JPH04126436A - Diagnostic system for electronic exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decrease a time required for diagnosis by configurating a controller publicating various orders to plural channel devices in a way of at least duplication, publicating a pseudo order to the said channel device and verifying an answer to the said order. CONSTITUTION:After starting an IO sweepout means 5, a controller 1B starts a diagnostic means 4B. The IO sweepout means 5 sets an interrupt mask so that interruption from a controller 1A to a channel device 2B is disable. A diagnostic means 4B publicates a pseudo order to the channel device 2B during this time to verify whether or not an answer from the channel device 2B to the said pseudo order is proper thereby detecting whether or not a fault takes place in a connection route 6B including an interface circuit and a connection line between the said controller 1B and the channel device 2B.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Summary: Regarding a method for diagnosing the connection route between a control device and a channel device in an electronic exchange employing a deniplex configuration, the time required for diagnosis is shortened and the reliability of the electronic exchange is prevented from deteriorating during diagnosis. For the purpose of , each of the control devices is provided with a diagnostic means for diagnosing whether or not a fault has occurred in a connection route including an interface circuit and a connection line between the control device and the channel device by verifying an answer for the order. In the electronic exchange having the above configuration, an IO sweeping means is provided for selectively masking interrupts to the channel device from each of the control devices, and interrupts to the channel device to be diagnosed from control devices other than the control device to be diagnosed are prevented. By diagnosing the connection route between the control device to be diagnosed and the channel device to be diagnosed in a masked state, the diagnosis can be performed without interrupting the exchange process.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION FIELD The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a connection route between a control device and a channel device in an electronic exchange employing a deniplex configuration.

General-purpose computers generally have to be shut down periodically for maintenance work, but electronic exchanges can be easily operated even in the unlikely event of a failure due to their social impact. is not allowed to stop. It is also necessary to provide highly reliable and stable service to individual calls.

For this reason, by adopting a deniplex configuration and duplicating the control devices in electronic exchanges, if a failure occurs in the current control device, it is possible to immediately switch to the backup control device, thereby ensuring continuity of replacement processing. is ensured.

In order to ensure high reliability of such electronic exchanges or to ensure early recovery in the event of a failure, it is necessary to perform various types of diagnostics periodically or as needed. There is a demand for highly efficient diagnosis of connection routes including interface circuits and connection lines of channel devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an electronic exchange having a duplex configuration. IIA and 11B are control devices (
CC), 12A and 12B are channel devices (CHC)
, 13A and 13B are main memos! J (MM). Each control device 11A, 11B has a connection bus 14A, 1
Channel devices 12A, 1 via 4B, 14C, 14D
2B are connected to each other, and the connection bus 15
Main note via! 113A and 13B are connected to each other. The channel device 12A is connected to a magnetic tape controller (MTC) 17, a communication controller (CAC) 18, etc. via a connection bus 16A. A file memory controller (FMC) 19 is connected, and a typewriter controller (FMC) is connected to the channel device 12B via a connection bus 16B.
SIC) 20, a communication controller 18, and a file memory controller 19 are connected.

In such an electronic switching system, for example, the control device 11A is the active control device, and the control device 11B is the active control device.
is used as a backup system control device, so that if a failure occurs in the active system control device 11A, it can be disconnected and immediately switched to the backup system control device 11B to continue the replacement process. I have to.

In such an electronic exchange system, the control device 11
A, 11B and each interface circuit and connection bus 14A of channel devices 12A, 12B.

14B, 14C, and 14D must be checked periodically or as needed, and conventionally, this diagnosis has been performed using the following procedure.

That is, while the current control device 11A is in the normal operating state,
By disconnecting the backup system control device 11B and channel device 12B from the system using software (hereinafter referred to as "out-systemization"), and running a diagnostic program on the control device J1B, the connection route 14B is disconnected from the system.
Diagnose.

Once this diagnosis is completed, the channel device 12B is incorporated into the system (hereinafter sometimes referred to as in-system), the channel device 12A is made out of the system, and the connection route 14C is similarly diagnosed. Next, the control device 11B is made in-system, and the exchange process performed by the control device 11A is performed on behalf of the control device 11B, and the control device 11A is made out-of-system, and the channel device 12A is
Diagnose the connection route 14A with the channel device 12
After bringing A into the system and putting the channel device 12B out of the system, the connection route 14D between the control device 11A and the channel device 12B is similarly diagnosed. When the diagnosis is completed, the control device 11A and the channel device 12B are each in-system, and then the exchange process is performed by the control device 11.
It was returned to A.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention As described above, in the conventional diagnostic method, the control device and channel device to be diagnosed are brought out of the system before executing the diagnostic program, and brought into the system after the diagnostic program is executed. Therefore, there is a problem in that it takes a lot of time to perform out-of-system and in-system, and diagnosis cannot be carried out efficiently. In particular, the channel device has many IO devices (
The above problem is noticeable when peripheral devices (peripheral devices) are connected.

