JPH11161434A - Library system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a library system with which exact test processing can be executed. SOLUTION: A library system 1 is provided with a recording and reproducing means 12 for executing the recording and reproducing of a storage medium, two conveying means 13 for conveying the storage medium, conveyance control means 14 for controlling the conveying means and host control means 15 for executing interface processing between a host device 2 and the conveyance control means. The host control means 15 is provided with an input means for inputting a power supply means 20 for test for enabling the control of power supply to the host control means of the other system and a control means 22 for controlling power supply to the host control means of the other system by controlling the power supply means for test when detecting the command issue of a power source control request to the host control means through the detecting means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a library device used in a computer system, and more particularly to a library device capable of executing an accurate test process.

2. Description of the Related Art Computer systems employ a configuration in which a large number of cartridge tapes are stored, and write backup data and the like to those cartridge tapes in response to instructions from a computer, and read backup data and the like from those cartridge tapes. A library device is used.

[0003] It is necessary to check whether or not the library device performs a normal operation. However, there is a demand for a technique for accurately executing the test process.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art A library apparatus includes a shelf for storing a cartridge tape, a plurality of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatuses for recording and reproducing the cartridge tape, a drive monitor for controlling the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, and an accessor for conveying the cartridge tape. , An accessor control device that controls the accessor robot, and an accessor management device that executes interface processing between the host device and the accessor control device.

In a library apparatus having this configuration, usually, in order to increase the efficiency of processing, as shown in FIG.
The system has two accessor robots, a right-system (right) accessor robot and a left-system (left) accessor robot.

In accordance therewith, an accessor control device for controlling the right accessor robot, an accessor control device for controlling the left accessor robot, and an interface processing between the host device and the right accessor control device , And a left accessor management device that executes an interface process between the host device and the left accessor control device.

Here, CAS shown in FIG. 11 is a cartridge tape access station having a cartridge tape inlet / outlet. In a library device having such a configuration, one of the accessor robots is set to primary and the other accessor robot is set to secondary, so that the accessor robot, the accessor control device, and the accessor management device of the primary system are used. When a failure occurs, a process of writing data to a cartridge tape or reading data from a cartridge tape is performed using two accessor robots while changing the secondary system to the primary system.

When this configuration is adopted, a failure may occur in the power supply unit (provided separately in association with each of the two systems). Error processing according to the time of occurrence will be performed.

Further, when one of the accessor robots fails, it is necessary to turn off the power supply of one of the accessor robots, for example, when replacing a part or the like at a failed portion of the accessor robot by active maintenance. It is necessary to check that other accessor robots continue online processing normally even if the power is turned off. Also, after replacing parts etc.,
After powering up, you need to check that it comes online successfully.

From now on, as a test of the library device,
In various situations, it is necessary to cause a failure in the power supply device and check whether error processing or the like is normally performed.

In order to realize this, conventionally, a method has been adopted in which an operator manually turns on and off the power supply device to cause a failure in the power supply device and test the library device.

[0012]

However, according to such a conventional technique, there is a problem that an accurate test cannot be performed on the library device.

In other words, the contents of the error processing executed by the library device when a failure occurs depend on the situation at the time of the failure. From now on, like the prior art,
If a power failure is caused manually, a power failure cannot be generated at an accurate timing, so that there is a problem that an accurate test cannot be executed.

For example, the error processing for power-off that occurs when the accessor robot grabs the cartridge tape on the shelf and the error processing for power-off that occurs after the accessor robot grabs the cartridge tape from the shelf are different. However, if a power failure is caused manually as in the prior art, it is difficult to accurately generate a power failure at the former timing or to accurately generate a power failure at the latter timing. Therefore, there is a problem that an accurate test cannot be performed.

Moreover, in the library apparatus, a great number of situations occur according to the movement of the accessor robot. Therefore, in order to perform an accurate test, it is necessary to generate a power failure corresponding to the situation. As described above, if a power failure is caused manually, it is difficult to generate a power failure for all of them, so that there is also a problem that an accurate test cannot be executed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new library device capable of executing accurate test processing.

[0017]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the principle configuration of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a library device equipped with the present invention, which writes data to a storage medium or reads data from the storage medium in response to an instruction from the host device 2, and stores the storage medium. Shelf means 1
0, a recording / reproducing means 12 for receiving and supplying power from the power supply means 11 to execute recording / reproducing of the storage medium, two transport means 13 for transporting the storage medium, and provided in association with the transport means 13, Transport control means 1 for controlling the transport means 13
4 and a higher-level control unit 15 provided in association with the transport control unit 14 to execute an interface process between the higher-level device 2 and the transport control unit 14.

