etc. stored in the storage device 13 is copied (backed up). If the user wishes to copy (back up) the current data 20A, etc. to a plurality of industrial computers 32A, 32B, server computer 33, manufacturer's computer 34, etc. connected to the industrial computer 10 via the LAN 50, the user inputs information (e.g., IP address) that identifies the location on the network of the industrial computers 32A, 32B, server computer 33, manufacturer's computer 34, etc. that are the copy destination. On the other hand, if the user wishes to copy (back up) the current data 20A to a local device (USB memory 31, etc.) without going through the LAN 50, the user selects the local device (USB memory 31, etc.) connected to the USB connector 14 as the copy destination.

After the user selects the copy destination, the user then executes disk copy (S7). As a result, the current data 20A and the like stored in the storage device 13 are copied (backed up) to the selected copy destination.

In this way, in the industrial computer 10 of this embodiment, copying (backing up) of the current data 20A etc. stored in the storage device 13 is performed on the BIOS 19. In other words, the current data 20A etc. can be copied (backed up) to an external storage device other than the industrial computer 10 while remaining in the state in which it is stored in the storage device 13, without executing programs such as the OS 21 stored in the storage device 13.

In particular, when the destination is an industrial computer 32A, 32B connected to the industrial computer 10 via a LAN 50, the current data 20A (OS 21, user data 22, etc.) of the source industrial computer 10 is copied (using the above-mentioned cloning format) with the entire data structure, including metadata and data arrangement, to the external storage device of the destination industrial computer 32A, 32B, whereby the environment of the source industrial computer 10 can be copied to the external storage device of the industrial computer 32A, 32B with the OS 21 being bootable.

For example, if a malfunction occurs in the current data 20A in the industrial computer 10 used by a user, when the user requests the manufacturer of the industrial computer 10 to diagnose and correct the malfunction, the current data 20A of the industrial computer 10 can be copied to the manufacturer's computer 34 via the LAN 50 while the malfunction is still present, so that the malfunction of the current data 20A can be diagnosed more accurately and the malfunction of the current data 20A can be reliably corrected. Furthermore, if the current data 20A in a normal (non-malicious) state is saved as spare data 20B in another external storage device, then if a malfunction occurs in the current data 20A later, the current data 20A can be restored to a normal state by a restore operation described below.

In addition, by copying (backing up) the current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 by the above-mentioned archive format copy as a set of archive data (for example, the first to third archive data 23A, 23B, 23C) to an external storage device (for example, a USB memory 31 or a server computer 33), it is possible to copy (back up) a plurality of different spare data 20B (the first to third archive data 23A, 23B, 23C) to the same external storage device, which makes it easy to manage the spare data 20B. Furthermore, by doing so, one necessary spare data 20B (for example, the first archive data 23A) can be selected from the plurality of spare data 20B (the first to third archive data 23A, 23B, 23C) by a restore operation described later, and restored to the storage device 13 of the industrial computer 10, etc., so that the state (environment) of the current data 20A of the industrial computer 10 can be returned to an appropriate arbitrary environment from the plurality of environments that have been saved.

In addition, by making the current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 into a single set of archive data (e.g., the first to third archive data 23A, 23B, 23C), and further compressing the archive data and copying (backing up) the compressed data to an external storage device (e.g., USB memory 31 or server computer 33) (using the compression format described above), it is possible to reduce the size of the spare data 20B (the first to third archive data 23A, 23B, 23C) copied (backed up) to the external storage device. This makes it easier to store files in the external storage device. Furthermore, it is possible to copy (back up) the current data 20A to an external storage device that is smaller in size than the storage device 13.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, in an industrial computer 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, current data 20A etc. stored in the storage device 13 are copied (backed up) in advance to an external storage device as spare data 20B etc. In this second embodiment, the copied (backed up) spare data 20B etc. may be restored from the external storage device to the industrial computer 10, or from the external storage device to yet another external storage device (for example, from a USB memory 31 to the industrial computer 32C or the manufacturer's computer 34).

The procedure for copying (backing up) the current data 20A, etc. stored in the storage device 13 of the industrial computer 10 to an external storage device as spare data 20B, etc. is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The procedure for duplicating (restoring) the backup data 20B stored in the external storage device as the current data 20A in the storage device 13 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

When it is necessary to restore the backup data 20B, etc., that have been copied (backed up) in advance from the external storage device to the industrial computer 10, the user turns on the power supply to the industrial computer 10, which starts the industrial computer 10 (S11). While the industrial computer 10 is running, the user performs a specific operation (for example, pressing a specific key such as the "Delete key" at a specific timing), which causes the BIOS menu to appear (S12). When the BIOS menu appears, the user selects the disk copy item from the BIOS menu (S13). As described above, the disk copy item allows the user to select whether to perform copying (backup) or restoring. When the user selects restoring from copying and restoring in the disk copy item, the CPU 11 receives information (selection information) related to the selection via the disk copy function.

The user who has selected to perform a restore in the disk copy item then selects the restore source (duplication source) (S14). Here, the restore source is an external storage device that stores the backup data 20B and the like that have been copied (backed up) in advance, and in the case of the industrial computer 10, it is the industrial computers 32A and 32B, the server computer 33, the manufacturer's computer 34, or the USB memory 31.

After selecting the restore source, the user then selects the data format of the backup data 20B to be restored (the format in which the backup data 20B is saved in the storage device 13, and the format in which it is saved as current data 20A) (S15). That is, the user selects whether the backup data 20B to be restored is data that has been copied (cloned) including its data structure (data copied in the above-mentioned cloning format), archive data (data copied in the above-mentioned archive format), or compressed data (data copied in the above-mentioned compression format).

After selecting the data format of the spare data 20B, the user then selects the restore destination (copy destination) (S16). Here, the restore destination refers to the location where the copied (backed up) spare data 20B etc. is written (restored), and in the case where the spare data 20B etc. is restored in the industrial computer 10, it is the storage device 13.

After the user selects the restore destination, disk copy is then performed (S17). This causes the backup data 20B and other data stored in the external storage device to be restored in the storage device 13. If the backup data 20B was created by cloning (the cloning format described above), the state of the current data 20A at the time of cloning is reproduced.

In this way, in the industrial computer 10, the backup data 20B, etc. are restored from the external storage device to the storage device 13 on the BIOS 19. In other words, the backup data 20B, etc. can be restored in the storage device 13 of the industrial computer 10 in the state in which it was stored in the external storage device, without executing the programs such as the OS 21 that are restored from the external storage device.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, when multiple backup data 20B (first to third archive data 23A, 23B, 23C) are copied to the same external storage device (e.g., USB memory 31 or server computer 33), the user can select one appropriate backup data 20B (e.g., first archive data 23A) as the current data 20A to be restored, and restore it to the storage device 13 of the industrial computer 10, etc. Here, when restoring from archive data, it is preferable to expand the archive data so that the state of the current data 20A at the time of creating the archive data is reproduced, including the data structure. Also, when the backup data 20B to be restored is compressed data, the restored data is restored by decompressing the called compressed data and copying it to the storage device 13.

It is also possible to set the restore destination to an external storage device other than the restore source, rather than the industrial computer 10 that was the copy source when the backup data 20B was created. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the backup data 20B (any of the first to third archive data 23A, 23B, and 23C) stored in a USB memory 31 can be restored to the manufacturer's computer 34 or another industrial computer 32C.

According to the industrial computer 10 in the embodiment described above, the storage device duplication function of the BIOS 19 stored in the BIOS memory 12 allows the current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 to be written (duplicated) to an external storage device, or the backup data 20B stored in the external storage device to be called from the external storage device and written (duplicated) to the storage device 13. Since these operations can be performed without starting the OS 21, there is no risk of the current data 20A, etc. in the storage device 13 dynamically changing when backing up and restoring the current data 20A, etc. in the storage device 13, and there is also no need to create a separate boot OS or remove the storage device 13 from the industrial computer 10. Therefore, the current data 20A in the storage device 13 can be accurately and easily backed up and restored.

In this specification, the BIOS refers to the instructions stored in the basic memory that are read first after the CPU of the information processing device is reset, and the software group that is subsequently executed to perform basic control of the hardware. Therefore, BIOS 19 in this specification refers not only to the so-called legacy system BIOS, but also to the general group of software that is executed at the beginning of startup of the information processing device, such as software for interfaces that comply with UEFI specifications. This also includes firmware for operating the various components of the industrial computer 10.

