JPH03291744A - Command repeating system for distributed environment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To economize program development by installing a command repeating computer in the environment of distributed computers connected through a network. CONSTITUTION:A user activates a command repeating program 21 after setting a communication path to a command repeating computer 2 by using a communi cation program 31 on a user terminal 3. Next, when the program 31 transmits a user set command and this command is received by the command repeating program 21, a user control part 28 confirms and sets the user. When an applica tion set command is sent from the terminal 3 after completely setting the user, a command repetition part 24 selects an electronic mail program application computer 1. When this computer 1 is selected, a communication control part 23 sets the communication path to the computer 1 by using a communication protocol 22 and monitors communication between the computers 1 and 2. After wards, the user executes communication with an electronic mail program 11 by using the communication program 31.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is applicable to a case where an arbitrary distributed computer is accessed from a terminal and an application program is executed in a distributed computer environment connected via a network. The present invention relates to a command relay method that can be executed without being aware of the computer or communication program that provides the program.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a user of a terminal device connected to a network can receive various services such as e-mail service, message board service, seat reservation service, etc. via the network. In that case, a plurality of distributed computers are connected to the network, and for example, one computer among them is configured with an application program that executes an e-mail service and an application program that executes a message board service. Yes, the other one
One computer is configured with an application program that performs a seat reservation service, and another computer is configured with an application program that broadcasts stock, traffic, and weather forecasts. In this way, the application programs that execute each service are stored in a distributed manner and executed by dedicated combicoters.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional distributed computer environment.

In FIG. 4, 41 is a computer that provides an application program; 42 is an application program that is stored and executed in the computer 41;
3 is a communication protocol that defines the procedure for communicating with a terminal that accesses this application program. Further, 51 is a user terminal, 52 is in communication with each computer 41, and an application program 42
53 is a communication program (1i protocol) that defines the procedure for communicating with each computer 41; 4 is a LAN (Local Area Network) connecting a plurality of distributed computers 41 and a plurality of terminals 51;
It is.

Here, one dedicated computer 4.1 for service and one terminal 51 that uses these are shown, but in reality, multiple computers and multiple user terminals are connected to each. has been done. The user uses the communication program 52 on the user terminal 51 to access the application, e.g. to receive e-mail service.
The communication program 5 is connected directly to the computer 41 storing the program 42 and is connected to the communication program 5 according to the communication protocol 53.
2 communicates with a computer 41 and executes an application program 42.

Regarding service processing in a distributed computer environment, please refer to "T-Packet I/Switching Technology and its Applications" edited by the Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers.
April 1, 1980 Coronasha Co., Ltd., pl).

280-293.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, in the conventional service system in a distributed computer environment, the user terminal 51 is directly connected to the computer 41 in charge of each service, and the application program 42 dedicated to the service is executed. Therefore, (a) if all or part of the content of the communication protocol 43 on the computer side is changed, the content of the communication protocol 53 on the other party's terminal 51 needs to be changed accordingly, and the communication Program 52 had to be changed. Furthermore, a computer that provides an application program for executing an e-mail service requires a corresponding communication protocol 53 and communication program 52, and each service, such as a message board service and a seat reservation service, has a different communication protocol 53 and communication program 52. A communication protocol and communication program were required. Therefore, users also had to prepare communication programs and communication protocols for each service.

In addition, users need to have knowledge of specialized application programs for each service on their terminals, and specialized operations are required, so it is necessary to have personnel who are familiar with each service program. Ta. As a result, the service could not be provided to user terminals where only unskilled users existed.

Furthermore, (b) a system administrator, that is, a person who registers and manages users who receive services, must
Since these were managed by user registration, users had to register separately for each service, which was extremely troublesome for both the users and the administrator.

