JPH0744447A - Hyper text system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a hyper text system capable of tracing a required file even when the locating of the file is changed, to minimize communication via a broad area network. CONSTITUTION:The system is made up of a directory service 1 connecting to a broad area network 2 and a LAN 3 and storing file information, a hyper text device 4 connecting to the LAN 3, and a file device 5 connecting to the hyper text device 4. With respect to a file used for a node of the hyper text device 4, information representing a title made by the content of the file and the location where the file is in existence is used for one unit and it is set to be an attribute of a top author of the file and registered in the directory service 1, and a DN and a title made to the file are used in the directory service 1 with respect to the top author of the file as the link information to the registered file in the hyper text device 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to hypertext systems. In recent years, computerization of information has progressed, and many files created by individuals have been stored in a computer in a computerized state. Computers are connected by a high-speed, large-capacity LAN, and LANs are connected by a low-speed, small-capacity wide area network. Therefore, the file stored in the remote computer can be freely transferred via the network and the basis for referring to it is being established.

However, when a file is transferred, it is necessary to know where the file containing the necessary information is located prior to the file transfer. Also,
There is a demand to transfer files in as short a time as possible and without increasing the load on the network.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a hypertext system (a system for acquiring a file across directories) has been considered as a means for referring to information without being aware of a file name or the like. However, most of the conventional hypertexts are supposed to be used in an environment where a file is shared using a LAN at the most.

[0004]

Therefore, if the conventional hypertext system is used in an environment via a wide area network, the following inconvenience occurs.

Hypertext using a wide area network is an environment in which information handled by the hypertext exists in a distributed manner. Therefore, the manager of the computer manages the files stored in each computer. In that case, management is performed independently, so the location where the file was recorded (address on the computer's network or the absolute path name of the file in the computer) changes arbitrarily according to the administrator's convenience. There is a risk.

In general, a wide area network is often low-speed and small in capacity, and if a file is transferred via the wide area network every time a link is followed, it takes a long transfer time and a heavy load on the network.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a hypertext system capable of following the location of a required file and reducing communication through a wide area network as much as possible. It is intended to be provided.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. The system shown in the figure constitutes a network system in which a wide area network 2 and a local area network (LAN) 3 are connected. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a directory service which is connected to the wide area network 2 and the LAN 3 and stores various information such as file information. In the figure, the wide area network 2 is 1
Although two and three LANs 3 are shown, the number is not limited to these numbers.

Reference numeral 4 is a hypertext device connected to the LAN 3, and 5 is a file device connected to the hypertext device 4.

[0010]

The directory service 1 holds information about a file created by an entry with respect to the entry. Also, a particular entry stores information about replica files that it owns within the domain to which it belongs.
The hypertext device 4 is provided with the following functions by using the directory service 1 that can be used in a wide area.

Regarding the file used as the node of the hypertext device 4, the title given according to the content of the file and the information indicating the place where the file exists are made into one unit, which is the attribute of the first creator of the file. Is registered in the directory service 1. As a result, the file name and the file change can be dealt with by using the file name conversion function. That is, the directory service 1 is used to abstract the file name.

On the other hand, in the hypertext device 4, as the link information to the registered file, a DN (Distinguished Name) on the directory service 1 for the first creator of the file,
The title attached to the file is used. It then manages replicas and provides information about nearby replicas.

As a result, even if the position of the required file is changed, it is possible to follow the change, and the communication through the wide area network can be reduced as much as possible.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (1) Abstraction of File Name Using the DN of the entry in the directory service 1 and the title given to the information in the file, the directory service 1 searches the attribute of the entry, and from the search result, the computer with the corresponding file ( Hypertext device 4) address and absolute path,
Make the file transfer from there.

When the file location and file name are changed, the data on the directory service 1 is updated to the latest data so that the correct file information can be obtained from the information such as DN. This allows you to always access the linked file without changing the linked file. (2) The configuration of the network to which the replica management computer is connected is L
In many cases, a high-speed, large-capacity network such as AN is connected by a low-speed, small-capacity wide area network.

For this reason, if a replica (copy file) is present in the vicinity, rather than following the link as it is and transferring the file through the wide area network,
It is more efficient to transfer files from there.

In the directory service 1, entries are often registered in a hierarchical structure in units of some organization. In addition, a high-speed network such as a LAN is often configured corresponding to the organizational hierarchy.
Therefore, by providing the entry corresponding to the hierarchy and recording the information about the replica owned by the hierarchy (location of the replica, information of the original file of the replica, etc.), the network configuration is supported. Can manage replicas. The following four types of methods can be used to manage the location of the replica.

The directory service providing apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as DSA) used by the machine having the original file also manages the replica. In other words, the location of the replica of the file is recorded in the DSA to which the DUA (directory user agent) of the machine having the original file first connects.

