JPH0498341A - Intelligent storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To independently execute an operation even if a mainbody device breaks down and to improve reliability by executing reading and writing independent of the control on the part of the mainbody device-side. CONSTITUTION:When a communication controller 6 breaks down, a line switch 12 connects lines 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b to a communication controller 7. The communication controller 7 executes the processing of data received from the lines 8a and 9a in an intelligent storage device 50, and the processing of data received from the lines 8b and 9b in an intelligent storage device 51. The intelligent memory 50 can independently execute the operation even if the communication controller 6 breaks down. Thus, data stored in the intelligent storage device 50 can be used as it is and a fault corresponding processing can speedily be executed since the switching of the storage device is not required when a fault occurs. Thus, the intelligent storage device of high reliability can be obtained in spite of the presence or absence of the operation of mainbody CPU.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application J] The present invention relates to a storage device, and particularly to improving reliability in abnormal situations.

[Prior Art] When high-speed access is required, an electronic memory such as a RAM may be used as an external storage device.

An example of a device that requires high-speed access as described above is a communication control device used in a point-of-sale information management system (PO3). The communication control device controls data communication between the PO8 terminal and the host computer.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram of a system using a communication control device. A host computer 4 and a communication control device 6 are connected via a line network 2 such as a public line or a private line. A line 8 is connected to the communication control device 6 via a switching circuit 11.
is connected thereto, and together with the terminal 10 of PO8, it constitutes a low-power area network (LAN).

The role of the communication control device 6 is to process data sent from the terminal 10 and then send it to the host computer 4.
This means sending data from the host computer 4 to the terminal IO. For example, when product code data is input from the PO8 terminal IO, the communication control device 6 receives this and finds out the unit price corresponding to the product code from the table. The communication control device 6 converts the found unit price into
It is sent to the host computer 4 via the communication network 2.

Since the table showing the relationship between product codes and unit prices is enormous in size, it is stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk. In this case, in order to perform quick processing, a RAM disk using semiconductor memory may be used instead of a hard disk. Since a RAM disk has no mechanically moving parts, the access time is extremely short compared to a hard disk or the like. Therefore, the unit price corresponding to the product coat can be quickly obtained, and the processing speed is improved. Note that file management of the RAM disk is performed by the communication control device 5.
CPU is executed.

By the way, in case a failure occurs in the communication control device 6, a communication control device 7 having the same configuration is provided. Both communication control devices 6.7 are normally connected to different terminals 10. He is in charge of IOA and operates both sides.

However, if one of them fails, the other communication control device takes charge of all terminals and performs processing.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, conventional semiconductor memory devices such as the above-mentioned RAM disk have the following problems.

The conventional RAM disk is the main body of the communication control device.
Managed by PU. In the past, even if the RAM disk did not fail, if the CPU of the communication control unit failed, the RAM disk became unusable.

At this time, there was a problem in that the data on the RAM disk of the communication control device that had failed could no longer be used.

Also, for safety reasons, the same data may be recorded on the RAM disks of both communication control devices.

At this time, in order to confirm whether or not the contents of both RAM disks are the same, it is necessary to compare the storage contents of both RAM disks under the control of the CPU. By the way, in order to reduce the waiting time of terminal users as much as possible, CP
Does U need to provide a quick response to the terminal? If only the CP verifies the storage contents of both RAM disks, a problem arises in that the response to the terminal becomes slow. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is not possible to check the storage contents of both RAM disks, and it is not guaranteed that the storage contents of both RAM disks are identical.

This invention solves the above problems and improves the main body CP.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable intelligent storage device that does not depend on whether U is in operation or not.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The intelligent storage device according to claim 1 is used in a duplex device, and is capable of sharing data with a first main device, a second main device, and another semiconductor memory. Memory bus control means for exchanging data, file control means for controlling reading and writing to the semiconductor memory, and memory content comparison means for determining whether the memory contents of the semiconductor memory and the memory contents of another semiconductor memory are the same. , is equipped with.

The intelligent storage device according to claim 2 is provided with a confirmation means for confirming whether or not the first main body device, the second main body device, and other semiconductor memories are operating normally.

