GB2252184A - Data processing system with data recoverability - Google Patents
Data processing system with data recoverability Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2252184A GB2252184A GB9101541A GB9101541A GB2252184A GB 2252184 A GB2252184 A GB 2252184A GB 9101541 A GB9101541 A GB 9101541A GB 9101541 A GB9101541 A GB 9101541A GB 2252184 A GB2252184 A GB 2252184A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- data
- file server
- network
- microcomputer
- processing system
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010615 ring circuit Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
- H04L9/40—Network security protocols
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
- G06F11/07—Responding to the occurrence of a fault, e.g. fault tolerance
- G06F11/14—Error detection or correction of the data by redundancy in operation
- G06F11/1402—Saving, restoring, recovering or retrying
- G06F11/1446—Point-in-time backing up or restoration of persistent data
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer And Data Communications (AREA)
- Multi Processors (AREA)
- Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
A data processing system includes microcomputers 3, a host computer 5 with an associated modem bank 6 and file servers 10 connected in a token ring network 2. Generation and communication of documents is carried out by retrieval of programs from a general file server 10(a) and message and knowledge databases are set up in a communications file microcomputer 3 creates a record of all additional data stored server 10(b). To ensure that data is not lost, each in the fixed disk during a back-up period. Each general file server 10(a) includes a control circuit 12 arranged to poll each microcomputer 3 to retrieve additional data not already stored in the general file server 10(a), and at the end of each backup period each microcomputer 3 downloads additional data to a security file server 10(c) for transmission to a back-up tape drive 15. Each file server has an uninterruptible a power supply and writes data in parallel to a pair of disk drives. A network monitoring circuit 8 monitors errors in transmission of tokens which are not received. <IMAGE>
Description
A Data Processing System
The present invention relates to a data processing system and in particular to one for use by a relatively large number of people for whom inter-communication via the data processing system is important. Examples of such situations are, say, in an accountancy office where over a hundred people may require access to precedents, word processing facilities, and electronic mail facilities, in which situation the user interface displays must be easily understood and easy to use.
Further, in these situations there is a need for shared access to knowledge databases for exchange of information, both internally and externally.
Presently available data processing systems for this use frequently comprise a mainframe computer to which both intelligent and non-intelligent terminals are connected in a star configuration. The mainframe computer stores most data to which users require access and allows re-transmission of data for communication between one terminal and another, for example, electronic mail. A disadvantage with such data processing systems is that the operating costs are extremely high because special computer rooms are required, upgrading costs for the mainframe computer are high and considerable professional expertise is required for maintaining the systems.
In recent years, a further disadvantage has arisen in that "application software" for directing functions such as electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheets, and also graphical user interfaces are less readily available.
Further, they are much more expensive and are less straightforward to use and understand than those designed for running on microcomputers.
Networks for interconnecting microcomputers have been available for some time. However, there are some problems in use including less sophisticated network management and security processes, weaker recoverability of data, lack of control generally, and limitations in network traffic capacity.
The present invention is directed towards providing a data processing system to meet the requirements of a large group of professional workers in a way which realises the advantages of both microcomputer networks and mainframes while at the same time minimising the disadvantages. These requirements include the carrying out of improved internal and external electronic mail, document exchange, document generation, electronic publishing and electronic conferencing functions in a more secure, controlled and productive manner.
According to the invention, there is provided a data processing system comprising a network in which is connected:
a host computer connected to a modem bank via an
access control circuit for remote communication, the
host computer having a database structure stored in
a fixed disk drive;
a plurality of microcomputers, each comprising means
to monitor additional data stored in a hard disk of
the microcomputer during a back-up period and for
creating a record of such data, and further
comprising video control circuits for displaying
data on a screen with a plurality of window formats
simultaneously;
a plurality of file servers each connected to an
uninterruptible power supply and having a control
circuit comprising means for writing received data
in parallel to a pair of disk drives, the file
servers including::
a communications file server storing a
communications program and an electronic mail
database and being connected to a modem;
a general file server storing programs for
document generation in both textual and
graphical format and comprising means for
polling microcomputers connected to the network
for retrieval of additional data stored during
a back-up period and for retrieval of the data;
and
a security device having a control circuit
comprising means for addressing the general file
servers to request transmission of all additional
data on the network and for directing the additional
data to a back-up tape drive connected thereto.
In one embodiment, a microcomputer comprises means for retrieval of textual and graphical document generation programs from an associated general file server, means for generating textual and graphical documents, means for combining the textual and graphical documents, means for retrieving routing data from the communications file server and for transmitting required addresses and the combined document to the communications file server for transmission to the required addressee nodes.
Preferably, the system further comprises a network monitoring circuit connected in the network for reception of error messages transmitted from a microcomputer transmitting a message which is not being received by the addressee node.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a data processing
system of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing operation of the system;
and
Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a file
server forming part of the system.
Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a data processing system of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The system 1 comprises a token ring network 2 interconnecting a large number of microcomputers 3, only some of which are illustrated. Some of the microcomputers 3 have a dedicated printer 4. A host computer 5 which in this embodiment is a mainframe computer is also connected in the network. A bank of modems 6 having an access control device 6 (a) are connected to the host computer 5, which is also connected to a fax machine 7. A network monitoring circuit 8 is connected in the network 2. A number of terminals, not shown, are connected to the host computer 5. The data processing system 1 also includes file servers 10 connected in the network 2.
The file servers include general file servers 10(a) (only two of which are shown), a communication file server 10(b) and a security file server 10(c). There may be additional communication and security file servers 10(b) and 10(c). Each file server 10 includes a bank of fixed disk drives 11 controlled by a CPU 12, which is connected to a network interface 13 in the network 2. Each CPU 12 is connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 14. The CPU 12 of the security file server 10(c) is connected to a back-up tape drive 15. The system 1 also includes a number of network printers 16 (only one of which is shown) connected to the network 2. For connection to remote databases, some of the file servers 10 including the communications file server 10(b) are connected to a modem 17.
The microcomputers 3 each have a 60 or a 120 MByte hard disk and have colour VGA screens and a memory capacity of at least 2 MBytes. For connection to the network 2, each microcomputer 3 has a 16/4 MByte token ring circuit. Each file server 10 has a 300 MByte or larger hard disk and the CPU 12 has a 15 ms response time. The memory capacity is 8, or alternatively 12
MBytes and the processor has a 33 MHz frequency. The network interface circuit 13 of each file server 10 has a 32-bit wide interface for connection with the bus 2. The host computer 5 is an IBM 370 model. However, it is envisaged that any suitable mainframe or minicomputer could be used. It is not essential that the host computer 5 has the capacity of a mainframe computer. Further, it is envisaged that any other type of network may be used instead of a token ring network.
The microcomputers 3 have video control circuits for displaying data on the screen using more than one displayed "window" at a time.
Both the host computer and the communications file server 10(b) store electronic mail databases which include local and remote addresses and other relevant routing data for addressee nodes. The file server 10(b) also stores a communication program for directing electronic mail functions.
Each general file server 10(a) stores programs for assisting in generation of graphical and textual documents.
Referring to Fig. 2, operation of the system 1 in generation of a combined textual and graphical document and communication of the document is shown. A microcomputer 3 transmits a signal on the network 2 to an associated general file server 10(a) requesting downloading of a textual document generation program to its read/write memory. This is carried out in step 20. In step 21, the microcomputer 3 generates a textual document using this program. When this function is completed, the microcomputer 3 transmits a signal on the network 2 to the associated general file server 10(a) requesting downloading of the graphical document generation program to its read/write memory. This downloading is carried out in step 22 and in step 23 the microcomputer 3 generates a graphical document, for example of graphs showing trends in a particular industry.
In step 24, the microcomputer 3 combines the textual and graphical documents and transmits these to the associated general file server 10(a) in step 25 for storage.
Upon a request from the microcomputer 3, the communications file server 10(b) in step 26 downloads the communication program to the microcomputer's read/write memory. The microcomputer 3 retrieves the combined document from the associated general file server 10(a), and under control of the communication program accesses the electronic mail database of the communications file server 10(b) to retrieve addresses and other routing data for addressee nodes in step 27. The combined document is transmitted to the communications file server 10(b) together with the required addresses for transmission to the address nodes. If the receiving node is a microcomputer 3 on the network 2, the communications file server 10(b) transmits a message to the node in step 28. The addressee node, in turn, accesses the communications file server 10(b) to retrieve the document from the electronic mail database.If an addressee node is remote, the communications file server 10(b) transmits both the message and the combined document via the modem 17 to the remote node or to a communications file server for the node. The received message and document are generally stored in a database in the remote system. If the addressee node is a terminal connected to the host computer 5, the communications file server 10(b) in step 30 translates the protocol instructions to a format suitable for the host computer 5 and in step 31 transmits both the message and the document to the electronic mail database of the host computer 5. The appropriate terminal may then retrieve the document.
It will be appreciated that this process may be modified to allow electronic conferencing, in which all nodes may access a knowledge database set up in the communications file server 10(b) in a manner similar to the setting up of the electronic mail database. The document may be printed at the printer 16 for publication if required.
Each file server 10 is programmed to write all data which is received from the network 2 in parallel to a pair of disk drives 11. This is illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the step of receiving data is indicated by the numeral 40 and the steps of writing data to the disks, namely, disk 0 and disk l are indicated by the steps 41 and 42. These steps are carried out in parallel so that all data received is stored in two locations for a pre-determined time at least. The CPU 12 of the security file server 10(c) monitors a real-time clock (step 43) to determine if pre-set times at which back-ups are required are reached. The CPU 12 also monitors the user interfaces for reception of instructions for backing-up of data. If a back-up is not required, the CPUs 12 of each general file server 10(a) continue to receive data and to write it in parallel to two disks.When a back-up is required, the CPU 12 of the security file server 10(c) in step 44 transmits a signal on the network 2 to the general file servers 10(a) indicating that a back-up is required and each general file server 10(a), in turn, polls a pre-set number of microcomputers 3 to check if additional data has been stored in the fixed disk which has not been transmitted to the respective general file server 10(a). This operation is relatively straight-forward as each microcomputer 3 is programmed to monitor all data being stored which is not being stored in the file servers and to hold a record of such data.
Any additional data is retrieved by the general file servers 10(a) in step 45 and subsequently downloaded in step 46 to the security file server 10(c). In step 26, the CPU 12 of the security file server 10(c) directs transmission of the data to the back-up tape drive 15. The host computer 5 may alternatively be connected to a back-up tape drive to act as a security device instead of the security file server.
The host computer 5 acts as an interface with remote systems via the modems 6 and the fax machine 7. It also carries out network management functions and backing-up operations, if required. The host computer 5 is particularly suitable for carrying out complex processing operations. In this embodiment, the host computer 5 also allows communications between an accountancy office and clients and other accountancy offices. The network monitoring circuit 8 monitors traffic on the network 2. For example, if a token transmitted from one node such as a microcomputer 3, is not received by the addressee node, the network monitoring circuit 8 will detect an error message transmitted from the sending node.
It will be appreciated that data generated by terminals or microcomputers of the system may be easily transmitted from one user to another via the network 2 and the traditional bottleneck involved in such network traffic which is often the network interface for the file servers is avoided because the network interface circuits 13 have a 32-bit wide interface.
It will also be appreciated that the operating costs of the data processing system 1 are low because microcomputers are relatively inexpensive.
Further, the data processing system is reliable in operation, and allows efficient transmission of data between different terminals in a cost-efficient manner. For example, a file server 10 may be used for storage of a knowledge database accessible by many users. Data in such a database is not lost because of the backing-up process. Further, the arrangement of modems allows versatile access to external databases as required. Finally, a very important advantage of the system 1 is that the advantages of frequent upgrades in software may be obtained without losing the advantages of centralised storage and security of the data. Equivalent security and back-up is achieved by operation of the file servers 10 and the microcomputers 3.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in construction and detail.
