JPH1078932A - Reconfigurable network computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to receive the service of higher quality that requires the computational complexity without purchasing a new computer of higher performance nor adding any hardware to extend the computer function. SOLUTION: A client 103 has the extension hardware 106 which can occasionally change and reconfigure the computer function via a program. An application program 108 stored in a server 102 includes an extension code 109 to reconfigure the hardware 106 of the client 103 in addition to a main processor code 110. Furthermore, the server 102 or the client 103 has a code selection function 123 to decide the presence or absence and the type of the hardware 106 and also to take a proper code out of both codes 109 and 110.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a computer system connected to a network having a function of enabling hardware reconfiguration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, (1) Nikkei Electronics 19
The “network computer” described in 96.2.12, No.655, pp.13-15, downloads all necessary applications on each computer, including the OS, from a server on the network. A simple and inexpensive computer without a secondary storage device is realized. Furthermore, users do not have to purchase floppy disks or CD-ROMs containing new application software from stores in the market and install them on their own computers. Software becomes available.

(2) Also, Nikkei Computer 1996.4.1, p.
The "Java language" described on pages 101-107 is an interpreted language that does not depend on the architecture of the CPU that executes the software, so it can be executed anywhere on a variety of computers connected to a network without choosing a computer. It has the characteristic of being. This feature produces an effect that, in the concept of (1) “network computer”, a computer having incompatible binary codes can realize an environment of “network computer” even in an environment where the computers are connected via a network. In addition, software companies that develop application software do not need to prepare different binary application software for each computer model.

(3) Further, Nikkei Communication 199
6.1.15, pp. 79-83, Nikkei Electronics 1996.1.15, p
As described on pages 67-95, technologies for delivering audio and video in real time on the Internet, a global network, are being tested. With this technology, broadcasting services such as radio and television can be realized on a computer network. Conventionally, on the Internet,
Various forms of information such as text, still images, reproduction of pre-recorded audio and moving images, etc., could be communicated. In the World Wide Web (WWW), a service for browsing composite information (hyper text) combining these pieces of information, a user uses an application (browser) for browsing hyper text to use the service. .

[0005] Real-time audio / moving image delivery is provided as an extended function (plug-in) of a conventional browser by a service provider or a company that has developed technology through a network at no cost or at low cost. Users who want to receive this service can immediately receive the service by downloading the necessary plug-in from the network and installing it on their computer. Conversely, from the point of view of service providers, at the stage of developing technology to realize new services, by distributing plug-ins over the network, plug-ins are stored on recording media, Without the upfront investment of selling software in stores,
There is an advantage that services can be started in a short time with little capital.

On the other hand, elements capable of freely configuring an arbitrary logic circuit called a programmable logic have been developed. At present, relatively large-scale logic circuits can be configured with the progress of semiconductor technology.
For example, "Volume 19, No.10, pp.1320-1328," Silicon Compiler Logic Synthesis and Its Future ", describes a part of a program implemented in hardware by a computer equipped with programmable logic. The idea of fast processing is shown. This is specifically realized by using a method similar to the method described in JP-A-4-175974 “Automatic generation method of coprocessor logic circuit” or the method described in JP-A-8-69447 “Data processing device”. can do. Bit Vol.27, No.10,
As shown in pp.11-21 “FPGA and its Impact”, programmable logic is actively used as a core component of a computer, and each application is reconfigured into hardware with a configuration that matches the algorithm used in that application. Computer systems that configure and perform processing are also being studied.

[0007]

In an environment based on a network computer shown in the prior art,
When a new service starts on the network, users using the network computer, a client on the network, can enjoy the service by installing a new plug-in or using an application that supports the new service. can do. But the big problem here is that
Originally without a high-performance CPU to make it cheaper,
For networked computers that do not have the scalability of hardware, you need to buy a higher-performance computer or add hardware to expand the functions to obtain more advanced services that require computational complexity. Need to do. Also, from the point of view of a new service starter, since the performance of the computer possessed by users varies, only a service with a calculation amount within the range of the average computer performance can be started to acquire many users. And new services on the network will be limited.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a more advanced computer which requires a large amount of calculation without having to replace the computer with a higher performance computer or to add hardware for expanding functions. To be able to receive services.

[0009]

The network computer of the present invention is configured as follows.

