WO2007080753A1

WO2007080753A1 - Network resource management device, network resource management system, and network resource management method

Info

Publication number: WO2007080753A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/325284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ken Kutaragi; Masayuki Chatani; Hirotoshi Maegawa
Original assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Priority date: 2006-01-16
Filing date: 2006-12-19
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Also published as: JP2007188455A; JP5100011B2

Abstract

The problems how to promote resource provision over a network has not been solved, and any framework to promote the use of the resources by how to open their use of the resources has not been built. An apparatus including processors has a system control unit for controlling the operation of the whole apparatus. A program control unit controls the execution of a program. A resource management section dynamically manages the use situation that at least part of the hardware resources including a processor of an external device is used for executing a program and the used saturation that at least part of the hardware resources including a processor in the apparatus is used by an external device for executing processing depending on their saturations. A resource intermediating section intermediates circulation of resources by transferring the resource information representing that at least part of the hardware resources including the processor of an external device is usable to another external device.

Description

Specification

Network resource management device, network resource management system, and network resource management method

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a network resource management apparatus. The present invention particularly relates to a technique for distributed processing in a network resource management apparatus.

Background art

[0002] Conventionally, in a technology that uses resources of a computer connected to a network for distributed processing, there is no sufficient mechanism for uniformly managing and controlling resources provided on the network. Katsuta.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0003] For example, CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) is known as a scheme for calling distributed objects on a network. However, COR BA only regulates communication between objects distributed to multiple devices, and it is not expected to be used in a case where the configuration of a device with such objects is dynamically changed or added. It is difficult to respond.

[0004] For example, clustering is known as a technique for connecting a plurality of computers and operating them like a single computer. However, in clustering, the hardware configuration, CPU, OS, etc. must be homogenized or unified among multiple computers, so that an unspecified number of computer resources can be added or changed dynamically. Is expected to be used.

[0005] On the other hand, grid computing is a system in which a plurality of computers on a network are connected to virtually construct one computer, and resources are extracted and used according to the required processing capacity. It has been known. However, grid combining is only a technology for solving the problems in terms of processing, how to connect resources on the network and distribute processing, and whether to promote resource provision much more. ! And it can't be said that it will respond to the challenges of building a framework, such as how to open and promote the use of such resources.

[0006] The present inventor has made the present invention based on the above problems, and its purpose is to construct a mechanism for efficiently and actively using hardware resources on the network. .

Means for solving the problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a network resource management apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an apparatus including a processor, a system control unit that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and execution of a program A program control unit for controlling the computer, a usage situation in which at least a part of hardware resources including the processor in the external device is used for executing program processing via the network, and a hardware including the processor in the device And at least a part of the hardware resources used for processing execution by the external apparatus via the network, and a resource management unit that dynamically manages the usage status according to the situation.

[0008] Resource information indicating that at least a part of hardware resources including a processor in an external device is available! / Is transferred to another external device via a network. You may further provide the resource mediation part which mediates distribution.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a network resource management system. This network resource management system includes a plurality of resource management terminals each including a processor and a resource mediation server. Each of the plurality of resource management terminals includes at least hardware resources including a system control unit that controls the operation of the entire terminal, a program control unit that controls program execution, and a plug processor in another terminal. Usage status of using part of the program via the network for program processing execution, and at least part of the hardware resources including the processor in the terminal used for processing execution by another terminal via the network And a resource management unit that dynamically manages the usage status according to the status. The resource mediation server receives resource information indicating that at least a part of hardware resources including a processor in the terminal is available at least one of a plurality of resource management terminals, and This is transferred to another resource management terminal via the network to mediate the distribution of resources. [0010] The resource mediation server has a relationship between use and usage when a hardware resource in at least one of a plurality of resource management terminals is used for processing execution in another resource management terminal. May be recorded and sent to a server that handles billing for resource usage fees.

[0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a network resource management method. The method includes generating a resource information indicating that at least a part of hardware resources including a processor in a first terminal including a processor is available; Sending the resource information to the server via the network; transferring the resource information to the second terminal; receiving the resource information to the second terminal; and sending the resource information to the second terminal. A step of using at least a part of hardware resources including a processor in one terminal for execution of processing in the second terminal; and a hardware resource in the first terminal being a network resource in the first terminal. Recording the usage status used for processing execution by the second terminal via the second terminal and the second terminal using the hardware resources in the first terminal. Comprising a step of recording usage utilized for processing performed in the second terminal via the network.

