JPH09160783A - Program download method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time needed for the download and also to surely restore the program even if a bug occurs by the reallocation of a power supply or the remote control. SOLUTION: A client device 1 is connected to a server device 2 via a communication circuit 3. The device 1 includes a 1st area 15 (bank 1) and a 2nd area 16 (bank 2). The area 15 stores a program which includes a procedure to download a program to the area 16 from the device 2 and another procedure to skip the download if the program of the area 16 is equal to a program to be downloaded. In a rise mode of the device 1, the area 15 is started and the transfer of a file is skipped (inhibited) as long as the same program exists in the area 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server / client in a system configured to download a program from a server device to a client device using a digital communication line, and activate the downloaded program to start the client device. In particular, the present invention relates to a program download method capable of shortening the startup time of a client device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a method of transferring a file from a server device to a client device through a LAN line such as Ethernet has become popular. For example, a method in which a diskless client device downloads an OS (operating system) from a server device when the device is started up, a method of downloading network routing information or host address information, and the like are widely known.

The basic operation of the conventional download will be described below. FIG. 4 shows an outline of a typical system configuration of a conventionally used LAN. In the figure,
Reference numeral 310 denotes a client device (a workstation or the like is used and generally a large number are connected, but the figure shows a case where two client devices are connected), 32
Reference numeral 0 is a server device (a computer or workstation is used), 330 is an Ethernet, and the client devices 310 (generally a plurality) and the server device 320 are connected to each other via the Ethernet.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of this system, showing the details of the internal functional blocks of the client device 310 and the server device 320. As shown in the figure, the client device 310 (only one is shown for simplicity) includes a processor unit (processing circuit / processor (CPU) etc.) 311 and a readable / writable memory (RAM) for programs or data. It is configured by 312, a non-volatile memory (ROM) 313, an interface unit (LAN controller) 314 with the Ethernet 330, and a system bus 315. On the other hand, the server device 32
0 is a processor unit (processing circuit / processor (CPU))
Etc.) 321, program / data readable / writable memory (RAM) 322, non-volatile memory (ROM)
323, a disk 324 for recording programs,
An interface unit (LAN controller) 325 with the Ethernet 330 and a system bus 326 are included. Note that the client device 310 and the server device 320 have other configurations that a general computer should have, but for the sake of simplicity, the functional blocks of the keyboard, the monitor-related items, and the input / output devices are not shown. It is omitted inside.

Generally, the server device 320 is always powered on.
Normally, the client device 310 is turned on / off more frequently than the server device 320. Here, for example, when the client device 310 is a diskless machine without a disk as shown in FIG.
It is necessary to communicate with the server device 320 when the power is turned on, transfer (download) a program required for operation such as an operating system (OS) from the server device 320 to the client device 310, and then start up the system.

Next, the operation of the conventional system shown in FIG. 5 will be described more specifically with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. The client device 310 (any one of the plurality of client devices) sends a request message of the BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) protocol recorded in the non-volatile memory (ROM) 313 when the device is started up via the Ethernet 330. Server device 32
0 (a in FIG. 6), and BOOT from the server device 320
By receiving the response message of the P protocol, the host IP (Internet Protocol) address information and the file name of the server are obtained (b in FIG. 6). Next, using these information, the TFTP (Trivial) recorded in the non-volatile memory (ROM) 313 together with the BOOTP.
File Transfer Protocol) (Fig. 6
C), the program having a predetermined file name is stored in the server device 3
20 from the disk 324 to the client device 310 side (d in FIG. 6). After downloading the program, the client device 310 completes the startup operation of the device by activating and executing the downloaded program.

[0007]

The downloading in the conventional system is performed as described above. However, in the case of a diskless client device, there is no means for recording the once downloaded program, so that the above-mentioned method is required every time the power is turned on. Program download sequence (Fig. 6
It is necessary to repeat a) to d). Therefore, it is necessary to download each time the power is turned on, and it is necessary to spend a long time on the process of the TFTP (file transfer process) especially when the program size is large. On the other hand, a means (disk or writable non-volatile memory) for recording the downloaded program is prepared in the client device, and the program downloaded at the first startup is recorded, and thereafter, It is also possible to set to start with the recorded program. However, in this case, if there is a bug in the program that has been downloaded and recorded, there is a risk that it will be impossible to start up.

