JPH05165752A - Operating method for communication control processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To autonomously operate CCP by providing an external storage device for storing a program and alteration information on a network definition in a communication control processor(CCP). CONSTITUTION:When CCP 2 is started by an operator command inputted from a host computer 1 and the operation by an autonomous operation possible mode is designated by the operator command, the program is loaded on CCP 2 and the program is stored in the external storage device 8 of CCP 2. When an autonomous operation impossible mode is designated by the operator command, only the program is loaded on CCP 2 and the program on CCP 2 is not stored in the external storage device 8. Thus, the operation mode of CCP 2 is decided at the time of loading the program from the host computer 1 to CCP 2. The decided operation mode is stored in the external storage device 8 in CCP 2, and starting is decided by the information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a CCP with a program and network definition information in a communication network composed of a plurality of host computers, a communication control processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CCP), and a connection medium connecting these units. The present invention relates to a method of providing an external storage device for storing and enabling the autonomous operation of the CCP such that the CCP is activated without the aid of the host computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to meet the needs for 24-hour operation of communication networks, CCP operates autonomously so that it can be started up without the help of the host computer, in addition to the conventional host computer operation. The need to do so is increasing. This is a configuration in which computing centers distributed in multiple districts are connected to each other by a network.If the operation of one computing center cannot be stopped but the entire network cannot be stopped, the host computer will stop operating. Even so, the CCP needs to continue operating as a relay node.

For example, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-55748, "Loading Control System", a CCP (hereinafter, referred to as a remote CCP) connected only through a line.
An external storage device for holding a program to be loaded is provided, the program is first transferred from the host computer to the remote CCP, the transferred program is stored in the external storage device, and a request from the host computer is made during operation. According to the above, the program stored in the external storage device is loaded into the remote CCP.

[0004]

In the prior art, the main purpose is to target a remote CCP connected only via a line, and to shorten the time required to start up this CCP, and to directly communicate with the host computer. Consideration for autonomous operation of the CCP including the connected CCP (hereinafter, referred to as local CCP) is not sufficient. For example, in the conventional technology, CC
Since the CCP cannot be started while the operation of the host computer that manages the P is stopped, the CCP cannot operate autonomously.
Further, in the conventional technique, the program is stored in the external storage device of the CCP and the program is loaded into the CCP by separate operations. Therefore, when the program is changed, the two operations are performed in synchronization. There is a need. If only the program loading instruction is given and the program is forgotten to be stored in the external storage device, the changed program cannot operate correctly. Further, in the conventional technique, the CCP is always loaded using the external storage device of the CCP, and it is advantageous in time to perform the loading from the host computer.
There is no flexibility in operation, such as failure to cope with a failure in the external storage device of the CCP.

The object of the present invention is not only the remote CCP connected only via a line but also the local CCP directly connected to the host computer, and the CCP such as activating the CCP without the aid of the host computer. Of the CCP, and even when the program operating on the CCP is changed, the program operated on the CCP and the program stored in the external storage device of the CCP are changed by one operation, and CC that has good operation and operability, such as autonomous operation using the external storage device of CCP and operation without using the external storage device of CCP.
It is to provide a method of operating P.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an autonomous operation method of a communication control processing device according to the present invention is
It is characterized by the following configuration.

(1) CCP for both host computer and CCP
From a host computer that has an external storage device for storing the programs running on the network and network definition information
When the program is loaded into the CCP, the program is also stored in the external storage device of the CCP. In the subsequent operation, when the CCP is activated, the program stored in the external storage device is loaded. The program loaded into the CCP has both a data transmission / reception function with the host computer and a data relay function to another communication line, or only a data relay function to another communication line.

(2) C while the program on the CCP is operating
When the network definition information of the CP is changed, the change information is stored in the external storage device of the CCP. When the program is loaded from the external storage device of the CCP and the CCP is activated as described in claim 1, the network definition information on the CCP is changed by the change information stored in the external storage device after the program is loaded. ..