[0012] It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced between a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium storing the computer program, a data structure, and the like. These are also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. The invention's effect

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to construct a mechanism for efficiently and actively using hardware resources on a network.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] [Fig. 1] A configuration of a resource management network is schematically shown.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a user terminal.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing processing and operation by a user terminal or a local server.

[Figure 4] Logically shows the mechanism for mediating resources on the network.

[Figure 5] Logically shows the overall management mechanism for resource mediation on the network. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a program description for transmitting resource information from a local server to a user terminal in response to a call for user terminal power.

FIG. ₇ is a diagram showing an example of a program description for requesting calculation from a local server.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a program description for calculation execution and result return by the local server.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a program description for transmitting resource information from a network sano to a user terminal in response to a call for user terminal power.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of program description for requesting calculation of the user terminal power to the network server.

[Fig. 11] A diagram showing an example of a program description for calculation execution and result return by the network server.

[Fig. 12] A schematic diagram of the mechanism of a distributed processing search engine in an application example.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a program description example for providing a search function to other nodes.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a program description example for using the search function of another node.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a program description example for executing a search function.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a program description example for requesting a search for other nodes to the resource mediation function.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a program description example for linking a search function with another node.

Explanation of symbols

[0015] 10 resource management network, 16 user terminal, 18 local server,

20 Network server, 22 MPU, 24 PU, 30 SPU, 48 Resource management function, 50 Resource mediation function, 52 Service provider, 54 Resource mediation gateway, 70 System control unit, 72 Program control unit, 74 Resource management unit, 76 Resource Intermediary Department

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the present embodiment, when a computer executes a specific process, the computer It realizes a scalable environment that can use the processors of other devices in the network to which the computer is connected in addition to the processor in the computer. For this purpose, the provision of hardware resources from each computer is uniformly managed on the network, and a mechanism for controlling the allocation of distributed processing and data transfer is established. In addition, a mechanism to actively use each resource provided on the network and an incentive trading system to promote the distribution management, use and use of such resources will be established. In addition, the use and provision of hardware resources will be promoted by providing sufficient versatility and openness to the mechanism of use and provision of hardware resources, and the use and provision of dynamically changing resources will be handled comprehensively. Promote resource use.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of the resource management network 10. The resource management network 10 includes the Internet 14 and computers such as a LAN 12 and a user terminal 16 connected to the Internet 14. Each user terminal 16 may be connected directly to the Internet 14 or may be connected to the Internet 14 via a LAN 12 such as a home network or a corporate network. Connected to the Internet 14 is a network server 20 that manages and controls resource use and provision between user terminals 16. A local server 18 such as a home server that manages and controls resource use and provision between user terminals 16 connected in the LAN 12 may be connected to the LAN 12. Resource use and provision may be executed between the user terminals 16 in the LAN 12, and resource use and provision may be executed between the user terminals 16 via the Internet 14. The user terminal 16 may execute resource use and provision with the local server 18. In this way, hardware resources are shared among multiple user terminals 16 and local servers 18 via the Internet 14 and LAN 12, and these resources are used in a complementary manner to achieve distributed processing, thereby enabling independent processing. The processing capacity of each stage can be improved rather than executing.

FIG. 2 illustrates a hardware configuration of the user terminal 16. The user terminal 16 includes a microprocessor unit (MPU) 22, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 40, a main memory 42, an auxiliary storage device (HDD) 44, and a network control unit 46, which are connected via a main bus 38. The The network controller 46 is connected via the LAN 12 or the Internet 14. Data is transmitted to and received from other user terminals 16.

The MPU 22 is an asymmetric multiprocessor unit, and has one main processing unit (PU) 24 and a plurality of sub processing units (SPUs) 30, each of which is connected via the internal bus 36 of the MPU 22. Connected. The PU 24 is a unit that processes the control of the OS and each SPU 30, and includes a processor 26 and a local memory 28. The local memory 28 is, for example, a cache memory. Each SPU 30 is a unit for processing operations centering on product-sum calculations, and includes a processor 32 and a local memory 34, respectively. Programs and data read from the main memory 42 are written into the local memory 34 and executed by the processor 32. Each SPU 30 executes calculations necessary for image processing and data conversion processing in a distributed manner under the control of the PU 24. Which SPU 30 executes the calculation, the content of the calculation, and the scheduled execution time are managed by the PU 24. The user terminal 16 includes one MPU 22, but the local server 18 includes a plurality of MPUs 22 and has a higher processing capability than the user terminal 16. Similarly to the user terminal 16, the local server 18 also uses and provides the node resource resources with other terminals and servers.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing processing and operation by the user terminal 16, the local server 18, and the network server 20. Hereinafter, the user terminal 16 will be described as an example. The user terminal 16 includes a system control unit 70, a program control unit 72, a resource management unit 74, and a resource mediation unit 76. The power of each part is mainly realized by the OS and various programs loaded from the HDD 44 to the main memory 42. Here, the functional blocks realized by their cooperation are drawn. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