As described above, the conventional program download method has the following problems. (A) If there is no means for recording the downloaded program, it is necessary to download the program every time, so that it takes a long time to start up. (B) If a means for recording the downloaded program is provided, even if the new program has a bug when it is downloaded,
You may not be able to download again and recovery may not be possible.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, that is, a program download between a server and a client in which a server device and a client device are connected by a communication line and a program is downloaded from the server device to the client device. In the method, it is possible to provide a download method that shortens the time required for the download and can surely recover even if there is a bug in the program by turning the power on again or controlling it remotely.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention connects a server device 2 and a client device 1 with a communication line 3 and downloads a program from the server device 2 to the client device 1. In the method of downloading a program between a client and a client, a first area 1 for accommodating a program in the client device 1
5 (bank 1) and the second area 16 (bank 2) are provided,
Procedure for downloading a program from the server device to the second area 16 (bank 2) of the client device 1 in the first area 15 (bank 1), and the program in the second area 16 (bank 2) and the program to be downloaded If the client device 1 and the client device 1 store the program that defines the procedure for skipping the download,
Is started from the program of the first area 15 (bank 1) at the start-up. Further, the program stored in the server device 2 has a procedure for downloading the program from the server device 2 to the second area 16 (bank 2) of the client device 1 at the head portion thereof and the second area 16 (bank 2). It is characterized in that it includes a procedure for skipping the download when the program in the program is the same as the program to be downloaded. Further, when the downloaded program has a bug and cannot be started up, the downloaded program is debugged on the server side and the program name is changed. The feature is that the system is restarted from the first area 15 (bank 1).

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. The overall configuration of the present invention is one in which a client device 1 and a server device 2 are connected by a communication line 3. In addition to the configuration of a general computer in the client device 1,
In particular, two memory areas (first area and second area) made up of non-volatile memory are provided, and the first area 15 (bank 1) to the second area 16 (bank 2) of the client apparatus 1 from the server device. Procedure to download the program to (BOOTP, TFTP, etc.) and the second area 16
If the program in (bank 2) and the program to be downloaded are the same, the procedure for skipping the download is stored. When the client apparatus 1 is started up, it is started from the program in the first area 15 (bank 1), and the necessary program is downloaded from the server apparatus 2 to the second area (bank 2) of the client apparatus 1. At that time, if the same program already exists in the second area (bank 2) (in the case of restarting, etc.), the file transfer is skipped (not transferred). As a result, it is not always necessary to perform the download at the time of startup that is frequently performed by the client device 1, and as a result, the time required for the download can be shortened and the startup of the system can be speeded up. Even if the downloaded program has a bug that makes it impossible to start up, the same program exists in the second area by debugging on the server side and changing the file name. Will not be considered (without skipping file transfer) and will be able to be reliably restored by turning the power on again.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example (functional block) for carrying out the program download method of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a client device,
Reference numeral 2 is a server device (computer / workstation, etc.), and 3 is Ethernet. Client device 1
Is a processor unit (processing circuit / processor (CPU))
Etc.) 11, a program or data readable / writable memory (RAM) 12, a non-volatile memory (PROM / E)
EPROM, etc.) 13, an interface unit (LAN controller) 14 with the Ethernet 3, and two areas of a non-volatile memory for storing programs, that is, a first area 15 (bank 1) and a second area 16 (bank 2). ),
And a system bus 17. First area 15 (bank 1) of the non-volatile memory of the client device 1
Includes a procedure (BOOTP and TFTP) for downloading a program from the server apparatus 2 to the second area 16 (bank 2) of the client apparatus 1 and a program and a server in the second area 16 (bank 2) of the non-volatile memory. A program including a procedure for skipping download (file transfer) when the programs in the device 2 are the same is stored.

