JPH06350819A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a facsimile equipment of high reliability by providing two magnetic disk devices, executing a data recording operation for the first magnetic disk device and recording the same data in the second magnetic disk device. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile equipment is provided with two magnetic disk devices 14 and 15 and it realizes what is called a mirrored disk system. The magnetic disk devices 14 and 15 ar external storage devices with large capacity, and they store system software, system files, plural pieces of application software, multiple picture files and application software file data. When the recording contents of the magnetic disk devices 14 and 15 of a self terminal are given to a terminal on a local area network, data can be read from the terminal on the local area network if data cannot be read from the magnetic disk devices 14 and 15 of the self terminal, and the reliability of the operation of the facsimile equipment can considerably be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine using a magnetic disk device as an external storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been put into practical use a facsimile apparatus equipped with a magnetic disk apparatus, which stores image information in the magnetic disk apparatus and stores various information necessary for managing the apparatus.

[0003]

However, such a conventional device has the following disadvantages.

That is, the magnetic disk device is greatly affected by an external force such as vibration applied from the outside. For example, the contents of the magnetic disk device are destroyed during transportation of the facsimile device, and necessary data is lost. Inconvenience may have occurred.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a highly reliable facsimile apparatus.

[0006]

According to the present invention, two sets of magnetic disk devices are provided, a data recording operation is performed on the first magnetic disk device, and the same data is recorded on the second magnetic disk device. It is the one.

Also, two sets of magnetic disk devices are provided, and the first
Data recording operation to the magnetic disk device of
While recording the same data in the second magnetic disk device, when an error occurs when reading the data from the first magnetic disk device, a read operation for the same data is performed in the second magnetic disk device. It is the one that is supposed to be executed.

Further, in a facsimile apparatus which is connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and has a local area network server function in this local network, a magnetic disk device for recording data is provided, and the magnetic disk is used. The data recording operation is performed on the device, and the same data is stored in another terminal connected to the local area network.

Further, in a facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and having a local area network server function in this local network, a magnetic disk device for recording data is provided, and the magnetic disk is used. While the device performs a data recording operation and stores the same data in another terminal connected to the local area network, when an error occurs when the data is read from the magnetic disk device, the same data The read operation is executed for another terminal.

[0010]

Therefore, since the magnetic disk device is duplicated and the so-called mirrored disk function is realized, the reliability of data storage can be improved and the reliability of the facsimile device can be remarkably improved. In addition, since the recorded content of the magnetic disk device of the own terminal is also provided to the terminal on the local area network,
When the data cannot be read from the magnetic disk device of the own terminal, the data can be read from the terminal on the local area network, and the reliability of the operation of the facsimile device is significantly improved.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a local area network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, m personal computers PC1, PC2, ..., PCm, and a facsimile machine I having a local area network server function.
The FAX is connected to the concentrator HUB, and the concentrator H
These personal computer PC via UB
1, PC2, ..., PCm and facsimile machine I
FAX is connected.

Here, the concentrator HUB is, for example, 10
It is for configuring a star type local area network such as BASE-T (IEEE802.3CSMA / CD). In this local area network system, the control processing and application software programs of the personal computers PC1, PC2, ..., PCm and the facsimile machine IFAX are based on a so-called multi-window type network operating system. I have to. In addition, one or more administrator users for managing the local area network system are set.

Further, the facsimile machine IFAX includes personal computers PC1, PC2, ..., PCm.
The same one or more application software as described above, or an application program capable of printing a file created by the application software is installed (implemented). At the same time, the facsimile machine IFAX has a transmission / reception function of file data created by application software.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the facsimile machine IFAX. This facsimile machine IFAX is provided with two sets of magnetic disk devices and realizes a so-called mirrored disk system.

In FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 1
Controls the operation of each part of the facsimile machine IFAX,
The group 3 facsimile transmission function and the processing of the local area network server function are implemented, and the ROM (read only memory) 2 is a C
The RA 1 is for storing various data referred to in the process executed by the PU 1 and information unique to the facsimile apparatus IFAX (for example, a machine identification number described later).
The M (random access memory) 3 is for configuring the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 1,
The clock device 4 is for outputting current time information and the like. The RAM 3 and the clock device 4 are backed up by the battery 5.

The scanner 6 is for reading and inputting a document image at a predetermined resolution, and the image processing section 7 is
The operation of the scanner 6 is controlled, and various image processing such as pixel density conversion is applied to the image data read by the scanner 6.

The page printer 8 is for recording high-resolution and high-quality images on plain paper such as a laser beam printer, and the recording controller 9 is for controlling the recording operation of the page printer 8. Is.

The operation display unit 10 is for directly operating the facsimile machine IFAX locally.
The encoding / decoding unit 11 is for executing a predetermined image encoding / decoding process.

The floppy disk device 12 is for recording / reproducing / erasing data on a floppy disk (not shown).
This is for controlling the operation of the floppy disk device 12.

The magnetic disk devices 14 and 15 are large-capacity external storage devices, and store system software, system files, a plurality of application software, a large number of image files, application software file data, and the like. The magnetic disk control units 16 and 17 are for controlling the operation of the magnetic disk devices 14 and 15.

The local area network interface 18 is for connecting to the concentrator HUB, and the local network control section 19 is for performing a data transmission operation according to a predetermined local area network control procedure. .

The group 3 facsimile modem 20 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and is a low speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanging image information. High-speed modem function (V.33 modem,
V. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control device 21 is for connecting the facsimile device IFAX to the public telephone line network and has an automatic call originating / receiving function. A handset 22 for calling is attached to the network control device 21.

These CPU1, ROM2, RAM3,
Clock device 4, image processing unit 7, recording control unit 9, operation display unit 10, encoding / decoding unit 11, floppy disk control unit 13, magnetic disk control units 16 and 17, local area network control unit 19, group 3 facsimile The modem 20 and the network control device 21 are connected to the system bus 23.
Data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the system bus 23.

FIG. 3 shows an example of processing when storing some data in the magnetic disk devices 14 and 15 in the processing of the system of the facsimile apparatus IFAX. In this case, the magnetic disk device 14 is used as a main device, and the magnetic disk device 15 is used as a secondary device.

First, the magnetic disk device 14 (HDD 1)
A data recording request to the magnetic disk device 14 (process 101), the recording data at that time is recorded in the magnetic disk device 14, and a data recording request is made to the magnetic disk device 15 (HDD 2) (process 102), and the data is recorded in the magnetic disk device 14. The recorded data is also recorded in the magnetic disk device 15.

At this time, it is checked whether an error has occurred during data recording of the magnetic disk device 14 (decision 10
3) When the result of determination 103 is YES, the fact that a data recording error has occurred in the magnetic disk device 14 is displayed on the operation display unit 10 (process 104), and the data recording error has occurred in the magnetic disk device 14. A message to notify that is created, and the message is notified to a predetermined administrator user of this local area network (process 105).

Further, it is checked whether or not an error has occurred during data recording of the magnetic disk device 15 (determination 10
6) When the result of determination 106 is YES, the fact that a data recording error has occurred in the magnetic disk device 15 is displayed on the operation display unit 10 (process 107), and the data recording error has occurred in the magnetic disk device 15. A message to notify that is created, and the message is notified to a predetermined administrator user (process 108).

FIG. 4 shows an example of processing when a data recording request is made to the magnetic disk devices 14 and 15.

First, a predetermined data recording command in which a head sector for recording data and a data size expressing the size of the data to be recorded at that time are expressed (data processing command) is created. And the recording data are output to the magnetic disk device 14 (or the magnetic disk device 15) that requests data recording at that time (process 202). Then, the data recording result at that time is transferred to the magnetic disk device 14 that requested the data recording.
(Or, input from the magnetic disk device 15) (process 203).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the data recording operation performed by the magnetic disk devices 14 and 15.

