JPH10269127A - Information link managing method and information provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the traffic and to prevent a storage device from being wasted, by shifting an information provision source to a server computer as a correction source at a request to provide information corresponding to corrected information to another server computer when the information is corrected on one server computer. SOLUTION: A link management program 12B of a 1st server computer 1 once detecting a file containing information present in an external storage device 12 being corrected sends a correction report including its computer name and the name of the corrected file to link management programs 22B and 32B operating on other server computers 2 and 3. Then, the contents of the corrected file stored in its external storage device 22 are modified into a link to the file as the correction source and the link destination of information corresponding to the corrected information is shifted to the server computer 1 as the correction source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system which provides a service for accessing information from a client computer to a server computer, such as a WWW service, to store the same information on a plurality of server computers. In the environment where access from client computers is distributed by holding the information link management method and the information link management method which are preferably applied when copying information in order to ensure consistency of information between server computers. It relates to the information providing system used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of network infrastructure, W
An information providing service using a hyperlink, such as a WW (World Wide Web) system, has become available. In addition, companies are using the same technology to provide internal information services and even work.

[0003] The WWW system uses H, which is text information.
By describing a link to another document in a TML document, it is possible to follow a chain of information. Therefore, there is no need for the service user to be aware of which server computer is accessing the information to obtain the information. However, depending on the form of the network, when a company or the like installs a WWW server at each branch office and exchanges information between the branch offices, when a narrow band line such as an ISDN line or a public line is used as a communication line, However, it takes a long time to transfer a large amount of data, and the response to the service user may be extremely slow.

As a method for solving this, a mirroring technique is used. In other words, data can be transferred from one server to another server by using time that the service is not using, such as at night or in the early morning, and the same information can be duplicated for each branch office so that the information can be used in a LAN environment. By doing so, the response to the service user is improved.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional mirroring technology, a time lag occurs until the information is changed to the latest information in order to specify the time for transferring the information. Further, since information that is not referred to is also transferred, there is a problem that the traffic increases and the storage device is wastefully used.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to, when a plurality of server computers hold the same information in order to realize the same service, immediately transmit the updated information to another server computer so that the user can obtain new information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information link management method and an information providing system capable of promptly referring to an information link and preventing unnecessary copying of information, thereby reducing traffic and preventing wasteful use of a storage device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, two or more server computers connected to a network have the same information,
In an information providing system that implements the same information providing service in response to an information providing request from a client computer connected to the network to each server computer, when information is corrected on one server computer, the correction is performed. Sending a modification notice from the server computer holding the modified information to another server computer, changing the information on the other server computer into a link to the modified information, and providing the modified information for the other server computer with the modified information. When an information provision request for the corresponding information is made, the information provision source is shifted to the correction source server computer.

[0008] Further, the number of accesses to the information changed to the link to the corrected information is measured on the other server computer, and when the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, the information of the link destination is changed. It is characterized by obtaining and replacing the information.

Further, when another server computer obtains information from a server computer having the corrected information, which server computer has obtained the information is registered, and the same information is stored next time. Is modified, only the registered server computer is notified that the modification has occurred.

Further, a backup computer is set for each server computer, and when the information held by the server computer is modified, a modification notice and a backup notice are transmitted to the backup computer, and the modification information is transmitted to the other computers. Only the notification is transmitted, and the backup computer modifies the information held by itself, and then changes to a link to the corrected information.

If there is no access to the information changed to the link for a certain period of time, the link to the inaccessible information included in the information in the server computer is rewritten to the link of the update source. It is characterized by.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information providing system to which an information link management method of the present invention is applied.

The information providing system according to this embodiment has a first
And a third server computer 1-3 and a client computer 4, which are connected by a network 5.

The first server computer 1 has a CPU 1
1A and a memory 11B, a terminal device 11, an information file 12A, a link management program 12B, a log monitoring program 12C, and an information provision service program 12.
D, a mirror file 12E, an external storage device 12 storing a transfer management file 12F, a link registration file 12G, and the like, and a communication port 13.

Similarly, the second server computer 2
Terminal device 2 comprising CPU 21A and memory 21B
1, information file 22A, link management program 22
B, an external storage device 22 storing a log monitoring program 22C, an information providing service program 22D, a mirror file 22E, a transfer management file 22F, a link registration file 22G, and the like, and a communication port 23.