In addition, because one control device is out of the system while the diagnosis is being performed, if a failure occurs in the other control device that is performing the replacement process, the worst situation is that the system will go down. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and aims to provide a diagnostic method that can shorten the time required for diagnosis and reduce the decrease in reliability of an electronic exchange during diagnosis.

Means for Solving the Problems FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic switching system to which the present invention is applied.

This electronic switching system has a plurality of peripheral groups R3A, respectively.
, 3B are connected to a plurality of channel devices 2A, 2B, and the control devices 1A, 1B are configured to be at least duplicated, and pseudo orders are issued to the channel devices 2A, 2B. By issuing and verifying the answer to the order, the control device 1
Connection routes 6A, 6B, 6C including interface circuits and connection lines of A, 1B and channel devices 2A, 2B.

Diagnostic means 4 for diagnosing whether a failure has occurred in 6D
A and 4B are provided in the control devices 1A and 1B, respectively. Each of the control devices 1A, 1
IO sweeping means 5 for selectively masking interrupts from B to the channel devices 2A and 2B, and includes an IO sweeping means 5 for selectively masking interrupts from B to the channel devices 2A and 2B, The configuration is such that the connection route (6B) between the control device to be diagnosed (1B) and the channel device to be diagnosed (2B) is diagnosed with interrupts being masked.

Operation The control device IA is used as the active control device, the control device 1B is used as the backup control device, and the diagnostic means 4B of the control device 1B is activated to diagnose the connection route (6B) with the channel device 2B. Explain as a thing. Control device 1B is IO
After starting the sweeping means 5, the diagnostic means 4B is started. 10 The sweeping means 5 is equipped with a control device! An interrupt mask is set so that interrupts from flA to channel 112B are not permitted. As a result, even if the control device IA issues an order to the channel device 2B, the channel device 2B will not accept the order, and the control device IA will issue the order. During this time, the diagnostic means 4B issues a pseudo order to the channel device 2B, verifies whether the answer to the pseudo order from the channel device 2B is correct, and communicates with the control device 1B and the channel device. It is detected whether a failure has occurred in the connection route 6B including the 2B interface circuit and connection line.

Thereafter, the control device 1B notifies the ■○ sweeping means 5 of the end of the diagnosis, and the IO sweeping means 5 receives this and cancels the interrupt mask so as to accept interrupts from the control device IA to the channel device 2B. The channel device 2B receives and takes the waiting order from the control device IA, and performs processing based on the order. Other diagnostic route 6A
,6C.

6D can also be diagnosed by performing the same processing as above.

According to the present invention, when activating the diagnostic means 4A, 4B to diagnose the connection routes 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D between the control devices 1A, 1B and the channel devices 2A, 2B,
Activate the O sweeping means 5, set an interrupt mask to prohibit interrupts to the channel device to be diagnosed (2B) from the control device (IA) that is performing the exchange process,
Since the interrupt mask setting is canceled after the diagnosis is completed, there is no need to take the diagnosed control device and the diagnosed channel device out of the system or in the system for diagnosis, reducing the time required for diagnosis. In addition, even if a failure occurs in the control device (IA) that is performing the replacement process, the replacement process can be continued by immediately switching to another control device (1B). can improve system reliability.

Embodiment A case will be described in which the present invention is applied to an electronic switching system having a deniplex configuration shown in FIG. 4. 1st
Diagnosis means 4A, 4B and 10 sweeping means 5 in the figure
This function is realized by the control device 11A or I1B executing a diagnostic program and an IO cleaning program stored in the main memory (MM) 13A or 13B.

Note that the IO purge program is provided as part of the functions of O5 (operating system).

FIG. 2 shows the control device 11A or I1B and the channel device 12.
12B is a diagram showing the state of communication with A or 12B. FIG. Hereinafter, the control device 11A that is undergoing the replacement process (
The control device 11B is the control device for the active system (the active system control device), the control device 11B is the control device for performing diagnosis (the backup system control device), and the control device 11
It is assumed that a diagnosis is made as to whether or not a fault has occurred in the connection route 14B including the interface circuit and connection line between B and the channel device 12B.

If diagnosis is not being performed, when an order is issued to the channel device 12B from the control device 11A that is performing the exchange process (201), the channel device 12B will issue a file memory controller (FMC) based on the order, for example.
) 19 and performs processing such as retrieving information from the file memory connected to the file memory controller 19, and a predetermined answer (for example, a signal indicating normal/abnormal termination of processing) is controlled. It is sent back to device IIA (202).

