JPH07334467A - Computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the response as a whole and to prevent the generation of an interruption accident due to overload by selecting an external storage means having the lowest load and the largest free capacity and writing data in the selected storage means. CONSTITUTION:This computer system 100 consists of a processor 101, a processor bus 102, a bus controller 103, a main memory 104, an I/O bus 105, an SCSI control part 106, an operation condition interface 107, an SCSI bus 109, state reporting buses 110 to 112, and external storage means 113 to 115. By storing the load states of storage devices in the means 113 to 115 and the free capacity of a temporary file in a storage medium state table through the buses 110 to 112 and the interface 107, the operating conditions of respective storage devices are always grasped and data can be distributed to a storage device having the lowest load and the largest free capacity.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer system, and more particularly to a computer system having improved processing efficiency and reliability due to load distribution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a computer system, a client / server type computer system has become mainstream.

In a client / server type computer system, an operating system (hereinafter abbreviated as OS) having a multitask control function, such as UNIX, suitable for managing a large number of users (hereinafter referred to as clients) is used. To be done.

These OSs sequentially allocate necessary virtual storage areas in accordance with business program execution instructions from each client.

In a normal client / server type computer system, this virtual area generally uses a hard disk device in addition to the main storage device.

In this virtual area, there are a business program itself, an area that is taken as a fixed file for storing data to be finally output, and an instruction from a client as a work area for executing the business program. Areas that are provisionally taken only when the following (hereinafter referred to as temporary files) are roughly divided into two types.

Generally, this temporary file requires a much larger capacity than the above-mentioned fixedly taken area, and therefore, when the processing of the business program is completed, the OS erases this area, that is, Release,
Prepare for the next instruction from the client.

In the conventional client / server system, a temporary file uses only a preset area in a storage device.

Generally, the operation manager of the computer system sets the area of the temporary file,
After the computer system starts operating, the change cannot be made until the computer system is stopped.

[0010]

However, in the conventional client / server type computer system, when a large number of clients issue business program execution instructions (hereinafter referred to as "process generation"), temporary storage in the storage device is performed. File, eg RO in UNIX
A situation occurs in which the entire OT disk is used up.

As a result, the processes that have occurred thereafter enter the queue, any of the processes that have already occurred are terminated, the OS releases the area, and the released area is wide enough for the execution of the process. Until the area becomes available, it will not be executed, and from the client's point of view, the business program that the user has instructed will appear to hang up while stopped.

In such a case, a user who is familiar with the operation of the OS can estimate that the operating status of the server computer he is using is close to full operation.

However, when a large number of general users encounter such a situation, they often perform an operation that is unpredictable for the OS developer, and this appears as a bug of the OS, and the entire computer system is exposed. There is a risk of bringing it down.

As a countermeasure against this, it is possible to set a large capacity in advance in setting the area of the temporary file.

However, the maximum used capacity of the temporary file is dynamically determined only by the operating status of the computer system, and merely increasing the capacity is not a fundamental countermeasure and is not used. There is a problem in that the operating efficiency of the system is rather deteriorated by simply increasing the area.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to detect the operating state of the storage means in a computer system in which a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner. By writing data to the storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space, the response of the entire computer system is improved and
It is to provide a technology capable of preventing a stop accident due to overload and improving reliability.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0018]

Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, a brief description will be given to the outline of typical ones.
It is as follows.

(1) A computer having at least a processor and a main storage device, and a plurality of external storage means connected to the computer via a bus line. In the computer, a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner. In this computer system, a status report bus line is provided between the external storage means and the computer, and the plurality of external storage means are used as respective load status information and work areas via the status report bus line. A means for reporting available free space information to a computer, said computer receiving means for receiving load status information and free space information from said plurality of external storage means via a status reporting bus line; Stores the load status and free space for each of a plurality of external storage means based on the load status information and free space information from the external storage means A first storage unit for storing the external storage unit used as a work area for each process until the process is completed, and a plurality of external storage units from the plurality of processes. When there is an access request for use as a work area, the second storage means is referred to, a search means for searching the external storage means used as the work area by the requested process, and the requesting means. When the external storage means used as a work area by the process is not stored in the second storage means, the external storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space is referred to by referring to the first storage means. Selecting means for selecting, the means for storing the requested process and the selected external storage means in the second storage means, and the searching means or the selecting means. Characterized by comprising a means for writing data from the process that requested the constant external storage unit.