The server device 2 stores a processor unit (processing circuit / processor (CPU), etc.) 21, a program / data readable / writable memory (RAM) 22, a non-volatile memory (ROM) 23, a program, etc. A disk 24, an interface unit (LAN controller) 25 with the Ethernet 3, and a system bus 26
Consists of Note that the client device 1 and the server device 2 themselves have other configurations that a general computer should have, but in FIG. 1, for simplification, a functional block of a keyboard, monitor-related, or input / output devices is shown. Etc. are omitted as in the case of FIG.

Normally, the server device 2 is always operating in the power-on state, and the client device 1 is powered on / off.
FF is performed more frequently than the server device 2. The client device 1 communicates with the server device 2 when the power is turned on, transfers (downloads) the client device program from the server device 2 to the client device 1, and activates and executes the program.

Next, the operation of the system for implementing the program download method of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. The client device 1 uses the system program recorded in the non-volatile memory (ROM) 13 when the power is turned on, and the BOOTP (Bootstrap Prot) according to the program recorded in the first area 15 (bank 1).
ocol) sends a protocol request message to the server device 2 via the Ethernet 3. After that, the client device 1
Receives the response message of the BOOTP protocol from the server device 2 and thereby receives the host IP (Int) of the server.
ernet Protocol) Obtains address information and the like.

Next, using these pieces of information, the T recorded in the first area 15 (bank 1) together with BOOTP is used.
A program having a predetermined file name is downloaded from the disk 24 of the server device 2 to the second area 16 (bank 2) of the client device 1 by the FTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) protocol. At that time, TFT
If the program in the second area 16 (bank 2) incorporated in the P program and the program in the server apparatus 2 are the same, the procedure of skipping the download (file transfer) is already performed from the server apparatus 2. If the same program as the program to be downloaded is stored in the second area 16 (bank 2), the file transfer is skipped. Second area 16 (bank 2)
After downloading, the client device 1 completes the start-up operation by activating and executing the downloaded program in the second area 16 (bank 2).

FIG. 2 shows a processing flow at the time of activation in the client device 1. The operation starting procedure of this system will be specifically described in association with this processing flow. (A) First, a case where a system is generated from an initial state will be described. First, as an initial setting, a first area 15 (bank 1) for storing a program in the client device 1 and a second area
Area 16 (bank 2) is provided, and the program is downloaded from the server device 2 to the second area 16 (bank 2) in the first area 15 (bank 1) (for example, B
OOTP and TFTP) and a program including a procedure for skipping download (file transfer) when the program in the second area 16 (bank 2) and the program in the server device 2 to be downloaded are the same. . In addition, in the program stored in the server device 2, the head part of the program from the server device 2 to the bank 2
A procedure for downloading the program to (16) (for example, BOOTP and TFTP) and a procedure for skipping the download (file transfer) when the program in the bank 2 (16) and the program to be downloaded are the same are included.

Next, the power of the client device 1 is turned on to activate the program in the first area 15 (bank 1) (step 101). Download procedure (BO) recorded in the program in the first area 15 (bank 1)
At the same time as downloading and writing the program from the server device 2 to the bank 2 (16) of the client device by OTP / TFTP (step 102, step 1).
03, step 104; NO), the file name written in the second area 16 (bank 2) is stored in the nonvolatile memory 13
(Step 105). Initially, since no program is stored in the second area 16 (bank 2), step 105 is always executed. Then, the downloaded program stored in the second area 16 (bank 2) is activated and executed (step 106).