Claims (5)
1. A data processing system comprising a network in which is
connected:
a host computer connected to a modem bank via an
access control circuit for remote communication, the
host computer having a database structure stored in
a fixed disk drive;
a plurality of microcomputers, each comprising means
to monitor additional data stored in a hard disk of
the microcomputer during a back-up period and for
creating a record of such data, and further
comprising video control circuits for displaying
data on a screen with a plurality of window formats
simultaneously;
a. plurality of file servers each connected to an
uninterruptible power supply and having a control
circuit comprising means for writing received data
in parallel to a pair of disk drives, the file
servers including::
a communications file server storing a
communications program and an electronic mail
database and being connected to a modem;
a general file server storing programs for
document generation in both textual and
graphical format and comprising means for
polling microcomputers connected to the network
for retrieval of additional data stored during
a back-up period and for retrieval of the data;
and
a security device having a control circuit
comprising means for addressing the general file
servers to request transmission of all additional
data on the network and for directing the additional
data to a back-up tape drive connected thereto.
2. A data processing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
a microcomputer comprises means for retrieval of textual
and graphical document generation programs from an
associated general file server, means for generating
textual and graphical documents, means for combining the
textual and graphical documents, means for retrieving
routing data from the communications file server and for
transmitting required addresses and the combined document
to the communications file server for transmission to the
required addressee nodes.
3. A data processing system as claimed in claim 1 or 2,
wherein the system further comprises a network monitoring
circuit connected in the network for reception of error
messages transmitted from a microcomputer transmitting a
message which is not being received by the addressee
node.
4. A data processing system substantially as hereinbefore
described, with reference to and as illustrated in Fig.
1.
5. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| BE9100137A BE1002756A6 (en) | 1991-02-14 | 1991-02-14 | DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM. |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9101541D0 GB9101541D0 (en) | 1991-03-06 |
| GB2252184A true GB2252184A (en) | 1992-07-29 |
| GB2252184B GB2252184B (en) | 1994-09-14 |
Family
ID=3885336
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9101541A Expired - Fee Related GB2252184B (en) | 1991-02-14 | 1991-01-24 | A data processing system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BE (1) | BE1002756A6 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2252184B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2285153A (en) * | 1993-12-23 | 1995-06-28 | Carrickwalk Limited | Backup arrangement for data processing apparatus |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8010405B1 (en) | 2002-07-26 | 2011-08-30 | Visa Usa Inc. | Multi-application smart card device software solution for smart cardholder reward selection and redemption |
| US8626577B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2014-01-07 | Visa U.S.A | Network centric loyalty system |
| US9852437B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2017-12-26 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Opt-in/opt-out in loyalty system |
| US7121456B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2006-10-17 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Method and system for managing token image replacement |
| US8015060B2 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2011-09-06 | Visa Usa, Inc. | Method and system for managing limited use coupon and coupon prioritization |
| US7827077B2 (en) | 2003-05-02 | 2010-11-02 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Method and apparatus for management of electronic receipts on portable devices |
| US8554610B1 (en) | 2003-08-29 | 2013-10-08 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Method and system for providing reward status |
| US7104446B2 (en) | 2003-09-03 | 2006-09-12 | Visa U.S.A., Inc. | Method, system and portable consumer device using wildcard values |
| US7051923B2 (en) | 2003-09-12 | 2006-05-30 | Visa U.S.A., Inc. | Method and system for providing interactive cardholder rewards image replacement |
| US8407083B2 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2013-03-26 | Visa U.S.A., Inc. | Method and system for managing reward reversal after posting |
| US8005763B2 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2011-08-23 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Method and system for providing a distributed adaptive rules based dynamic pricing system |
| US7653602B2 (en) | 2003-11-06 | 2010-01-26 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Centralized electronic commerce card transactions |
| US7992781B2 (en) | 2009-12-16 | 2011-08-09 | Visa International Service Association | Merchant alerts incorporating receipt data |
| US8429048B2 (en) | 2009-12-28 | 2013-04-23 | Visa International Service Association | System and method for processing payment transaction receipts |
| CN107222883B (en) * | 2017-07-12 | 2020-06-16 | 锐捷网络股份有限公司 | Wireless controller backup method, backup switching method, device and system |
-
1991
- 1991-01-24 GB GB9101541A patent/GB2252184B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-02-14 BE BE9100137A patent/BE1002756A6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2285153A (en) * | 1993-12-23 | 1995-06-28 | Carrickwalk Limited | Backup arrangement for data processing apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2252184B (en) | 1994-09-14 |
| BE1002756A6 (en) | 1991-05-28 |
| GB9101541D0 (en) | 1991-03-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19960124 |