JPH10124419A - Software and data matching distribution method for client server system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a software/data matching distribution method in a client server system which can effectively use the hardware resources of a computer and has high reliability. SOLUTION: A server 2 has a client distribution object management file system 7 that has the same constitution as a file system 10 of a client computer 3, and a distribution tool 9 is added to the computer 3. When the software and data are received, the server 2 is accessed via the tool 9 and the file attribute information on files are compared with each other between both systems 7 and 10. Then the difference files having different file attribute information are transferred to the computer 3 from the server 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of distributing software and data (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "software") in a client-server system. The present invention relates to a consistent distribution method of software to be distributed so as to be consistent with the latest one.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a computer that plays a central role in managing and providing data and software is called a "server", and a computer that makes a request to this server and uses data and software is called a "client". A system that efficiently performs unified information processing by linking clients is called a client-server system.

Recently, the client server system has been widely used in place of the conventional information processing system including a host computer and a terminal. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a system in which a client-server system is constructed hierarchically and a large number of client computers are simultaneously operated in an end layer has come to be seen.

Here, in order to unify terms in the present specification, the configuration of the above-mentioned hierarchical client-server system is confirmed.

As shown in FIG. 4, a hierarchically structured client-server system includes a computer 1 (which is referred to as a center 1) which performs overall management, and a plurality of computers 2 (which is referred to as a server 2). Is connected, and a number of client computers 3 are connected under each server 2.

The center 1 and the server 2 and the server 2 and the client computer 3 have a client-server relationship, respectively, and exchange information to perform unified information processing as a whole.

[0007] The hierarchical client-server system is used in a company as follows. For example,
The head office has a center 1, each branch has one server 2, and the employees of each branch use their own client computers 3, the server 2 or the server 2.
The necessary software and data are extracted from the client computer 3 via the client computer 3 and the unified information processing is performed for all head offices and branches.

A system in which the method of the present invention is particularly effective is a large-scale client-server system having a large number of client computers, and is not limited to the above-mentioned hierarchical client-server system. Since it includes a large number of client computers, the following description will be made with the above-mentioned hierarchical client-server system in mind.

In the large-scale client-server system, each terminal client computer 3 performs information processing. Actually, as described above, each client computer 3 performs information processing as a whole while exchanging information with the server 2 and other client computers 3.

In such a system, if the software and data processed by each client computer 3 are not always the same (the same version in the updated software and data), inconsistency arises in the processing results, and unified Information processing cannot be performed.

However, the large-scale client-server system as shown in FIG. 4 may have thousands or more than 10,000 client computers 3 depending on the scale of the system.

These many client computers 3
A special management system, that is, a method of consistently distributing software and data, is required to always perform processing with the same version of software and data.

Next, a method for consistently distributing software and data in the conventional large-scale client-server system will be described with reference to FIG.

Conventionally, in a large-scale client-server system, software and data to be distributed at one time are handled as one package, and a version number and a control file are attached to each package. Distribute up to 2.

FIG. 3 shows a package distributed to each server 2.

Each server 2 considers that the distribution includes updated files in no particular order and that the client computer has not received the software distribution for a long time,
In principle, each package from the first distribution to the latest distribution is stored (in FIG. 3, packages P1,..., P4 from version 1 to version 4 are stored).

Each of the packages P1,..., P4 has a version number (Version 0001 to Ve).
control file (C.rsion0004) and a control file (C
control file) and software or the like to be distributed (distributed software 1, 2, 3,...).

Further, the server 2 has a version file 4 (Version File) which is updated each time a package is distributed and records the latest distribution information. In the case of FIG. 3, the version file 4 of the server 2 records the distribution information of the version number 0004.

On the other hand, each client computer 3 has a version file 5 recording the latest version number and the like distributed by itself, and its own destination information when receiving distribution of software from the server 2;
Holding. In the example of FIG. 3, the version file 5 of the client computer 3 records the distribution information of the hard number 0002.

In a conventional client-server system, distribution of software and data is performed as follows.

The client computer 3 accesses the server 2 and first compares the version file 5 held by the client computer 3 with the version file 4 held by the server 2.

As a result of this comparison, for example, as shown in FIG.
The latest distribution package in server 2 is version 00
If the distribution package is version 0002, whereas the distribution package is version 0002, the client computer 3 requests the server 2 to distribute the version 0003 and version 0004 packages. Not only version 0004 but also version 0003
Is distributed because version 0004 and version 0003 distribution may contain the same file or different files.

In response to this request, the server 2 transmits the version 3 and version 4 software and the like to a predetermined directory designated by the client computer 3 (client distribution target directory 6) under the control of the control file of each package. I do.

Thus, the latest distribution software and data are distributed from the server 2 to the client computer 3, and the software and the like of the client computer 3 are adjusted to the latest version.

[0025]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method for consistently distributing software of a client-server system, the utilization efficiency of hardware resources is low,
In addition, inconvenience may occur in operation. This will be described below.

In the conventional software consistent distribution method, as is apparent from the above description, each server stores and holds software and data in each distribution from the first distribution in principle.

However, in practice, the same file is frequently updated, and it is not originally necessary to keep a file for each version of such a file. Keeping such unnecessary files reduces the utilization efficiency of hardware resources.

In the conventional software consistent distribution method, a control file for controlling the association of software to be distributed and the duplication / distribution is created and attached to the package for each distribution.

However, the operation of creating the control file is complicated.

In the conventional software consistent distribution method, when there is a difference between the version file of the client computer and the version file of the server,
All distribution software and data up to the latest version number had to be distributed.

However, in practice, the same file is often updated repeatedly, and a distribution of an unnecessary intermediate version of the same file must also be received, and the labor and time required for the distribution are wasted. Met.

In the conventional software consistent distribution method, each client computer specifies a directory for storing the distributed software.
This method alone could not cope with the need to create a completely new directory.

In the conventional method, there is no means at the center for ascertaining the version of the software distributed to each client computer.

Further, in the conventional method, when each client computer desires distribution of software or the like, the server accesses the server and receives the distribution. Therefore, an accident occurs in which the currently operating software is updated. There was something.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and uses software matching in a client-server system capable of efficiently using hardware resources of a computer and distributing software with high reliability. To provide a distribution method.

[0036]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for consistently distributing software and data in a client-server system, wherein a server has a client distribution management file system identical to a file system that a client computer should have. Build and store the latest version of software and data files to be distributed in this client distribution management file system, operatively provide a distribution tool on the client computer, and the client computer distributes the software and data. Upon receipt, the distribution tool accesses the server, compares the file system of the client with the file attribute information of each file of the client distribution management file system of the server, and determines that the file attribute information differs. It is characterized in that to transfer the differential file from the server to the client computer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for consistently distributing software and data in a client-server system according to the first aspect, wherein the distribution tool includes a file system of a client computer and a file for managing the client distribution on a server. In comparison with the system, a directory is added or deleted so that the file system of the client computer has the same configuration as the client distribution management file system of the server.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for consistently distributing software and data in a client-server system according to the first and second aspects, wherein the distribution tool operates immediately after power-on of the client computer. It is a feature.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for consistently distributing software and data in a client-server system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the distribution tool transmits a predetermined file from a server.
The work record of the transfer is output to the server.

[0040] The medium according to claim 5 of the present application provides the server with:
A client distribution management file system identical to the file system that the client computer should have is constructed, and the latest version of software and data to be distributed is stored in the client distribution management file system. When receiving the distribution of software and data, the server accesses the server, compares the file system of the client with the file attribute information of each file of the file system for managing the client distribution of the server, and determines a difference file having different file attribute information. It records a program to be transferred from the server to the client computer.

[0041]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The "consistent distribution method of software in a client-server system" according to the present invention summarizes, in a server, an entire file system of software and data to be possessed by a client computer, and the latest file of each file of the file system is constructed. The file attributes (file size and update date) are used to indicate the version. On the other hand, the distribution tool is operated on each client computer, and the file system of the user (client computer) is compared with the file system of the server. The latest file is imported for different files.

FIG. 1 shows a “method of consistent distribution of software in a client server system” according to the present invention.
Are shown for realizing.

As shown in FIG. 1, according to this method, the server 2 creates a client distribution management file system 7 having the same file system as each client computer 3 connected to the server 2 should have. Have.

The client distribution management file system 7 stores all the latest software and data files to be distributed. The attribute of the file (file size and update date) is also included as an indication of the file version.

Further, the server 2 is provided with a distribution destination definition file 8 storing information on the client computer 3 to which software and the like are to be distributed.

