JPH096738A - Information processing method for distributed information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To shorten the time required for switching processing information by transferring new processing information from a designated information processor to the other information processor before the switching of processing information and switching that processing information to the new information when the switching command for new information is issued. CONSTITUTION: When restart is instructed to a computer 14 or 10, it is discriminated whether switching is instructed or not and when the switching is not instructed, the processing of restart is executed. When the switching is instructed, on the other hand, the information of an under-execution file 68 is saved into a save file 72 as the switching operation of a program or data and the information of a file 70 for switching is saved into the under-execution file 68. Afterwards, the information of the file 70 for switching is loaded to a user program 64 and the switched results of respective files are stored. When the loading processing is normally finished, the contents of a version managing table 66 is updated and a message showing the completion of start is outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method for a distributed information processing system, and more particularly to a distributed information processing system suitable for exchanging programs etc. in a plurality of distributed information processing devices. Information processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in information processing systems such as computers, technology for decentralizing computer systems has been developed due to higher performance and lower cost of the system and development of network technology. . In disposing each computer in such an information processing system in a distributed manner, it is inevitable to modify or add a program in order to deal with a program defect or a program function expansion. When modifying the program of each computer, as the modification work for each computer, the modification work is developed one by one and the program etc.
Store in a storage medium such as D (floppy disk), and
The method of carrying around D is adopted.

However, in such a method, since the correction work is troublesome, in recent years, a client / server system is used, and one machine in the system is used as a common information server, and common information is transmitted from the server to each machine. The method of transferring and reducing the maintenance man-hour is adopted. That is, when the information common to each machine changes,
The server outputs a common information acquisition request to each client, each client compares the time acquired on the server side with the time acquired last time, and when common information is not acquired, the common information is acquired from the server. I am trying.

[0004]

However, in the conventional client / server system, as the number of computers serving as clients increases, the number of acquisition requests and transfer processing to the servers increase, and the server and each client are connected. It becomes impossible to replace common information all at once because the load on the network becomes high or the responsiveness is delayed beyond the processing capacity of the server. Further, when the correction contents of the program are large-scale, it takes a lot of time just to transfer the correction contents, and therefore the time for replacing the programs may be limited.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method for a distributed information processing system which can shorten the time required to switch new processing information.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention replaces the current processing information from a specified information processing apparatus among a plurality of distributed information processing apparatuses to another information processing apparatus. New processing information is sequentially transferred as processing information, and after another information processing device receives the new processing information,
Distributing the designated information processing device to another information processing device to switch to the new processing information, and other information processing devices switching the current processing information to the new processing information on the condition that this command is received. The information processing method of the type information processing system is adopted.

When the information processing method of the distributed information processing system is adopted, when another information processing apparatus switches the current processing method to a new processing method, this switching is performed all at once, or it is optional for each apparatus. Can be performed at the timing of 1), or when each device is started up next time.

Further, when adopting each information processing method, it is desirable to add the following elements.

(1) Another information processing device saves the current processing information before switching the current processing information to the new processing information, and when switching from the current processing information to the new processing information fails, Restore the current processing information.

(2) Another information processing apparatus leaves a history until the current processing information is switched to the new processing information, and processes the information based on this history.

(3) The new processing information is configured as processing information common to all information processing apparatuses. (4) The new processing information is composed of programs and data for maintaining each information processing device.

(5) The designated information processing device transfers new processing information to another information processing device while the other information processing device is operating.

[0013]

According to the above-described means, new processing information is transferred from the designated information processing apparatus to another information processing apparatus before switching the processing information so that the designated processing apparatus transfers to the other information processing apparatus. On the other hand, since another information processing device switches the current processing information to the new processing information on the condition that the switching to the new processing information is instructed,
As a whole system, it is possible to reduce the time required to switch the processing information. Further, since new processing information may be sequentially transferred from the designated information processing apparatus to another information processing apparatus before switching the processing information, an information transmission line connecting the designated information processing apparatus and another information processing apparatus. It is possible to suppress an increase in the load of.