Similarly, the third server computer 3
Terminal device 3 comprising CPU 31A and memory 31B
1, information file 32A, link management program 32
B, an external storage device 32 storing a log monitoring program 32C, an information providing service program 32D, a mirror file 32E, a transfer management file 32F, a link registration file 32G, and the like, and a communication port 33.

On the other hand, the client computer 4
Terminal device 41 comprising PU 41A and memory 41B
And an external storage device 42 in which an information reference program 42A is stored, and a communication port 43.

Here, the link management programs 12B to 3B
2B, the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C, and the information providing service programs 12D to 32D are stored in a storage medium such as a CDROM, and are read and executed by each server computer when the operation of each of the server computers 1 to 3 is started. .

Further, the first server computer 1 to the third server computer
Can provide the same information in response to an information provision request from the client computer 4, but in the following description, the third server computer 3 provides an information provision service to the client computer 4. In addition to the above, it is also operated as a backup computer of the first server computer 1.

Further, in order to provide the same service in response to an information provision request from the client computer 4, the server computers 1 to 3 store the same information as files in the external storage devices 12 to 32. It is assumed that Then, link management programs 12B to 32B for managing links of these pieces of information, information providing service programs 12D to 32D, and log monitoring programs 12C to 32C are running.

In the client computer 4,
An information reference program 42A for displaying information obtained by accessing the server computer on a screen is running.

In such an environment, for example, the information providing service program 12 of the first server computer 1
When D receives a request to refer to information from the client computer 4 (information provision request), D searches the external storage device 12 for a target file and transfers it to the client computer 4. At that time, the log file records which information has been accessed from which client computer.

On the other hand, the client computer 4
Then, the content of the received information is confirmed, and if the content is link information, an information provision request is transmitted to a server computer (for example, the second server computer 2) indicated by the link information. If it is not link information, the first
The information received from the server computer 1 is displayed on the screen or stored in the external storage device 42.

On the other hand, the link management programs 12B to 32B of each of the server computers 1 to 3 store the external storage device 12
32, the file storing information stored therein is constantly monitored, and when it is detected that the file has been modified, the link management program running on another server computer is notified of its own computer name. And sends a modification notification including the name of the file in which the modification has occurred.
For example, when the link management program 12B of the first server computer 1 detects that a file storing information stored in the external storage device 12 has been modified, the link management program running on the other server computers 2 and 3 A modification notice including the name of the computer itself and the name of the file in which the modification has occurred is transmitted to the programs 22B and 32B. At the same time, a backup notification is transmitted to the third server computer 3 which is a backup computer.

Link management program 22B running on server computer 2 other than the backup computer
Receives the file modification notification, checks whether the corresponding server computer name and file name pair is registered in the link registration file 22G managed by itself, and newly registers the pair if not registered. . Thereafter, the contents of the corrected file stored in the external storage device 22 are changed to a link to the file of the correction source. If it is already registered in the link registration file 22G, nothing is performed.

Thereafter, a link notification is transmitted to the log monitoring program 22C, and the access count of the corresponding file stored in the log monitoring program 22C is set to "0".

As described above, by changing the link destination of the information corresponding to the corrected information to the server computer of the correction source, it is not necessary to distribute the corrected information to each server computer. It is possible to reduce traffic.

On the other hand, the link management program 32B running on the third server computer 3, which is a backup computer, stores a pair of the server computer name and the file name having the original information in the backup management file. After that, the information owned by the user is moved to the backup management location, and the information after correction is obtained from the first server computer 1 and set.

When a new file is created in the first server computer 1, the link management program 12B of the first server computer 1 creates a new file including its own computer name and the created file name. The notification is transmitted to the link management programs 22B and 32B on the other server computers 2 and 3. In this case, the link management program 22B running on the server computer 2 other than the backup computer registers the pair of the computer name and the file name in the link registration file 22G in the same manner as in the case of the modification, and describes the link to the newly created file. Create a file.

The third server computer 3, which is a backup computer, obtains a newly created file from the first server computer 1 in addition to the above operation, and stores the first file in which the original information exists in the backup management file. A pair of the name of the server computer 1 and the file name is stored.

On the other hand, the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C of each of the server computers 1 to 3 monitor the logs stored by the information providing service programs 12D to 32D one by one, and sequentially count reference count values for newly referred information. increase. If the reference count value exceeds a preset value, the link management programs 12B to 32
A reference notification including the file name is sent to B, and the reference count value is returned to “0”.

The link management programs 12B to 32B that have received the reference notice take out the file names included in the received reference notice and retrieve the link registration files 12G to 32G.
G finds the server computer where the original information exists, obtains the information therefrom, and replaces it with the current file.
That is, for information in which the number of references exceeds a predetermined value,
The original information is obtained from the server computer where the original information exists, and the current file is replaced with a duplicate file of the original information. Further, link registration file files 12G-32
The corresponding server computer and file pair are deleted from G.

As described above, by retaining a copy of the correction source information for information whose reference count exceeds a predetermined value, network traffic following a link can be reduced.

On the other hand, the link management program (for example, the link management program 12B of the first server computer 1) on the server computer in which the original information for which the information acquisition request has been received exists exists. The pair of the name of the server computer 2) and the file to be obtained is stored in the transfer management file 12
F, and when the same information is corrected next time, the correction notification is sent only to the server computer (for example, the second server computer 2) stored in the transfer management file 12F from which the information was obtained. Send.

By doing so, it becomes possible to reduce network traffic for correction notification.

The log monitoring programs 12C to 32C
Indicates that, as a result of monitoring the log, if there is a file that has not been accessed for a predetermined period, the link management programs 12B to 32B
Send a no-reference notification to. The link management programs 12B to 32B that have received the no-reference notification change the link to the unreferenced file included in the file in the server computer to the link to the file of the server computer having the original information. The files that have been replaced and not referred to are deleted from the external storage devices 12 to 32.

By doing so, the storage space of 12 to 32 of the external storage device can be prevented from being uselessly used by the information whose use frequency is small, and the storage space of 12 to 32 of the external storage device can be prevented.
2 can be used efficiently.

Hereinafter, the detailed operation of each part of the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show examples of the configuration of information stored in each of the server computers 1 to 3 in order to realize an information providing service in response to an information providing request from the client 4.

As shown in FIG. 2A, each piece of information 21 for implementing the information providing service is composed of information included in itself and links to other information. In this example, HTM used in WWW is used as a method of expressing information itself.
L (Hyper Text Manipulation Language) is used. The information included in itself is represented by general character strings 201 and 203.

The link 202 to other information is <A
It is expressed as a character string enclosed by "(double quotes) in an anchor tag defined by HTML of HREF =" xxx ">.

In the case where the content of the information is only a link, FIG.
As shown by a symbol 22 in (b), using the META tag, the URL (Uniform Resou
The location 204 of the information of the link destination is designated in (rce Locator).

FIG. 3 shows an information providing service program 12D running on server computers 1 to 3 of the present system.
32D to 32D, examples of log files 300 used by the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C. Each time the client computer 4 accesses the information providing service programs 12D to 32D, the client computer 4 records the client computer name 301, the access time 302, the location 303 of the accessed information, and the like in the log file 300.

The log monitoring programs 12C to 32C
Monitors the records in the log file 300 and counts the number of accesses to the accessed information.

FIG. 4 shows log monitoring programs 12C to 32C running on server computers 1 to 3 of the present system.
Is a configuration example of an access count management table 400 secured in its own storage area. Access count management table 4
In 00, four pieces of information, namely, a file name 401 indicating the location of the information, an access count 402, a maximum reference count 403, and an access check time 404 are stored as a group.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the maximum access count setting file 500 used by the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C of the present system. The maximum access count setting file 500 is formed by pairing two pieces of information, ie, a file name storing information or a directory in which the file exists in a tree structure, ie, a directory name 501 which is a higher order directory and a maximum access count 502. Store it. The maximum access count 502 is a check for notifying the link management programs 12B to 32B that the information should be transferred from the server computer where the original information exists when the number of accesses to the information exceeds this value. use. However, if the maximum access count is “*”, it indicates that copying is not performed.

FIG. 6 shows link management programs 12B to 32 running on server computers 1 to 3 of the present system.
6 is a configuration example of a link registration file 600 used by B. In the link registration files 12G to 32G, the name 601 of the server computer holding the original information and the name 602 of the file where the information is located are stored in pairs. In this example, a method of storing the data in a file is adopted, but it goes without saying that a database may be used.

FIG. 7 shows link management programs 12B to 32 running on server computers 1 to 3 of the present system.
6 is a configuration example of a backup management file 700 used by B. In the backup management file 700, the name 701 of the server computer holding the original information and the name 702 of the file where the information is located are stored in pairs. In this example, a method of storing the data in a file is adopted, but it goes without saying that a database may be used.

FIG. 8 shows link management programs 12B to 32 running on server computers 1 to 3 of the present system.
3 is a configuration example of transfer management files 12F to 32F used by B. In the transfer management files 12F to 32F, the name 801 of the server computer from which the information was obtained and the name 802 of the file where the information is located are stored as a pair. In this example, a method of storing the data in a file is adopted, but it goes without saying that a database may be used.

Hereinafter, a detailed operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information reference program 42A running on the client computer 4.

When the information reference program 42A receives from the user the name of the server computer where the information to be referred to exists and the name of the file containing the information (step 901), the server computer with the name designated by the user (for example, It connects to the information providing service program 12D of the first server computer 1) (step 902) and notifies the file name of the information to be obtained (step 90).
3).

In response to the information provision request, information is obtained from the information provision service program 12D (step 90).
4) It is checked whether the content is only a link (step 905). If there is only the link 22 as shown in FIG. 2B, the character string set in the link 22 is analyzed, and the target server computer name and the file name indicating the location of the information are analyzed. (Step 906), and repeat from Step 902. If not, the content of the obtained information is analyzed, and if necessary, displayed on the screen or stored in the external storage device 42 (step 907), and the process is repeated from step 901.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing service programs 12D to 32D running on the server computers 1 to 3.

Information service program 12D-32
D receives a connection request as an information provision request from the information reference program 42A running on the client computer 4 (step 1001), and obtains a file name included in the connection request (step 1002).
A file specified by the connection request is searched from the external storage devices 12 to 32 (step 1003).

If the specified file does not exist, an error message to the effect that the file does not exist is transmitted to the client computer 4 (step 1004).
Repeat from If the specified file exists, the contents of the file are transmitted to the client computer 4 (step 1005), and the process is repeated from step 1001.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the log monitoring programs 12C to 32C running on the server computers 1 to 3. Log monitoring program 12C ~
When 32C is started, it creates an access count management table 400 in its own storage area, reads the maximum reference count information 403 set for each piece of information, and sets it in the table 400 (step 1101).

It is monitored whether data has been added to the log file 300, and if it has been added, one line of data is read (step 1102), and the location 303 of the accessed information is taken out (step 1103). ,
A corresponding entry in the access count management table 400 is searched (step 1104). If there is a corresponding entry, the value of the access count 402 is increased by "1" (step 1105).

As a result, the number of times of reference becomes larger than the maximum number of references 403 and the link registration file (12G, 22G,
If the corresponding file name is registered in G) (step 1106), the link monitoring program (12B, 2)
2B, 32B) (step 110).
7). Thereafter, the number of accesses is set to “0” (step 11
08), and repeat from step 1102.

If there is no corresponding entry in the access count management table 400, the access count 400 is set to "1".
Then, an entry in which the access check time 404 is set at the present time is created (Step 1109), and Step 1106 is performed.
Proceed to.

Separately, as shown in FIG. 11B, the link management program (12B, 22B, 32
Waiting for a connection from B) (step 1110), and receiving a link notification (step 1111), sets the number of times of access of the corresponding file to “0” (step 111).
2) Repeat from step 1110.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, at the set timing (for example, in units of one day, 36 hours, one week, etc.), the access frequency 402 is checked for each entry of the access frequency management table 400. (Step 1113). Regarding the entry where the number of accesses is “0” even though a certain check period (two weeks, one month unit) has elapsed from the previous access check time,
(Step 1114), the link management program (12B,
22B, 32B) (step 11).
15), the corresponding entry is stored in the access count management table 40
It is deleted from 0 (step 1116). For other entries, the access check time 400 of the entry whose check period has elapsed has been set to the current time (step 1117), and the processing is repeated from step 1113.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the link management program 12B running on the server computer (for example, the first server computer 1) storing the original information. When the link management program 12B is started, a list of server computers copying its own information is read from the mirror file 12E, and a mirror server table is created in the storage area (step 120).
1). Further, the transfer management file 12F is read and a transferred table is created (step 1202).

Next, a list of the names of the files holding the information stored in the server computer itself and the creation time is created and held as an information table in the storage area (step 1203). Thereafter, it is checked whether each file has been updated (step 120).
4) If it has been updated, check whether the file is registered in the transferred table (step 1).
205) If it is registered, the server transmits its own computer name and the updated file name to the link management program of each server computer in the table as a correction notification. (Step 1206).

If not registered, the server computer transmits its own computer name and the updated file name to the link management program of all server computers registered in the mirror server table as a modification notice (step 1207).

Also, a backup notification is sent to the third server computer 3 as a backup computer at the same time (step 1208), and the process is repeated from step 1204.

When a new file is created
(Step 1209) The server transmits its own computer name and file name to each server computer registered in the mirror server table as a new creation notification.

A backup notification is also transmitted to the third server computer 3 as a backup computer at the same time (step 1210), and the process is repeated from step 1204.

Further, the link management program 12B
As shown in FIG. 12B, it waits for a connection from the other link management programs 22B and 32B (step 121).
1) When connected, the name of the server computer from which information is to be obtained and the name of the file to be obtained are read (step 1212). The two are paired and stored in the transfer management file 12F (step 1).
213), after transmitting the contents of the file corresponding to the other link management programs 22B and 32B (step 121).
4) Repeat from step 1211.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the link management program 22B running on a server computer (for example, the second server computer 2) which is not a backup computer storing copy information. When the link management program 22B starts, the link management program 12B that runs on the server computer (first server computer 1) having the original information, and the log monitoring program 22C that runs on the server computer itself
It waits for a connection from (step 1301).

If the connection is from the link management program 12B running on another server computer (step 1302), it is checked whether the received notification is a correction notification (step 1303). In 22G, a pair of the name 601 of the server computer having the original information extracted from the modification notification and the file name 602 storing the information is registered (step 130).
4) After changing the contents of the corresponding file stored in the external storage device 22 of the own server computer 2 into a link to the file of the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1305), the log monitoring program 22C
(Step 1309), and repeats from step 1301.

If the received notification is not a correction notification, it is checked whether it is a new creation notification (step 13).
06) If the notification is a new creation notification, the name 601 of the server computer having the original information extracted from the new creation notification is added to the link registration file 22G as in the case of the correction notification.
And a file name 602 storing information is registered (step 1307), and the server computer 1 having the original information is stored in the external storage device 22 of the server computer 2 itself.
A file containing a link to the file is created (step 1308), and the process is repeated from step 1301.

On the other hand, if the connection is from the log monitoring program 22C running on the server computer 2, it is checked whether the received notification is a reference notification (step 1310). The server computer name 601 and the file name 602 having the corresponding original information are extracted from the link registration file 22G (step 1311), and an information acquisition notification is transmitted to the link management program 12G running on the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1311). 1312), replace the existing file with the obtained information (step 1313), delete the corresponding entry from the link registration file 22G (step 1314), and repeat from step 1301.

It is checked whether the received notification is a non-reference notification (step 1315). If the notification is a non-reference notification, the file included in the information stored in the storage device in the server computer 2 of the own server is checked. Is replaced with a link to a file of the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1316), information that is not referred to is further deleted (step 1317), and the process is repeated from step 1301.

FIG. 14 shows a third server computer 3 which is a backup computer storing copy information.
It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the link management program 32B run above.

When the link management program 32B starts, the link management program 12B running on the server computer 1 having the original information and the own server computer 3
It waits for a connection from the log monitoring program 32C running above (step 1401).

If the connection is from the link management program 12B running on another server computer 1 (step 1402), it is checked whether the received notification is a correction notification (step 1403). Are received at the same time (step 1404), and a pair of the name 601 of the server computer 1 having the original information extracted from the correction notification and the file name 602 storing the information is registered in the link registration file 32G (step 1405). External storage device 3 of the own server computer 3
After moving the corresponding file stored in the backup directory to the backup directory (step 1406), the content of the file is newly created as a link to the file of the server computer 1 having the original information (step 140).
7), the name 701 and the file name 7 of the server computer 1 having the original information in the backup management file 700
02 is registered (step 1408), and a link notification is transmitted to the log monitoring program 32C (step 1).
423), and repeat from step 1401.

If the received notification is not a correction notification, it is checked whether it is a new creation notification (step 14).
09) If the notification is a new creation notification, a backup notification is received as in the case of the correction notification (step 1410).
An information acquisition notification is transmitted to the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1411), a new file is created with the acquired information (step 1412), and a copy of the file is created in the backup directory (step 141).
3), the server computer name 701 and the file name 702 whose original information was included in the backup management file 700
Are registered (step 1414), and step 1401 is registered.
Repeat from

On the other hand, if the connection is from the log monitoring program 32C running on the server computer 3, it is checked whether the received notification is a reference notification (step 1415). The server computer name 601 and file name 602 having the corresponding original information are extracted from the link registration file 32G (step 1416), and an information acquisition notification is transmitted to the link management program 12B running on the server computer 1 having the original information (step 1417). ), Replace the existing file with the obtained information (step 1418), delete the corresponding entry from the link registration file 32G (step 1419), and repeat from step 1401.

If the received notification is not a reference notification, it is checked whether it is a non-reference notification (step 14).
20) In the case of the non-reference notification, the link to the file included in the information stored in the storage device in the server computer 3 is replaced with the link to the file of the server computer 1 having the original information (step). 1421) Further, delete the information that is not referred to.
(Step 1422), and repeat from Step 1401.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow between the client computer 4 and the server computers 1 and 2 in this embodiment. Here, the information to be referred to by the client computer 4 is created by the first server computer 1 and the second server computer 2
Has a copy of the original information stored therein. In such a case, as a result of the client computer 4 transmitting the information provision request to the second server computer 2 (step), the information returned from the second server computer 2 is the link information to the first server computer 1. If there is (step), the client computer 4 transmits an information provision request to the linked first server computer 1 (step), and obtains target information (step).

When the information provision request for the target information exceeds the value of the maximum access count 502 set in the maximum access count setting file 500, the second server computer 2 sends the original information from the first server computer 1. Is copied (step). After this copying, a request for providing the copied information is sent from the client computer 4 to the second.
, The second server computer 2 repeats the operation of transferring the copied information to the client computer 4.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of data between the client computer 4 and the server computers 1 and 2 when the conventional mirroring technology is used. Here, it is assumed that the information to be referred to by the client computer 4 exists in the first server computer 1.

In such a case, the client computer 4 transmits an information provision request to the first server computer 1 and repeats the operation of obtaining the target information (step,). If this repetition is large, all information existing in the first computer 1 is copied to the second server computer 2 at a specific time such as at night (step),
Thereafter, the client computer 4 repeats the operation of obtaining the target information from the second server computer 2 (step,).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the client computer 4 transmits an information provision request to the second server computer 2, the link destination information indicating the location where the original information exists is stored in the second server computer 2. Since the computer 2 sends a reply to the client computer 4 to obtain the target information from the first server computer in which the original information exists, even if there is a correction in the first server computer 1, the correction information is transmitted to the second server computer. There is no need to transfer the data to the server computer 2 for copying, and the traffic involved in correcting the original information can be reduced.

Further, since the information existing in the second server computer is changed to a link to the corrected information of the first server computer, the user can immediately refer to the latest information.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications of the details as required.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, two or more server computers connected to a network have the same information, and the client computer connected to the network can control each server. In an information providing system that implements the same information providing service in response to an information providing request to a computer, when information is modified on one server computer, the server computer holding the modified information is transferred from another server to another server. Sending a correction notice to the computer, changing the information on the other server computer into a link to the corrected information, and requesting the other server computer to provide information to the information corresponding to the corrected information; Information that has been corrected by transferring the information provider to another server computer. There is no need to distribute to each server computer, it is possible to reduce the network traffic of the correction information.

The number of accesses to the information changed to the link to the corrected information is measured on the other server computer, and when the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, the information of the link destination is obtained. Then, by replacing the information, network traffic following the link can be reduced.

Further, when another server computer obtains the information from the server computer having the corrected information, it is registered which server computer has obtained the information. When the is corrected, by notifying only the registered other server computers that the correction has occurred, it is possible to reduce network traffic for the correction notification.

Further, a backup computer is set for each server computer, and when the information held by each server computer is corrected, a correction notification and a backup notification are transmitted to the backup computer, and the other computers are transmitted. Sends only a correction notice to the backup computer, corrects the information held by the backup computer, and then changes the link to the corrected information, so that the backed-up computer cannot restore the original information However, it can be easily restored by transferring the backed up information.

Further, if there is no access to the information changed to the link for a certain period of time, the link to the inaccessible information included in the information in the server computer is rewritten to the link of the update source. By
The storage space of the external storage device is not wastefully used with information that has been used a small number of times, and the effect that the storage space of the external storage device can be used efficiently can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information providing system to which an information link management method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of information stored on each server computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a log file stored on each server computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an access count management table secured in a storage area of the log monitoring program.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a maximum access count setting file used by a log monitoring program.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a link registration file used by a link management program.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a backup management file used by a link management program.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transfer management file used by a link management program.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information reference program according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing service program according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the log monitoring program according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a link management program running on a server computer storing original information according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a link management program running on a server computer which is not a backup computer and stores copy information according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of a link management program running on a server computer which is a backup computer storing copy information according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of information between a client computer and a server computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of information between a client computer and a server computer when a conventional mirroring technique is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3, server computer, 4 client computer, 5 network, 11, 21, 31, 4
1 terminal device, 12, 22, 32, 42 external storage device, 12B, 22B, 32B link management program
12C, 22C, 32C: log monitoring program, 12
D, 22D, 32D: Information service program, 4
2A: Information reference program.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. The same information is stored in two or more server computers connected to a network,
In an information providing system for realizing the same information providing service in response to an information providing request from a client computer connected to the network to each server computer, when information is corrected on one server computer, the correction is performed. Sending a modification notice from the server computer holding the modified information to another server computer, changing the information on the other server computer into a link to the modified information, and providing the modified information for the other server computer with the modified information. An information link management method, characterized in that when an information provision request for corresponding information is made, the information provision source is transited to the correction source server computer. 2. The number of accesses to the information changed to the link to the corrected information is measured on the other server computer, and if the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, the information of the link destination is displayed. 2. The information link management method according to claim 1, wherein said information is obtained and replaced. 3. Registering which server computer obtained the information when another server computer obtained the information from the server computer holding the corrected information, and then registered the same information next time Was modified,
3. The information link management method according to claim 2, wherein the server notifies the registered server computer only that the modification has occurred. 4. A backup computer is set for each server computer, and when information held by the server computer is modified, a modification notice and a backup notice are transmitted to the backup computer, and the modification is transmitted to other computers. 2. The information link management method according to claim 1, wherein only the notification is transmitted, and the backup computer modifies the information held by itself and changes the link to a link to the corrected information. 5. If there is no access to the information changed to the link for a certain period of time, the link to the inaccessible information included in the information in the server computer is rewritten to the link of the update source. The information link management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. The same information is stored in two or more server computers connected to a network,
In an information providing system that realizes the same information providing service in response to an information providing request from a client computer connected to the network to each server computer, each server computer modifies its own information, Means for transmitting a correction notification of the corrected information to another server computer; and, upon receiving a correction notification from the other server computer, changing the notified information to a link to the correction source information; Means for returning a link destination to an information providing request source when an information providing request for the information is made, the information providing system comprising: 7. A means for measuring the number of times of access to information linked to the correction source information, and, if the measured value exceeds a predetermined value, obtaining the information from the link destination and replacing the information. The information providing system according to claim 6, wherein the information providing system is provided. 8. A means for registering a server computer from which information of a correction source has been obtained, and notifying that only the registered server computer has corrected the next time the same information is corrected. The information providing system according to claim 7, further comprising: 9. A backup computer is provided for each server computer, and each server computer further comprises:
When the information held by itself is corrected, the backup computer is provided with a means for transmitting a correction notification and a backup notification to the backup computer, and transmitting only the correction notification to the other server computers. 7. The information providing system according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit that corrects the information in accordance with the correction notification, and then changes the information to a link to the corrected information. 10. When there is no access to information changed to a link to information of a correction source for a certain period of time, a link to inaccessible information included in information in the server computer is updated. The information providing system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising means for rewriting to an original link.