On the other hand, when the execution of the diagnostic program is started in the control device 11B, the control device 11B starts the IO sweep function of O8 (203), and by executing the IO sweep function, interrupts from the control device 11A to the channel device 12B are triggered. The interrupt mask is set to prohibit (20
4) Completion is notified (205). Next, the control device 11B sends a pseudo order (
For example, the channel device that receives and accepts the order should always issue an order that returns a specific answer (206).
), the channel device 12B returns an answer (20
7). By determining whether the answer is appropriate, the control device 11B detects whether a failure has occurred in the connection route 14B with the channel device 12B. Next, the control device 11B stops the IO sweep function of ○S (208), cancels the interrupt mask setting for the channel device 12B from the control device 11A (209), and stops the IO sweep function from the control device 11).
Notify B (210). Interrupt mask is set (204
) is issued to the channel device 12B from the control device 11A until the setting is canceled (209) (211), the order will not be accepted because the interrupt mask has been set. First, the order is stored in a queue and waits until the interrupt mask is cleared. When the interrupt mask setting is canceled (209), the order (212) from the control device 11A is executed by the channel device 12B, and an answer is returned (213).

If the time from setting the interrupt mask (204) to canceling the interrupt mask setting (209) becomes longer, the control device 11
Order from A to channel device 12B (211)
If the waiting time becomes long and a problem occurs due to a delay in the exchange process being carried out by the control device 11A, the execution of the diagnostic program by the control device 11B can be changed as shown in FIG. , so that it is implemented in a time-sharing manner.

That is, the IO sweeping function is started, the diagnostic program is executed by the control device 11B, and when a predetermined time t has elapsed, the execution of the diagnostic program by the control device 11B is interrupted, the IO sweeping function is stopped, and a predetermined When the time t2 has elapsed, start the ■○ sweeping function,
Resume execution of the diagnostic program by the control device 11B,
Repeat this from now on. The above predetermined time t1
By setting short, for example, lQmsec, the waiting time of the waiting order in the control device 11A is shortened,
The impact on the exchange process is reduced. In this way, by activating or stopping the IO purge function at short intervals and executing the diagnostic program while the IO purge function is activated, it is possible to avoid a long retention period of the exchange process. In addition, if the channel device 12B is executing an order from the control device 11A when the work zero sweep function is activated,
After the execution of the order is completed, the IO sweep function is activated and the diagnostic program is executed by the control device 11B.

Connection route 1 between control device 11B and channel device 12B
After the diagnosis of the control device 4B is completed, the connection route 14C between the control device 11B and the channel device 12A is similarly diagnosed, and the exchange processing by the control device 11A is switched to the control device 11B, and the connection route 14C between the control device 11A and the channel device 12A is switched. Connection route with device 12A or 12B 14. 14D diagnosis is carried out in the same manner as above.

Effects of the Invention As described in detail above, the present invention eliminates the need to perform processing such as separating or incorporating control devices and channel devices from the exchange system during diagnosis, and the time required for diagnosis is significantly shortened. be effective. In addition, even if a failure occurs in the control device that is performing the replacement process, it can be immediately switched to the standby control device and the process can continue, increasing its reliability. It also has the effect of being able to.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating communication between a control device and a channel device in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of division processing in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a general electronic exchange system. I.A. 2A. 3A. 4A. 5... Engineering 6A. 1B...Control device, 2B...Channel device, 3B...Peripheral device, 4B...Diagnosis means, 0 sweeping means, 6B, 6C, 6D...Connection route.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. At least a control device (1A, 1B) that issues various orders to a plurality of channel devices (2A, 2B) to which a plurality of peripheral devices (3A, 3B) are connected, respectively. In addition to duplication, the channel devices (2A, 2B)
By issuing a pseudo order to and verifying the answer to the order, the control device (1A, 1B)
and connection routes (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D) including interface circuits and connection lines for channel devices (2A, 2B)
Diagnostic means (4A) for diagnosing whether a failure has occurred in
, 4B) in the control devices (1A, 1B), selectively masking interrupts from the control devices (1A, 1B) to the channel devices (2A, 2B). A processing IO sweeping means (5) is provided, and in a state where interrupts to the channel device to be diagnosed (2B) from the control device (1A) other than the control device to be diagnosed (1B) are masked, the control device to be diagnosed (1B) is processed. A diagnostic method for an electronic exchange, characterized in that by diagnosing the connection route (6B) between 1B) and the channel device to be diagnosed (2B), the diagnosis can be performed without interrupting exchange processing. . 2. The IO sweeping means (5) is started/stopped at a predetermined period, and the IO sweeping means (4A, 4B)
2. A diagnostic method for an electronic exchange according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic processing is performed in a time-sharing manner.