Further, when the switching to the new processing information fails, the processing information at the present time can be restored, so that the restoration processing can be performed quickly without transferring the original processing information to another information processing apparatus. You can

[0015]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a distributed information processing system showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the distributed information processing system includes a plurality of computers 10, 12, 14 and the computers 10, 12, 14 are arranged in a distributed manner and are connected to each other via a loop network 16. . The network 16 is composed of, for example, a LAN (local area network) using optical fibers, and the network 16 is a loop-shaped network 2 via a coupling device 18 composed of a router.
Connected to 0. In this network 20, a plurality of computers 22 ... 28 having the same functions as the computer 14,
30 is connected. Each computer 10, 12, 14, 2
28, 30 are respectively configured as information processing devices, the computer 10 is configured as a status monitoring / switching instruction device, the computer 12 is configured as a distribution device, and the computers 14, 22 ,. Each of the devices 30 is configured as a maintenance target device.

The computers 10 and 12 are configured as designated information processing devices, and programs and data are exchanged between the computers 10 and 12 and the other computers 14, 22, ... 28, 30. It is like this. When transmitting data, in this embodiment, POINT is used.
TCP / IP (Transmission) is used as a protocol (communication contract) using the TO POINT line.
Control Protocol / Internet
Protocol) is to be used. This protocol has a high reliability and is a transmission protocol that can provide one-to-one communication. The state of data transmission according to this protocol is shown in FIG.

The computer 10 has a CPU, as shown in FIG.
(Central Processing Unit)
And a system management unit 40 belonging to the main component of the main storage unit,
The user program 42 and the version management table 44 are provided, and these can be realized by the main storage unit of the computer 10 and a program stored in the main storage unit.

The system management unit 40 has a configuration control processing function for starting up each computer, a data transmission / reception processing function for exchanging data with other computers for configuration control and status reference, and distribution to other computers. It has a version management function for managing the programs and data and a status reference processing function for referring to the status of each part for configuration control. The data is transmitted according to a predetermined communication protocol. The user program 42 includes, for example, various application programs, and the program determines the state of whether or not each computer is operating. On the other hand, the version management table 44
Is configured as a means for managing the version of the operating program currently being processed, the switching preparation status, and the actual results.The contents of this table include information such as whether each computer is operating or not. It is updated according to the survival information indicating whether the version of the program is stored.

The computer 12 has a CPU, as shown in FIG.
And a system management unit 50 belonging to the main component of the main storage unit,
The management information file 52, the user program 54, and the switching file 56 are provided, and these are
It can be realized by a main storage unit in the computer 12 and a program stored in the main storage unit.

The system management unit 50 exchanges information about a replacement (maintenance) program and data generated as new processing information common to all computers as processing information in place of the current processing information with other computers. Data transmission / reception processing function, version management function that manages programs and data distributed to other computers, information about actual results when information is distributed (transferred) to other computers, and recording of information related to replacement of programs and data It is provided with a recording / editing processing function for editing. In addition,
Data is transferred according to a predetermined communication protocol.

The management information file 52 is configured as a file for leaving a record of the version of the operating program currently being executed and the replacement of the program and data. The user program 54 is composed of, for example, various application programs, and when the programs and data are replaced, the maintenance target computer 1 is executed.
It is configured as a work program corresponding to 4, 22, ... 28, 30. The switching file 56 is
The file is configured as a file for storing a user program for performing replacement and information before data loading, and this file is configured as, for example, an object module or a command file for storage.

On the other hand, the computers 14, 22 to be maintained
...... 28 and 30 are, as shown in FIG. 5, a system management unit 60, a management information file 62, a user program 64, a version management table 66, a running file 68, and switching that belong to the main constituent elements of the CPU and main storage unit. File 7
0, the save file 72 is provided, and these can be realized by a main storage unit in each computer and a program stored in the main storage unit.

The system management unit 60 is related to a data transmission / reception processing function for exchanging information regarding a replacement program or data with another computer, a version management function for managing the stored program or data, and a replacement program or data. It is configured with a replacement function for replacement and a configuration control processing function for starting and stopping the computer itself. Data transmission is performed by a predetermined communication protocol. The management information file 62 is configured as a file that leaves a record of the version of the operating program currently being executed and the program and data at the time of replacement. The user program 64 includes, for example, various application programs, and is configured as a program regarding a maintenance target for performing replacement.