(3) CC using an external storage device of CCP
An autonomous operational mode in which P can be activated and an autonomous inoperable mode in which CCP can be activated only under the control of the host computer are provided. When the CCP is started by an operator command input from the host computer, when the operation in the autonomous operation mode is designated in the operator command, the program is loaded into the CCP and the external storage device of the CCP is stored as described above in (1). Store the program, and then operate in autonomous operation mode. On the other hand, when the operation in the autonomous inoperable mode is designated in the operator command, the program is not stored in the external storage device of the CCP when the program is loaded into the CCP, and the operation in the autonomous inoperable mode is performed thereafter.

(4) C while the program on CCP is running
When the network definition information of the CP is changed, if the corresponding CCP is in the autonomous operation mode, the change information is changed to the CCP.
Stored in the external storage device. On the other hand, if the corresponding CCP is in the autonomous inoperable mode, the change information is not stored in the external storage device of the CCP.

(5) When requesting the mode change shown in (3) by the operator command input from the host computer, if the CCP managed by the host computer is in the autonomous operation mode, it cannot be operated autonomously. Change to mode.

(6) When a failure occurs in a program operating on the CCP or an external storage device for storing change information of the network definition information on the CCP, if the CCP is in the autonomous operation mode, the operation is disabled. The mode is changed to the possible mode and displayed on the operator console of the host computer that manages the CCP.

[0013]

[Action]

According to the configuration of (1), in addition to the remote CCP, the local CCP can activate the CCP without the help of the host computer, and at the same time when the program is loaded from the host computer to the CCP, the external CCP Since the program is also stored in the storage device, even if there is a change in the program operating on the CCP, the program operating on the CCP and the program stored in the external storage device of the CCP can be changed by a single operation.・ Provide CCP autonomous driving with good operability.

According to the configuration of (2), when the program on the CCP changes the network definition information of the CCP during operation, the previous configuration change can be taken over when the CCP is activated.

According to the configurations of (3) and (4), the autonomous operation mode in which the CCP can be activated using the external storage device of the CCP and the autonomous operation in which the CCP can be activated only by the control of the host computer Added impossible mode. As a result, if it takes time to load the program from the host computer, the operation in the autonomous operation enable mode is effective, and if it is not, the autonomous operation is performed for the users who do not need the autonomous operation of the CCP. Impossible mode is in effect.

According to the configuration of (5), it is possible to change the CCP operating in the autonomous operable mode to the autonomous inoperable mode for convenience of operation.

According to the configuration of (6), when a failure occurs in the external storage device of the CCP, the mode is automatically changed to the autonomous inoperable mode, and thus the operation of (5) by the operator is unnecessary.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a system block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Each of the host computers (1-1 to 1-3) is loaded with an executable program including network definition information regarding resources managed or controlled by the host computer itself, and executes this program. The communication control processing device (CCP) (2-1 to 2-3) is loaded with an executable program including network definition information regarding resources controlled by the own CCP, and executes this program. This program has both the data transmission / reception function with the host computer and the data relay function to other communication lines (for local CCP), or only the data relay function to other communication lines (for remote CCP). ). Between the host computer and CCP, channels (3-1 to 3)
The connection is made in -3), and messages can be transmitted and received during this period. The CCP is another CCP or another processing device (5-1 to 5-) via a plurality of communication lines (4-1 to 4-7).
4) Send and receive messages to and from. For a CCP,
Only one host computer that can perform operational operations such as program loading is defined, and this is called the management host. Only one management host for the CCP is assumed to exist at a time, but when a failure occurs in the management host, another host computer can be changed to the management host.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the hardware of the host computer. The instruction execution processor (IP) 9 executes a program and performs data communication processing, business processing, and the like.
The main memory (MS) 10 stores programs, tables, and transmission / reception data. Operator console 6
Performs operator command input and message output to the operator via the service processor (SVP) 11. The input / output control device (IOP) 12 is connected to the CCP and the external storage device through the channel 3 and controls data transmission / reception with these. In the external storage device 7, C
The executable program that runs on the CP and the change information of the network definition information are stored.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the hardware of the CCP. The instruction execution processor (IP) 13 executes a CCP program and performs data communication processing. Main memory
The (MS) 14 stores programs, tables, and transmission / reception data. Channel adapter (CA) (15-1 ~
15-2) connects to the host through channels (3-1 to 3-2) and controls data transmission / reception with the host. A line adapter (LA) (16-1 to 16-2) executes scanning of a plurality of lines, character assembly / disassembly, data transmission / reception with a line, and transmission control procedure with a partner node. The external storage device 8 is connected via a service processor (SVP) 17, and stores an executable program that runs on the CCP and change information of network definition information.