The intelligent storage device according to claim 3 receives access from two or more main devices, and includes a memory bus control means for exchanging data with the first main device and the second main device, and a memory bus control means for exchanging data with the first main device and the second main device, and a semiconductor memory. File control means for controlling reading and writing; Confirmation means for confirming whether the first main body device and the second main body device are operating normally; If an abnormality is discovered by the confirmation means, normal operation is performed. The system is equipped with data transfer means for sending unprocessed data to the main unit that is currently running.

[Function] The file control means independently from the control on the main device side,
Read/write. Further, the storage content comparison means compares the storage contents of the duplicated intelligent storage devices. The confirmation means determines whether the first main body device, the second main body device, and other semiconductor memories are operating normally.

Further, the data transfer means sends the unprocessed data exchanged at the time of abnormality to the main unit which is operating normally.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a communication control system using an intelligent storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The line switch 12 selects connections between the lines 8a and 8b and the communication control device 6 and communication control device 7. line 8a
, 8b are connected to a large number of PO8 terminals 10, respectively. The line switching device 12 selects a line so that the communication control device 6 receives the message from the PO8 terminal 10 connected to the line 8a, and the communication control device 7 receives the message from the PO8 terminal 10 connected to the line 8b. are doing. The line switch 12 also switches the connection between the host computer 4 and the communication control device 6.7. Note that two lines 9a and 9b are also provided for the host computer 4.

The communication control device 6 includes a communication control section 20 for communicating with the PO8 terminal 10 and the host computer 4, a CPU 22 for controlling the entire device according to a program, a program memory 24 storing programs, and a data memory 26 for storing data ( In this embodiment, a memory bus control unit 28 is provided for controlling a memory bus (consisting of a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a floppy disk), and a memory bus.

Each part is connected by a bus 34. The communication control device 7 also has a similar configuration.

The intelligent storage device 50 includes a memory bus controller 4
0, CPU 42, program memory 44, data bus 30, and address bus 32 are connected.

The data bus 30 and address bus 32 are also connected to another indirect storage device 51 and communication control device 6.7, so that data can be exchanged between them. The program memory 44 is composed of a semiconductor memory, and the data memory 46 is
A program for use as an AM disk is stored there.

In the device configured as above, under normal conditions,
Communication controller 6 accesses intelligent storage 50 via memory bus 30.32. The intelligent storage device 50 stores items such as a product-unit price table that requires high-speed access. Similarly,
Communication control device 7 accesses intelligent storage device 51 .

Suppose now that the communication control device 6 has failed. At this time, the line switch 12 connects both lines 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b to the communication control device 7. The communication control device 7 processes the data received from lines 8a and 9a, and processes the data received from line ib using the intelligent storage device 51.
It will be held at In this way, even if the communication control device 6 breaks down,
Intelligent memory 50 is independently operable. Therefore, the data stored in the intelligent storage device 50 can be used as is. moreover,
Since there is no need to switch storage devices even in the event of a failure, rapid failure response processing can be performed.

Even if the communication control device 7 fails, the same operation as described above is performed.

Furthermore, if either one of the intelligent storage devices 50, 51 fails, processing is performed by one normal intelligent storage device and two communication control devices.

In addition, the intelligent storage device 5 in this embodiment
0.51 has the confirmation program shown below. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the verification program stored in memory 44 of intelligent storage device 50. This program is repeatedly executed at regular intervals.

First, in step S1, the CPU 42 sends a "ready" message to the communication control device 6 via the memory buses 30 and 32.
"Send the command. If the communication control device 6 is not operating normally, the "ACK" (confirmation) command will not be returned. In this case, the process advances from step S2 to step S3, and if the communication control device 6 is abnormal, , memory bus 30, 32
The storage device 51 and the communication control device 7 are notified via. At the same time, turn off the normal operation flag of the communication control device 6 in the normal operation flag table (see Figure 3).
. After that, step S5 is executed.

On the other hand, in step S2, when an "ACK" (confirmation) command is returned, the communication control device 6 is determined to be normal, and the normal operation flag of the communication control device 6 is turned ON (step S4).