First, the recording data transferred at that time is temporarily stored (process 301), and the recording unit (for example,
A recording track and a sector for recording recording data of (sector) are set (process 302), and the sector is sought (process 303).

Then, a data recording process (process 304) for recording data in the target sector at that time is executed. The data recording process includes a data replacement process for a defective sector.

In this way, when data recording is completed for one recording unit, it is checked whether or not the recording operation at that time is normally completed (decision 305). When the result of judgment 305 is YES, the next recording is performed. Check if there is data (decision 306), the result of decision 306 is YES
Then, the process returns to the process 302 and the data recording operation for the next recording unit is executed.

Further, when the result of the judgment 306 is NO, the process which requested the data recording operation at that time is notified that the data recording operation requested at that time is normally completed (process 307). ), And ends this operation.

When a data recording error occurs and the result of the determination 305 is NO, it means that the data recording operation requested at that time has ended in error.
At that time, the process requesting the data recording operation is notified (process 308), and this operation ends in error.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the data recording operation for the magnetic disk device 14 occurs, the same data recording operation is executed for the magnetic disk device 15, so that the recording of the magnetic disk device 14 is performed. The contents and the recorded contents of the magnetic disk device 15 become the same. The magnetic disk device 14 and the magnetic disk device 15 are
They have the same head configuration, the same disk surface configuration, and the same data format (hence the same data storage capacity).

FIG. 6 shows an example of processing when reading data from the magnetic disk device 14.

First, data reading is executed from the magnetic disk device 14 (process 401), and it is checked whether or not the data could be read normally at that time (decision 402). When the result of the determination 402 is YES, this operation ends.

When the result of the judgment 402 is NO, the data read operation is executed for the magnetic disk device 15 for the same data (process 403). At this time, it is checked whether or not the data can be read normally (decision 404). When the result of the decision 404 is NO, the fact that a data read error has occurred is displayed on the operation display unit 10 (process 405). A message is generated to notify that a data read error has occurred, and the message is notified to a predetermined administrator user (process 406).

When the result of the determination 404 is YES, the operation of re-recording the recording data read at that time in the magnetic disk device 14 is executed (process 40).
7). When an error occurs in data recording in this re-recording operation (process 408), the fact that a data re-recording error has occurred is displayed on the operation display unit 10 (process 409), and a data re-recording error occurs. A message for notifying that this has been done is created, and the message is notified to a predetermined administrator user (process 410).

FIG. 7 shows an example of processes 401 and 403 executed when data is read from the magnetic disk devices 14 and 15.

First, a predetermined data read command in which the first sector of the storage area in which the read data is stored and the data size expressing the size of the read data in the data recording unit are set is created (process 501).
The data read command is output to the magnetic disk device 14 (or the magnetic disk device 15) that requests data reading at that time (process 502). Then, the read data and the read result at that time are stored in the magnetic disk device 14 (or,
It is input from the magnetic disk device 15) (process 503).

FIG. 8 shows a processing example of a data read operation executed by the magnetic disk devices 14 and 15.

First, the recording track and sector corresponding to the first sector designated at that time are set, the sector is sought (process 601), and the data read process for reading the data of the designated data size is executed. (Process 60
2). In this data reading process, if there is a defective sector whose sector has been replaced, a data reading operation from the replacement sector corresponding to the defective sector is executed.

At this time, it is checked whether or not the data reading operation has been normally completed (decision 603), and when the result of the judgment 603 is YES, the data read at that time is requested and the data reading operation is requested at that time. It is sent to the process (step 604), and this operation ends.

If an error occurs during data reading and the result of determination 603 is NO, the process requesting the data reading operation is notified that a data reading error has occurred. (Process 6
05), the operation ends.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the data cannot be normally read from the magnetic disk device 14, the same data read operation is executed for the magnetic disk device 15, so that data storage is performed. The reliability of can be greatly improved.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the magnetic disk device 14, which is duplicated in the facsimile device IFAX,
Although a magnetic disk device 15 is provided and a mirrored disk system is configured by these magnetic disk devices 14 and 15, the reliability of data storage is improved, but the recorded data is stored in the server device set in the local area network. By holding the, the same function can be realized.

In this case, the facsimile machine IFAX
The configuration is as shown in FIG. Here, in the figure,
The same parts as those in FIG. 2 and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

The facsimile machine IFAX is provided with one magnetic disk device 14.

Further, personal computers PC1, PC2, ... Connected to the local area network
.., one of PCm, for example, the personal computer PC1 is set as a file server, and a large-capacity magnetic disk device (not shown) included in the personal computer PC1 is shown in FIG. As described above, in addition to the area for the own terminal that the own terminal can use to function as the file server, the virtual magnetic disk device image area for the facsimile machine that functions as the virtual magnetic disk device of the facsimile machine IFAX is provided. Has been secured.

Here, the contents of the image area of the virtual magnetic disk device for the facsimile machine are the contents of the facsimile machine IF.
Managed by AX.

FIG. 11 shows an example of processing when the facsimile apparatus IFAX records data on the magnetic disk apparatus 14.

First, a data recording request is made to the magnetic disk device 14 (process 701), the recording data at that time is recorded in the magnetic disk device 14, and the virtual magnetic disk device data is sent to the file server (that is, the personal computer PC1). A recording request is made (process 702), and the recording data recorded in the magnetic disk device 14 is also recorded in the virtual magnetic disk device image area for the facsimile machine of the file server.

At this time, it is checked whether or not an error has occurred during data recording of the magnetic disk device 14 (determination 70
3) When the result of determination 703 is YES, the fact that a data recording error has occurred in the magnetic disk device 14 is displayed on the operation display unit 10 (process 704), and the data recording error has occurred in the magnetic disk device 14. A message to notify that is created, and the message is notified to a predetermined administrator user of this local area network (process 705).

Further, in response to the virtual magnetic disk device data recording request, it is checked whether or not a data recording error is notified from the file server (judgment 706), and judgment 70
When the result of 6 is YES, the fact that a data recording error has occurred in the file server is displayed on the operation display unit 10 (process 707), and a message is generated to notify the file server that a data recording error has occurred. Then, the message is notified to a predetermined administrator user (process 708).

FIG. 12 shows an example of processing when a virtual magnetic disk device data recording request is made to the file server. The operation of the process 701 has the same contents as the process shown in FIG.

First, in the virtual magnetic disk image area for a facsimile machine, a head virtual sector representing a virtual sector for recording data and a data size expressing the size of the data recorded at that time in a data recording unit are set. A predetermined data recording command is created (process 801), and the data recording command and the recording data are
Transfer to the file server via the local area network (process 802). Then, the data recording result at that time is received from the file server (process 80).
3).

FIG. 13 shows an example of processing when the file server receives a virtual magnetic disk device data recording request.

First, a virtual magnetic disk device data recording request is accepted (process 901), and the recorded data is received and stored (process 902). Next, the actual sector on the magnetic disk device corresponding to the head virtual sector notified at that time is calculated as the head sector (process 904).

Next, a data recording request corresponding to the recording data received at that time is issued to the magnetic disk device (process 904), and the recording data is designated in the virtual magnetic disk image area for the facsimile device in the magnetic disk device. Recorded in the area.

Then, at that time, it is checked whether the data recording operation has been completed normally (judgment 905), and judgment 9 is made.
When the result of 05 is YES, a message indicating that the data recording operation has ended normally is notified to the facsimile apparatus IFAX (step 906), and this operation ends. When the result of determination 905 is NO, a message indicating that the data recording operation has ended in error is notified to the facsimile apparatus IFAX (process 907), and this operation is ended.

FIG. 14 shows an example of processing when reading data from the magnetic disk device 14 according to the present embodiment.

First, data reading is executed from the magnetic disk device 14 (process 1001) and it is checked whether or not the data could be read normally at that time (decision 100).
2). When the result of determination 1002 is YES, this operation ends.

When the result of determination 1002 is NO, a data read operation is executed for the same data in the virtual magnetic disk image area for the facsimile machine of the file server (process 1003).

At this time, it is checked whether or not the data can be read normally (decision 1004). If the result of the decision 1004 is NO, the fact that a data read error has occurred is displayed on the operation display unit 10 (process). 100
5) Create a message notifying that a data read error has occurred, and notify the message to a predetermined administrator user (process 1006).

When the result of determination 1004 is YES, the operation of rerecording the recording data read at that time in the magnetic disk device 14 is executed (process 100).
7). When an error occurs in data recording in this re-recording operation (process 1008), the fact that a data re-recording error has occurred is displayed on the operation display unit 10 (process 1009), and a data re-recording error occurs. A message for notifying that this has been done is created, and the message is notified to a predetermined administrator user (process 1010).

FIG. 15 shows an example of processing executed in the processing 1001 when reading data from the virtual magnetic disk image area for the facsimile machine of the file server. Note that the same process as in FIG. 7 can be used for the process of reading data from the magnetic disk device 14.

First, in the virtual magnetic disk image area for the facsimile machine of the file server, the head virtual sector representing the head sector of the storage area in which the read data is stored, and the data representing the size of the read data in data recording units A predetermined data read command in which the size is set is created (process 1101), and the data read command is transferred to the file server via the local area network (process 110).
2). Then, the read data and the read result at that time are received from the file server (process 110).
3).

FIG. 16 shows an example of processing when the file server requests a data read operation from the facsimile machine virtual magnetic disk image area from the facsimile machine IFAX.

First, the actual sector on the magnetic disk device corresponding to the head virtual sector notified at that time is calculated as the head sector (process 1201). Then, in the magnetic disk device, the head sector calculated at that time,
A data read request is issued with the notified read data size specified (process 1202).

As a result, it is checked whether or not the data can be normally read from the magnetic disk device (decision 1203).
When the result of determination 1203 is YES, the data read at that time is transferred as read data to the facsimile apparatus IFAX via the local area network (process 1204), and this operation is ended.

Further, when the result of the judgment 1203 is NO, the fact that a data read error has occurred indicates that the facsimile machine IF has passed through the local area network.
Notify AX.

In this way, in this embodiment, since the data to be recorded in the magnetic disk device 14 is also stored in the file server on the local area network, the reliability of data recording is significantly improved. The reliability of the operation of the facsimile machine IFAX is remarkably improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the virtual magnetic disk image area for the facsimile apparatus is set in the file server set on the local area network has been described, but the data to be recorded in the magnetic disk apparatus 14 is predetermined. By assigning a file name and transferring the file to the file server, the magnetic disk device 14
It is also possible to realize duplicated memory contents.

In this case, the facsimile machine IFAX
At the time of data recording, after the data recording operation for the magnetic disk device 14 is executed, the processing as shown in FIG. 13 is executed.

That is, the facsimile machine IFAX
A predetermined file name is set to the data recorded at this time, and a file open (recording mode) is requested for the file having the set file name to the file server via the local area network (Process 1).
301).

As a result, the file server executes the file open operation of the file name specified at that time. At this time, since the recording mode is set, data can be recorded in the opened file.

In this state, the facsimile machine IFAX
However, when the contents of the file are transferred to the file server via the local area network (process 1302),
The file server records the content of the file received at that time as the content of the file opened at that time.

When the file transfer is completed, the facsimile apparatus IFAX requests the file server to close the file via the local area network (process 1303). As a result, the file server closes the file in which data is recorded at that time.

Further, the facsimile apparatus IFAX, at the time of data recording, executes the data reading operation for the magnetic disk device 14 and then executes the processing as shown in FIG.

That is, the facsimile machine IFAX
At this time, the file name set for the data to be read is obtained, and a file open (read only) request is made to the file server for the file having that file name via the local area network (process 1401).

As a result, the file server executes the file open operation of the file name designated at that time, reads the contents of the file, and reads the contents of the file via the local area network to the facsimile machine IFAX. Transfer to.

In this way, since the data of the opened file is transferred from the file server, the facsimile apparatus IFAX receives the transferred file (process 1402).

When the reception of the file is completed, the facsimile apparatus IFAX requests the file server to close the file via the local area network (process 1403). As a result, the file server closes the file opened at that time.

In this case, the magnetic disk unit 14 of the facsimile apparatus IFAX is used by using the normal file transfer.
Since the recorded contents of can be held in the file server, it is not necessary for the file server to have a special function.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the facsimile machine IF connected to the local area network
The case where the present invention is applied to the AX has been described, but the present invention is directed to the facsimile apparatus I connected to one personal computer PC as shown in FIG.
The same applies to FAX '.

In this case, the facsimile machine IFAX '
20 has a configuration in which the local area network interface 18 and the local network control unit 19 of the facsimile apparatus IFAX shown in FIG. 2 are replaced with a host interface circuit 25 for connecting to a personal computer PC, as shown in FIG. . Further, this facsimile apparatus IFAX 'also has a transmission / reception function similar to that of the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus IFAX.

Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a single facsimile machine.

The present invention can be similarly applied to a local area network system having a system configuration different from the above-described configuration and a facsimile machine, and the present invention can be similarly applied to a group 4 facsimile machine. Can be applied.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the magnetic disk device is duplicated and the so-called mirrored disk function is realized, the reliability of data storage can be improved, and the reliability of the facsimile device can be significantly improved. Further, since the recorded contents of the magnetic disk device of the own terminal are also held in the terminal on the local area network, when the data cannot be read from the magnetic disk device of the own terminal, the contents on the local area network are Data can be read from the terminal, and the reliability of the operation of the facsimile device is significantly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a local network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing example when data is stored.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a data recording request process for the magnetic disk device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of data recording processing of the magnetic disk device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example at the time of reading data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of data read request processing for the magnetic disk device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of data reading processing of the magnetic disk device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of division of a storage area of a magnetic disk device of a file server set on a local area network.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of a data recording request process for the magnetic disk device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of data recording request processing for the file server.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a data recording process executed by the file server.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another example of a data read request process for the magnetic disk device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of data read request processing for the file server.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a data reading process executed by the file server.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a file saving process for a file server.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a file reading process for the file server.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 PC1 to PCm, PC Personal computer HUB Concentrator IFAX, IFAX 'Facsimile device 14, 15 Magnetic disk device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04L 29/14 29/12

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising two sets of magnetic disk devices, wherein a data recording operation is performed on the first magnetic disk device and the same data is recorded on the second magnetic disk device. 2. A set of two magnetic disk devices is provided, wherein a data recording operation is performed on the first magnetic disk device and the same data is recorded on the second magnetic disk device.
A facsimile apparatus, wherein when an error occurs when reading data from the first magnetic disk device, a read operation for the same data is executed for the second magnetic disk device. 3. A facsimile apparatus, which is connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and has a local area network server function in the local network, comprising a magnetic disk device for recording data, the magnetic disk. A facsimile machine characterized by performing a data recording operation on the machine and storing the same data in another terminal connected to a local area network. 4. A facsimile apparatus, which is connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and has a local area network server function in this local network, comprising a magnetic disk device for recording data, the magnetic disk. While the device performs a data recording operation and stores the same data in another terminal connected to the local area network, when an error occurs when the data is read from the magnetic disk device, the same data A facsimile apparatus, which performs a read operation for another terminal.