As described in the system configuration, there is only one management host for CCP at a time. The management host is specified in advance in the network definition, but can be changed by an operator command.
The management host is changed by the operator inputting a management host change command to the host computer which he / she wants to newly set as the management host. The management host enables program loading, dump collection, and other operation / maintenance operations for the CCP. After starting the CCP, the management host establishes a logical communication path between the management host and the CCP. After this,
We will call it the management connection. An operation command is issued to the active CCP using the management connection. In the following description, the management host and CCP will be discussed in a 1: 1 relationship.

Two states, a heterogeneous operation state and an autonomous operation state, are defined as the CCP operation states. What is the heterogeneous driving state?
This is a state in which a management connection between the CCP and the management host is established, that is, a state in which the management host can operate the CCP. The autonomous operation state is a state in which the management connection between the CCP and the management host is released, that is, the operation of the management host is stopped or the communication path between the management host and the CCP is disconnected, and the CCP is relayed. Is being used as.

As the CCP operation mode, two modes, an autonomously operable mode and an autonomously inoperable mode, are defined. The autonomous operation mode is an operation that enables the CCP to be started by using an executable program stored in the external storage device of the CCP, and the autonomous operation mode is that the program is loaded from the host computer. It is the operation that can start the CCP only. The operation of the CCP in the autonomous operation enable mode is effective when the host computer is out of operation and when it takes time to load a program from the host computer. On the other hand, in the operation in the autonomous inoperable mode, it is more advantageous in time to load the program from the host computer than to load the program from the external storage device of the CCP, and it is always assumed that the management host is in operation. This is effective when performing the specified operation.

Here, a method of storing a program and information necessary for the external storage device of the CCP to realize the operation in the autonomous operation mode and a method of starting the CCP using these will be described. In the present invention, two operation modes of the CCP, that is, an autonomous operation-enabled mode and an autonomous operation-disabled mode are provided, and an autonomous operation using the CCP external storage device and an operation not using the CCP external storage device. It is designed to be used properly, and an implementation method that takes this into consideration will be described.

The outline of the CCP autonomous driving method will be described with reference to FIG. When the CCP is started by the operator command input from the host computer, when the operation in the autonomous operation mode is specified by the operator command, the CC
The program is stored in the external storage device of the CCP as well as the program is loaded into P. When the operator-operable mode is designated by the operator command, only the program is loaded into the CCP and the CCP is not stored in the external storage device. In this way, when the program is loaded from the host computer to the CCP, the operation mode of the CCP is determined. The determined operation mode is, as described later,
It is recorded in an external storage device of the CCP, and this information is used to determine whether to activate the CCP by itself or under the control of the host computer.

Further, while the program on the CCP is operating, the C
When the network definition information of CP is changed, CC
If P is operating in autonomous operational mode, CCP
The change information is also stored in the external storage device of the CCP together with the change of the above control table. If the CCP is operating in the autonomous inoperable mode, it only changes the control table on the CCP. If the CCP was previously operating in the autonomous operation mode when the CCP was started by turning on the power, etc., the program was loaded from the external storage device of the CCP and then recorded in the external storage device of the CCP. Read the change information of the network definition information, and read this
It is reflected in the table on the main memory of the CP. On the other hand, CC
If P was previously operating in non-autonomous mode,
The CCP waits for activation from the host computer, and activates the CCP according to an instruction from the host computer.