(2) A computer having at least a processor and a main storage device, and a plurality of external storage means connected to the computer via a bus line. A plurality of processes are multiplexed on the computer. In the operating computer system, the plurality of external storage means includes means for adding to the computer the load status information and free space information usable as a work area to normal transmission data and transmitting the data to the computer. However, there is a storage unit that stores an external storage unit used as a work area for each process until the process is completed, and an access request used as a work region from the plurality of processes to the plurality of external storage units. If so, the external storage means used as the work area by the requested process is detected by referring to the storage means. And the external storage means used by the requested process as a work area is not stored in the storage means, the load status information and free space information transmitted from the plurality of external storage means Based on this, means for selecting the external storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space, means for storing the requested process and the selected external storage means in the storage means, and the determination means or the selection means Means for writing data from the requested process to the external storage means.

(3) A computer having at least a processor and a main storage device, and a plurality of external storage means connected to the computer via a bus line. A plurality of processes are multiplexed on the computer. In the operating computer system, the computer has a first storage means for storing a load status and a free space available as a work area for each of the plurality of external storage means, and an external storage used as a work area for each process. Second storage means for storing means until the end of the process, and the second storage means when the plurality of processes makes an access request to the plurality of external storage means for use as a work area Searching means for searching the external storage means used by the requested process as a work area, and the requested process When the external storage means used as the work area is not stored in the second storage means, the external storage means with the lowest load and the largest available capacity is selected by referring to the first storage means. Selection means, means for storing the requested process and the selected external storage means in the second storage means, and data from the process requested to the external storage means determined by the search means or the selection means. And a means for storing the determined load status and free space of the external storage means in the first storage means based on the determined write time and data amount of the data in the external storage means. It is characterized by doing.

[0022]

According to the means of the first aspect, in a computer system in which a computer and a plurality of external storage means are connected via a bus line, and a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer, the external storage means and the computer A status report bus line is provided between the two, and a plurality of external storage means reports respective load status information and free space information usable as a work area to the computer via the status report bus line.

Further, the computer stores the load status and the free capacity of each of the plurality of external storage means based on the load status information and the free capacity information from the plurality of external storage means.
And second storage means for storing external storage means used as a work area for each process until the process ends.

When a plurality of processes request access to a plurality of external storage means for a second time or later to be used as a work area, the requested process is referred to as a work area by referring to the second storage means. Search the external storage means you are using.

Further, when there are first access requests from a plurality of processes to a plurality of external storage means to be used as a work area, the first storage means is referred to so as to refer to the lowest load and the free space. The external storage means having a large
Stored in the storage means.

Since the data from the requested process is retrieved or written in the selected external storage means, the lowest load can be achieved without affecting the bus line connecting the external storage means and the computer. In addition, it becomes possible to store the data by selecting the storage means having the largest free space.

As a result, the overall response of the computer system can be improved, a stop accident due to an overload can be prevented, and the reliability can be improved.

According to the means of the second term, in a computer system in which a computer and a plurality of external storage means are connected via a bus line and a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer, a plurality of external storage means are provided. However, the normal transmission data is added to each load status information and free space information usable as a work area and transmitted to the computer.

Further, the computer has a storage means for storing an external storage means used as a work area for each process until the process ends, and is used as a work area from a plurality of processes to a plurality of external storage means. When there is a second or subsequent access request, the storage means is referred to,
The external storage means used as the work area by the requested process is searched.

When there are first access requests from a plurality of processes to a plurality of external storage means to be used as work areas, based on the load status information and the free space information transmitted from the plurality of external storage means, The external storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space is selected, and the requested process and the selected external storage means are stored in the storage means.

Since the data from the requested process is retrieved or written in the selected external storage means, only the interface protocol is changed without changing the hardware, and the load is the lowest. It becomes possible to store data by selecting a storage means having a large free space.

As a result, the overall response of the computer system can be improved, a stop accident due to an overload can be prevented, and the reliability can be improved.

According to the means of the third term, in a computer system in which a computer and a plurality of external storage means are connected via a bus line and a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer, First storage means for storing the load status and free space usable as a work area for each external storage means, and second storage means for storing the external storage means used as a work area for each process until the process is completed. Have and.

When there is a second or subsequent access request from a plurality of processes to a plurality of external storage means for use as a work area, the requested process is referred to as a work area by referring to the second storage means. Search the external storage means you are using.

When there are first access requests from a plurality of processes to a plurality of external storage means to be used as work areas, the first storage means is referred to so that the load is the smallest and the free space is the largest. The external storage means is selected, and the requested process and the selected external storage means are stored in the second storage means.

Then, the data from the requested process is retrieved or written to the selected external storage means, and the external storage means that has written the data on the basis of the data writing time and the amount of data to the external storage means that has written the data. Load status and free space of the first
Since it was stored in the storage means of the hardware,
It is possible to select the storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space and store the data without changing the interface protocol.

As a result, the overall response of the computer system can be improved, a stop accident due to an overload can be prevented, and the reliability can be improved.