[0010] A plurality of computers connected by a network, at least one of which is a server for distributing an application program, and the other computers are clients for downloading and executing the application program. In the system, a part of the plurality of clients is equipped with extended hardware capable of changing and reconfiguring functions at any time by a program.

The application program stored in the server includes, for some functions, both the program code of the extended hardware and the code of the main processor of the client.

Further, the OS of each client has a function of determining whether or not the extended hardware is installed in each client, and extracting only a code suitable for a hardware configuration from the application program. Thus, when the application program is downloaded to the client, the user of the client having the reconfigurable expansion hardware can use the application faster by extracting and executing the code suitable for the hardware configuration of the client. In addition to this, a user without reconfigurable expansion hardware can use the application by selecting the code of the main processor.

The same effect can be obtained as follows.

The function realized by the extended hardware is realized as an extended function of the OS on the client which can be dynamically added / deleted later. Like the application program, the extended code for the extended hardware and the main function are added. Include two types of processor code. When the application program is started, the type of the extended function of the OS to be used during the processing is registered with the OS, and the OS is registered.
If the extended function already exists on the client, it is used. If not, the required extended function is transferred from a server on the network and used.

Alternatively, the function realized by the extended hardware is realized as a library which is dynamically added to the application program at the time of execution, and two types of extension code for the extended hardware and the main processor code are provided like the application program. To be included. When the application program starts, the type of the dynamic library to be used during the processing is registered with the OS, and the OS uses the dynamic library if the dynamic library already exists on the client. If not, transfer the required dynamic library from the server on the network and use it.

Also, the code for the main processor and the code for the extended hardware are not integrated, but individual codes are provided on the host computer for each extended function or dynamic library of the application program or OS. The same effect can be obtained.

On the other hand, the extension hardware is constituted by a processor for executing a program, and the extension code is used as an instruction code of the processor, or the extension hardware is constituted by using a programmable logic, and the extension code is reproduced by the programmable logic. Similar effects can be obtained as configuration data for configuration.

In the case where the extension hardware is composed of programmable logic and the structure is different between clients, a basic module in which the extension code describes the function of a logic circuit with an appropriate number of gates and input / output terminals by a Boolean expression or the like And a code expressing the connection relation between them and having a function of allocating each of the basic modules to a basic program unit of programmable logic, thereby realizing a code corresponding to a plurality of structures. In the case of a large extension code that spans multiple programmable logic chips, the basic module is divided according to the degree of connection, and placed and wired in each programmable logic chip to determine the function of the terminal. This is supported by having the function of arranging and wiring basic modules for each program on the server or client.

The same effect can be realized by making the extended code include all the individual codes having a plurality of structures and having a function of selecting a code according to the hardware structure by the code selecting function.

The above effects can also be obtained by configuring the main processor with programmable logic and using logic resources that do not use the programmable logic as extended hardware.

The OS of the client manages the hardware resources of the extended hardware used by each application in order to execute a plurality of applications using the extended hardware at the same time, and separates the hardware resources that are no longer needed from another. An extended hardware management function that determines whether to execute each application on the main processor or extended hardware by reusing it for an application program, and an extension code of the application program that cannot be contained in the extended hardware. It has a code swap function that swaps by splitting.

The extended hardware management function includes an execution priority value appropriately set for each application program executed on the client, and a normalized main value required for processing all the application programs by the main processor. The processing capability of the processor, the normalized main processor required when the application program is processed by the extension hardware, the processing capability of the extension hardware, and the normalized hardware required for each application program. Hardware resource usage, normalized processing capacity of the main processor of the client, normalized processing capacity of the extended hardware of the client, normalized hardware of the extended hardware of the client, Based on the amount of resources and the normalized processing capacity required to replace the code of the client's extended hardware, for a plurality of application programs that cannot fit into the hardware resources of the client's extended hardware, Then, an application program that preferentially uses the extended hardware, an application program that is used by exchanging extension codes in a time-sharing manner, and an application program that is processed by the main processor code are selected.

The extended hardware has a function of holding a plurality of internal states at the same time and switching between them, and by switching only the internal states in a time-sharing manner to share functions, a plurality of applications can simultaneously execute the same extended code. Available with extended hardware.

Further, the extended hardware has a function of simultaneously holding a plurality of internal states and a plurality of configuration data, and having a function of switching between the plurality of internal states and the plurality of configuration data. An application can use multiple extension codes simultaneously on extension hardware.