On the other hand, the version management table 66 is configured as a means for storing the presence / absence of replacement of programs for replacement, and the contents of this table are activated before the replacement of programs is executed. , Is referred to when the computer 14 is restarted, and is updated after the replacement of the program is implemented. The executing file 68 is configured as a file that stores a user program and data, and is a file that stores information before loading the user program and data.
For example, an object module and a command file for storage are configured. File for switching 7
0 is configured as a user program for carrying out a program replacement, a file for storing data, and a user program for carrying out a program replacement, a file for storing information before data loading, for example, an object. It is designed to configure modules and command files for storage. Also save file 72
Is configured as a file for recording the version of the operating program currently being executed and the information at the time of replacing the program or data.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, as a maintenance target by the computer 12,
A process of designating the computer 14 among the computers 14, 22 to 33 and transmitting the switching program and data to the computer 14 will be described.

When the computer 10 generates a switching program or data, these pieces of information are registered in the switching file 56 (step S1). The switching file 56 also includes a switching program and a file relating to a switching procedure indicating a loading method at the time of switching. Next, it is determined whether the distribution destination of the program or data stored in the switching file 52 is the computer 14 (step S2). Distribution destination is computer 14
When it is determined that the information of the switching file 56 is distributed to the computer 14 (step S3). On the other hand, if the distribution destinations are different, an instruction is given to cancel the distributed information (step S4). In this case, the distributed information is canceled and the file is registered again.

Next, when the information is distributed from the computer 12 to the computer 14, the process shown in FIG. 7 is executed in the computer 14.

That is, the computer 14 receives the information of the file transferred from the computer 12, and stores the received information in the switching file 70 (step S20). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a cancel instruction from the computer 12 (step S21), and when there is a cancel instruction, the information stored in the switching file 70 is discarded. On the other hand, when there is no cancel instruction, the survival information indicating that the computer 14 is currently operating is displayed as status information together with the version information that can be replaced in the switching file 70, and is transmitted to the computer 10 (step S22). .

Next, the processing for the actual replacement work will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in the computer 10, as a preliminary preparation, the state information from the computer 14 is fetched, and the computer 14
It is confirmed whether or not the version has become the corresponding version at the time of maintenance, and the replacement work is started under the condition that the version stored in the switching file 70 becomes the corresponding version (steps S31 and S32).

When the actual replacement work is performed, the computer 10 instructs the computer 14 to switch the version (step S33). This instruction is for computer 14
It is determined by referring to the status information from the computer 14 (step S34).

At this time, the computer 14 executes the processing shown in FIG. That is, the information from the computer 10 is fetched, and it is determined whether or not there is a replacement instruction (steps S50 and S51). When it is determined that there is a replacement instruction, the information in the version management table 66 is updated, and then, It is stored that the switching is performed when the computer 14 starts up (step S52).

When such processing is being performed,
As shown in FIG. 8, the computer 10 instructs the computer 14 to restart (step S35). When this instruction is input to the computer 14, steps S5 to S in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the replacement work by the computer 14 is carried out. That is, the contents of the program or data currently processed stored in the executing file 68 are temporarily saved in the save file 72, and the programs or data stored in the switching file 70 are transferred to the executing file 68. The file 68 being executed and the file 70 for switching
Information is collected and it is determined whether the replacement is normally performed (steps S5 and S6). When the replacement is normally performed, the work item is confirmed, and it is determined whether the replacement is required continuously. Only when the replacement is required continuously, the process returns to the process of step S1, and the replacement is required. If not, the process of this routine ends (step S).
8, S9). When the replacement cannot be performed normally, the recovery process is performed according to the instruction from the computer 10 (step S7).

Next, the processing when the computer 14 is restarted will be described with reference to FIG.

When the computer 14 receives a restart instruction from the computer 10, the computer 14 determines whether or not there is a switching instruction (steps S60 and S61). If there is no switching instruction, the restart processing is performed. Is executed (step S62).