[0021] The system control unit 70 controls the entire user terminal 16 mainly by the OS. The program control unit 72 controls the operation of a program executed on the user terminal 16. The resource management unit 74 is realized mainly by the operation of the PU 24, and determines which resources can be provided to the outside in the user terminal 16, and further adjusts the resource binding time and adaptable time for the provision. Resource management function to manage automatically. The resource intermediary unit 76 is also realized mainly by the operation of the PU 24, and is used to mediate resource distribution on the network. Execute the function.

The hardware resources to be managed by the resource management unit 74 are storage devices such as the PU 24 itself, a plurality of SPUs 30 and!, A processing unit, and the main memory 42. Each processing unit is managed in units of internal components such as the processor 26, the processor 32, the low power memory 28, and the local memory 34, and may be provided for use by external power. The resource management unit 74 dynamically manages which SPU 30 processor 32 and local memory 34 can be provided for a plurality of SPUs 30. The resource management unit 74 uses the network control unit 46 to store resource information that describes what hardware resources can be provided in the user terminal 16 among the other user terminals 16, the local server 18, and the network server 20. And send to either as appropriate.

[0023] When the resource management unit 74 receives resource information from another user terminal 16 via the network control unit 46, the use of resources of the other user terminal 16 described in the resource information can be appropriately determined. The resource management unit 74 distributes specific processing in the program executed by the program control unit 72 to a plurality of SPUs 30 and external resources. The resource management unit 74 dynamically manages which external user terminal 16 is provided with which internal resources, processing contents to be executed by the provision, processing time, and the like. The resource manager 74 can also reserve the use of internal resources for external provision. The resource management unit 74 dynamically manages the power of which resource of which external user terminal 16 is used, the processing content to be executed externally and the processing time, and the like.

[0024] The resource management unit 74 determines which resource is to be used, the calculation time to use it, the storage capacity, the amount of data, and the distributed content by assembling at the time of program execution, and the call information specifying them is determined. Generate. Resources to which processing is assigned by the call information and the processing content are resources or processing content for specific uses such as image processing, content generation processing, and data conversion processing. The allocation of which hardware resources are actually used may be left to the local server 18 or the network server 20, but which resource of which user terminal 16 is specifically used according to the request from the program side. The resource management unit 74 clearly specifies the power to use or the power to use any specified resource in the call information. These are the response time and process details required to execute the requested process. The resource management unit 74 decides according to the load level or the like, or the resource management unit 74 decides according to the explicit designation described in the executed program. In the call information, a resource to be processed or a plurality of candidates may be designated. The call information further specifies at least one of data, procedure, and functional process to be used. In the call information, the calling user terminal 16 is specified as the return destination of the processing result. In the case of a call to a local resource, the specification of the return destination may be omitted. In the call information, designation of resources and processing contents is described using tags whose structure is defined in advance by a meta language such as XML (Extensible Markup Language). Call information is formed in the form of a collection of such descriptions.

[0025] FIG. 4 logically illustrates a mechanism for mediating resources on a network. A plurality of resource mediation functions 50 included in the resource management network 10 represent resource mediation functions realized by the resource mediation unit 76 of the user terminal 16, the local server 18, and the network server 20, respectively. The resource mediation function 50 transmits / receives and exchanges resource information with the resource mediation function 50 executed in the other user terminal 16, the local server 18, and the network server 20. The resource mediation function 50 mediates resource distribution by sending resource information received from another user terminal 16, local server 18, and network server 20 to another user terminal 16, local server 18, and network server 20. To connect resource users and providers. Network nodes such as the user terminal 16, resource server 18, and network server 20 that implement the resource mediation function 50 are managed by a system such as DNS (Domain Name System) in the connected network, and appropriate from each node. The resource information can be exchanged by calling the resource mediation function 50 of the neighboring node. The resource mediation function 50 of the node that received the call sends resource information to the resource mediation function 50 of the calling node.

[0026] FIG. 5 logically illustrates a mechanism for overall management of resource mediation on a network. Multiple resource mediation functions 50 are connected directly or indirectly to the resource mediation gateway 54. The resource mediation gateway 54 is connected to a service provider 52 that is a provider of the resource distribution service in the resource management network 10. The resource mediation function 50 is used to record the history information of which terminal used which resource and which terminal resource. The history information as to whether it has been provided to the terminal is transmitted to the service provider 52 via the predetermined resource mediation gateway 54 and the predetermined network server 20. History information is sent and received using a highly secure protocol. The service provider 52 accumulates the received history information and counts the number of times of use and provision, the contents, the amount, etc., and processes the charging from the user and the charging to the provider according to the counting result. Distribution and billing of resources may be handled by tokens issued by the service provider 52 via the service provider 52. The token may be used in another service provided by the service provider 52. The balance between the use and provision of resources in the user terminal 16 may be set at the limit of the user terminal 16 in advance, and at the level of the network server 20 or the like based on instructions from the service provider 52. You can set the limit! The distribution of resource information itself does not necessarily go through the prescribed network server 20 or service provider 52, but the resource mediation function 50 mediates on a peer-to-peer basis even at the level between user terminals 16, so that a widely open resource distribution market is formed. At the same time, the usage and provision history is aggregated to the service provider 52, so that the distribution status of the entire plant is appropriately managed. In this figure, an example is shown in which resource distribution is mediated by the resource mediation function 50 realized by the user terminal 16, the local server 18, and the network server 20 of each node. It may be configured to mediate resource distribution in a centralized manner.

(First application example)

As a first application example using the resource management network 10 in the present embodiment, there is a distributed processing role playing game (RPG). Assume that RPG is executed on user terminal 16 in LAN12. When it comes to drawing rain on the RPG screen, the user terminal 16 requests other terminals or servers to perform physical calculations necessary for rain drawing processing. When requesting the calculation of drawing processing that requires such time responsiveness to the outside, it is not desirable to request with unspecified resources and indeterminate processing time. Specify which hardware resource to use and specify the response time. Here, for example, the resource use of the local server 18 connected to the same LAN 12 is specified. User terminal 16 〖 The information indicating the available resources among the hardware resources of the local server 18 is appropriately notified. When the calculation is requested from the user terminal 16, the local server 18 performs the specified calculation and sends the result back to the user terminal 16.

[0028] In the user terminal 16, for example, when a hero in the RPG encounters a crowd and specifies a person in a predetermined field from the crowd, a calculation request for person recognition or face recognition for the identification is made by the user. Sent from terminal 16. The terminal requested by the user terminal 16 executes the designated person recognition (face recognition) function. Specifically, the person is identified by performing image matching with the person database, and the identification result is sent back to the user terminal 16.

FIG. 6 shows a program description example for transmitting resource information from the local server 18 to the user terminal 16 in response to a call from the user terminal 16. In this example, “Register” in the resource information transmission program, the execution of the method, and the name “Consolel” are described as the destination user terminal 16. The name “: HomeServer” of the local server 18 is described as the transmission source, and “profileA” in which the resources that can be provided are defined is described. Furthermore, information such as the MPU 22 number, calculation time, and storage capacity included in the local server 18 is described. Resource information indicating these contents is sent from the oral server 18 to the user terminal 16.

FIG. 7 shows a program description example for requesting calculation from the user terminal 16 to the local server 18. In this example, the “rain-fall” t for rain image processing in the physical calculation program “Phisics”, the execution of the method, and the name of the requested local servo 18 “1¾011½361 ^^ 1:” Described. In addition, “profileA” in which resources to be used are defined, “land_areal” indicating a place where rainfall is drawn, and “conditi on-profile 1” indicating a rain condition are described.

FIG. 8 shows a program description example for calculation execution and result return by the local server 18. In this example, “rain—fall—body” for image processing of rain in a physics program called “Phisics” !, execution of a method, “Report” t, and “physics_report” in a result return program It is described that the execution of the method is processed in parallel as appropriate. FIG. 9 shows an example of a program description for transmitting resource information from the network sano 20 to the user terminal 16 in response to a call from the user terminal 16. In this example, the execution of the method “Register” in the resource information transmission program and the name “Consolel” of the destination user terminal 16 are described! As the transmission source, the name “Ne tworkServerXj” of the network server 20 is described, and “profileXl” in which the resources that can be provided are defined is described. In addition, information such as the MPU 22 number, calculation time, and storage capacity included in the network server 20 is described. Resource information indicating these contents is sent to the network server 20 user terminal 16.

FIG. 10 shows a program description example for requesting the network server 20 to calculate the user terminal 16 as well. In this example, “identify” for authentication processing in the face recognition calculation program “FaceRecognition”, execution of the method and “Net workServerX” as the request destination are described. In addition, “profileXl” that specifies the resource to be used and “face-image” that indicates the object of authentication are described.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a program description for calculation execution and result return by the network server 20. In this example, the execution of the authentication method “identify-body” in the face recognition calculation program “FaceRecognition” and the execution of the “Report” t and “id_report” in the result response program are appropriately paralleled. It is written to be processed.

[0035] (Second application example)

A second application example using the resource management network 10 in the present embodiment is a distributed processing type search engine. Each node on the resource management network 10 has search engine functions such as text search, image search, person search based on face image matching authentication, and database search by field or region. Each node holds search results at least temporarily, shares resources and data with other search engines, and processes search in cooperation.

Each node has a preferred query list that lists search queries that each node is good at. The criteria for whether or not you are good include, for example, the ability to return results with a short response time, or the ability to return results with high search accuracy, and the ability to return many results. Each node is requested to search by many other nodes and search The preferred query list will be formed dynamically and later after the process is repeated

FIG. 12 schematically shows the mechanism of a distributed processing type search engine in an application example. Each of the nodes connected to the resource management network 10 acts as a distributed search engine. In this figure, the search engines 60A to 60H are connected to each other, and the preferred query lists 62A to 62H are held as the preferred query lists.

[0038] Hereinafter, a search example will be described. First, the search engine 60A also receives a search query for user power, and determines whether or not the search condition included in the query is included in its preferred query list 62A. The received search query includes a plurality of words such as “Tokyo Taisai” as search criteria. The search engine 60A outputs the corresponding search results according to the search conditions included in the preferred query list 62A, and the search engine 60B, 60C, For 60J, it is transferred in parallel as a search query with a unique search ID and query transfer path history. The search engines 60B, 60C, 60J to which the search query has been transferred also determine whether the content of the query is included in their preferred query list 62B, 62C, 62J. On the contrary, the search result is returned, and if it is included, the search result is further forwarded to another adjacent search engine. For example, since the search condition “Tokyo” is included in its preferred query list 62B, the search engine 60B returns a search result matching “Tokyo” to the search engine 60A. The search engine 60C transfers the search query to the search engines 60D, 60E, and 60F because the content of the search query is not included in its preferred query list 62C. Since the search condition “Tie” is included in its preferred query list 62D, the search engine 60D returns the search result matching “Tie” to the search engine 60A via the search engine 60C. The search engine 60E returns the search result matching “spicy” to the search engine 60A via the search engine 60C because the search condition “spicy” is included in its own preferred query list 62E. The search engine 60A totals the search results received from the search engine 60B, the search engine 60D, and the search engine 60E, calculates the AND set, and presents it to the user. [0039] A limit may be set on the number of nodes or the number of hops added to the transfer path history so that the search query transfer is properly converged. The example in which the search results from each search engine are transferred so as to go back in the transfer node history has been explained, but it is also possible to return the search results directly to the search engine that is the starting point of the search.

[0040] Each search engine may maintain a preferred query list of adjacent or adjacent search engines on the network. In the example of this figure, the search engine 60A holds, for example, the preferred category lists 62B, 62C, and 62J. Each search engine can transmit the corresponding search condition only to the search engine if it is included in the preferred query list of another search engine that holds the search condition power included in the search query. , Wasteful transfers and unnecessary distribution can be reduced.

[0041] Each search engine stores the search result as a cache on the route for returning the search result to the search engine at the start point by simply transferring the search result. When a similar search query is sent later, the cache power also extracts the search result and returns it. This can reduce the circulation of search queries more than necessary, reduce the amount of search processing for the entire system, and increase the response speed.

[0042] Each search engine supports not only text search but also search such as image search and music search, as well as a search engine specialized in such special search and a search engine specializing in special search. In that case, the fact is described in the preferred query list. In particular, when each search engine maintains a preferred query list of another engine, the query transfer route is easily optimized for a special search query, and distribution efficiency and responsiveness can be improved.