Further, the extension hardware simultaneously holds a plurality of internal states and a plurality of configuration data, and matches the identification number given from outside with the configuration data and the identification number assigned to each internal state in advance. By having the function of selecting only the part to be executed, more hardware functions can be realized than the internal state and the number of configuration data actually existing in the extended hardware.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows an example of a computer system according to the present invention. The computer system includes a server and a plurality of clients. In Figure 1, the server is
102 clients are 103 and 104. The server and the client are connected via networks 112 and 113, respectively, and can mutually transmit and receive messages and data.

The server 102 has an application program 108 operable on the client to be provided to the client.

The client 103 has a main processor 105 and further has extended hardware 106. On the other hand, the client 104 includes the main processor 107, but does not include extended hardware.

The clients 103 and 104 are the server 10
2, application programs can be read into the own device (116, 118) and executed.
A code selection function 123, 124 for selecting a code suitable for each hardware from the application programs 116, 118 is provided for each OS 121, 1
22.

As part of the application program 108, an extension code 109, which is a code operable on the extension hardware 106, and a main processor 105
Or main processor code 1 operable on 107
10, the application can be executed on a client having a different hardware configuration.

FIG. 1 shows that the code selection function 123 selects the extension code 115 in the client 103, and the code selection function 124 selects and executes the main processor code 120 in the client 104.

Further, the code selection functions 123 and 12 shown in FIG.
A computer system equivalent to that shown in FIG. 1 can be realized by providing the same function as that of the server 4 on the server 102, selecting a code corresponding to the hardware configuration of the client to which the application program is to be transferred, and transferring the code.

Next, the manner in which a certain application program is provided on the computer system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 2, the server 102 is a program 20 for performing three-dimensional CG processing as an application program.
8 is held. The three-dimensional CG program 208 includes an extension code 209 and a main processor code 210. The arrow 230 indicates that the client 103 is the server 102
, A request for a required application program is issued to the client 103, and an arrow 231 indicates that the server 102 transfers the three-dimensional CG 208 to the client 103. The three-dimensional CG program 214 is obtained by reading the three-dimensional CG program 208 on the client 103.

FIG. 3 shows the three-dimensional CG program 208 of FIG.
Of the extension code 209 of FIG. The equation 300 in FIG. 3 is a matrix 301 representing three-dimensional coordinate values (x, y, z).
Is a three-dimensional coordinate conversion function. By performing this function on the extended hardware 106, calculations such as movement and rotation of a three-dimensional object can be performed at high speed.

Next, the operation of the computer system shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a PAD showing the operation of the client 103. In the first step 401, Client 1
The 03 OS 121 issues a request for the required application program three-dimensional CG 208 to the server 102. Step 401 corresponds to the operation indicated by arrow 230 in FIG.

Next, at step 402, the client 103
Enters a state of waiting for data reception from the server 102, and loads the three-dimensional CG program 208 transmitted by the server 102. The loaded program is 214. Step 402 corresponds to the operation indicated by arrow 231 in FIG.

In the code selection function of step 403, O
In step S <b> 121, a code suitable for the hardware configuration of the client 103 is selected from the loaded three-dimensional CG program 214 and is prepared in the extended hardware 106. FIG.
Now, the three-dimensional coordinate conversion function 300 which is the extension code 215
Is prepared on the extension hardware 106. Step 40
Details of 3 will be described later.

In step 404, the three-dimensional CG program 214 is executed. At this time, most of the three-dimensional CG processing is executed on the main processor 105.
The three-dimensional coordinate conversion function 300 represented by 15 is executed on extended hardware. Therefore, three-dimensional coordinate conversion can be performed at high speed.

FIG. 5 is a PAD showing the operation of the server 102.
It is. The first step 501 is a loop for waiting for a request for an application program from the client 103.

In step 502, the client 103 determines that
If a transfer request for the dimensional CG program 208 has been issued, the process proceeds to step 503. If no request has been issued, the process loops at step 501.

In step 503, the three-dimensional CG program 208 is transmitted according to a request from the client 103.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the code selection function 600 (step 403 in FIG. 4) which is a part of the function of the client 103. The first step 601 is a branch according to the hardware configuration of the client 103.
602 if 103 has extended hardware 106
If no, go to 605.