A method for loading a program operating on the CCP from the management host into the CCP and activating the CCP will be described. The program to be loaded is the relevant CC
It is an executable format that contains network definition information about resources controlled by P.

As shown in FIG. 5, the executable program is created by the network definition support 20 with the object program 18 and the network definition 19 as inputs. This operation is performed offline, and the created executable program 21 is stored in the external storage device of the host computer.

Next, the procedure for activating the CCP will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

When the operator command requesting the activation of the CCP is input (100), the host computer obtains the status of whether the communication control program is operating on the CCP (1
01). For example, in the case of a CCP connected to a host computer through a channel, Hitachi Co., Ltd., HITAC Manual, "M Series Processor", 8080-2-001
-50, SENSE command shown in 58-10 is transmitted, and CC is sent by the sense byte from CCP.
The state of P can be obtained. When the CCP is in operation (102), a management connection is established between the host computer and the CCP (107). When the CCP is in the program unloaded state (102), the host computer
After the activation request is transferred to the CCP (103), the executable program that operates on the CCP is read from the external storage device and transferred to the CCP (105). The transfer from the host computer to the CCP is performed by using the channel for the CCP directly connected to the host computer by the channel, and the CCP connected by the line through the other CCP.
Is performed using a line via another CCP. At this time, information indicating the distinction between the autonomously operable mode and the autonomously impossible mode designated by the operator command operand is simultaneously transferred as control information (104).

The CCP expands the executable program transferred from the host computer on the main memory (20).
2). At this time, if the autonomous operational mode is instructed (203), the executable program is stored in the program area of the external storage device (204), and the IPL-TYPE area of the external storage device is set as the "external storage device". (206). On the other hand, if the autonomous inoperable mode is instructed (203), the IPL-TYP of the external storage device is set.
The E area is set to "host computer" (205). IPL
-TYPE is information indicating the load source when the CCP is activated, and corresponds to 1: 1 with the CCP operation mode. That is, if the IPL-TYPE is an "external storage device",
This indicates that the CCP operation mode is the autonomous operation possible mode, and if the IPL-TYPE is the "host computer", it indicates the autonomous operation impossible mode. If there is a CCP activation request from the host computer,
Loading is performed from the host computer regardless of IPL-TYPE. When the above processing is completed, the CCP sends a program load completion notification to the host computer (207). Then, the CCP transfers control to the loaded program.

When the host computer receives the program load completion notification from the CCP (106), the host computer and the C
A management connection is established between CPs (107).

To establish the management connection, as shown in FIG. 9, the host computer sends a management connection establishment request 22 to the CCP, and in response thereto, the CCP sends a management connection establishment response 23 to the host computer. Achieved by. The host computer adds, to the management connection establishment request message, information indicating a distinction between the autonomous operation possible mode / autonomous operation impossible mode designated by the operator command operand.

The CCP is a C designated by the host computer.
The CP operation mode is compared with the current CCP operation mode, and the CCP operation mode is determined as follows. CC
When the current operation mode of P is the autonomous operation impossible mode (108), the operation mode of the CCP is set to the autonomous operation impossible mode (111) regardless of the mode instructed by the host. When the current operation mode of the CCP is the autonomous operational mode (108), the operation mode of the CCP is determined according to the mode instructed by the host (109), (1
10), (111). The initialization program for controlling the loading of the CCP is a ROM (Read Only) on the CCP.
It is stored in the memory) and automatically operates when the program needs to be loaded.