An object of the present invention is to solve these conventional problems, and to eliminate the need to change the communication program on the user's end even if the communication protocol or the computer providing the application program is changed. The objective is to provide a command relay method for a distributed environment that can centralize management.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above objectives, the command relay method in a distributed environment according to the present invention is based on a network].Secondly, a communication protocol that specifies the communication procedure with the user terminal and a communication protocol that specifies the communication procedure with the host computer is used. protocol, a command relay module that relays commands between both communication protocols, a user management module that checks user terminals, and a host I database that stores the names of multiple host computers and registered user terminals. By connecting a command relay computer equipped with
The feature is that an application program can be executed on a desired host computer without being aware of the host computer.

[Function] In the present invention, a command relay computer is installed on a network, and a user uses a communication program on a user terminal to set up a communication path with this command relay computer, and then performs command relay. Start the command relay program in your computer. The medium-sized 1 program communicates between the user and the application program providing computer for which the user wishes to receive service. Even after the application program providing computer and the user terminal are connected, communication with the application program is performed by issuing commands from the communication program of the user terminal to the command relay program. The command relay program has the following functions. That is, (a) the user is confirmed. (b) Recognize the application program specified by the user, connect a communication path to a computer that provides the application program, and start the application program. (C) Transfer data between the user terminal and the application program.

(d) The communication path is disconnected according to instructions from the user and the application program providing computer.

(e) Receives communication monitoring from the user terminal and the application program providing computer, and performs abnormality processing when an abnormal condition occurs.

This eliminates the need for user management for each computer, and allows the command relay computer to perform user authentication for all services at once.Also, even if the computer providing the application program changes, It is only necessary to change the contents of the database of the command relay computer, and furthermore, only to change the protocol between the application program providing computer and the relay computer, without changing the protocol of the user terminal. The user terminal may be operated by an unskilled person, and the relay computer program will act as the communication (A protocol) between the user terminal and the application program.

[Example] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a distributed computer environment showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an e-mail program providing computer, 11 is an e-mail program, 12 is a command detail: a communication program for communicating with the computer, and 2 is a command relay newly provided in the present invention. 2] is a command relay program that collectively refers to six programs; 22 is a communication protocol for communicating with each service application program; 23 is a communication management unit that manages communication with the application program providing computer; 24 is a command relay unit for relaying commands from a terminal and sending them to the application program providing computer; 25 is a register for registering users who can access each application program; and 25 a register for registering users who can access each application program. 26 is a communication protocol that defines the communication procedure with each user terminal; 27 is a host database that stores a register of the address and type of the donor computer, the version number of the application program, the version number of the communication protocol, etc.; 28 is a user management unit that confirms the user; 3 is a user terminal; 31 is a communication program that communicates with the command relay computer; 32 is a communication program that communicates with the command relay computer; A communication protocol 4 is a LAN for communication between the two.

Although FIG. 1 only shows a computer that executes an e-mail program, a plurality of other application program providing computers are actually connected to the LAN 4. The operation when a user uses an e-mail program will be described below.

(1) First, the user uses the communication program 31 on the user terminal 3 to set a communication path to the command relay computer 2, and then starts the command relay program 21. As a result, six programs 22 to 28 in the relay computer 2 are activated. Note that this program 21 is started using a unique user name that is open to all users.

(1j) Next, the communication program 31 in the user terminal 3 transmits a user setting command, and when the command relay program 21 receives this command, the communication program 31 in the user terminal 3 transmits the user setting command.
8 performs user confirmation and settings.

This uses the user name in the command as a key to search the register of the host database 25, and if there is a match, it is confirmed that it is a registered user, and the command from the user is set. . From this point on, commands are executed under the authority of the individual user.

(After the ijD user settings are completed, when an application setting command is sent from the user terminal 3, the e-mail program 11 is set according to the contents. At this time, the command relay unit 24 is activated and the command The relay unit 24 refers to the host database 25 and selects the e-mail program providing computer 1.

(1V) When the e-mail program providing computer 1 is selected, the communication management section 23 is activated. The communication management unit 23 starts the e-mail program 11 after setting a communication path with the e-mail program providing computer 1 using the communication protocol 22 . Communication management department 2
3 monitors communication between the e-mail program providing computer 1 and the command relay computer 2.

(v) From now on, the user uses the communication program 31 to issue a command relay command to communicate with the e-mail program 11.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing command names and commands transmitted and received in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sequence chart of a group of commands transmitted between a user terminal and a command relay computer.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, the user terminal (User) starts the command relay program (Agent), and the command relay program declares the start of a message (step 200).

This allows user setting commands (Se
t User (add the user's name and password for the service computer, as shown in Figure 2)
) is transmitted (step 101). After confirming the user, the user management section of the command relay program performs user settings and notifies the user of operation completion (OK) (step 201).

Next, from the user terminal, use the application settings command (
Set 5service (as shown in FIG. 2, an application name is added. Here, since it is an electronic mail service, an e-mail is added)) (step 102). The command relay part of the command relay program selects the e-mail program providing computer by searching the host database, and completes the operation (
OK) is notified (step 202).

From now on, the command relay command (first,
Set Ho5t (add host name)> is sent (step 103). The communication management section of the command relay program sets up a communication path with the e-mail program providing computer, starts the e-mail program, and notifies that the operation is completed (OK) (step 203). As a result, control is passed from the communication management section of the command relay program to the e-mail program (step 204).

Communication with the service program then begins (
(pen), the communication program of the user terminal sequentially transmits command relay commands to the e-mail program providing computer via the command relay program (step 104). As a result, the e-mail program is executed under control from the user terminal. Note that the command relay program relays all commands sent from the user terminal (for example, Command Help) to the service program, but messages addressed to the command relay program simply receive only the action string (for example, 1 (elp)). This distinguishes it from the former.

As described above, in this embodiment, (a) since the command relay computer checks the users all at once, there is no need to register the users for each service providing computer. Therefore, the time required for user management on each computer is significantly reduced. (b) Even if the application/program providing computer is changed, it is only necessary to change the contents of the host database of the command relay computer, and there is no need to change the communication protocol and communication program in the user terminal as in the past. There isn't. (C) Even if the protocol between the user terminal and the command relay computer and the protocol between the application program provider computer and the command relay computer are changed, all you need to do is modify the communication protocols in each pair. good. Therefore, program development time and development costs can be significantly reduced. (d) A user terminal can execute an application program without being aware of the host computer and communication protocol that provide the application program. The user terminal and the command relay computer communicate using a communication protocol for unskilled users, and the command relay computer and the application program providing computer communicate using a communication protocol for experts. This eliminates the need for experienced application program personnel.

[Effect of the Invention 1 As explained in 1-4 below, according to the present invention, in a distributed computer environment connected via a network,
Since the command ll=, 1ilij computer has been installed, even if the communication protocol or application program provider lj computer changes, the Yusa terminal will remain the same.
There is no need to change the communication program of the system, saving program development costs and centralizing user management.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a distributed computer system connected to a network showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
A diagram showing the command names and commands used in the diagram,
FIG. 3 is a command sequence chart 1 between the Yusa terminal and the command relay computer in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional distributed computer system. Application program providing computer, 2°
Command relay computer, 3. User terminal, 11. E-mail program, 12゜22・Application・
21. Communication protocol that defines the communication procedure between the program and the communication management section, 21. Command relay program, 23. Application program and command details: Communication management department that manages communication between departments, 24 Command relay 11 (!, 25
: Host database, 26, 32 Communication protocol that defines the communication procedure between the user terminal and the command relay program, 27. Communication management unit, 28, user management unit, 3, which manages communication between the user terminal and the command relay program.
1: A communication program that executes communication between the user terminal and the command relay program.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a distributed computer environment in which a plurality of user terminals and a plurality of host computers each providing an application program are connected via a network, a communication protocol that specifies the communication procedure with the user terminal on the network. and a communication protocol that defines communication procedures with the host computer, a command relay module that relays commands between the two communication protocols, a user management module that checks the user terminal, and the plurality of host computers and registration. By connecting a command relay computer equipped with a host database that stores data related to the user terminals and relaying the commands from the user terminals to the host computer via the command relay computer, A command relay method in a distributed environment characterized by executing an application program on a desired host computer without being aware of the host computer and communication protocol.