In step 602, the extension hardware 106
Is a branch according to the type. For example, if the type of extended hardware is programmable logic,
Proceed to 603, and if it is a general-purpose processor, proceed to 604. A processor that can be mounted as other extended hardware can be dealt with by extending the branch of this step.

In step 603, a code for programmable logic is selected from the application program. In the example of FIG. 2, in this step, a three-dimensional CG program
The extension code 215 is selected as part of 214.

In step 604, a code for a general-purpose processor is selected from the application program.

At step 605, a code for the main processor is selected from the application program.

The above server 102 and client 103
Of the three-dimensional CG on the server 102
The program 208 is loaded on the client 103. Further, the application program can be executed on the main processor 105 and the extension hardware 106.

<Embodiment 2> FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. 1 differs from the configuration of the application program held by the server 102. Although the application program 108 of FIG. 1 includes the extension code 109 and the main processor code 110, the functions realized on the extension hardware are held as the extension OS 725 in FIG. The extended OS 725 includes an extended code 709 and a main processor code 710, and is provided as an OS that can be loaded by the client 103, like the application program 108 in FIG.

When the application program 714 is activated, the client 103 loads the required extended OS from the server 102 and executes it on the extended hardware 106 if the required extended OS is insufficient.

<Embodiment 3> FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. 1 differs from the configuration of the application program held by the server 102. In FIG. 8, the function realized on the extended hardware is held as a dynamic library 825. The dynamic library 825 includes an extension code 809 and a main processor code 810, and is provided as a dynamic library that can be loaded by the client 103, like the application program 108 in FIG.

When the client 103 starts up the application program 814, if the required dynamic library is insufficient, the client 103 loads the required dynamic library from the server 102 and executes it on the extended hardware 106.

<Embodiment 4> FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the application program held by the server 102 is different from that of FIG. FIG. 9 shows an application program 90 operating only on the main processor.
9 and application programs 910 corresponding to the extended hardware, and each is provided as a program that can be loaded by the client 103.

The client 103 loads an application program suitable for the hardware configuration and executes the application program on the extended hardware 106. Similar functions can be realized even if the application program is an extended OS or a dynamic library as in FIGS.

<Embodiment 5> In addition, FIG. 1, FIG.
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the extension hardware 106 can be constituted by a general-purpose processor or a programmable logic for executing a program.

<Embodiment 6> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sixth embodiment. In FIG. 10, the extension hardware 106
Is a programmable logic. An extension code 1009 is different from FIG. Although the extension code in FIG. 10 is a code for a programmable logic, it is a description with a high level of abstraction so as to be compatible with a programmable logic having a different configuration. Extend code 1009 to client 10
The one loaded on 3 is 1015. FIG. 10 includes a code conversion function 1023 that converts the extension code 1015 to match the configuration of the programmable logic of the extension hardware 106.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the extension code 1015 in FIG. Reference numerals 1104 and 1105 are examples of basic modules that express the function of a logic circuit having an appropriate number of gates and input terminals by an abstract description such as a Boolean expression (logical operation expression) or an arithmetic operation expression. An extension code is described by defining some basic modules and defining a connection relationship between the basic modules in 1106. 1101 is a description that defines the number of basic modules, 1102 is a description that defines the number of inputs and outputs from the outside of the extension code 1015, and 11
03 is a description that defines the connection between the input / output from the outside and the basic module.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing how the extension code 1015 of FIG. 11 is represented by basic modules and their connection relations.

FIG. 13 shows a basic program unit of the programmable logic of the extension hardware 106. The basic program unit 1300 is a block of a logic circuit having a fixed number of input / output terminals and logic elements. FIG.
The four-input one-output reconfigurable logic 1303 can realize an arbitrary logic function according to the contents of the configuration memory 1301. The internal state register 1304 is a flip-flop that holds a state. In programmable logic, basic blocks are arranged in an array. Wiring within a basic program unit and between basic program units is determined by wiring data stored in a rewritable memory. The wiring data is represented by a bit pattern indicating whether or not there is a wiring between the basic blocks by 0 or 1.

The processing of the code conversion function 1023 will be described with reference to FIG. The input of the code conversion function 1023 is an extension code 1015. The output is wiring data of the programmable logic.

Step 1402 corresponds to the basic module 110
4 is the basic program unit of programmable logic 13
00, data to be set in the configuration memory 1300 is determined. Similar processing is performed for all other basic modules.