(B) Next, the case where the power of the client device 1 is turned on again will be described. In this case, there is a possibility that the second area 16 (bank 2) of the client device 1 may contain a program downloaded before that. The power of the client device is turned on again, and the client device is activated from the first area 15 (bank 1) (step 101). Next, the file name of the program to be downloaded obtained in BOOTP (step 102) and the file name stored in the second area (bank 2) are checked to see if the two file names match. The determination is made (step 103). When both file names match (step 104; YES), TFTP is skipped (download is not performed) and the program is restarted from the program already stored in the second area 16 (bank 2) (step 10).
6). If the file name obtained by BOOTP does not match the file name of the second area (bank 2) in step 104 (step 104; NO), the program required for the second area (bank 2) is downloaded again. At the same time, the program name is stored in the non-volatile memory 13 (step 105), and the program downloaded to the second area (bank 2) is started and executed (step 106).

(C) Finally, the second client device 1
The operation after starting the program downloaded to the area 16 (bank 2) will be described. Start the program in the second area 16 (bank 2),
The file name to be downloaded is obtained by the BOOTP included in the head part of the program, and the file name and the file name of the program stored in the second area 16 (bank 2) (that is, the file of the own program) Name) and if they match, the TFT
Skip P and execute as it is. If the two do not match, the necessary program (the program to be downloaded) is again provided in the second area 16
After downloading to (bank 2) and storing the file name in the non-volatile memory 13, the new program downloaded to the second area is activated and executed (the above processing is repeated again).

If there is a bug in the program downloaded to the client device and the client device cannot start up, the corresponding program in the server device is debugged on the server device side, and its file name is changed. By making changes, it will be possible to automatically recover when restarting. Furthermore, when changing the contents of the program, the contents of the area after the above procedure may be changed. SN used for remote monitoring / control of the computer device when the client device cannot be started up
If MP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or the like is used, the restart can be controlled from the server device side, and the convenience can be further enhanced.

As described above, in the present invention, two types of program storage areas (corresponding to the bank 1 and the bank 2 in the above embodiment) are prepared in the client device 1, and the program to be downloaded itself has a function of downloading again. Furthermore, if there is already a file to be downloaded, a function for skipping the download process is provided, so high-speed and stable operation can be realized.

In the above system, the case where the Ethernet is used as the network has been described, but the case where other digital communication lines are used can be similarly applied only by changing the interface portion. FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration when an ISDN line is used as the network. In the figure, 210 is a client device, 220 is a server device, and 230 is a network using an ISDN line. The client device 210 includes a processor unit (processing circuit / processor (CPU), etc.) 211, a program / data readable / writable memory (RAM) 212,
Non-volatile memory (PROM / EEPROM, etc.) 213,
An interface unit (LAN controller) 214 for connecting to the Ethernet 3 and the like, and two areas of a non-volatile memory for storing programs, that is, a first area 215 (bank 1) and a second area 216 (bank 2). , And a system bus 217.

In order to download a program from the server device 220 to the second area 216 (bank 2) of the client device 210 in the first area 215 (bank 1) of the non-volatile memory of the client device 210. Procedure (eg BOOTP and TFTP etc.)
Also, a program including a procedure for skipping download (file transfer) when the program in the second area 216 (bank 2) and the program to be downloaded in the server device 220 are the same is stored.

The server device 220 includes a processor section (processing circuit / processor (CPU), etc.) 221, and a readable / writable memory (RAM) 22 for programs or data.
2, a non-volatile memory (ROM) 223, a disk 224 for recording programs and the like, an interface unit (LAN controller) 225 with the Ethernet 3 and the like, and a system bus 226. Note that the client device 210 and the server device 220 themselves have other configurations that a general computer should have, but in FIG. 3, for simplification, a functional block of a keyboard, monitor-related, or input / output devices is shown. Etc. are omitted as in the case of FIG.

The configurations of the client device 210 and the server device 220 described above are the same as in FIG. The system of FIG. 3 further includes a client device 210 as a W interface as an interface with a network 230 such as an ISDN line.
The AN controller 218 is provided, and the server device 220 similarly has a network 23 such as an ISDN line.
WAN controller 22 as an interface with 0
7 are provided.