By dividing the processing according to the operation mode of the CCP as described above, efficient operation can be performed. In the autonomous driving mode, C from the host computer
When the program is loaded into the CP, the program is also stored in the external storage device of the CCP at the same time. Therefore, even if the program running on the CCP is changed, the program running on the CCP and the external storage device of the CCP can be operated by one operation. It is possible to change the program stored in, and it is possible to provide autonomous operation of CCP with good operation and operability. Further, in the autonomous operation impossible mode, when the program is loaded from the host computer to the CCP, unnecessary processing such as storing the program in the external storage device of the CCP is not performed.

When the network definition of the CCP is changed while the CCP is in operation (this is called dynamic configuration change), the change information needs to be automatically reflected at the next activation of the CCP. Therefore, especially when the CCP is operated in the autonomous operable mode, it is necessary to store the change information in the external storage device of the CCP. Here, a dynamic configuration changing method for operating the CCP in the autonomous operational mode will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the change information of the network definition of the CCP is described as a definition sentence (this is called a configuration change definition 24), and this is referred to as the network definition support 2
0 is used to convert to the configuration change directory 26 described in the system internal format. This operation is performed offline, and the result is stored in the external storage device of the host computer.
After that, the change information in the configuration change directory is sent to the CCP by a command (CHNGE) requesting a configuration change from the operator console. The CCP adds a control table corresponding to the changed resource according to the change type,
Delete it. After that, if the operation mode of the CCP is the autonomous operation mode, the change information is stored in the external storage device of the CCP. If the operation mode of the CCP is the autonomous operation impossible mode, the storing process is not performed. FIG. 10 shows TCE1.
Delete VDT1 (29-1) under (28-1),
This is an example of adding VDT2 (29-2) under the control of CE2 (28-2).

FIG. 11 shows a method of changing the resource control table on the CCP according to the example of FIG. TSCB (VD
T1) (30-5) is deleted, TSCB (VDT2)
(30-6) is added. The change information stored in the external storage device of the CCP is stored in the order of change, for example, in the formats of FIGS. 12 and 13. The change information has an addition destination resource name 32 and additional table control information 33 in the case of addition, and has a deletion resource name 35 in the case of deletion. For the resource for which the configuration change failed, refer to C
The change information is not stored in the external storage device of the CP.

A method of loading a program operating in CCP from an external storage device of CCP and activating CCP will be described. The program to be loaded is stored in the external storage device of the CCP by the method described in "Method of activating CCP by management host".

The procedure for starting the CCP when the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. When the CCP power is turned on (300), C
The initialization program that controls the loading of the CP starts operation. First, the IPL-T of the external storage device of the CCP
Read the contents of the YPE area. This is the "host computer"
When (301), the host computer waits for a CCP activation request from the host computer (303). In the case of "external storage device" (301), the following processing is performed. First, the executable program that runs on the CCP is read from the external storage device of the CCP and expanded on the main storage device of the CCP (30
2). In this state, if the network definition of the CCP was previously changed while the CCP was in operation, this change information has not been reflected. Therefore, change information of the network definition is CC
The control table corresponding to the changed resource is read out from the external storage device of P and is added or deleted according to the change type in the recorded order (304). The operation mode of the CCP is set to the autonomous operation possible mode, the control is transferred to the loaded program, and the operation of the CCP is started (3.
05). When a failure occurs in the CCP and the CCP is restarted, the CCP is started by the same procedure as above.

As described above, in the boot processing in which the CCP has the initiative, the IP is executed regardless of the operating state of the host computer.
The program loading source is determined by L-TYPE, but when a CCP activation request is received from the host computer, loading from the host computer is started regardless of IPL-TYPE (see "How to activate CCP by management host"). Start with the steps shown).