In step 1403, it is determined to which of the plurality of programmable logic chips the basic module allocated in the basic block unit is allocated.

Step 1404 determines the arrangement and wiring between the programmable logic chips and determines the terminal assignment.

Step 1405 determines placement and wiring in the programmable logic chip.

The placement and wiring determined in each of the above steps is stored in a rewritable memory as wiring data.

<Embodiment 7> In FIG. 6, the selection function 602 allows selection of each type of programmable logic or processor, thereby selecting and executing a code in accordance with the type of the structure of the extended hardware. Can be.

<Embodiment 8> FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of an eighth embodiment. 15, the functions of the main processor 105 in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are as follows.
It is configured by using some hardware resources of the extension hardware, and the remaining hardware resources are used as the extension hardware 106. Even in such a configuration, the systems shown in the embodiments in the above-described drawings can be configured.

<Embodiment 9> FIG. 16 shows a structure of a ninth embodiment. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 103 denotes the same configuration as the client 103 in FIG. 1, and includes a main processor 105 and extended hardware 106. 121
Is an OS. Here, unlike FIG. 1, in addition to the code selection function 123, the extended hardware management function 160
1. It has an extension code replacement function 1603. The client 103 can execute a plurality of application programs. Here, an example is shown in which the application programs A and 1604 and the application program B and 1607 are executed.

The priority Pi for each application can be set when the application is terminated, when the application is newly started, or when a user's instruction is given.
Is determined, the extended hardware management function 1601 is activated, and each application is executed by the main processor 105, executed by the extended hardware 106, or executed by the extended hardware. Decide what to do.

FIG. 17 shows the extended hardware management function 1
FIG. 601 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. In the figure, i is an application program i, c is a client c, MP is a main processor, EHW is extended hardware, Pi is an execution priority value set to i, and Mmi is i
The normalized MP processing capacity required for processing only with P, Msi is the normalized MP processing capacity required when processing i with EHW, and Mei is i with EHW
, Rei is the normalized hardware resource usage of the EHW required by i, Mmc is the normalized processing capacity value of the MP of c, Mec is the normalized processing capacity value of c EHW, Rec is the normalized hardware resource amount of c EHW, Dmc is the normalized processing capacity value required to replace the code of c EHW, Smmc is the sum of the required processing capacity of the processing currently executed on the MP of c, S
rec is the total amount of hardware resources currently being processed on the EHW of c, and Nd is the total number of extension codes currently being processed by replacing the code in c.

In FIG. 17, first, the sum values Smmc, Sre
c and Nd are initialized (1701). Next, for each application i currently being executed, 170
Repeat 3-1710. The conditional branch 1703 branches to 1704 to 1705 as long as the processing can be executed by the main processor, as long as the processing can be executed by the main processor or as compared with the case where the processing is executed by the extended hardware, and to 1706 to 1710 otherwise. . 1704-1
705 sets the application i to be executed by the main processor. The conditional branch at 1706 determines whether the hardware resources of the extended hardware are full. If there is still room, the process branches to 1707 to 1708. If there is no room, the process branches to 1709 to 1710. 170
In steps 7 to 1708, the application i is set to be executed by the extended hardware. In steps 1709 to 1710, the extension code of the application i is set so as to be replaced by time division and executed. At this time, even if i is replaced with an application that has already been set to be executed by the extended hardware, the hardware resources do not become full and the application j with the lowest priority is replaced. If there is no such single j,
Let j be a pair of two or more applications. Through the above processing, it is determined in which form the plurality of applications currently being executed are to be executed (1610 and 1611 in FIG. 16).

Next, the code selection function 123 selects the code of each application according to the execution method determined in 1601 (1612, 1613). In addition, when the application program is executed, the extended code replacement function 1
Reference numeral 603 replaces the extension code of the application to be replaced for each time-division processing unit time (1615, 1
616).

<Embodiment 10> FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a programmable logic having a function of simultaneously holding a plurality of internal states and switching between them. This programmable logic is suitable for a case where a plurality of applications simultaneously use the same extension code with extension hardware by switching only the internal state in a time-sharing manner. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1801 denotes a basic program unit of the programmable logic. 1802 is a reconfigurable logic circuit part,
The function is defined by the memory 1803. 1804
And 1805 are registers for holding the internal state of the circuit. The write signal to the register value and the output signal are switched by the internal state switching line 1807.