[0043] Each search engine predicts a query that is likely to be requested in the future based on past search history and external conditions such as time zone, weather, temperature, stock price, etc. By collecting, responsiveness may be further improved.

[0044] The search engine may have a function to generate a search query as well as image power! /.

For example, an image feature amount is extracted from one or more designated image data, and the image feature amount is transferred to another search engine as a search query. If the search engine is a terminal that changes frequently, such as a mobile terminal, the search query The forwarding destination of Eri may be switched to a nearby search engine. Each search engine may preferentially set the search engine with a relatively high return ratio of search results as the next transfer destination among the transfer destinations of search queries, and conversely, the return ratio is low. Processing may be performed to remove the engine from the transfer destination candidates.

FIG. 13 shows a program description example for providing a search function to other nodes. The process described in this figure is executed whenever a value indicating another node is specified, and the search function “Search” is executed using the resource specified in “profile 2” for the specified node. Thus, the resource is used by the designated node.

FIG. 14 shows a program description example for using the search function of another node. For the processing described in this figure, the resources of other nodes are used by executing the search function “Search” using the resources of other nodes specified by “profile2”.

FIG. 15 shows a program description example for executing the search function. In the example described in this figure, the search program “Search” is executed on its own node, the search program “Search” is executed on each of the other nodes, and the result return program “search-report” is executed. Are processed in parallel. In addition, a value for limiting the propagation of search processing in other nodes is added.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a program description for requesting the resource mediation function to search for another node. In the example described in this figure, a node having a resource mediation function is caused to execute the method “find-resource” for resource search in the resource mediation program “Mediation”.

FIG. 17 shows a program description example for linking the search function with other nodes.

In the example described in this figure, the resource search method “find—resource” of the resource mediation program “Mediation” in its own node is executed, and the resource search method “find—” of the resource mediation program “Mediation” in the neighboring nodes. The execution of resource and the execution of the result response program “search—report” are processed in parallel. As a result return destination, the node of the resource mediation gateway 54 is specified in addition to the search requesting node. In addition, a value is added to limit the propagation of search processing in other nodes.

[0050] The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is illustrative and its It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various combinations of each component and each treatment process are possible, and that such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

It is possible to build a mechanism that enables efficient and active use of hardware resources on the network.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A device including a processor,

A system control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus;

A program control unit for controlling execution of the program;

A usage situation in which at least a part of hardware resources including a processor in an external device is used via a network for processing execution of the program, and at least a part of hardware resources including a processor in the device A resource management unit that dynamically manages the usage status used for processing execution by an external device via a network according to the status,

A network resource management device comprising:

[2] Resource information indicating that at least some of the hardware resources including the processor in the external device are available! / Is transferred to another external device via the network. The network resource management device according to claim 1, further comprising a resource mediation unit that mediates distribution.

[3] A plurality of resource management terminals each including a processor and a resource mediation server,

Each of the plurality of resource management terminals is

A system control unit for controlling the operation of the entire terminal;

A program control unit for controlling execution of the program;

A usage situation in which at least a part of hardware resources including a processor in another terminal is used via a network to execute processing of the program, and at least one of hardware resources including a processor in the terminal. A resource management unit that dynamically manages the usage status used for processing execution by another terminal via a network, and dynamically managing the usage status according to the status.

The resource mediation server has resource information indicating that at least a part of hardware resources including a processor in the terminal is available among at least one of the plurality of resource management terminals. A network resource management system characterized by mediating distribution of resources by receiving and transferring the data to another resource management terminal via a network.

[4] The resource mediation server is used and used when the hardware resource in at least one of the plurality of resource management terminals is used for processing execution in another resource management terminal. 4. The network resource management system according to claim 3, wherein the relationship is recorded, and the record is transmitted to a server that processes billing for the resource usage fee.

[5] generating resource information indicating that at least a part of the hardware resource including the processor in the first terminal is available from the first terminal including the processor;

Transmitting the resource information to a server via a network;

The server that has received the resource information transfers the resource information to a second terminal, and the second terminal to which the resource information is transferred includes a processor in the first terminal based on the resource information. Using at least a part of the hardware resources to execute processing in the second terminal;

The first terminal recording a usage situation in which the hardware resource in the first terminal is used for processing execution by the second terminal via a network;

A step of recording a usage situation in which the second terminal uses the hardware resource in the first terminal for processing execution in the second terminal via a network;

A network resource management method comprising: