JP3533027B2 - Connection system between multiple systems - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-system connection system for connecting a shared device to an arbitrary one of a plurality of systems. In a system that operates in the form of sharing the devices connected to the computer system, the shared devices such as I / O devices that are not allowed to be accessed from multiple systems at the same time should be started at the time of system startup in order to save system resources. It is desired that the connection be made by arbitrarily switching to the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an input / output device shared by a plurality of systems, such as a console and a DASD device, has a switching device provided between a channel and these input / output devices so that each system can be arbitrarily switched during operation. I am trying to use it. For example, the operating sub-console was switched to an arbitrary system, or the connection of the necessary input / output device was switched to the hot standby active system.

[0003]

However, the technique of switching various input / output devices to an arbitrary system by the above-mentioned conventional switching device can be used during the operation of the system, and the system is started up from the stopped state. In some cases, there is no means for switching the switching device or establishing a path, which is a problem. For this reason,
Regarding the input / output devices required for system startup,
If access is prohibited, the prohibited I / O device (eg console) cannot be used, and a separate I / O device (eg console) is connected to access and start the system. Must be,
There arises a problem that an extra input / output device resource is required.

The present invention solves these problems.
A switcher is provided between a shared device such as an input / output device and each system, and a switcher means is provided in each system to switch the switcher at the time of system start-up to enable an access path and the other system is the system concerned. The purpose is to request access to a shared device such as an I / O device and to start it up so that duplication of the shared device such as an I / O device is eliminated and effective use of resources is realized.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Means for solving the problems will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a switcher 11 switches a shared device such as the input / output device 10 to an arbitrary system for connection.

The switcher means 12 switches the switcher 11 to change the system and the input / output device 1 having an access path.
It is for switching to a shared device such as 0. The input / output device access means 13 accesses a shared device such as the input / output device 10 connected via the switcher 11 in response to the access request.

The switcher definition table 14 predefines connection information between a system having an access path with the shared device such as the input / output device 10 and the shared device such as the input / output device 10.

Next, the operation will be described. Switcher means 1
2 switches the switcher 11 to connect the system to a shared device such as an input / output device 10 having an access path, and the input / output device access means 13 uses the switcher 11 for a shared device such as the input / output device 10 having an access path. A shared device such as the input / output device 10 connected via the switcher 11 is accessed in response to an access request from its own system connected to the server or an access request from another system via an inter-system communication path. ing.

At this time, when the switcher means 12 has an access path with the shared device such as the input / output device 10 when the system is started up, the switcher 11 is switched to the shared device such as the input / output device 10. I am trying to connect.

Further, the switcher means 12 refers to the switcher definition table 14 when the system is started up, and switches the switcher 11 to connect to the shared device such as the input / output device 10.

Therefore, a switcher 11 is provided between a shared device such as the input / output device 10 and each system, and a switcher means 12 is provided in each system, and the switcher 11 is switched at the time of system start-up to enable an access path. At the same time, another system requests the system to access the shared device such as the I / O device 10 and starts it up, thereby eliminating duplication of the shared device such as the I / O device 10 and effectively using the resources. It is possible to plan.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments and operations of the present invention will be sequentially described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, systems 1 and 2 are computer systems that perform various processes according to programs,
For example, an inter-system communication path is provided between the systems to communicate with each other to access the input / output device 10 or to request the access. The systems 1 and 2 include a shared device management information table 9, a switcher unit 12, an input / output device access unit 13, a switcher definition table 14, and a switcher path definition file 15.
It is composed of etc.

The shared device management information table 9 manages shared devices such as the shared input / output device 10 (hereinafter abbreviated as the input / output device 10). For example, as shown in FIG. The connection system (system having an access path) is registered and managed in association with the (input / output device 10).

The switcher means 12 switches the switcher 11 to input / output the device 1 having a system and an access path.
0 is switched, and the switcher 11 is switched so as to connect the input / output device having the access path defined in the switcher definition table 14 to the system.

The input / output device access means (shared device access means) 13 connects the input / output device 10 connected via the switcher 11 in response to an access request from its own system or another system via the intersystem communication path. To access.

The switcher definition table 14 predefines connection information between a system having an access path with the input / output device 10 and the input / output device 10. For example, as shown in FIG. The port information, the connection information, and the shared device information for connecting to the input / output device 10 having the access path are defined in advance in association with the above.