In the above embodiment, a USB memory 31 is used as a local device for backup, which is an example of an external storage device, but this is not limited to this, and any medium capable of storing user data 22, including programs such as the OS 21, etc., may be used, such as an SD card or a USB hard disk.

In the above embodiment, when the current data 20A stored in the storage device 13 is copied (backed up) to an external storage device, the current data 20A is copied (backed up) in the order of selection of copy format (S4), selection of copy source (S5), and selection of copy destination (S6). However, this is not limited to this order, and these selections can be made in any order, and it is sufficient that the copy format, copy source, and copy destination have been determined when the disk copy is executed (S7). Similarly, when the backup data 20B stored in the external storage device is copied (restored) to the storage device 13, the backup data 20B is copied (restored) in the order of selection of restore source (S14), selection of data format (S15), and selection of restore destination (S16). However, this is not limited to this order, and these selections can be made in any order, and it is sufficient that the restore source, data format, and restore destination have been determined when the disk copy is executed (S17).

In the above embodiment, the user selects the disk copy item from the BIOS menu of the industrial computer 10 to execute a copy (backup) of the current data 20A or a copy (restore) of the spare data 20B, but the form for using the disk copy function (storage device duplication function) is not limited to this. For example, a duplication program having a disk copy function (storage device duplication function) may be stored in the server computer 33, and the industrial computer 10 may call and execute this duplication program via a network boot (PXE boot, HTTP boot, etc.) function to execute a copy (backup) of the current data 20A or a copy (restore) of the spare data 20B. Here, the duplication program stored in the server computer 33 may be specified in advance as to whether to execute a copy (backup) of the current data 20A or a copy (restore) of the spare data 20B. When it is specified to execute a copy (backup) of the current data 20A, the copy source, copy destination, and copy format may also be specified. If copying (restoring) the backup data 20B is specified, the restore source, restore destination, and data format should also be specified. However, the above-mentioned designation of backup or restore, copy/restore source, copy/restore destination, and copy/restore format may be configured to be selectable when the industrial computer 10 is started.

10. Industrial computers (information processing devices)
11 CPU
12 BIOS memory (basic memory)
13. Storage devices (auxiliary storage devices)
19 BIOS
20A Current data 20B Reserve data

Claims (6)

An information processing device comprising a CPU, a basic memory for storing a BIOS, and an auxiliary storage device for storing current data including an OS ,
the primary memory being the first to be read by the CPU after the CPU is reset;
The BIOS has a storage device duplication function,
The CPU includes:
A device capable of connecting to or communicating with an external storage device capable of storing spare data;
the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device can be copied to the external storage device as the spare data through the storage device duplication function of the BIOS without executing the OS, and the spare data stored in the external storage device can be copied to the auxiliary storage device as the current data ;
a storage device copy function of the BIOS that receives selection information regarding whether to copy the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device to the external storage device as the spare data or to copy the spare data stored in the external storage device to the auxiliary storage device as the current data;
When it is selected to copy the current data as the backup data, the current data is copied by specifying the auxiliary storage device which is a copy source of the current data, the external storage device which is a copy destination of the current data, and a storage format of the current data in the external storage device;
When it is selected to copy the spare data as the current data, the spare data is copied by specifying the external storage device which is a copy source of the spare data, the auxiliary storage device which is a copy destination of the spare data, and a storage format of the spare data in the auxiliary storage device;
The selection information, the source of the current data or the backup data, the destination of the current data or the backup data, and the storage format of the current data or the backup data can be selected at the time of starting up the information processing device.
An information processing device comprising: 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the CPU stores the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device as the backup data, which is a copy of the data structure of the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device, in the external storage device via the storage device duplication function of the BIOS. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the CPU replicates the current data stored in the auxiliary storage device as a set of archive data via the storage device replication function of the BIOS and then stores the replicated data in the external storage device as the spare data. the external storage device is capable of storing a plurality of the archive data;
The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the CPU is capable of replicating one archive data selected from the plurality of archive data stored in the external storage device to the auxiliary storage device as the current data via the storage device replication function of the BIOS. 5. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the CPU stores the archive data based on the current data in the auxiliary storage device in the external storage device as compressed data through the storage device duplication function of the BIOS. 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the CPU is capable of calling up the archive data stored as compressed data in the external storage device via the storage device duplication function of the BIOS, decompressing the archive data from the external storage device, and then copying the archive data to the auxiliary storage device as the current data.

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