The operation method when the CCP is operating in the autonomous operation state will be described, particularly focusing on the response when a failure occurs. For failures that occur during autonomous driving, prevention of loss of failure information and automatic recovery of failures are key points in operation. For the former point, to provide a RAS log information storage area and a dump information storage area on the external storage device of the CCP so that maintenance personnel can troubleshoot later when a failure occurs during autonomous operation. The collected fault information is stored in these areas, and when the CCP enters the heterogeneous operation state, the information is transferred to the management host and edited and output. On the other hand, with respect to the latter point, when a failure occurs in the CCP, the dump information is collected, and then the CCP is restarted by the method described in "The method of autonomously starting the CCP". Further, when a failure occurs in the line, after the RAS log information is collected, the line connection procedure is repeated at regular intervals.

When a failure occurs in the external storage device of the CCP, the processing of FIGS. 15 and 16 is performed depending on the type of failure.

When a failure of the entire external storage device or a failure occurs in a program operating on the CCP or an area for storing change information of the network definition information on the CCP (4
00), since the operation of the CCP based on the external storage device is no longer possible, if the CCP is in the autonomous operation mode (401), it is changed to the autonomous operation impossible mode (402) and at the same time If so, the IPL-TYPE area of the external storage device of the CCP is set to the "host computer" (403). In addition, the CCP management host is notified that the operation mode of the CCP has been changed (404) and displayed as a message on the operator console (40).
5). When a failure occurs in the area for storing the CCP dump information or RAS log information, the CCP can be started using the external storage device of the CCP. Therefore, whether or not to operate in the autonomous operation mode thereafter is determined by the operator. Discretion.

If the operation is performed in the autonomous inoperable mode thereafter, the command requesting the change of the operation mode of the CCP is input from the management host of the CCP.
Change the CP operation mode to the autonomous operation impossible mode.
When the command is input (500), a request for changing the operation mode of the CCP is transferred to the CCP (501). If the current operation mode is the autonomous operation enable mode (502), the CCP changes this to the autonomous operation impossible mode (503) and at the same time sets the IPL-TYPE area of the external storage device to the "host computer" ( 504). If the current operation mode is the autonomous operation impossible mode (502), nothing is done.

As described above, by changing the operation mode of the CCP automatically or by the operator's operation depending on the type of failure of the CCP external storage device, it is possible to perform appropriate operation depending on the situation.

FIG. 17 shows the state transition regarding the determination or change of the operation mode of the CCP. The operation mode of the CCP is determined by the operation mode specified by the operator at the start of the CCP instructed by the operator. In addition, during the operation of the CCP, it can be automatically changed by an operator's instruction requesting a change of the operation mode or by a failure of the CCP external storage device. The operation mode of the CCP that is already in operation can only be changed from the autonomous operation possible mode to the autonomous operation impossible mode. This is C in the autonomous inoperable mode.
This is because the content of the external storage device of the CP is not guaranteed and it cannot be operated in the autonomous operable mode. In this case, an operator command designating forced loading and operation in the autonomous operational mode is input from the host computer to start the CCP, thereby loading the program into the CCP and storing the program in the external storage device of the CCP. As a result, the CCP can be operated in the autonomous operable mode. However, since the program is loaded, the communication processing on the CCP is temporarily stopped.

[0048]

According to the present invention, in addition to the remote CCP connected only via a line, a local CCP directly connected to a host computer is also targeted, and a plurality of host computers and CCPs and the connection between them are connected. In a communication network composed of connection media, by providing an external storage device for storing change information of programs and network definitions in the CCP, the CCP can be autonomously activated without the help of the host computer. Operation is possible. Further, since the program is stored in the external storage device of the CCP and the program is loaded into the CCP at the same time, even if the program is changed, the program and the CCP that operate on the CCP can be operated by one operation even if the program is changed.
The program stored in the external storage device can be changed, and autonomous operation of the CCP with good operation and operability can be provided. Furthermore, by providing the two modes of the CCP operation mode, that is, the autonomous operation possible mode and the autonomous operation impossible mode, loading the program from the host computer to the CCP is more effective than loading from the external storage device of the CCP. When it is advantageous in terms of time or when a failure occurs in the external storage device of the CCP, it is possible to respond flexibly.
Autonomous operation using external storage device of CCP, CC
The operation without using the external storage device of P can be selectively used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an autonomous driving method of a CCP.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network system including a host computer and a CCP.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of hardware of a host computer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of hardware of a CCP.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of creating an executable program.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a CCP activation procedure (host side) by the management host.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a CCP activation procedure (host side) by the management host.