On the other hand, the client computer 3 has a distribution tool 9 which starts up at the same time as turning on the power and extracts a predetermined file from the server 2. Note that the activation at the same time as the power is turned on can be set as necessary.

Further, the client computer 3
A client-side file system 10 for performing processing for an intended purpose is constructed in advance.

Next, a method for consistently distributing software by the server 2 and the client computer 3 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that FIG.
Shows the process flow of the method according to the invention.

First, in the client server system having the above configuration, when the power is turned on to the client computer 3, the distribution tool 9 is started.

The activated distribution tool 9 immediately reads the server definition held by the client computer 3, recognizes the connection destination server, and accesses the so-called server 2 (step S10 in FIG. 2).
0).

At this time, the server 2 checks the directory of the client computer 3 to be distributed by collating with the distribution destination definition file 8.

Next, the distribution tool 9 acquires attribute information of each file of the client distribution management file system 7 of the server 2 (step S110 in FIG. 2).

Next, the distribution tool 9 compares the acquired attribute information of each file with the attribute information of each file of the client-side file system 10 (step S in FIG. 2).
120).

According to the above comparison, the files that have not been updated to the latest version of the client computer 3 are:
Files with different file attributes (referred to as difference files)
It turns out as.

If the difference file is found, the distribution tool 9 accesses the server 2, extracts the difference file from the client distribution management file system 7, and places the file in the same directory of the client-side file system 10. Copying is performed (step S130 in FIG. 2).

Preferably, while the difference file is being copied, the client computer 3 displays a screen on which a file is being received from the server 2 and prohibits access to the file being received.

At this time, if the difference file belongs to a new directory that does not exist in the client-side file system 10, the distribution tool 9 newly builds the same directory in the client computer 3,
Copy the difference file to that directory.

On the other hand, if the directory in the client file system 10 is not in the client distribution management file system 7, the same directory in the client file system 10 can be deleted.

When the work such as copying the file is completed, the distribution tool 9 records the work 11
(Referred to as log) is output to the client computer 3 and the server 2 (step S140 in FIG. 2).

With the above processing, the file of the client computer 3 is updated to the same version as the file of the client distribution management file system 7 of the server 2 at the same time when the client computer 3 is started. Thus, the client computer 3 connected to the server 2 always performs processing with the latest version of software and data, and can perform unified processing as the whole client server system.

Next, the operation and effect of the above embodiment will be described below.

According to the above embodiment, the server 2 only needs to hold the latest software and data files to be distributed.

According to the present embodiment, only the latest version of a file is stored in the client distribution management file system 7 of the server 2, and even if the same file is updated a plurality of times, the intermediate version is updated each time. Be updated.

As a result, unnecessary saving of old files is omitted, and the utilization efficiency of the server 2 can be improved.

Next, according to the above embodiment, the creation of the control file attached to each package for each distribution can be omitted.

According to the present embodiment, the distribution tool 9 of each client computer 3 detects the difference file,
Since they are requested to be sent, the creation of a control file for each distribution can be omitted.

As a result, the labor for creating the control file is greatly reduced.

Next, according to the above embodiment, useless transmission and reception of files can be omitted.

That is, conventionally, when the same file has been updated a plurality of times, the intermediate version of the file has also been successively distributed until the latest file is distributed. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, only the latest version of the file needs to be distributed.

As a result, it is possible to prevent a waste of time due to useless transmission and reception and a reduction in computer use efficiency.

Next, according to the present embodiment, since the file system of the client computer 3 is made to match the file system of the server 2, it is necessary to create a new directory or delete unnecessary directories. Client computer 3
Can follow this, and can flexibly respond to changes in the file system.

Next, according to the present embodiment, since the client computer 3 which has performed the file transfer or the like sends the log to the server 2, in the hierarchical client-server system, the center 1 is connected to each server 2. , The file update status of the terminal client computer 3 can be grasped in the center 1.

This solves the problem that, after the distribution of the file to be updated from the conventional center, it was not possible to grasp what kind of software is being processed by the terminal client computer. Thus, highly reliable information processing can be performed.

Next, according to the present embodiment, at the same time that the client computer 3 is started, the distribution tool 9 accesses the server 2 and
Update the software etc. of the inside to the latest version. In addition, during the update, the update progress screen is displayed, and access to the update file is denied.