[0038]

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

In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, parts having the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system which is an embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 100 is a computer system, 101 is a processor, 102 is a processor bus,
103 is a bus controller, 104 is a main memory, and 105
Is an I / O bus, 106 is a SCSI control unit, 107 is an operating status interface, 109 is a SCSI bus, 110-110.
Reference numeral 112 is a status report bus, and 113 to 115 are external storage means.

The processor 101 is a processor that executes an operation, and software is executed by the processor.

The bus controller 103 is an interface unit of the processor bus 102, the memory 104, and the I / O bus 105, and includes the processor 101 and the main memory 1.
04, controls transactions from various I / Os.

The SCSI control unit 106 is an interface device for connecting the external storage means (113 to 115) to the computer system 100. The SCSI control unit 106 and the external storage means (113 to 115) are SCs.
It is connected via the SI bus 109.

In FIG. 1, external storage means (113
Although not shown, only three external storage means are connected to the SCSI bus 109.

FIG. 2 shows the external storage means (113 shown in FIG.
~ 115) is a diagram showing a more detailed configuration.

As shown in FIG. 2, each external storage means (11
3 to 115), m storage devices (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) are daisy-chain connected under the controller 120.

Further, in the main storage device 104 shown in FIG.
A storage medium status table 510 and a process / storage medium correspondence table 511 are provided.

FIG. 3 shows the storage medium status table 51.
0 is a block diagram showing an outline of a process / storage medium correspondence table 511.

In FIG. 3, the storage medium status table 51.
0 indicates a storage device (1) of the external storage means (113 to 115).
3-0, 13-1, 13-m) is a table for registering a load status and a free space of a work area (hereinafter referred to as a temporary file) for each storage medium status table 510.
˜n is the number of external storage means (113 to 115), 0 to m are daisy chain connected storage devices (13-0, 1)
3-1 and 13-m) are shown.

The process / storage medium correspondence table 5
Reference numeral 11 is a table for registering a process number using the storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) of the external storage means (113 to 115), which is 0 in the process / storage medium correspondence table 205. ~ O is the number of processes, 0 to m
Is a daisy chained storage device (13-0,
13-1, 13-m), 0-n is SCSI bus 10
The number of external storage means (113 to 115) connected to 9 is shown.

The storage medium status table 510 and the process / storage medium correspondence table 205 are three-dimensional image tables.

The controller 120 of the external storage means (113 to 115) sends data to the status interface 107 via the status reporting bus (110 to 112) to each storage device (13-).
0, 13-1, 13-m) and the free space of the temporary file are reported.

The load status of each storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) and the free space of the temporary file reported to the status interface 107 are stored in the storage medium status table 510.

The status reporting buses 110 to 112 are physically different buses, and transactions do not interfere with each other.

The SCSI bus 109 is also a separate bus, and does not interfere with the normal SCSI interface protocol.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 4, 200 is an operating system, 201 to 203 are processes, 204 is a storage medium management unit, and 206 is a storage medium drive.

The operating system 200 includes the entire computer system, particularly processes (201 to 20).
3) Manage.

Processes (201 to 203) are various processes that occur irregularly on the computer system.

The storage medium management unit 204 uses the process (20
1 to 203), the write access request to the temporary file is received, the storage device to be accessed is determined, and the storage medium driver 206 is instructed.

The storage medium driver 206 is the SCS of FIG.
The I control unit 106 is operated.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Normally, the temporary saving of the data of the processes (201 to 203) is the external storage means 11 which is a root device.
Although it is unconditionally written to the temporary file of the specific storage device of No. 3, the root device has a lot of software for operating the computer system in addition to the temporary file, which causes an excessive load on the root device and a response. May cause a stoppage accident due to a decrease in power or overload.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the storage devices (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) of the external storage means (113-115) are connected via the status report bus (110-112) and the status interface 107. ), The load status and the free space of the temporary file are stored in the storage medium status table 51.
By storing in 0, the storage device (13-0, 13-
1, 13-m), and the data is distributed to the storage device with the lowest load and the largest free space.

A request for writing data to a temporary file of a storage device of a process (201 to 203) that is generated under the control of the operating system 200 and is operating is input to the storage medium management unit 204.

Upon receipt of this, the storage medium management unit 204 refers to the process / storage medium management correspondence table 205 and determines whether or not the process number of the request source process is registered.

If it is registered, the storage device number corresponding to the process number is taken out, and the storage medium driver 206 is instructed to write data in the storage device.

If not registered, the storage medium management unit 204 refers to the storage medium status table 510.

The storage medium management unit 204 selects the storage device with the lowest load and the largest free capacity from the load status of the storage medium status table 510 and the free capacity of the temporary file.

When the storage medium management unit 204 refers to the storage medium status table 510, if the free space of the temporary file in the storage device becomes a value close to the maximum amount of temporary files, the storage device is used to write data. Do not use as a temporary file.