Also record where the replica is located in the DSA used by the machine that owns the original file. Also,
Record the replica you have on the DSA that the machine with the replica first connects to. For a replica owned by the DUA's machine accessing that DSA,
You only need to access A once to get the location of the replica. For files not recorded in the DSA, the DSA used by the original file is accessed.

The machine that has obtained the replica informs a plurality of DSAs that manage the area (domain) to which the machine belongs. When another machine wants to get the file, it first queries multiple DSAs to see if there are replicas in the vicinity.

When copying, the DSA used by the machine having the replica and its upper layer (root (ROO
Each DSA (up to T) holds the file name and where it is. The difference is that if the replica exists in the area (domain), the location of the replica can be known more reliably.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the example shown in the figure, a hierarchy of o (meaning of organization. Domain) = IJK and o = XY
The hierarchy of Z is connected via LAN3, and o =
The hierarchy of XYZ and the hierarchy of o = ABC are connected via the wide area network 2. That is, the wide area network 2 is connected to the LAN 3 of the hierarchy of o = XYZ, and is also connected to the LAN 3 of the hierarchy of o = ABC.

As a directory service, X. 500
Is used. 11 is X. The DSA is 500 and DSA1 to DSA3 are shown in the figure. The directory service 1 shown in the principle diagram of FIG.
3 is shown integrally. In other words, these DS
A directory service will be provided by A1 to DSA3. Reference numeral 2 is a wide area network of 64 Kb / s, 3 is a LAN of 10 Mb / s, and 4 is a computer connected to the network, which functions as a hypertext device in the embodiment. Reference numeral 5 is a file device connected to each computer 4. Computer 4
Are distinguished from computers A to D as shown in the figure.

X. DSA1 to DS which are 500 DSAs
A3 operates in cooperation with a DSA (not shown), and
The tree has a hierarchical structure as shown in. DSA
The information as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is registered in. In the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 3, the highest level is root (root), and the lowest level is cn (common name; entry).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of DSA2 information.
As is clear from the figure, the hierarchical structure c = US @ o = ABC
The information registered in @ cn = Smith is a file created by the head creator Smith, and its title is Hyper Text Manual. "@" In the figure is a delimiter mark. This file is stored in the file device 5 connected to the computer C as / doc /
It is stored as file1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information of the DSA1.
Hierarchical structure c = JP @ o = XYZ @ cn = Replica
The information registered in "Hyp" created by Smith.
erText Manual ”and Fo
This is a replica of a file called “test samples” created by o Bar, and is stored in the file device 5 of the computer B as file 5 and file 6, respectively. cn = Replica is an entry for managing a replica, and records the position of the replica existing in a specific domain. "Hyper Text Ma
The file "nual" is originally registered in the file device 5 of the computer C, and is a "test sample".
The file “les” is originally registered in the file device 5 of the computer X.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structural example of a hypertext device in a computer. This figure shows c = JP
@ O = XYZ @ cn = Henry (see FIG. 3) shows the operation when the user uses the computer A as a hypertext device. The operation of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

From a file displayed on the display unit 23, "c = US @ o = ABC" is set as the link destination.
@ Cn = Hyper TextM created by Smith
“Anal” is specified. Display section 2
3 retrieves information about the file designated by the user from the file device 6 and uses the text manager (text
t manager) 22 and passes the information. The text manager 22 uses the information passed from the display unit 23 as X.X. It is converted into a DN of 500 and passed to the DUA front-end (front-end) unit 21.

The DUA front end section 21 makes an inquiry to the DSA and receives the information returned by the DSA as a reply. From the information, the address and absolute path of the computer (here, computer C) recording the corresponding file are extracted, and the machine selection unit 24 is activated.
The machine selection unit 24 transfers a file from the corresponding computer and transfers it to the text manager 22.

The text manager 22 renames the file in the computer A, transfers it to the replica management section 25, and stores it in the file device 26. At the same time, the information about the replica is registered in the DSA via the DUA front end unit 21 as needed. The text manager 22 passes the transferred file to the display unit 23. The display unit 23 displays the file to the user.

(1) Example of Claims 1 and 2 FIG. 4 shows that cn = Sm of the information owned by DSA2.
It shows the one related to ith. As a file created by Smith, the title is "HyperText
"Manual" is registered, which is registered as / doc / file1 of the computer C. When the administrator of the computer C moves this file to / test / file10 of the computer X, the file is moved and the value of the "original file" of the information of the DSA2 is changed from "computer C: / doc / file1" to "computer X: / test / file10 ″. As a result, when another user tries to access the file by the procedure already described, the file can be correctly transferred from the destination to which the file is moved, even though the location of the file has changed.

(2) Example relating to claim 3 As shown in FIG. 3, an entry (cn = Replica) corresponding to a domain within a certain range is provided, and a replica existing in the domain is registered therein. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the management of the replica in the domain o = XYZ is c = JP @ o = XYZ @ cn = Replica
(This information is actually recorded in DSA1). As information to be registered in the DSA, as shown in FIG. 5, information in which the location of the replica is added to the information registered in the DN of the first author is recorded. This can be done by adding the information of the location where the replica is recorded and registering it in the DSA because the information in the DN of the first creator is acquired when the file is transferred.

(3) Example relating to claim 4 The replica information is registered in the DN of the head creator of the file in the same manner as the original file. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the present invention. (A) shows the information before the file transfer of the DSA 2, and (b) shows the information after the file transfer. When a file is transferred from the computer C to another computer (here, the computer B), as shown in (b), information on the presence of a replica is recorded in the content of the DSA 2. In other words, / R in the file device 5 of computer B
It is shown that it is registered as elica / file5. In addition, in (b), the information of DSA1 has not changed.

In FIG. 6, the DUA front end 21 of the computer A (hypertext device) 4 is a DS.
When querying A2, access DSA2 to get information about the original file. The DSA 2 sends back information about the original file as well as information about the replica. The DUA front end 21 selects the computer most convenient for file transfer from the information sent from the DSA 2 and acquires the file from it. As a computer selection criterion, a computer in the same domain as the computer A, the lowest communication cost, the highest communication speed, and the like are used. In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that computer A should access the file device 5 of computer B.

(4) Example relating to claim 5 will be described with reference to FIG. (A) DS before file transfer
Information of A2, (b) is information of DSA2 after file transfer, and (c) is information additionally registered after file transfer of DSA1.

With o = XYZ as one domain, as a DN for managing the replicas therein, c = JP @ o
= XYZ @ cn = Replica is used.
o = Computer B in XYZ (see FIG. 2) c =
US @ o = ABC @ cn = Smith's "Hyper
When transferring "Text Manual" to a file,
As shown in (b), DSA2 c = US @ o = ABC @
While registering the replica in cn = Smith, DSA
It is also registered in 1 of c = JP @ o = XYZ @ cn = Replica.

As a result, c = JP @ o = XYZ @ cn
= Replica information is as shown in (c). After that, when the computer A in the domain of o = XYZ acquires the above-mentioned file of cn = Smith, first, c = JP @ o = XYZ @ cn = Rep.
Queries if lica has a replica. In computer A, / Replica / fi of computer B
Since we know that there is a replica in le5, we transfer the file from there.

C = JP @ o = XYZ @ cn = Repli
If the replica does not exist in ca, the DSA 2 is accessed to obtain the file recording location and transfer the file. In the case of this method, if there is a high possibility that there is a replica in the domain, it is possible to reduce the frequency of accessing the DSA 2 via the wide area network.

(5) Example of Claim 6 This will be described with reference to FIG. (A) DS before file transfer
Information of A2, (b) is information of DSA2 after file transfer, (c) is information of DSA1 registered after file transfer, and (d) is information of DSA3 registered after file transfer.

In this embodiment, when the LAN of domain o = XYZ and the LAN of domain o = IJK as shown in FIG. 3 are connected in a relatively high speed network as shown in FIG. 2, domain o = XYZ. The computer at is c = JP @ o = XYZ @ cn = Repl
ica and c = JP @ o = IJK @ cn = Replica
Register with.

O = IJK computer D (see FIG. 2)
Transfers the file from Computer C / Repl
After recording to ica / file7, computer D
The replica is c = JP @ o = XY as shown in (c).
Z @ cn = Replica and c = J as shown in (d)
Register to P @ o = IJK @ cn = Replica.

When the computer A wants to transfer a file, c = JP @ o = XYZ @ cn = Replica and c
= JP @ o = IJK @ cn = Replica is inquired. If the replica exists in either domain, transfer files from it. If the replica does not exist, the DSA 2 is directly accessed to obtain the file recording location and transfer the file. In this method, the countries are connected by a low-speed wide area network, but in the case of domestic, it is not necessary to use the wide area network when LANs are connected by a relatively high speed network. . In addition, as shown in FIG.
No replica information is written in A2, and communication via the wide area network is not performed.

(6) Example of Claim 7 This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the place of recording in the replica has a hierarchical structure. (A) is information of DSA2 before file transfer, (b) is information of DSA2 after file transfer, (c) is information of DSA1 registered after file transfer, (d) is of DSA3 registered after file transfer The upper layer DSA information is shown.

When the computer B in o = XYZ obtains a replica of the file of the computer C, the computer B obtains the information of the replica owned by c = JP @ o =
XYZ @ cn = Replica and c in the hierarchy above it
= JP @ cn = Register in Replica Therefore, D
The information of SA1 is as shown in (c), and the upper layer DSA
Information is as shown in (d).