<Embodiment 11> FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a programmable logic having a function of simultaneously holding a plurality of internal states and a plurality of configuration data and switching between them. This programmable logic is suitable for a case where a plurality of functions are simultaneously implemented in a time-division manner on extended hardware by switching and using an internal state and configuration data (contents of a configuration memory) in a time-division manner. In FIG. 19, reference numeral 1901 denotes a basic program unit of the programmable logic. Reference numeral 1902 denotes a reconfigurable logic circuit whose function is defined by the configuration memories 1903 and 1904. Reference numerals 1906 and 1907 are registers for holding the internal state of the circuit. The configuration memory and the internal status register are switched by a logic switching line 1909.

<Embodiment 12> FIG. 20 shows an example in which a plurality of internal states and a plurality of configuration data are simultaneously held, and the identification numbers given from outside, the configuration data, and the identification numbers assigned to the respective internal states in advance. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a programmable logic in which only a part that matches the function is selected. This programmable logic is suitable for realizing time-divisional hardware functions more than the number of configuration memories and internal registers that can be used by switching. In FIG. 20, reference numeral 2001 denotes a basic program unit of the programmable logic. 20
Reference numeral 02 denotes a reconfigurable logic circuit portion, the function of which is defined by the configuration memories 2003 and 2004. 2007 and 2008 are registers for holding the internal state of the circuit. Logic switching line 2011
The logical switching identification numbers given by the comparison circuits 2005, 2006, and 20 store the identification numbers that exist in each configuration memory and each internal state register.
07 and 2008, the configuration memory and the internal status register whose contents match each other are used.

[0077]

According to the present invention, when an application program distributed from a server is executed on a client side on a computer connected via a network, the configuration of a computer on the client side is changed in accordance with the application program and processing is performed. With this configuration, application programs can be processed at high speed. Conventionally, when trying to start a new service on the network that requires special hardware on the client side, the user on the client side must either install a new client or install special hardware on the client. Had to be introduced,
Service providers now offer new services only to a small percentage of users with new clients or specialized hardware. However, by implementing the present invention, a new service can be started without introducing special hardware.

Further, according to the present invention, a user can execute a desired application irrespective of the presence or absence of the extension hardware on the client side or irrespective of the structure of the extension hardware.

Further, according to the present invention, when a plurality of application programs are simultaneously executed on one client, the hardware resources of the extended hardware can be effectively used, and an extension suitable for realizing such a function can be realized. Provide a configuration of programmable logic used for hardware.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of functions processed by extended hardware.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a client.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the server computer.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a code selection function for selecting a code according to the configuration of a client.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration when extended hardware is used by an extended OS.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration when extended hardware is used by a dynamic library.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration in a case where a code adapted to a client configuration is transferred from an application program adapted to a hardware configuration.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration having a code conversion function of converting an extension code according to the structure of extension hardware.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an extension code having a code conversion function.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a structure of an extension code in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a basic program unit in the programmable logic constituting the extended hardware.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the code conversion function of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a client that realizes a main processor function in extended hardware.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration when a plurality of applications are executed simultaneously.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of an extended hardware management function used when a plurality of applications are executed simultaneously.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a programmable logic having a function of switching an internal state.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a programmable logic having a function of switching between a configuration memory and an internal state.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a configuration memory and a programmable logic having a function of switching an internal state by an identification number given from the outside;

[Explanation of symbols]