The storage medium management unit 204, which has selected a specific storage device, uses the process / storage medium management correspondence table 205.
The process number of the requesting source is recorded in the frame with the smallest number in the empty frame of the line of the specific storage device.

After that, the storage medium management unit 204 instructs the storage medium driver 206 to write the data in the temporary file of the selected specific storage device.

In either case, the storage medium driver 20
6 writes data to the storage device designated by the storage medium management unit 204, and therefore, through the I / O bus 205,
The SCSI control unit 106 is operated to flow data to the SCSI bus 109.

The SCSI control unit 106 and the external storage means (1
The controller 120 (13 to 115) communicates according to the protocol of the SCSI interface.

External storage means that has received the data (113
The controller 120 of (1) to (115) writes the data into the storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) and, at the same time, sets the BUSY state (usage state) to the position indicating the load state of the storage medium state table 510. Report the indicated status.

Further, the controller 120 of the external storage means (113 to 115) stores the data of the storage device in the status interface 107 via the status report bus (110 to 112) at the time when the writing of the data to the storage device is completed. Report load status and free space of temporary files.

Thereafter, this operation is repeated.

Here, the load status is the operating rate (%) per unit time obtained by the following equation (1),
The free space of the temporary file is the number of bytes.

[0080]

[Equation 1] Load status = A × B × 100 / C [%] A; Operating time per second [ms] B; Transfer data amount per second [byte] C; Per second at maximum performance Transfer data amount [by
te] The operating system 200 always processes (2
01-203) and monitor any process (201
~ 203) disappears, the process (201 ~ 2)
03) releases the temporary file used by (03) and at the same time reports the process number to the storage medium management unit 204.

Upon receipt of this, the storage medium management unit 204 deletes the storage of the process number existing in the process / storage medium correspondence table 511, and cancels the correspondence between the process and the storage device.

In the first embodiment, the main storage device 104
Although the storage medium status table 510 is provided in
The storage medium status table 51 is added to the status interface 107.
It is possible to provide 0.

In this case, the process (201 to 203)
When the number is not registered in the process / storage device management correspondence table 511, the storage medium management unit 204 sends the status interface 107 via the I / O bus 105.
Refer to.

At this time, external storage means (113-115)
The transaction for reporting the status to the status interface 107 of the external storage means is external storage means (113 to 115).
Since it is an asynchronous transaction whose timing changes depending on the operation status of the above, it collides with the transaction for referring to the status interface 107 from the storage medium management unit 204.

In order to prevent this, the storage medium management unit 204
When referring to the status interface 107, it is necessary to issue a read transaction in a state in which transactions from outside the status interface 107 are suppressed.

In the first embodiment, the external storage means (1
13 to 115), the status reporting bus (1
10-112) to the status interface 107,
Although the load status of the storage device and the free space of the temporary file are reported, this report can be made periodically.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the external storage means (113 to 11) is transmitted via the status report bus (110 to 112) and the status interface 107.
5) By storing the load status of the storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) and the free space of the temporary file in the storage medium status table 510, the storage device (1
3-0, 13-1, 13-m) is constantly grasped, and the processes (201-203) can be used for storage devices (13-
(0, 13-1, 13-m), when a data write request is made to a temporary file, the data is distributed to the storage device having the lowest load and the largest free space.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the response from being lowered and the accidental stoppage due to the overload of the storage device, and in this case, the transaction by the SCSI interface is not affected at all.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system which is another embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, 300 is a computer system, 301 is a processor, 302 is a processor bus,
303 is a bus controller, 304 is a main memory, 305
Is an I / O bus, 306 is a SCSI control unit, and 307 is an SC
The SI bus and 308 to 310 are external storage means.

The processor 301 is a processor for executing a calculation, and software is executed by the processor.

The bus controller 103 is an interface unit of the processor bus 302, main memory 304, and I / O bus 305, and controls transactions from the processor 301, main memory 304, and various I / Os.

The SCSI controller 306 is an interface device for connecting the external storage means (308 to 310) to the computer system 300.

The SCSI bus 307 is used by the SCSI controller 3
06 is a bus for connecting the external storage means (308 to 310).

In FIG. 5, external storage means (308
~ 310), only three are shown in FIG.
Similarly to the above, n external storage means are connected to the SCSI bus 307, and each external storage means (30
8 to 310), m storage devices (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) are daisy-chained under the controller 120.

The main storage device 404 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with the storage medium status table 510 and the process / storage medium correspondence table 511 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the second embodiment.

In FIG. 6, 400 is an operating system, 401 to 403 are processes, 404 is a storage medium management unit, and 405 is a storage medium drive.

The operating system 400 includes the entire computer system, particularly processes (401 to 40).
3) Manage.