Where computer D at o = IJK
When the computer acquires the file of computer C, first c =
Search for JP @ o = IJK @ cn = Replica. If there is no replica information, the higher level c = JP @ cn = R
Find epica. When replica information exists, file transfer is performed using it. If there is no replica even after reaching the uppermost layer, the DSA 2 is directly accessed to obtain the file recording location and transfer the file.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the X. Although 500 was used, it is not limited to this. Alternatively, a database that can be accessed via the network can be used.

[0047]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hypertext system which can follow the position of a required file and minimize the communication through a wide area network. It is possible and has a great practical effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a tree structure of a directory.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of DSA2 information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of DSA1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structural example of a hypertext device in a computer.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the present invention.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 Directory Service 2 Wide Area Network 3 LAN 4 Hypertext Device 5 File Device

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A wide area network (2) and a LAN (3)
In a network system connected to the wide area network (2) and the LAN (3), a directory service (1) for storing file information, and a hypertext device (4) connected to the LAN (3). ) And a file device (5) connected to the hypertext device (4). Regarding a file used as a node of the hypertext device (4), a title assigned according to the content of the file and the file are The information indicating the existing location is made into one unit and is registered in the directory service (1) as an attribute of the first creator of the file. On the other hand, in the hypertext device (4), Directory service for the first author of the file as link information for 1) on D
A hypertext system characterized by using N and a title attached to a file. 2. The hypertext device (4) first accesses the directory service (1) when following a link provided by some means, searches for a DN and a title provided as link information, and outputs a file. Gets the absolute address of the file and the network address of the machine where the file is actually recorded, and then the hypertext device (4) transfers the file from the machine recording the file and displays the acquired file. However, when changing the position of the file registered in the directory service (1), by updating the information of the directory service (1), the link destination stored in the file is not rewritten and the link destination is changed. The high-speed communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is possible to deal with a file position change. Over text system. 3. The computer in which the hypertext device (4) searches the directory service (1) for a DN on the directory service (1) and a title attached to the file as link information, and the file is actually recorded. Directory address and the absolute path of the file are acquired, the location where the file (replica) that is transferred by following the link is recorded, and the attributes of the file acquired from the directory service (1) prior to the file transfer are When recording in (1) and following the link, first, the directory service (1)
If you have a replica on a computer that is better in some criteria than the computer originally shown as the link information, then you can transfer the file to that replica. The hypertext system according to claim 1, wherein the communication time is reduced and the communication through the wide area network is reduced. 4. The directory service (1) is composed of a distributed system that is divided into layers and operated, and each directory service providing device (DS)
When A) are connected by a network, the replica information is registered in the entry in the directory service (1) of the first creator of the original file of the replica,
When the directory service providing apparatus is accessed, the directory service providing apparatus returns the replica information together with the location of the original file, and the inquiring computer selects an optimum location and transfers the file from there. The hypertext system according to claim 3, wherein 5. The directory service (1) is composed of a distributed system that is divided and operated for each layer, and each directory service providing device (DS)
When A) are connected by a network, the replica information is registered together with the information of the original file in the entry in the directory service (1) of the creator of the original file of the replica, and for each properly divided domain. , A DN for managing replica information is provided, and when a file is transferred, a replica is also registered in the DN, and when the information on the location where the file is recorded is obtained from the directory service (1), first the directory service in the domain is provided. Replica management DN for the device
Is inquired as to whether or not a replica of the required file is registered, and if so, the information is used to perform the file transfer, and if not, the file transfer is performed by the method according to claim 4. The hypertext system according to claim 3. 6. The directory service (1) is composed of a distributed system that is divided into layers and is operated, and each directory service providing device (DS).
A) When computers are connected with each other via a network, a computer that transfers files and accumulates them as replicas is stored in the domain of the computer and a plurality of directory service providing devices in domains close to it by some standard. When the replica information is registered and another computer acquires the file, first of all, by some reference, it inquires to a plurality of nearby directory service providing devices to check if there are replicas in the vicinity, and if there is a file transfer from there. The hypertext system according to claim 3, wherein the file transfer is performed by the method according to claim 4 when not performed. 7. The directory service (1) is composed of a distributed system that is divided and operated for each layer, and each directory service providing device (DS).
A) When the two are connected via a network, when registering a replica, register the replica information in each of the directory service providing device used by the machine having the replica and the directory service providing device in the upper layer, and When a replica is not found for the first time from the current location, the higher layer is searched, and if the replica is not found by searching the uppermost layer, the file transfer is performed by the method according to claim 4. The hypertext device according to claim 3, characterized in that