FIG. 8: CCP startup procedure by management host (CCP
Side).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for establishing a management connection.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a dynamic configuration change of a CCP.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a method of changing a resource control table of a CCP.

FIG. 12: Network definition change information (resource addition)
Explanatory drawing showing.

[Figure 13] Network definition change information (resource deletion)
Explanatory drawing showing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a startup procedure when the power of the CCP is turned on.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the change of the operation mode of the CCP when a failure occurs in the CCP external storage device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the change of the operation mode of the CCP by the operator command.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a state transition relating to the operation mode of the CCP.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Host computer, 2 ... Communication control processor (CCP),
6 ... Operator console, 7 ... External storage device of host computer, 8 ... External storage device of CCP, 14 ... Main storage device (MS), 36 ... CCP program, 37 ... Configuration change information.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. In a communication network composed of a plurality of host computers, a communication control processing device, and a connection medium connecting them, each of the host computer and the communication control processing device operates on the communication control processing device. An external storage device for storing a program and network definition information to be stored, and when the program is loaded from the host computer to the communication control processing device, the program is also stored in the external storage device of the communication control processing device, In the subsequent operation, when the communication control processing device is activated, the program stored in the external storage device is loaded, and the operation method of the communication control processing device. 2. The communication control processing device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control processing device is directly connected to the host computer or is remotely connected via a line, while the communication control processing device is loaded into the communication control processing device. In the former case, the program has both the data transmission / reception function with the host computer and the data relay function to other communication lines, and in the latter case, the communication control has only the data relay function to other communication lines. Operation method of processing equipment. 3. When the program on the communication control processing device changes the network definition information held by the communication control processing device during operation, the change information is stored on an external storage device of the communication control processing device. Change information stored in the external storage device after the program is loaded when the program is newly loaded from the external storage device of the communication control processing device and the communication control processing device is activated in a subsequent operation. A method of operating a communication control processing device, which changes network definition information on the communication control processing device. 4. The communication control process according to claim 1, wherein the communication control processing device uses the external storage device of the communication control processing device to activate the communication control processing device, and only the host computer controls the communication control processing. When the communication control processing device is started by an operator command input from the host computer, an autonomous inoperable mode capable of starting the device is provided, and when the operation in the autonomous operation possible mode is designated in the operator command, the communication is performed. When the program is loaded into the control processing device and the program is stored in the external storage device of the communication control processing device, and thereafter the operation is performed in the autonomous operation possible mode, and the operation in the autonomous operation impossible mode is designated in the operator command. , At the time of loading the program into the communication control processor Without storing the program in the external storage device of the communication control processing unit, an operation method of a communication control processing apparatus for performing operation by the autonomous operation impossible mode later. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the program on the communication control processing device changes network definition information held by the communication control processing device while the program is running, if the communication control processing device is in an autonomous operational mode, the change is made. Communication control in which information is stored in an external storage device of the communication control processing device and the change information is not stored in the external storage device of the communication control processing device if the communication control processing device is in an autonomous inoperable mode. Operation method of processing equipment. 6. In claim 4, when a mode change is requested by an operator command input from the host computer, if the communication control processing device managed by the host computer is in an autonomous operational mode, this is set. A method of operating a communication control processing device for changing to the autonomous inoperable mode. 7. The communication control according to claim 4, wherein a failure occurs in a program operating on the communication control processing device or an external storage device storing change information of network definition information on the communication control processing device. A method of operating a communication control processing device, wherein when the processing device is in an autonomous operation possible mode, it is changed to the autonomous operation impossible mode and is displayed on an operator console of the host computer which manages the communication control processing device.