The WAN controller 218, which is the interface unit of the client device 210, uses an ISDN interface (for example, I4 for a 64/128 Kbit / s line).
30 interface) for connecting to
ISDN network 2 using a communication protocol such as HDLC
WAN controller 22 on the server device side via 30
7 is facing. In this case, the packet is only transmitted / received via the WAN, not the LAN, and is the same as the configuration example in the case of the Ethernet described in FIG. 1 except for the interface portion. In this way, when it is applied to another digital communication line, it can be similarly realized only by changing the interface part.

The above embodiment uses BO as a protocol for skipping download and download.
Although OTP and TFTP are used, the server device is connected to the bank 2 (21
BOOTP or TFT as long as it includes a procedure for downloading the program to 6) and a procedure for skipping the download when the program in the bank 2 (216) and the program in the server device are the same.
It is also possible to use a protocol other than P. As described above, according to the present invention, in the program download method between the server and the client in which the server device and the client device are connected by the communication line and the program is downloaded from the server device to the client device, the time required for the download is shortened. In addition, it is possible to provide a download method that can be surely restored even if there is a bug in the program by turning the power on again or controlling remotely.

[0029]

According to the present invention, the client device has a first region (bank 1) and a second region (bank 2) as a memory region for accommodating the program, and the program on the server device side has that region. The procedure for downloading the program from the server device to the second area (bank 2) of the client device at the beginning part, and if the program in the second area (bank 2) and the program in the server device are the same, skip the download And a program including the procedure (the downloading procedure and the skipping procedure) is installed in the first area (bank 1) of the client apparatus, and the first area (bank 1) is started when the client apparatus is started up. ) Program, so you can reduce the time required to download, One program will ensure that automatic recovery under the control of the just on again or the remote power keep changing the debug and file name in the server device side even when a bug in.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration example for implementing a program download method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a processing flow of a client device in the program download method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration example for implementing the program download method of the present invention (ISDN as a network
When using the line).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a LAN system in a conventional technique.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a LAN system configuration in a conventional technique.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a download sequence.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 210, 310: Client device (workstation) 11, 211, 311, processor unit (processing circuit / processor (CPU), etc.) of client device 12, 212, 312: Program or data readable / writable memory of client device (RAM) 13, 213, 313: Non-volatile memory (PROM or EEPROM) of the client device 14, 214, 314: Interface unit (LAN controller) of the client device 15, 215: Stores programs including download procedure and download skip procedure First area of non-volatile memory (bank 1) 16, 216 for storing data: Second area of non-volatile memory (bank 2) for storing downloaded program 17, 217, 315: Client device System bus 218: interface unit (WAN) of the client device
Controller) 2,220,320: Server device (computer / workstation) 21,221,321: Processor unit of server device (processing circuit / processor (CPU), etc.) 22,222,322: Program or data of server device Read / write memory (RAM) 23, 223, 323: Non-volatile memory (ROM) of server device 24, 224, 324: Disk of server device 25, 225, 325: Interface part (LAN controller) of server device 227: Server Device interface unit (WAN controller) 326: Server device system bus 3,330: Ethernet, 230: ISDN network

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Masato Morisaki 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Kaoru Mitsuhashi 1-35-3, Shinsuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo In the stock company's DI (72) Inventor, Makoto Izawa, Ten, 2021, Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a program download method between a server and a client, which connects a server device and a client device via a communication line and downloads a program from the server device to the client device, a first area for accommodating the program in the client device. And a second area are provided, and the procedure for downloading the program from the server device to the second area of the client device in the first area and the case where the program in the second area and the program to be downloaded are the same Stores a program that defines a procedure for skipping the download, and starts up from the program stored in the first area when the client device is started up. 2. The program download method according to claim 1, wherein the program stored in the server device has a procedure for downloading the program from the server device to the second memory area of the client device at a head portion thereof, and a second step. A program download method comprising a step of skipping the download when the program in the area and the program to be downloaded are the same. 3. The program download method according to claim 1, wherein when the downloaded program has a bug and cannot be started up, the downloaded program is debugged on the server device side and the program name is set. After the change, the power of the client device is turned on again to restart from the program stored in the first area.