As a result, it is possible to prevent a problem that the file is processed by the old software or the like, or a running file is erroneously updated.

Finally, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce a system error caused by updating a file.

Conventionally, as described above, when updating a file, it has been necessary to sequentially update the package up to the latest version. But server 2
In some cases, the package itself could not be distributed in the middle for some reason. Alternatively, the version file was corrupted for some reason. In these cases, when distributing software or the like from the server 2 to the client computer 3, a system error may occur.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, there is no need to perform such a sequential version update, and the difference file is determined by a simple comparison by the distribution tool 9. It is possible to prevent a system error from occurring.

[0079]

According to the "method of consistently distributing software and data in a client-server system" according to the first aspect of the present invention, the server includes only the latest software and data files to be distributed in the client distribution management file system. , It is not necessary to store an intermediate version of the repeatedly updated file.

As a result, it is not necessary to spend hardware resources for unnecessary files, and the utilization efficiency of hardware resources can be improved.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, distribution of software or the like is performed by a distribution tool of each client computer, and the distribution tool can be distributed once if installed on the client computer. This can save the trouble of creating a control file for duplication / distribution attached to the distribution package every time the software or the like is conventionally distributed.

Thus, the work load for distributing software and the like can be reduced, and a failure due to a defect in the control file can be prevented, and highly reliable software distribution can be performed.

Further, according to the method of claim 1, when a difference file is found, the latest file can be directly transferred.

Thus, when transferring a file whose update of the conventional version is delayed, it is possible to eliminate the need to sequentially transfer each version up to the latest version.

Next, according to the “method of consistently distributing software and data in the client-server system” of the present invention, the distribution tool compares the file systems of the client computer and the server. Since the directory of the file system is added / deleted to be the same as the file system of the server, it is possible to flexibly cope with the distribution of software or the like with the change of the directory.

The other effects of the second aspect are the same as those of the first aspect.

Next, according to the “method of consistently distributing software and data in the client-server system” according to claim 3 of the present application, the distribution tool operates immediately after the power of the client computer is turned on. The information is rewritten to a version of software or the like, whereby the unified information processing as the client-server system can be reliably performed.

The other effects of the third aspect are the first and second aspects.
Is the same as the above method.

Next, according to the “method of consistently distributing software and data in the client server system” according to claim 4 of the present application, when the distribution tool transfers a file, the work record is output to the server. By obtaining a file transfer record from each server, the current software distribution status of each client computer can be ascertained.

Thus, an advantageous system operation can be performed.

The other effects of the third aspect are the same as those of the first to third aspects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing means for realizing a “method of consistently distributing software and data in a client server system” according to the present invention and a flow of processing between those means.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a “method of consistent distribution of software and data in a client server system” according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a conventional software and data consistent distribution method.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hierarchical client-server system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Center 2 Server 3 Client computer 4 Version file 5 Version file 6 Client distribution target directory 7 Client distribution management file system 8 Distribution destination definition file 9 Distribution tool 10 Client side file system 11 Log

Claims (5)

[Claims] A client distribution management file system identical to a file system that a client computer should have is constructed on a server, and the latest version of software and data to be distributed to the client distribution management file system. And a distribution tool is operably provided on the client computer. When the client computer receives distribution of software and data, the distribution tool accesses the server, and the file system of the client and the server Comparing file attribute information of each file of the client distribution management file system, and transferring a difference file having different file attribute information from the server to the client computer. Consistent method of distributing software and data in the arm. 2. The distribution tool compares a file system of a client computer with a file system for managing client distribution of a server, and makes a file system of the client computer identical to a file system of client distribution management on a server. 2. The consistent distribution method of software and data in a client-server system according to claim 1, wherein a directory is added or deleted such that: 3. The method for consistently distributing software and data in a client-server system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution tool operates immediately after the power of the client computer is turned on. 4. The client-server system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution tool outputs a work record of the transfer to the server after transferring the predetermined file from the server. A method for consistent distribution of software and data. 5. A server for constructing a client distribution management file system identical to a file system that a client computer should have, and a file of the latest version of software and data to be distributed to the client distribution management file system. When receiving the distribution of software and data to the client computer, the server accesses the server, compares the file system of the client with the file attribute information of each file of the client distribution management file system of the server, A medium storing a program for transferring a difference file having different file attribute information from the server to the client computer.