On the other hand, when there is a switching instruction,
As the work of exchanging programs and data, the information of the executing file 68 is saved in the save file 72, and the information of the switching file 70 is saved in the executing file 68 (steps S63 and S64). After that, the information of the switching file 70 is loaded into the user program 64 (step S65), the replacement result of each file is stored, and it is determined whether the loading process is completed normally (steps S66 and S67). . When the loading is completed normally, the contents of the version management table 66 are updated, the contents of the version are displayed, and the message of completion of startup is output (steps S68 and S60). on the other hand. If the loading has failed, the information in the version management table 66 is updated with the information due to the abnormal termination, and the contents of the version are displayed (step S70). After this, a message indicating abnormal termination is output, and the recovery process is awaited (step S71).

While the processing by the computer 14 is being performed, the processing result of the computer 14 is transferred to the computer 10,
As shown in step S36 of FIG. 8, the computer 10 confirms whether or not the restart of the computer 10 has ended in a normal state (steps S36 and S37). When the process ends normally, the configuration controller of the computer 10 brings the computer 14 into a normal operating state (step S3).
8). On the other hand, when the restart is unsuccessful, the computer 14 is recovered by the recovery process (step S39).

In the above processing, the case where the replacement work of the programs and data was completed in the normal state was described. However, when the replacement of the programs and data fails, the processing for recovering is explained according to FIG. 11 to FIG. explain.

First, as a preliminary preparation of the computer 10, FIG.
As shown in 1, input status information from the computer 14,
The version of the program distributed to the computer 14 is confirmed, and it is determined whether the program switching has failed (step S81). That is, it is determined whether the version matches the specified version. When it is determined that the switching has failed, as a restoration work, the restoration instruction is given from the computer 10 to the computer 14, and it is determined whether or not the restoration instruction is transmitted to the computer 14 (step S
82, S83). Whether or not this instruction has been transmitted to the computer 14 can be determined by referring to the state information from the computer 14.

At this time, on the computer 14 side, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, as a recovery preparation work, a command from the computer 10 is received, and it is determined whether or not this command is a recovery instruction (steps S90 and S91). When a recovery instruction is issued, version management is performed. The information in the table 66 is updated, and at the same time, the version management table 66 stores information for carrying out the process of restoring at the next startup (step S92).

When the computer 10 issues an instruction to restart the computer 14 while the recovery work by the computer 14 is being prepared (step S84 in FIG. 11), the computer 14 changes as shown in FIG. As a preparation for recovery work, it is determined whether or not the command from the computer 10 is a recovery command (steps S100 and S101). At this time, when there is no recovery instruction, the CPU 14 of the computer 14 is restarted (step S102).

On the other hand, when the instruction from the computer 10 is a restoration instruction, the information of the save file 72 is saved in the running file 68 and the information of the save file 72 is loaded based on the actual environmental conditions as a recovery operation. (Steps S103 and S104). After that, the contents of the version management table 66 are updated and the contents of the version are displayed (step S105). Then, a startup completion message is output, and the processing of this routine ends (step S106).

When the restoration work by the computer 14 is completed,
As shown in step S85 of FIG. 11, the computer 10 confirms that the computer 14 has been restarted after restarting, and the processing in this routine is ended.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the computer 1
Since the information about the switching program and data from 0 and 12 is transferred to the computer 14 and then the contents of the program and data are switched when the computer 14 is started, the time for switching the program and data can be shortened. You can

Further, according to this embodiment, since the information of the file 68 being executed is saved in the save file 72,
Even when the switching fails, the processing of the original information, that is, the recovery processing can be executed by returning the information of the save file 72 to the file under execution 68.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the explanation has been made according to the process of exchanging the programs and data for the computer 14,
The same can be done for the other computers 22 to 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the transfer and switching of information may be sequentially performed for each computer as in the conventional case. It takes a lot of time to switch the programs and data, but like the present invention, the programs and data for switching are temporarily transferred to all computers 14, 22 to 22.
After transmission to 30, the contents of programs and data are switched all at once when each of the computers 14, 22 to 30 is started up, whereby the time required for switching can be shortened.