105: main processor; 106: extended hardware; 112, 113: communication network.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A client configured by a plurality of different types of computers connected by a network, at least one of which is a server that distributes an application program, and the other computers download and execute the application program. A part of the plurality of clients is equipped with extended hardware capable of changing and reconfiguring functions at any time by a program, and an application program stored in a server is the client. Extension code which is a program code for reconfiguring the extension hardware of the above, and main processor code which is a code to be executed on the main processor of the client.
Types of code, and whether or not each client has the extended hardware, and also determines the type of the extended hardware, and selects an appropriate code from the extended code of the application program and the main processor code. Has a code selection function in the host or the client computer equipped with the extended hardware, and on the client equipped with the extended hardware, the client hardware is reconfigured at any time to a configuration suitable for the application program. A reconfigurable network computer that executes and executes main processor code on clients that do not have extended hardware. 2. A function according to claim 1, wherein the function realized by the extended hardware is realized as an extended function of an OS on a client which can be dynamically added / deleted later. 1 includes an extended code for extended hardware and a main processor code, similar to the application program in the first embodiment.
The OS registers the type of the extended function. If the extended function already exists on the client, the OS uses it. If not, the OS transfers and uses the required extended function from the server on the network. A reconfigurable network computer having an OS addition function in either a host or a client computer equipped with extended hardware. 3. A function according to claim 1, wherein the function realized by the extended hardware is realized as a library dynamically added to an application program at the time of execution, and said dynamic library is similar to the application program according to claim 1. The application program registers the type of the dynamic library used during processing with the OS when the application program starts up, including the extension code for the extension hardware and the main processor code. A dynamic library adding function for transferring and using a required dynamic library from a server on the network using the client when the client is present on the client; Characterized by having one of the computers Configurable network computer. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the code for the main processor and the code for the extended hardware are not integrated, but the extended function of the application program or the OS or the dynamic function is not integrated. A reconfigurable network computer wherein individual codes are provided on a host computer for each library. 5. The extended hardware according to claim 1, wherein the extended hardware is constituted by a processor for executing a program, and the extended code is an instruction code of the processor. Configurable network computer. 6. An extended hardware according to claim 1, wherein the extended hardware is configured by using programmable logic, and an extended code is configured with configuration data for reconfiguring the programmable logic. A reconfigurable network computer. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the extended hardware of the plurality of clients is programmable logic.
When the structures are different from each other, the extension code is a code expressing a basic module in which a function of a logic circuit having an appropriate number of gates and the number of input / output terminals is described by a Boolean expression or the like and a connection relation between the basic modules. In the case of a large extension code that spans multiple programmable logic chips, the basic module is divided according to the degree of connection, and placed and wired to each programmable logic chip. A reconfigurable network computer characterized in that the server or the client has a function of determining a basic module and a function of arranging and wiring a basic module to a basic program unit in the programmable logic. 8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the extension hardware of each of the plurality of clients has a different structure, the extension code includes all the individual codes of the plurality of structures, and A reconfigurable network computer, wherein the code selection function has a function of selecting a matched code. 9. The main processor according to claim 1, wherein the main processor is constituted by programmable logic, and the programmable logic is used. A reconfigurable network computer characterized by utilizing logical resources that have not been used as extended hardware. 10. The hardware of the extension hardware used by each application according to claim 1, 2 or 3 so that the OS of the client can execute a plurality of applications using the extension hardware at the same time. An extended hardware management function that manages resources, reuses hardware resources that are no longer needed for another application program, and determines whether each application runs on the main processor or on extended hardware. A reconfigurable network computer having a code replacement function for replacing, in a time-sharing manner, an extension code of an application program that cannot be accommodated in the extension hardware. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an execution priority value appropriately set for each application program executed on said client, and a normalized main processor required for processing all said application programs by said main processor. A processing capability value, a normalized main processor required when the application program is processed by the extended hardware, a processing capability value of the extended hardware, and a normalized hardware of the extended hardware required for each application program. Hardware resource usage, normalized processing capacity of the main processor of the client, normalized processing capacity of the extended hardware of the client, normalized hardware resource of the extended hardware of the client, You And a plurality of application programs that do not fit in the hardware resources of the extended hardware of the client are prioritized based on the normalized processing capacity value required to replace the code of the extended hardware of the client. Reconfiguration characterized by having an extended hardware management function for selecting an application program that uses extended hardware, an application program that replaces and uses extension codes in a time-sharing manner, and an application program that is processed by main processor code. Rubble network computer. 12. The expansion hardware according to claim 10, wherein when a plurality of applications simultaneously use the same expansion code in the expansion hardware, the expansion hardware has a function of simultaneously holding a plurality of internal states and switching between them. A reconfigurable network computer characterized in that only internal states are switched in a time-sharing manner to share functions. 13. An extended hardware device according to claim 10, wherein said extended hardware has a function of simultaneously holding a plurality of internal states and a plurality of configuration data and having a function of switching between them, and is capable of switching between said internal state and said configuration data in a time-sharing manner. A reconfigurable network computer characterized by the following. 14. The expansion hardware according to claim 13, wherein the extended hardware holds a plurality of internal states and a plurality of configuration data at the same time, and assigns them to an identification number given from outside, and in advance, for each of the configuration data and the internal state. A reconfigurable network computer having a function of selecting only a part that matches the identification number.