The switcher path definition file 15 is a file in which the system and the input / output device 10 having an access path are defined in advance. The switcher definition table 14 is obtained by reading out necessary information from the switcher path definition file 15 and arranging it in a usable state on the memory.

The switcher 11 switches the input / output device 10 to an arbitrary system for connection. Next, the operation of the configuration of FIG. 1 will be described in detail according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present invention. In FIG. 2, S1 starts the system startup. In S2, it is determined whether there is a system in operation.
If there is an operating system, a processing request is made to the operating system in S7. In the configuration of FIG. 1, for example, the I / O device access means 13 of the system 1 is used by using the paths of the system 1, the switcher 11, and the I / O device 10 in which the system 1 is in operation and already has an access path. When it is determined that the system 1 is already in operation when it is determined that there is an operating system when the system 2 is started up and started up while the I / O device 10 is accessing and performing processing. Correspondingly, in this case, the system 2 requests access to the input / output device 10 via the inter-system communication path to the system 1 which is the operating system, and the system 2 starts up based on the response of the access request. It is possible to perform various processing required for the.

On the other hand, if there is no operating system in S2, the process proceeds to S3. S3 switches the path. This is because it is found in S2 that there is no operating system, so that the system connects to the input / output device 10, the switcher means 12 switches the switcher 11 to connect the path to the input / output device 10. At this time, the switcher definition table 14 of FIG. 5 to be described later is referred to, the port information, the connection information, and the shared device information for connecting to the input / output device 10 having the access path are extracted, and the switcher 1 is based on this.
1 is switched to connect to the input / output device 10.

At S4, a path test is performed. This is S3
Since the switcher 11 is switched and connected to the input / output device 10, the input / output device access means 13 tests the path to the input / output device 10 via the predetermined port of the system and the switcher 11. If OK, go to S5.
In the case of NG, the administrator is notified of error information not shown.

At S5, the input / output device 10 is used. Since the path test is OK in S4, the input / output device access means 13 of the system accesses the input / output device 10 by using the path connected via the switcher 11, that is, the access request from the own system. Alternatively, in response to an access request from another system via the inter-system communication path, the input / output device 10 is accessed and the result is returned to the request source.

At S6, the operation is started. Each system starts operation by using the input / output device of S5. As described above, under the configuration shown in FIG. 1, when the system 1 or the system 2 is powered on and the system is started up, if there is an operating system already connected to the input / output device 10 and operating. , The operating system is requested to access the I / O device 10 via the inter-system communication path, the system is started up upon receiving the response, and the system is operating by connecting to the I / O device 10. If there is no system, the switcher 11 is switched to connect the own system and the input / output device 10 to make the path usable, and then the input / output device 10 is accessed using this path to start the system. . With these, system 1,
It becomes possible to share one input / output device 10 with two or the like, and each system can be started up, and an input / output device for each system (for example, a console for inputting various data or operation instructions for starting up the system) ), It is possible to save resources by sharing one unit.

FIG. 3 shows another system configuration diagram of the present invention. This includes a plurality of switchers 11, each of which has a switcher definition table 14 (switcher definition file 1
5), and the switcher 11 can connect an arbitrary system to the input / output device 10. here,
The shared device management information table 9, the switcher means 12, and the input / output device access means 13 have the same configurations as those in FIG.

In FIG. 3, a switcher 11 switches and connects an arbitrary system and an arbitrary input / output device 10. The switcher definition table 14 is a switcher definition table 14 for each system, and has a switcher definition table 14 of FIG. 5 described later.

The switcher path definition file 15 is used for each system and the input / output device 10 having an access path.
Is a file in which is defined in advance and saved. The switcher definition table 14 is obtained by reading out necessary information from the switcher path definition file 15 and arranging it in a usable state on the memory.

Next, the operation of the configuration of FIG. 3 will be described in detail according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for explaining another operation of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, S11 starts. This is when a system starts to boot. S12 determines the connection system. This is based on the configuration of FIG.
The systems communicate with each other via an inter-system communication path to determine which system is connected to the input / output device 10. At this time, the system having a path to the input / output device 10 is determined as the system to be connected to the input / output device 10 by referring to the switcher definition table 14 of each system.

In step S13, it is determined whether the connection system is connected to this system or another system. If it is determined to connect to this system, the processes of S14 to S16 are performed. On the other hand, when connecting to another system, S
In 18 the processing is requested to another connection system, and the operation is started in S17.