Processes (401 to 403) are various processes that occur irregularly on the computer system.

The storage medium management unit 404 uses the process (40
1 to 403), a write access request to the temporary file is received, a storage device to be accessed is determined, the storage medium driver 405 is instructed, and the storage medium driver 40
5 operates the SCSI control unit 306 of FIG.

As described above, normally, the process (401-
The temporary saving of the data of 403) is unconditionally written to a temporary file of a specific storage device of the external storage means 308 which is a root device. The root device has software for operating the computer system in addition to the temporary file. In many cases, the root device is overloaded and the response may be degraded or a stop accident due to overload may occur.

When the SCSI interface protocol is used, the storage devices (13-0, 13-1, ...) Of the external storage means (308-310) on the SCSI bus 307 are used.
13-m), the load status of the storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) cannot be measured. Is required.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the storage medium status data is provided in the message-in data, which is the data that is periodically transmitted by the message, and the external storage means (30
8-310) storage devices (13-0, 13-1, 13-
m) and the free space of the temporary file are acquired by a simple SCSI interface protocol, and the operating state of the storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) is constantly grasped, so that the process ( 401-403)
When a request to write data from a storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) is made to a temporary file, the data is distributed to the storage device having the lowest load and the largest free space. ing.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the storage device (13-0, 0-3) of the external storage means (308-310) according to the second embodiment.
13-1, 13-m) is a diagram showing an operation sequence for obtaining a load status and a free space of a temporary file.

In FIG. 7, the software 500 is S
The software 500 is software that operates the CSI control unit 306 to communicate with a storage device via a SCSI interface. The software 500 is a part of the storage medium driver 405 shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The initial setting 503 is for the software 500 to make the SCSI control unit 306 ready to start communication by the SCSI interface protocol.

Upon receipt of this, the SCSI control unit 306
Issue arbitration 504 to SI bus 307
Declare to occupy the CSI bus 307.

Next, in the selection 505 and the message out 507, the data [IDENTIFY (1 byte) + DATASTRUC of the message out data 506 is displayed.
[TURE (5 bytes)] to external storage means (308 to 31)
0) to the controller 120 to request communication permission.

When the controller 120 of the external storage means (308 to 310) permits this, the message in 5
08 as the message in data 509 [EXTEN
DED (1 byte) + storage device status data (3 bytes)
+ Free space of temporary file (4 bytes)] is returned.

The software 500 receives the message-in data 509, obtains the load of the specific storage device and the free space information of the temporary file, and updates the contents of the storage medium status table 510 shown in FIG.

At this point, the SCSI interface protocol ends.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

A request for writing data to a temporary file in the storage device of the processes 401 to 403 which are generated and managed under the control of the operating system 400 is input to the storage medium management unit 404.

Upon receiving this, the storage medium management unit 404 refers to the process / storage medium management correspondence table 511 and determines whether or not the process number of the request source process is registered.

If it is registered, the storage device number corresponding to the process number is taken out, and the storage medium driver 405 is instructed to write data in the storage device.

If it is not registered, the storage medium management unit 404 refers to the storage medium status table 510.

The storage medium management unit 404 selects the storage device having the lowest load and the largest free capacity from the load status of the storage medium status table 510 and the free capacity of the temporary file.

The storage medium management unit 404 which has selected a specific storage device, uses the process / storage medium management correspondence table 511.
The process number of the requesting source is recorded in the frame with the smallest number in the vacant frame of the line of the specific storage device.

Thereafter, the storage medium management unit 404 instructs the storage medium driver 405 to write the data in the temporary file of the selected specific storage device.

Since the storage medium driver 405 writes data to the storage device designated by the storage medium management unit 404, the SCSI control unit 30 via the I / O bus 305.
6 is operated to flow data to the SCSI bus 307.

The SCSI control unit 306 and the external storage means (3
The controllers 120 of (08-310) communicate according to the protocol of the SCSI interface.

External storage means that has received the data (113
~ 115) controller 120 writes the data to a specific storage device.

The operating system 400 constantly monitors the processes (401 to 403), and when any one of the processes (401 to 403) disappears, the temporary file used by the process (401 to 403) is released, At the same time, the process number is assigned to the storage medium management unit 4
Report to 04.

Upon receiving this, the storage medium management unit 404 deletes the storage of the process number existing in the process / storage medium correspondence table 511, and cancels the correspondence between the process and the storage device.

In the second embodiment, the processes (401 to 401) are omitted without providing the storage medium status table 510 and the process / storage medium correspondence table 511 shown in FIG.
403) when a request for writing data to a temporary file in the storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) of the external storage means (308 to 310) occurs,
The storage medium management unit 404 connects all the storage devices (13-0,
13-1, 13-m) and all storage devices (13
(0, 13-1, 13-m) and the temporary file free space has been taken, a write request for data is issued to the storage device with the lowest load and the largest free space. After determining the storage device to be used by the process, the storage device is used as a temporary storage device of the data write request source until the process disappears, and when the process (401 to 403) disappears, The medium management unit 404 can also cancel the relationship.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
The storage medium status data is periodically provided in the message-in data for the selection of the SCSI interface protocol, and the load status and the temporary status of the storage devices (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) of the external storage means (308 to 310) are provided. The free space of the file is acquired by a simple SCSI interface protocol, and the storage device (13-0, 1
3-1 and 13-m), the process (401 to 403) allows the storage device (13-
(0, 13-1, 13-m) when a data write request is made to a temporary file, the data is distributed to the storage device having the lowest load and the largest free space.

As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in response and a stop accident due to an overload of the storage device.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system which is another embodiment (Embodiment 3) of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, 600 is a computer system, 601 is a processor, 602 is a processor bus,
603 is a bus controller, 604 is a main memory, and 605
Is an I / O bus, 606 is a SCSI control unit, and 607 is an SC
The SI bus and 608 to 610 are external storage means.

The processor 601 is a processor for executing a calculation, and software is executed by the processor.

The bus controller 603 is an interface unit of the processor bus 602, the main memory 604, and the I / O bus 605, and controls transactions from the processor 601, the main memory 604, and various I / Os.

The SCSI control unit 606 is an interface device for connecting the external storage means (608 to 610) to the computer system 600.

The SCSI bus 607 is used by the SCSI controller 6
06 is a bus connecting the external storage means (608 to 610).

In FIG. 8, the external storage means (608
~ 610), only three are shown,
Similarly to the above, n external storage means are connected to the SCSI bus 307, and each external storage means (60
8 to 610), m storage devices (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) are connected in a daisy chain below the controller 120.

The main storage device 604 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with the storage medium status table 510 and the process / storage medium correspondence table 511 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the third embodiment.

In FIG. 9, 700 is an operating system, 701 to 703 are processes, 704 is a storage medium management unit, and 705 is a storage medium drive.

The operating system 700 includes the entire computer system, particularly processes (701 to 70).
3) Manage.

Processes (701 to 703) are various processes that occur irregularly on the computer system.

As described above, the process (701 to
When data is written to the temporary file from the external storage means (608 to 610) from 703), it is unconditionally written to the root device, but the root device has a lot of software for operating the computer system, The root device may be overloaded, resulting in poor response and a stop accident due to overload.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, the load status and the free space of the temporary file are calculated from the operating time of the storage medium driver 705 and the size of the data, and the load status of the storage device selected in the storage medium status table 510 is calculated. And the free space of the temporary file are updated, and the storage devices (13-0, 13-) of the external storage means (608 to 610) are updated.
1, 13-m) and the free space of the temporary file are constantly grasped so that the data is distributed to the storage device having the lowest load and the largest free space.

From the processes (701 to 703) that are generated and operated under the control of the operating system 700 to the storage device (13-0, external storage means (608 to 610)).
13-1 and 13-m), a request for writing data to the temporary file is input to the storage medium management unit 704.

Upon receiving this, the storage medium management unit 704 refers to the process / storage medium correspondence table 511, and determines whether or not the request source process number is registered.

If the process number is registered, the storage device number corresponding to the process number is taken out and the storage medium driver 705 is instructed to write the data to the storage device.

If it has not been registered, the storage medium management unit 704 refers to the storage medium status table 510.

The storage medium management unit 704 selects the storage device with the lowest load and the largest free capacity from the load status of the storage medium status table 510 and the free capacity of the temporary file.

The storage medium management unit 704 which has selected a specific storage device, uses the process / storage medium management correspondence table 511.
The process number of the requesting source is recorded in the frame with the smallest number in the vacant frame of the line of the specific storage device.

Thereafter, the storage medium management unit 704 instructs the storage medium driver 206 to write the data in the temporary file of the selected specific storage device.

The storage medium driver 705 writes data to the storage device designated by the storage medium management unit 704, and therefore, the SCSI control unit 6 via the I / O bus 605.
06 is operated to flow data to the SCSI bus 607.

The SCSI control unit 606 and the external storage means (6
The controllers 120 of 08-610) communicate according to the protocol of the SCSI interface.

External storage means that receives the data (608
~ 610) controller 120 writes the data to the selected specific storage device.

After the writing is completed, the storage medium driver 705
Of the storage medium status table 5 by calculating the load status and the free space of the temporary file from the operating time of
The load status of the selected specific storage device 10 and the free space of the temporary file are updated.

The operating system 700 constantly monitors the processes (701 to 703), and when any one of the processes (701 to 703) disappears, the temporary file used by the process (701 to 703) is released, At the same time, the process number is stored in the storage medium management unit 7.
Report to 04.

Upon receipt of this, the storage medium management unit 704 deletes the storage of the process number existing in the process / storage medium correspondence table 511 and cancels the correspondence between the process and the storage device.

The storage medium management unit 704 also stores the contents of the storage medium status table 510 and each storage device (13-0,
13-1, 13-m) to eliminate the discrepancy between the load status and the free space of the temporary file.
Each storage device (13-0, 13-1,
13-m) and the free space of the temporary file are acquired, and the contents of the storage medium status table 510 are updated periodically.

FIG. 10 shows a processing procedure when the storage medium management unit 704 writes data to the temporary file from the process (701 to 703) to the external storage means (608 to 610) in the third embodiment. It is a flowchart.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, the storage medium management unit 704 in the third embodiment makes the process (701 to 70)
The processing procedure for writing data from 3) to the temporary storage means (608 to 610) in the temporary file will be described in detail.

First, in step 800, external storage means (608-6) generated from operating processes (701-703) under the control of the operating system 700.
It waits for a data write request to the temporary file of the storage device (13-0, 13-1, 13-m) of 10).

When a data write request is issued, the process / storage medium correspondence table 511 is referred to in step 801 to search for the same process number as the process which made the write request.

If the process number exists in step 801, the number of the storage device corresponding to the process number is acquired, and the process proceeds to step 804.

If the same process number as the process for which the data write request is issued does not exist in the process / storage medium correspondence table 511 in step 801, it is determined that the process is the first data write request, and step 80
Go to 3.

In step 803, the storage medium status table 510 is searched, and the storage device with the lowest load and the largest free space is selected as the storage device for the temporary file of the process that requested data writing.

The process / storage medium correspondence table 5
In step 117, the process number of the process for which data writing is requested is stored in one of the row frames of the corresponding storage device, and the process proceeds to step 804.

At step 804, the storage medium driver 7
05 is instructed to write data to the determined storage device.

Next, after the writing is completed, in step 805, the load condition and the free space of the temporary file are calculated from the operating time of the storage medium driver 705 and the data size,
The storage medium status table 806 is updated.

Thereafter, the above operation is repeated.

As described above, according to the third embodiment,
The load status and the free space of the temporary file are calculated from the operating time of the storage medium driver 705 and the size of the data, and the load status of the selected storage device and the free space of the temporary file in the storage medium status table 510 are updated. , A storage device (13) of the external storage means (608 to 610).
-0, 13-1, 13-m) and the free space of the temporary file are constantly grasped, so that the processes (701 to 703) can store the storage device (13-0, 13-).
1, 13-m), when a data write request is made to a temporary file, the data is distributed to the storage device having the lowest load and the largest free space.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the response from being lowered and the accident due to the stoppage due to the overload of the storage device.

Although the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0172]

The effects obtained by the typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

(1) In a computer system in which a computer and a plurality of external storage means are connected via a bus line and a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer, load status information from each of the plurality of external storage means And free space information that can be used as a work area are reported to the computer through a dedicated status reporting bus line, and based on the load status information and the free space information from the plurality of external storage means, the computer is configured to use the plurality of external storage means. The load status and the free space for each are stored in the first storage means, and when there are first access requests from a plurality of processes to a plurality of external storage means to be used as work areas, the first storage means , The external storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space is selected, and the data from the requested process is stored in the selected external storage means. Since data is written, when a process requests writing of data to a temporary file in the storage device, the bus line connecting the external storage means and the computer is not affected, and the load is the lowest and the free space is the smallest. It becomes possible to store data by selecting a large storage means.

As a result, it is possible to improve the overall response of the computer system, prevent a stop accident due to overload, and prevent an abnormal operation due to misidentification as a hang-up state, and improve reliability.

(2) In a computer system in which a computer and a plurality of external storage means are connected via a bus line and a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer, the plurality of external storage means convert normal transmission data. , The load status information and free space information that can be used as a work area are added and transmitted to the computer, and the computer makes a first access request from a plurality of processes to a plurality of external storage means to use as a work area. If there is, the external storage means with the lowest load and the largest free capacity is selected based on the load status information and the free capacity information transmitted from the plurality of external storage means, and the data from the requested process is selected. Since the data is written to the external storage means, a process requests to write data to the temporary file in the storage device. If the, without changing the hardware, it is possible to store the data by selecting a large storage unit having the lowest load and most free space.

As a result, it is possible to improve the overall response of the computer system, prevent a stop accident due to overload, and prevent an abnormal operation due to misidentification of a hang-up state, and improve reliability.

