JPS6118221B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system program file switching method for a remotely controlled computer system (temporarily referred to as a remote processor).

The operations of a system controlled by a computer are instructed and executed by a program, and when functions are added or removed from the system, the system program file (abbreviated as system file) is also changed. Conventionally, in order to switch system files, the system operation is temporarily interrupted, the operator loads the new program onto the disk through the panel, and the IPL (initial program) is transferred from the disk to the memory (main memory) of the remote processor. loading) was necessary. This has the problem of not only interrupting operation but also requiring human labor, and does not follow the trend toward labor-saving and unmanned systems. The present invention eliminates operation interruptions, panel IPL,
The present invention attempts to provide a system that enables long-term continuous, completely or semi-unmanned operation of a remote processor by allowing the program to switch one program file to another during system operation. That is, the present invention provides a system program file switching method for a remotely controlled electronic computer system, in which a first file is stored in the system during operation.
In addition to the storage medium, a second storage medium is provided, and when switching system files, the running file is stored from the first storage medium to the second storage medium by a command, and the system is switched. Switch the non-resident control for the main memory from the former to the latter, change the current file information and the next IPL load path to the latter, store the new file in the first recording medium in this state, and then store the new file in the first recording medium. The method is characterized in that the initial program is loaded from the medium to the main memory, the current file information and the IPL load path are also changed to the first recording medium, and normal operation begins. Explain in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a hardware image of a computer control system to which the present invention is applied. RP is a remote processor;
It is equipped with a PU, a console CSL (sometimes absent), a magnetic tape device MT (sometimes absent), and magnetic disk devices DK ₁ , DK ₂ , DK ₃ (sometimes absent). When the program governing system operation is improved (generation updated), the program built into the remote processor PU is replaced with the new program, but in the past this work had to be done by an operator using the console CSL after interrupting operation.
In the present invention, this is implemented as an operator substitute program.
The aim is to use POSP to completely or semi-automatically perform operations without interruption, in the following manner.

To explain this with reference to Figure 2, a is IPL
This shows the operation when the operator turns on the power (of course, the power can also be turned on by command from the control computer system), and the disk is turned on by the panel operation.
This is done by inputting the program stored in DK ₁ to the main memory M of the PU. Provide destination of program input to memory M (current file information)
are recorded in a table (not shown). When restarting the system after it goes down, the system program must perform an IPL using a function that allows the program to issue an IPL instruction. This means that when a problem occurs during system operation, instead of unconditionally stopping operation, the system will automatically restart and receive instructions on how to continue operation. the
Information about the IPL load path, ie, IPL from DK ₁ , is registered in an external register (not shown) that is not cleared even when the system is reset. Please note that Disk DK ₂ is currently idle, and Disk DK 2 is currently in an idle state.
DK ₃ (reserve side) always has the same contents as disk DK ₁ . In other words, this system example uses a dual system to improve stability (if it does not use a dual system, DK ₃ does not exist). b indicates normal operation. The resident part of memory M contains IPLed programs, but the non-resident part stores the necessary programs each time on disk DK ₁ .
Read from and load. This non-resident control is performed based on the current file information in the table. c is the first system program file switch
The steps are shown below, and in making this switch, a preservation surface is first created as shown in the figure. That is, while performing non-resident control (loading) from disk DK ₁ to memory M, the contents of disk DK ₁ or DK ₃ are transferred to DK ₂ as a file. This is due to the simplicity of control during operation on the active side (DK ₁ ), standby side (DK ₃ ), and storage side (DK ₂ ), and the control that DK ₁ , DK ₂ , and DK ₃ each maintain on the disk. This is to use the disk in a fixed manner without changing the information (information necessary to perform preliminary surface control during IPL, etc.).

Next, input the system file switching command to switch files. Commands are input from the console in the case of semi-unmanned operation, and transmitted from the control computer system in the case of completely unmanned operation. To switch files, open the storage area of disk DK ₂ called the Z side (readable) as shown in d, and
Instead of DK ₁ , which is referred to as the surface, the Z surface DK ₂ controls the memory M non-residently. The current file information in the table is changed to the Z plane. Also, the next IPL load path registered in the external register is changed to the Z plane, and the X plane file is closed.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure for this switching process. After switching files, start creating a new file. e is in this state, a closed disk
Load the new file to DK ₁ and DK ₃ . In this example, the new file is stored on a magnetic tape, and it is written to DK ₁ and DK ₃ while being read. Loading the magnetic tape into the MT is done manually, so it cannot be said to be fully automated, but since it is simply loading the magnetic tape into the MT and the subsequent processing is done by a program, it can be done by an amateur and does not require an expert. . In addition, the new file is transmitted from the control computer system to the remote processor via the communication line, and this file is transferred to DK ₁ and DK ₃ .
It may also be loaded into a computer, in which case full automation is possible. During this time, non-resident control is performed from the Z plane. After that, switching to the new file is performed, as shown in f, by specifying the Let's do it. In this example, the IPLed load path DK ₁ is written to the external register, and the current file information (X side) is written to the table, after which normal operation begins.

As explained above, in the present invention, a running display is provided in the file during system operation (current file information in the table), and when it becomes necessary to access the system file during system operation, the display is referred to and displayed. When switching, first create a storage surface, then after opening the switching destination system file (storage surface), change the display while driving to the switching destination system file, and make it possible to access the file indicated by . The new system file is closed, a new file is loaded into the storage medium of the closed system file, non-resident control is performed from the storage side during this time, IPL is performed from the storage medium and normal operation is started, and these switching processes are performed using commands. Instruct with. Therefore, there is no interruption in system operation except during IPL operation of a new file, continuous operation is possible, and completely or semi-unmanned processing is possible. Since the closed old file storage recording medium corresponds to the inactive disk DK ₂ in Figure 2a, it is possible to use it to update to a new file by the same operation, or specify the storage side and perform IPL. It is also possible to return to the old file by inputting an instruction command.
In the conventional system file switching method, system operation is interrupted, a new file is loaded to disk DK ₁ , and then IPL is performed from disk DK ₁ .
However, once the machine starts operating, it requires many manual operations, resulting in long interruption times. In this respect, in the present invention, it is possible to load a new system file to a file currently in system operation and prepare for updating the file while the system continues to operate. Restarting using an update file can be instructed by inputting a command from the control computer system or console. Note that if a dual system is not adopted, the above method can be applied by omitting the processing for DK ₃ .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer control system to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for switching according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing when switching files. DK ₁ and DK ₃ are first recording media, DK ₂ is a second recording medium, and IPL is initial program loading.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a method for switching system program files of a remotely controlled computer system, in addition to the first recording medium for storing files during operation, a second recording medium for storage is provided in the system for system file switching. By command,
Store the running file from the first recording medium to the second recording medium, switch the non-resident control for the main memory of the system from the former to the latter, change the current file information and the next IPL load path to the latter, and enter this state. A new file is stored in the first recording medium, and then an initial program is loaded from the first recording medium to the main memory, and the current file information and the next IPL loading path are also changed to the first recording medium. This system file switching method is characterized in that it enters normal operation.