Next, “ready” is sent to the communication control device 7 as well.
"Sends the command (step S5). In response,
If the "ACK" command is not returned, it is determined that the communication control device 7 is abnormal, and the storage device 51 and communication control device 6 are notified. At the same time, the normal operation flag of the communication control device 7 is turned OFF (see FIG. 3). After that, step S9 is executed.

On the other hand, in step S6, when an "ACK" (confirmation) command is returned, the communication control device 7 is determined to be normal, and the normal operation flag of the communication control device 7 is turned ON (step S+).

Furthermore, a "ready" command is sent to the storage device 51, and the same operation as above is performed (step S).

~S1°).

Note that although the intelligent storage device 50 has been described above, the same applies to the intelligent storage device 51.

As described above, in this embodiment, the normal operation of the intelligent storage device 50.51, the communication control device 6.7, and the other intelligent storage device is confirmed. Since the CPU of the intelligent storage device has more leeway in tasks than the CPU of the communication control device, it is possible to discover equipment abnormalities more quickly than when the CPU of the communication control device performs the checking operation.

Note that, as a mode of operation of the communication control system, the same data may be stored in two intelligent storage devices 50 and 51. This is to reduce the risk of data loss by duplicating the data itself. When such duplication is performed, if the intelligent storage device 50.51 according to the present invention is used, the storage contents of both devices can be checked by the CP of the intelligent storage device 50.51.
This can be done by U 42, 43. Therefore, the CPU 22 of the communication control device 6.7
Even if there is a time limit for data processing with a computer, the stored contents can be verified, improving reliability.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. In this example,
A single intelligent storage device 50 is connected to the two communication control devices 6.7. Therefore, both data from line 8a and data from line 8b are stored in the same intelligent storage device 50.

In this embodiment, if a failure occurs in the communication control device 6, the CPU 42 detects this and executes a program as shown in FIG. First, the CPU 42 checks whether the normal operation flag (see FIG. 3) of the communication control device 7 is ON (step S5 o).

If the communication control device 7 is also out of order, the processing will have to be interrupted. If the communication control device 7 is operating normally, a failure of the communication control device 6 is notified. At the same time, the data that was being exchanged with the communication control device 6 at the time of the failure (i.e., unprocessed data) is sent to the communication control device 7 (step S
5. ). The communication control device 7 receives this unprocessed data and continues processing.

As described above, in this embodiment, there is no need to switch storage devices in the event of a failure, and processing can be continued quickly.

[Effects of the Invention] The intelligent storage device according to the first aspect has a file control means, and can read and write data independently of the control on the main device side. Therefore, even if the main device fails, it can operate independently and has high reliability. Furthermore, since the storage contents comparison means is provided, the storage contents can be compared, and reliability is improved when data is duplicated.

Since the intelligent storage device according to claim 2 is provided with a confirmation means, it is possible to quickly determine whether or not the first main body device, the second main body device, and other semiconductor memories are operating normally. can.

Since the intelligent storage device according to the third aspect is provided with data transfer means, it is possible to quickly continue processing when a failure occurs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system using an intelligent storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing the stored program; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a normal operation table; FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a system using an intelligent storage device according to another embodiment; FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operating program in the case of the above. 1st Figure 284041...Memory bus control unit 3032...Memory bus 42...CPU 4445...Memory diagram Figure Figure

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a storage device used in a duplex device, a memory bus control means for exchanging data with the first main device, the second main device, and other semiconductor memories, and read/write to the semiconductor memory. An intelligent storage device comprising: a file control means for controlling writing; and a storage content comparison means for determining whether or not the storage contents of a semiconductor memory are the same as the storage contents of another semiconductor memory. (2) The intelligent storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: confirmation means for confirming whether or not the first main body device, the second main body device, and the other semiconductor memory are operating normally. intelligent storage device. (3) A storage device that is accessed by two or more main devices, including memory bus control means for exchanging data with the first main device and the second main device, and a memory bus control means for reading and writing to the semiconductor memory. A file control means to control, a confirmation means to check whether the first main body device and the second main body device are operating normally, and a main body operating normally if an abnormality is discovered by the confirmation means. An intelligent storage device comprising: data transfer means for sending unprocessed data to the device.