(3) In a computer system in which a computer and a plurality of external storage means are connected via a bus line and a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer, the computer is
The load status of each of the plurality of external storage units and the free space that can be used as a work area are stored in the first storage unit, and a plurality of processes make a first access request to the plurality of external storage units as a work area If there is, first
Of the storage device, the external storage device with the lowest load and the largest free space is selected, the data from the requested process is written to the selected external storage device, and the data is written to the selected external storage device. Since the load status and the free space of the selected external storage means are stored in the first storage means based on the time and the amount of data, when a process requests the writing of data to the temporary file of the storage device. To
It is possible to select the storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space and store the data without changing the hardware.

As a result, it is possible to improve the overall response of the computer system, prevent a stop accident due to overload, prevent abnormal operation due to misidentification of a hang-up state, and improve reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system that is an embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a more detailed configuration of an external storage means shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a storage medium status table and a process / storage medium correspondence table in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system that is another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation sequence for periodically obtaining the load status of the storage device of the external storage means and the free space of the temporary file in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system which is another embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a storage medium management unit in the third embodiment writes data from a process to a temporary file to an external storage unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 300, 600 ... Computer system, 10
1, 301, 601 ... Processor, 102, 302, 6
02 ... Processor bus, 103, 303, 603 ... Bus controller, 104, 304, 604 ... Main memory, 1
05, 305, 605 ... I / O bus, 106, 306,
606 ... SCSI control unit, 107 ... Operating status interface, 109, 307 ... SCSI bus, 110-112
... Status Report Bus, 113-115, 308-310, 6
08-610 ... External storage means, 120 ... Controller,
13-0, 13-1, 13-m ... Storage device, 200, 4
00,700 ... Operating system, 201-2
03, 401-403, 701-703 ... Process, 2
04, 404, 704 ... Storage medium management unit, 206, 40
5, 705 ... Storage medium drive, 500 ... Software, 510 ... Storage medium status table, 511 ... Process / storage medium management table.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A computer comprising at least a processor and a main storage device, and a plurality of external storage means connected to the computer via a bus line, wherein a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer. In this computer system, a status report bus line is provided between the external storage means and the computer, and the plurality of external storage means are used as respective load status information and work areas via the status report bus line. A means for reporting available free space information to a computer, wherein the computer receives load status information and free space information from the plurality of external storage means via a status reporting bus line; A load status and a free capacity for each of the plurality of external storage means are stored based on the load status information and the free capacity information from the external storage means. Storage means, second storage means for storing external storage means used as a work area for each process until the process ends, and work areas for the plurality of external storage means from the plurality of processes. When there is an access request to be used as, a search unit that refers to the second storage unit and searches the external storage unit used as the work area by the requested process; When the external storage means used as the area is not stored in the second storage means, the external storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space is selected by referring to the first storage means. Selection means, means for storing the requested process and the selected external storage means in the second storage means, determined by the search means or the selection means Computer system characterized by comprising a a means for writing data from the process that requested the external storage unit. 2. A computer comprising at least a processor and a main storage device, and a plurality of external storage means connected to the computer via a bus line, wherein a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer. In the computer system described above, the plurality of external storage means includes means for transmitting to the computer by adding load status information and free space information usable as a work area to normal transmission data, and transmitting the same to the computer. There is a storage unit that stores an external storage unit to be used as a work area for each process until the process ends, and an access request to use as a work region from the plurality of processes to the plurality of external storage units. In this case, the external storage means used as the work area by the requested process is searched by referring to the storage means. Search means and an external storage means used as a work area by the requested process are not stored in the storage means,
A means for selecting the external storage means with the lowest load and the largest free capacity based on the load status information and the free capacity information transmitted from the plurality of external storage means; and the requested process and the selected external storage means. A computer system comprising: a unit for storing in the storage unit; and a unit for writing data from the requested process to the external storage unit determined by the search unit or the selection unit. 3. A computer comprising at least a processor and a main storage device, and a plurality of external storage means connected to the computer via a bus line, wherein a plurality of processes operate in a multiplexed manner on the computer. In the computer system according to the first aspect, the computer stores a load status for each of the plurality of external storage units and a free space that can be used as a work area.
Storage means, second storage means for storing external storage means used as a work area for each process until the process ends, and work areas for the plurality of external storage means from the plurality of processes. When there is an access request to be used as, a search unit that refers to the second storage unit and searches the external storage unit used as the work area by the requested process; When the external storage means used as the area is not stored in the second storage means, the external storage means with the lowest load and the largest free space is selected by referring to the first storage means. Selection means, means for storing the requested process and the selected external storage means in the second storage means, determined by the search means or the selection means Means for writing data from the requested process to the external storage means, and the determined load status and free space of the external storage means based on the determined data writing time and data amount to the external storage means. A computer system comprising means for storing in a first storage means.