The timing for switching programs and data in each computer 14, 22-30 should be performed at the same time for all the computers, at the second timing for each computer, or at the time of starting each computer. You can

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Prior to switching the processing information, the new processing information is transferred from the designated information processing apparatus to another information processing apparatus, and the designated processing apparatus instructs another information processing apparatus to switch to the new processing information. Since the other information processing apparatus switches the current processing information to the new processing information on the condition that the processing is performed, the time required for switching the processing information can be shortened in the entire system. Further, since new processing information may be sequentially transferred from the designated information processing apparatus to another information processing apparatus before switching the processing information, an information transmission line connecting the designated information processing apparatus and another information processing apparatus. It is possible to suppress an increase in the load of.

Further, when the switching to the new processing information fails, the processing information at the present time can be restored, so that the restoration processing can be performed quickly without transferring the original processing information to another information processing apparatus. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a distributed information processing system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of data transmission by point-to-point line.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer 10.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer 12.

5 is a block diagram of a computer 14. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the replacement work of the computer 10.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining work before replacement of the computer 14.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a replacement preparation work and a replacement work of the computer 10.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a replacement preparation work of the computer 14.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining replacement preparation work and replacement work when the computer 14 is restarted.

11 is a flowchart for explaining a restoration preparation work and a restoration work of the computer 10. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a recovery preparation work of the computer 14.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a recovery preparation work and a recovery action of the computer 14.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for comparing working times involved in switching work of the present invention and a conventional example.

[Explanation of Codes] 10, 12, 13, 22-30 Computer 16, 20 Network 40, 50, 60 System management unit 42, 54, 64 User program 44, 66 Version management table 56, 70 Switching file 68 Running file 72 Save file

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A new processing information is sequentially transferred from a designated information processing apparatus among a plurality of distributed information processing apparatuses to another information processing apparatus as processing information in place of the current processing information, and the other information processing apparatus is transferred. After receiving new processing information,
Distributing the designated information processing device to another information processing device to switch to the new processing information, and other information processing devices switching the current processing information to the new processing information on the condition that this command is received. Processing method of a portable information processing system. 2. New processing information is sequentially transferred from a designated information processing apparatus among a plurality of distributed information processing apparatuses to another information processing apparatus as processing information in place of the current processing information, and another information processing apparatus is transferred. After receiving new processing information,
The specified information processing device instructs the other information processing devices to switch to the new processing information, and other information processing devices simultaneously broadcast the current processing information to the new processing information on the condition that this command is received. Information processing method of switching distributed information processing system. 3. New processing information is sequentially transferred from a designated information processing apparatus to another information processing apparatus out of a plurality of distributed information processing apparatuses as processing information in place of the current processing information, and another information processing apparatus is transferred. After receiving new processing information,
The specified information processing device instructs another information processing device to switch to the new processing information, and on the condition that this command is received, the other information processing device uses the current processing information as the new processing information for each device. An information processing method of a distributed information processing system which is switched to an arbitrary timing. 4. New processing information is sequentially transferred from a designated information processing apparatus among a plurality of distributed information processing apparatuses to another information processing apparatus as processing information in place of the current processing information, and another information processing apparatus is transferred. After receiving new processing information,
The specified information processing device instructs another information processing device to switch to the new processing information, and when the other information processing device next starts up the device on condition that this command is received, the current processing is performed. An information processing method of a distributed information processing system for switching information to new processing information. 5. The other information processing device saves the current processing information before switching the current processing information to the new processing information, and when the switching from the current processing information to the new processing information fails, The information processing method for a distributed information processing system according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the processing information of (1) is restored. 6. The dispersion according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein another information processing device leaves a history until the current processing information is switched to the new processing information, and processes the information based on this history. Processing method of a portable information processing system. 7. The new processing information is configured as processing information common to each information processing apparatus.
Alternatively, the information processing method of the distributed information processing system according to item 6. 8. The information of the distributed information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the new processing information is composed of a program and data for maintaining each information processing apparatus. Processing method. 9. The specified information processing device transfers new processing information to another information processing device while the other information processing device is operating. Alternatively, the information processing method of the distributed information processing system according to item 8.