In step S14, the path is switched. this is,
Since it is determined in S13 that the system is connected to this system, the switcher means 12 switches the switcher 11 to connect the path to the input / output device 10 in order for the system to connect to the input / output device 10. At this time, the switcher definition table 14 of FIG. 5 to be described later is referred to, the port information, the connection information, and the shared device information for connecting to the input / output device 10 having the access path are extracted, and the switcher 1 is based on this.
1 is switched to connect to the input / output device 10.

At S15, a path test is performed. This is S
Since the switcher 11 is switched and connected to the input / output device 10 at 14, the input / output device access means 13 tests the path to the input / output device 10 via the predetermined port of the system and the switcher 11. If OK, go to S16. In the case of NG, the administrator is notified of error information not shown.

In S16, the input / output device 10 is used. Since the path test is OK in S15, the input / output device access means 13 of the system uses the path connected via the switcher 11 to access the input / output device 10, that is, an access request from the own system. Alternatively, in response to an access request from another system via the inter-system communication path, the input / output device 10 is accessed and the result is returned to the request source.

At S17, the operation is started. Each system starts operation by using the input / output device of S16. From the above, under the configuration of FIG. 3, the system 1,
When either one of the two or three is turned on and the system is started up, the connection system to be connected to the input / output device 10 is determined,
When the determined connection system is this system, the switcher 11 is switched to connect the own system and the input / output device 10 to make the path usable, and then the input / output device 10 is accessed using this path. On the other hand, if the determined connection system is another system, an access request to the input / output device 10 is sent to the other system via the inter-system communication path, and the system is received in response. Launch. With these, system 1,
It becomes possible for two or three or the like to share one input / output device 10 and to start up each system, and input / output devices for each system (for example, inputting various data or operating instructions for starting up the system, etc. It is possible to save resources by sharing one console without providing a console).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the switcher definition table of the present invention. This switcher definition table 14 defines and registers information for connecting to a shared device (such as an input / output device) having a path in association with the system as shown in the figure.

Port Information / Connection Information / Shared Device Information / Others Here, the port information is a port (port number) of the system when the system connects a path to the switcher 11. The connection information is a port (port number) for connecting the system and the switcher 11. The shared device information is a device shared by a plurality of systems, and is, for example, the following various input / output devices.

-Console (for inputting various operation instructions at system startup) -Printer device-MT (magnetic tape device), FD (floppy disk device), MO (magneto-optical disk device), etc. external storage Device / communication device (communication device for connecting to center or user terminal via line) / others FIG. 6 is an example of a shared device management information table of the present invention.
The shared device management information table 9 is registered in advance in association with a system that can be used by connecting to a shared device.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A switcher 11 is provided between a shared device such as the input / output device 10 and each system and a switcher means 12 is provided in each system, and the switcher 11 is switched at the time of system startup to enable an access path and other Since the system adopts a configuration in which the system is requested to access the shared device such as the input / output device 10 and started up, the shared device such as the input / output device 10 is prevented from duplication and the effective use of resources is achieved. Can be planned.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining another operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example of a switcher definition table of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of a shared device management information table of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 and 3: system (computer system) 9: shared device management information table 10: input / output device (shared device) 11: switcher 12: switcher means 13: input / output device access means (shared device access means) 14: switcher Definition table 15: Switcher path definition file

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-156161 (JP, A) JP-A-8-328890 (JP, A) JP-A-5-242031 (JP, A) JP-A-5- 120247 (JP, A) JP 5-6345 (JP, A) JP 4-230568 (JP, A) JP 63-276132 (JP, A) JP 62-242262 (JP, A) JP 62-25327 (JP, A) JP 61-185146 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 15/16-15/177 G06F 13/00 H04L 12/00-12/66

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. In a multi-system connection system for connecting a shared device to an arbitrary system among a plurality of systems, a system having an access path with the shared device and the shared system
A switcher-defined table that predefines connection information with the device.
And Le, provided between the system and the shared device, and a switcher for connecting by switching the shared device to any system, provided in each system, at the upper system is started, to the shared device
Whether there is another system that is accessing and processing
If there is no other system, the switcher means for switching the switcher to the system that started the start- up, and the self-system provided in each system and connected to the shared device having the access path by the switcher Shared device access means for accessing a shared device connected via the switcher in response to an access request of another system or an access request from another system via an inter-system communication path. Intersystem connection system. 2. Further, there are a plurality of said shared devices,
The itcher definition table shows that the system
2. The multi-system connection system according to claim 1, wherein it is pre-defined whether or not the access device has an access path .