JPH09247194A - Lan control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit a resuming function to be usable without affecting another client at the time of connecting the client with the resuming function to LAN. SOLUTION: The client 2 reports propriety for using the resuming function to a server 1 at the time of network connection. The server 1 generates a virtual client 3 in the area of the server 1 in response to the report. The client 2 reports the effect to the server 1 at the time of entering a sleep mode. The server 1 assigns the virtual client 3 in place of the client 2. During the sleep mode, the virtual client 3 executes an operation in place of the client 2. In result, it is not recognized that the client 2 is disconnected by a server 1 even when the client 2 uses the resuming function. A communication history while the client 2 is in the sleep mode is preserved and the communication history is transmitted when the client 2 is recovered from the sleep mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a local area network (LAN) control method, and more particularly to signal control between a server and a client.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a LAN performs communication by mutually connecting devices such as a computer, a terminal device, and a personal computer which are distributed in a predetermined area. Here, a device such as a computer (main computer) is called a server, and devices such as a terminal device and a personal computer are called clients. In general, clients constituting such a LAN are provided with a resume function.

[0003] The resume function is to save the contents of the work in memory when the power is turned off with a battery backup, and to return to the power-off state when the power is turned on next time. Function.

[0004] In such a LAN, when performing signal control between a server and a client, it is necessary that both the server and the client are powered on.

[0005]

In the conventional LAN control system, when a client including a device having a resume function uses the resume function and enters a sleep mode, the server recognizes that the client has been disconnected. As a result, there is a problem that the resume function cannot be used on the client side.

In order to prevent such a problem, when a device such as a personal computer enters a sleep mode using a resume function, the device enters a sleep mode with respect to another device which has established a virtual line of the LAN. Is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-175964, in which the network environment is preserved while the device is in the sleep mode and another device substitutes the network processing function of the own device. No., published in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.

However, in the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-175964, another device must substitute for the response process and the network process instead of the device that has entered the sleep mode. Not only is a load imposed on the device to be replaced, but the processing time of the process to be processed by the substitute device itself is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a LAN control system that can use a resume function in a network environment without affecting other clients on the LAN.

[0009]

According to the present invention, when connecting to a network, each client transmits resume information indicating whether or not a resume function can be used to a server. Upon receiving the resume information, the server creates a virtual client on a memory or a magnetic disk. When a client turns off and enters sleep mode, each client sends a sleep mode message to the server notifying it to enter sleep mode. In response to the sleep mode message, the server assigns the virtual client created when connecting to the network in place of the client entering sleep mode.

Thus, even if the client uses the resume function, the server does not recognize that the client has been disconnected.

By creating a virtual client on the server, the resume function can be used without affecting other clients on the LAN.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated LAN includes a server 1 and a plurality of clients 2, and each client 2 is connected to the server 1 by a signal path 5. The server 1 includes a signal controller 4 and a plurality of storage spaces (storage devices) 3. Each storage device 3 is connected to the signal control unit 4 by a signal path 6.

Referring also to FIG. 2, when connected to the network, client 2 transmits resume information indicating whether or not its own device (self) can use the resume function (that is, whether or not the client 2 has the resume function). The ID is added to the server 1 and transmitted as transmission information to the server 1 via the signal path 6. Upon receiving the transmission information, the signal control unit 4 determines whether or not the resume function can be used (step S1). For the available client, a virtual client is created in the storage space (storage device) 3 according to the ID number. Processing is performed (step S2). In other words, for clients that can use the resume function, a virtual client is created in the storage space (storage device) 3 for each client. As a storage space on the server 1, for example, a magnetic disk or a memory is used.

When the client 2 turns off the power and enters the sleep mode, the client 2 gives the signal control unit 4 via the signal path 6 sleep mode information indicating that the sleep mode is to be entered, together with its own ID number, as notification information. Notify.

When receiving the notification information, the signal control unit 4
It is determined whether or not to enter the sleep mode (step S
3) When it is determined to enter the sleep mode, a process of allocating a virtual client corresponding to the ID number instead of the client 2 using the signal path 5 with reference to the ID number is performed (step S4).

When the process of assigning to the virtual client is completed, the signal controller 4 notifies the client of the end of the process. Then, upon receiving the processing end notification, the client 2 enters the sleep mode.

While the client 2 is in the sleep mode, the virtual client performs response processing and network processing with the server 1, and the server 1 looks as if the client 2 is operating.

Thus, even if the client uses the resume function, the server does not recognize that the client has been disconnected.

Further, the communication history while the client 2 is in the sleep mode is stored in, for example, the signal control unit 4 (step S5). When the client 2 returns from the sleep mode (step S6), the virtual client Is transmitted from the signal control unit 4 to the client 2 (step S7). As a result, the network information is matched.

For example, when the client 2 returns from the sleep mode, a return signal including an ID number is given from the client 2 to the signal control unit 4. Signal control unit 4
Then, in response to the return signal, the communication history is sent to the client 2 having the corresponding ID number. When receiving the communication history, the client 2 returns from the sleep mode.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a system environment constructed by connecting a client including a device having a resume function to a LAN, each client indicates whether or not the resume function can be used when connecting to a network. Sends the information to the server, and the server creates a virtual client in the area on the server according to the resume information. In sleep mode, the server replaces the virtual client created when connecting to the network with a client that enters sleep mode. Since the assignment is performed, the resume function of the client can be used without affecting other clients connected on the LAN, and as a result, the power consumption can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an LA to which a LAN control method according to the present invention is applied;
It is a figure which shows an example of N.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a LAN control method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 server 2 client 3 virtual client 4 signal control unit 5 signal path 6 signal path

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a LAN having a server and a plurality of clients connected to the server, the client sends first resume information indicating whether or not a resume function can be used when the client is connected to the server. Wherein the server is provided with generating means for generating a virtual client in a predetermined area of the server according to the resume information. 2. The LAN control method according to claim 1, wherein said generating means creates said virtual client in said predetermined area when said resume information indicates that said virtual client is usable. LAN control method. 3. The LAN control system according to claim 2, wherein said client is provided with second sending means for sending sleep mode information indicating entering sleep mode when entering sleep mode, and wherein said server is provided with said server. And a allocating means for allocating the virtual client in response to the sleep mode information in place of the client that transmitted the sleep mode information.