In order to realize the present invention, in the library apparatus 1 of the present invention whose principle configuration is shown in FIG. 1, the higher-level control means 15 controls the power supply to the higher-level control means 15 of another system. Input means α for inputting power supply means 20 for use, detection means 21 for detecting the type of a test command to be issued, control means 22 for controlling power supply to higher-level control means 15 of another system, and power supply means 11. A second control unit for controlling power supply; and an issuing unit for issuing a reset signal for instructing initialization of the higher-level control unit of the own system. 14 is provided with an issuing unit 25 for issuing a reset signal for instructing initialization.

On the other hand, in order to realize the present invention, in the library apparatus 1 of the present invention whose principle configuration is shown in FIG. An input means β for inputting the power supply means 30, a detection means 31 for detecting the type of a test command to be issued, a control means 32 for controlling power supply to the transport control means 14, and a power supply for the power supply means 11 A second control unit 33 for issuing a reset signal for instructing initialization of the higher-level control unit 15 of the own system.
And the transport control means 14 comprises the transport control means 1 of its own system.
4 is provided with issuing means 35 for issuing a reset signal for instructing initialization.

In the library apparatus 1 of the present invention having the above-described principle configuration shown in FIG. 1, when the host apparatus 2 functions as a test apparatus, the control unit 22 controls the detection unit 21 to operate as the host control unit 15. When a test command issuance of a power control request is detected, the power supply to the higher-level control means 15 of the other system is controlled by controlling the test power supply means 20.

When the detecting means 21 detects the issuance of a test command for a power control request to the recording / reproducing means 12, the second control means 23 controls the power supply means 11 to supply power to the recording / reproducing means 12. Control.

The issuing unit 24 developed in the higher-level control unit 15 instructs the initialization of the higher-level control unit 15 of its own system when the higher-level device 2 functioning as a test device instructs the reset of the higher-level control unit 15. Issue a reset signal.

When the host device 2 functioning as a test device instructs the reset of the transport control unit 14, the issuing unit 25 developed in the transport control unit 14 instructs the initialization of the transport control unit 14 of the own system. Issue a reset signal.

On the other hand, in the library apparatus 1 of the present invention, the principle of which is shown in FIG. 2, the control means 32 causes the detecting means 31 to issue a power control request test command to the transport control means 14. When the detection is detected, the power supply to the transport control unit 14 of the own system or another system is controlled by controlling the test power supply unit 30.

When the detecting means 31 detects the issuance of a test command for a power control request to the recording / reproducing means 12, the second control means 33 controls the power supply means 11 to supply power to the recording / reproducing means 12. Control.

When the upper device 2 functioning as a test device instructs the reset of the upper controller 15, the issuing device 34 developed in the upper controller 15 instructs the initialization of the upper controller 15 of its own system. Issue a reset signal.

When the host device 2 functioning as a test device instructs the reset of the transport control means 14, the issuing means 35 developed in the transport control means 14 instructs the initialization of the transport control means 14 of its own system. Issue a reset signal.

As described above, according to the present invention, when testing the library apparatus 1, in response to the command, the power supply to the upper control means 15 is turned on / off, the power supply to the transport control means 14 is turned on / off, Since the power supply to the recording / reproducing unit 12 is turned on / off, a power failure can be generated at an accurate timing, so that an accurate test process of the library apparatus 1 can be executed and the movement of the transport unit 13 can be performed. Can easily execute various test processes according to the above, and it becomes possible to execute an accurate test process of the library device 1.

Then, when the library apparatus 1 goes down due to this test processing, it is possible to easily return to the initial state by instructing a reset.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, a library device 1 to which the present invention is applied includes a plurality of magnetic recording / reproducing devices 40 for executing recording / reproducing of a cartridge tape, and a plurality of drive monitors 41 for controlling the magnetic recording / reproducing devices 40.
And a right accessor robot 42-R for transporting the cartridge tape, a left accessor robot 42-L for transporting the cartridge tape, and an accessor control device 43-R for controlling the right accessor robot 42-R.
An accessor control device 43-L that controls the left accessor robot 42-L; an accessor management device 44-R that performs interface processing between the test apparatus 100 and the right accessor control device 43-R. , Test equipment 1
Accessor management device 44-L that executes an interface process between 00 and the left accessor control device 43-L
And a cartridge tape access station 45 having a cartridge tape inlet / outlet, and a unitized cartridge tape access station 46 having a unitized cartridge tape inlet / outlet.

The test apparatus 100 includes a computer device connected to the right accessor management device 44-R,
It may be composed of two devices such as a computer device connected to the left accessor management device 44-L.

In this configuration, if a failure occurs in the accessor management device 44-RorL operating as the primary, the accessor management device 44-RorL that has been operating as the secondary switches to the primary, and
The accessor management device 44 that has newly turned to the primary
-RorL controls the right accessor robot 42-R via the right accessor control device 43-R, and controls the left accessor robot 42-L via the left accessor control device 43-L. The control structure is adopted.

The power supply failure occurring in the library apparatus 1 having such a configuration includes a power supply failure of the right accessor management device 44 -R and a left accessor management device 44 -R.
-L power failure and right accessor controller 43-R
Power supply failure, power supply failure of the left accessor control device 43-L, power supply failure of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 40, power supply failure of the drive monitor 41, and the access station 45.
And an access station 46 power failure.

In the present invention, such a power supply failure is simulated and a test is performed to determine whether or not the error processing at that time has been normally executed.
The power failure occurs using a command.

FIG. 4 shows whether a false power failure occurs in the right accessor management device 44-R or the left accessor management device 44-L, and whether the error processing at that time has been normally executed. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention when testing whether or not the test is performed.

When a false power failure occurs in the right accessor management device 44-R or the left accessor management device 44-L, as shown in FIG. In association with R, a test power supply device 50-R for supplying a test power supply to the left accessor management device 44-L is prepared (connected to the input terminal of the accessor management device 44-R). A test power supply unit 50-L for supplying a test power supply for supplying a test power supply to the right accessor management unit 44-R is prepared in association with the left accessor management unit 44-L (accessor management). To the input terminal of the device 44-L).

As shown in FIG. 5, a driver circuit 440 for driving the test power supply device 50-R is provided in the right accessor management device 44-R, and the left accessor management device 44-R is provided. L, a driver circuit 440 for driving the test power supply device 50-L.
Is provided.

Here, the driver circuit 441 shown in FIG.
Is a driver circuit used for testing a power supply failure of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 40, the drive monitor 41, the access station 45, and the access station 46. The reset circuit 442 includes a reset signal issued by an internal circuit, This is an OR circuit that receives a reset signal (notified by a signal line (not shown)) issued by the input device and issues a reset signal for initializing the accessor management device 44-RorL of its own system.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the accessor control circuits 43-R and L also have a reset signal issued by the internal circuit and a reset signal issued by the test apparatus 100 (notified by a signal line (not shown)). And a reset circuit 43 composed of an OR circuit for issuing a reset signal for initializing the accessor control circuits 43-R and L of the own system.
0 is provided.

When the test apparatus 100 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, when the test of the library apparatus 1 is performed, the test apparatus 100 executes the test program, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. First, in Step 1, a test command is issued to cause the library device 1 to execute a prescribed operation. In the following Step 2, a power off instruction test command is issued in synchronization with the execution of this operation. This instructs one of the accessor management devices 44-RorL to cut off the power supply.

Subsequently, in step 3, by receiving an error notification returned from the library apparatus 1 in response to the issuance of the test command of the power-off instruction, the error processing for the power failure of the accessor management apparatus 44-RorL is performed. It is determined whether or not has been executed normally, and the following step 4
By issuing a power supply instruction test command,
An instruction is issued to restart the power supply to the accessor management device 44-RorL that has instructed the power supply to be turned off.

On the other hand, accessor management devices 44-R, L
Upon receiving the test command issued by the test apparatus 100 and receiving the test command from the test apparatus 100, first, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. It is determined whether the received test command is a power-off instruction or power-supply instruction command or another command. If it is determined that the command is another test command, the process proceeds to step 2. Then, the operation of the test command issued by the test device 100 is instructed to the accessor control devices 43-R and L.

On the other hand, in step 1, the test apparatus 1
When it is determined that the test command issued as the power-off command or the power-supply command is issued, the process proceeds to step 3. When the power-off command is issued, the test command is transmitted via the driver circuit 440. By controlling the test power supply device 50-RorL, the power supply to the other-system accessor management device 44-RorL is cut off,
When the power supply instruction test command is issued,
Test power supply 50-Ror via driver circuit 440
By controlling L, the power supply to the accessor management device 44-RorL of the other system that has been disconnected from the power supply is restarted.

As described above, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, by controlling the test power supply devices 50-R and L in response to the test command issued by the test device 100, the accessor management device 44-R , L, the power supply is cut off or restarted to cause a power supply failure, and it is tested whether or not normal error processing has been executed for the power supply failure.

As described above, when a failure occurs in the accessor management device 44-RorL operating as the primary, the accessor management device 44-RorL that has been operating as the secondary until then becomes primary. This replacement process is prohibited depending on the operation state of the accessor robot 42-RorL.

For example, the test apparatus 100 issues a power-off instruction test command when the primary and the secondary can be replaced, and when the primary and the secondary cannot be replaced, the test apparatus 100 By issuing a test command for disconnection instruction and checking whether or not there is a replacement process at that time, the accessor management devices 44-R, L
It is to accurately test whether the normal error handling for the power supply failure is executed.

FIG. 9 shows whether a false power failure has occurred in the right accessor control device 43-R and the left accessor control device 43-L, and whether the error processing at that time has been executed normally. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention when testing whether or not the test is performed.

When a power failure of the right accessor control device 43-R or a power failure of the left accessor control device 43-L is simulated, as shown in FIG. A test power supply device 60 for supplying test power to the right accessor control device 43-R and the left accessor control device 43-L in association with the accessor management device 44-R (accessor management) Device 44-R
Connect to the input terminal of

Here, when a power failure occurs in the right accessor controller 43-R, the test power supply 6
0 and the right-side accessor control device 43-R to cause a power failure in the left-side accessor control device 43-L, the test power supply device 60 and the left-side accessor control device 43-L are connected. -L.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the right accessor management device 44-R for connecting the test power supply device 60 is provided.
In addition, a driver circuit 440 for driving the test power supply device 60 is provided.

When the test apparatus 100 is configured as shown in FIG. 9, when testing the library apparatus 1, the test apparatus 100 issues a test command similarly to the processing flow of FIG. By causing the device 1 to execute a prescribed operation and issuing a power-off instruction test command in synchronization with the execution of this operation, the power-off instruction is issued to the accessor control device 43-RorL.

By receiving an error notification returned from the library device 1 in response to the issuance of the power-off instruction test command, error processing for a power failure of the accessor control device 43-RorL is normally executed. After determining whether or not the power supply instruction is issued, a power supply instruction test command is issued to instruct the accessor control device 43-RorL that has instructed power-off to resume power supply.

On the other hand, the accessor management device 44 -R receives the test command issued by the test device 100 and
When a test command is received from the test apparatus 100, FIG.
It is determined whether the test command issued by the test apparatus 100 is a command of a power-off instruction or a power supply instruction, or another command in the same manner as in the processing flow of FIG. Is determined, the operation of the test command issued by the test device 100 is instructed to the accessor control devices 43-R and L.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the test command issued by the test apparatus 100 is a command to instruct power-off, the test power supply apparatus 60 is controlled via the driver circuit 440 to control the accessor control. Device 4
3-Turn off the power supply to RorL, and
When it is determined that the test command of “0” is the command of the power supply instruction, by controlling the test power supply device 60 through the driver circuit 440, the accessor control device 43-RorL that has cut off the power supply is controlled. The power supply to the power supply is restarted.

As described above, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, by controlling the test power supply device 60 in response to the test command issued by the test device 100, the accessor control devices 43-R and L can be controlled. By cutting off or restarting all the power supplies, a power failure occurs, and it is tested whether or not normal error processing has been executed.

The error processing executed when a power failure occurs in the accessor control devices 43-R, L differs depending on the operating state of the accessor robots 42-R, L at that time.

From now on, the test apparatus 100 issues a power-off instruction test command in consideration of, for example, the operation state of the accessor robots 42-R and L, and checks the contents of the error processing at that time. Thus, whether the normal error processing for the power supply failure of the accessor control devices 43-R and L is being executed is accurately tested.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which a pseudo power supply failure is caused in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 40 to test whether or not error processing at that time has been normally executed. I do.

During normal operation, the accessor management device 4
Since the power supply to the 4-R, L and the accessor control devices 43-R, L is not cut off, a false power failure may occur in the accessor management devices 44-R, L and the accessor control devices 43-R, L. In the case of generation, a test power supply 50-R, which can be turned on / off by a control signal,
L and a configuration for preparing a test power supply 60 are adopted. However, regarding a power supply device for supplying power to the magnetic recording / reproducing device 40,
Since the on / off control can be performed by the control signal, it is not necessary to prepare the test power supplies 50-R and L and the test power supply 60.

From now on, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the power supply device for supplying power to the magnetic recording / reproducing device 40 is directly controlled by using the driver circuit 441 of the right-side accessor management device 44-R. A configuration in which a pseudo power supply failure occurs in the playback device 40 is employed.

The test processing according to this embodiment is basically performed in the same manner as the test processing according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. In other words, when the magnetic recording / reproducing device 40 is caused to perform a specific operation, the operation is synchronized with the operation.
This is done by cutting off the power supply to 0 and checking the error processing performed on it.

For example, the test apparatus 100 cuts off the power supply to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 40 when a cartridge tape is inserted, or supplies the power to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 40 when no cartridge tape is inserted. By cutting off the supply, it is tested whether or not normal error processing has been executed in response to a power supply failure of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 40.

Whether a power failure has occurred in the drive monitor 41, a power failure has occurred in the access station 45, or a power failure has occurred in the access station 46, and whether or not the error processing at that time has been normally executed. Also, when it is necessary to test the power supply, the driver circuit 441 of the accessor management devices 44-R and L is used to directly control the power supply for supplying power to these devices as in the embodiment of FIG. Therefore, a configuration for causing a pseudo power supply failure in these devices is adopted.

When employing this configuration, the test apparatus 100
For example, by cutting off the power supply to the drive monitor 41 during the loading of the cartridge tape or by cutting off the power supply to the drive monitor 41 in the ready state, Thus, it is tested whether or not normal error processing has been executed.

For example, the test apparatus 100 cuts off the power supply to the access stations 45 and 46 during the execution of the positioning, or cuts off the power supply to the access stations 45 and 46 after the completion of the positioning. ,
A test is performed to determine whether or not normal error processing has been executed in response to a power failure of the access stations 45 and 46.

By the test processing described above, it is possible to check whether or not the library apparatus 1 is the desired one. However, in this test processing, it is necessary that the library apparatus 1 is not the desired one. Causes a time lag in data transfer, which causes the library apparatus 1 to go down.

When such a situation occurs, the test apparatus 100 sets the accessor management apparatus 44-R down.
A reset signal instructing initialization of orL is generated, and in response to this, a reset circuit 442 provided in the downed accessor management device 44-RorL resets the accessor management device 44-RorL of its own system to initialize. A restart is performed by issuing a signal.

Further, the test apparatus 100 generates a reset signal for instructing initialization of the downed accessor control device 43-RorL, and in response thereto, a reset circuit 430 provided in the downed accessor control device 43-RorL.
Issues a reset signal for initializing the accessor control device 43-RorL of its own system to execute restart.

With the function of the reset processing, the test apparatus 100 can continue the test processing of the library apparatus 1.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When testing the library device, the power supply is turned on / off in response to a command, so that a power failure can be generated at an accurate timing, so that the library device can execute an accurate test process. In addition, since various test processes according to the movement of the accessor robot that conveys the cartridge tape can be easily executed, accurate test processes of the library device can be executed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a library device to which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of an accessor management device.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of an accessor control device.

FIG. 7 is a processing flow executed by the test apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a processing flow executed by the accessor management device.

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a library device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Library apparatus 2 Upper apparatus 10 Shelf means 11 Power supply means 12 Recording / reproducing means 13 Transport means 14 Transport control means 15 Upper control means 20 Test power supply means 21 Detecting means 22 Control means 23 Second control means 24 Issuing means 25 Issuing means Reference Signs List 30 power supply means for test 31 detection means 32 control means 33 second control means 34 issuing means 35 issuing means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing a storage medium, two transport means for transporting a storage medium, and a transport control means provided in association with the transport means for controlling the transport means. A library apparatus provided in association with the transfer control means and configured to execute an interface process between a higher-order apparatus and the transfer control means, wherein the higher-order control means comprises: Input means for inputting test power supply means capable of controlling power supply to the power supply, detection means for detecting the type of test command to be issued, and the detection means for issuing a power control request command to the higher-level control means. Control means for controlling the power supply to the higher-level control means of another system by controlling the test power supply means upon detection. Li equipment. 2. A recording / reproducing means for executing recording / reproducing of a storage medium, two transport means for transporting the storage medium, and a transport control means provided in association with the transport means for controlling the transport means. A library device provided in association with the transfer control means and configured to execute interface processing between the host device and the transfer control means, wherein the high-order control means supplies power to the transfer control means. Input means for inputting a test power supply means capable of controlling the power supply, detection means for detecting the type of a test command to be issued, and when the detection means detects the issuance of a power control request command to the transport control means. Control means for controlling the power supply to the own or other transport control means by controlling the test power supply means. Library equipment. 3. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the higher-level control unit supplies power to the recording / reproducing unit when the detecting unit detects the issuance of a power control request command to the recording / reproducing unit. Control the power supply of the second
A library device, comprising: 4. The library device according to claim 1, wherein the higher-level control means issues a reset signal instructing initialization of the higher-level control means of its own system in response to an external reset request. A library device comprising: 5. The library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer control unit issues a reset signal instructing initialization of the transfer control unit of the own system in response to an external reset request. A library device comprising: