JP2000010945A - Inter-host computer communication device and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inter-host computer communication device which can transmit communication requests of the cases, which frequently occur in a short time, without causing a waiting time. SOLUTION: This device is provided with plural host computers 1 and 2 and a management device 3 shared by the host computers 1 and 2. The management device 3 has an unprocessed notice information table 31 and a processing state table 32. The transmission side host computer 1 has a means 12 for storing notice information in the unprocessed notice information table 31, a means 13 for updating information of the processing state table 32, which corresponds to stored notice information, to be an unprocessed state and a transmission means 14 transmitting a synchronous processing request signal to the reception side host computer. The reception side host computer has a means 23 for receiving the synchronous processing request signal and processing notice information stored in the unprocessed notice information table 31, a means 24 for updating processing information of the processing state table 32, which corresponds to secured notice information, to be a processing state and a means 25 for referring to the processing state table 32 and stopping a processing request signal when the unprocessed state is not contained in the processing information of the processing state table 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system between a plurality of host computers, and more particularly, to the processing capability and processing of a receiving host computer on the side of a host computer that issues a communication request to send communication information. The present invention relates to an inter-host computer communication device and a communication method capable of performing general processing without being affected by a state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of inter-host computer communication system employs communication information equal to the number of communication requests generated in order for a transmitting host computer to wait for the receiving host computer to receive communication information; Means are employed for waiting in a queue for a synchronization processing signal having a link to the communication information.

[0003] A retrospective study of the prior art relating to the communication method between host computers in a past patent application shows that, first, JP-A-63-61360 discloses that a job control language is transmitted from a first host computer to a second host computer. The second host computer causes the second host computer to execute the job for starting the job control language, receives the result via the file device, and sends the job for starting the job control language in the first host computer corresponding to the result to the first host computer.
When the job control language is executed in the host computer, the correspondence between the transferred job control language, the execution result, and the job control language in the first host computer corresponding to the execution result is described by the job There is disclosed a technique for attaching a job coordination control message transferred via a file device together with a procedure.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-297941 discloses a method for accessing a file in a mainframe from a microcomputer. The microcomputer transmits / receives a file to / from the host computer of the mainframe. A technique is disclosed in which a packet control table that describes the structure of a packet used for transmission and transmission and reception timing management information is issued, these are downloaded, and the downloaded information is used for the access. Next, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 28079 discloses that when a plurality of computers exchange information with one host computer having memory means via the memory means, a failure occurred between one computer and the host computer causes the memory means to fail. To avoid being occupied by
There is disclosed a technique in which a memory area of the memory means is divided into a plurality of areas by an initialization task means to create a management area exclusive to the computer, and each of the management areas is managed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 5-173919 discloses a system in which a plurality of host computers transmit and receive data to and from each other via a plurality of communication processing devices. A communication processing device control means to be downloaded to the host computer; and a network configuration table. A specific one of the host computers is provided with a communication control program and a network configuration table for the communication processing device. A technology for distributing the download load by disposing a loading management table and loading management means for recording information on whether or not to perform the above download and the loading status is disclosed below. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-259089 discloses a host computer for managing a global file system with a secondary storage device in a distributed network environment in which a plurality of host computers each having a dedicated secondary storage device are connected to a network. Is added to the network so that each of the host computers can use the collection of the dedicated secondary storage devices as one virtual striped file system. .

[0006]

In the conventional communication method between host computers, the size of the management area to be installed is determined by the processing of the host computer of the communication partner, so that it becomes a receiving point for communication messages. There is a limit to the size of the queue that can be generated in the above management area,
If communication requests frequently occur in the sending host computer within a short period of time, or if processing is delayed in the receiving host computer for some reason, the processing of the sending host computer that has the communication request will be delayed. This causes a problem of causing performance degradation. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. Hei 4-297941 and Hei 5-17391
The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-29139 does not disclose a method for coping with the occurrence of the area limit of the management area as described above.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-28079, one management area is divided into a plurality of areas by an initialization task means, and a management area exclusive to each of a plurality of host computers is allocated. Although it is a technology to make,
When examining the one exclusive management area formed by the above division, it does not disclose a method for coping with the occurrence of the area limit of the management area as described above. further,
The technique disclosed in JP-A-63-61360 is
A large-capacity file device should be considered as a method of sharing between a plurality of host computers. Should be considered as a method of assigning the function of a virtual large-capacity file device to a file device as the above, and a method of sharing the large-capacity file device among the plurality of host computers. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional communication method between host computers, and is capable of transmitting a communication request of a scene frequently occurring in a short time without causing a waiting time. It is an object to provide a possible inter-host computer communication scheme.

[0008]

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of host computers; and a management device shared by the host computers, wherein the management device includes the unprocessed notification information. And a processing state table.
A storage means for storing notification information in an unprocessed notification information table, a first updating means for updating processing information in a processing state table corresponding to the stored notification information to an unprocessed state, A transmitting means for transmitting the request signal to a second host computer among the plurality of host computers, wherein the second host computer comprises:
Processing means for processing notification information stored in the unprocessed notification information table in response to the synchronization processing request signal; and second processing means for updating the processing information in the processing state table corresponding to the secured notification information to the processing state. And a stopping means for stopping the processing request signal when it is determined that the processing information in the processing state table does not include the unprocessed state by referring to the processing state table. An inter-computer communication management device is provided.

In the communication management apparatus between host computers, the unprocessed notification information table includes a predetermined notification information storage area for individually storing notification information issued from each of the plurality of host computers, and a next notification information storage area. The data indicating the storage location of the notification information storage area for storing the notification information to be stored and the data indicating the storage location of the notification information storage area for the notification information to be read next are stored. A storage unit for storing the notification information in a storage location of the notification information storage area obtained by referring to the non-notification information storage location storage area; Updating means for updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information stored in the storage position of the notification information storage area by the storage means to an unprocessed state;
The processing means includes means for acquiring notification information in the notification information storage area based on position data obtained by referring to the unnotified information storage location storage area, and the second updating means includes a notification acquired by the processing means. It is possible to have means for updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information in the information storage area to the processing state.

In the communication management apparatus between host computers, the processing status table has a processing type information storage area having information for identifying whether each of the notification information included in the unprocessed notification information table is in an unprocessed state or in a processed state. Wherein the first updating means stores the notification information in the processing type information storage area, and sets the information indicating that the first host computer is in an unprocessed state with respect to the stored notification information. And the second updating means, each time the notification information in the notification information storage area is acquired, indicates that the second host computer has already processed the notification information acquired in the processing type information storage area. Can be provided.

[0011] The host computer comprises a plurality of host computers and a management device shared by the host computers.
An unprocessed notification information table, a step of securing a processing state table, a step in which the first host computer among the plurality of host computers stores the notification information in the unprocessed notification information table, A first updating step of updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the stored notification information to an unprocessed state; and the first host computer sends a synchronization processing request signal to a second of the plurality of host computers. Transmitting to the host computer, the second host computer receiving the synchronization processing request signal, processing the notification information stored in the unprocessed notification information table, and responding to the secured notification information. A second updating step of updating the processing information of the processing state table to the processing state; Computer references the process status table, when it is determined not to contain the unprocessed state to process information processing state table provides a host computer communication management method comprising the step of stopping the processing request signal.

Further, in the communication management method between host computers, a step of securing a predetermined notification information storage area for individually storing notification information issued from each of the plurality of host computers in the unprocessed notification information table. And a step of securing a non-notification information storage location storage area for storing data indicating a storage location of a notification information storage area for storing notification information to be issued next in the unprocessed notification information table; In the table, a step of securing a non-notification information reference position storage area in which data indicating a storage position of a notification information storage area of notification information to be read next is stored, and a step of storing the non-notification information storage location storage area. And storing the notification information in a storage location of the notification information storage area obtained by referring to the first information. Updating the processing information in the processing state table corresponding to the notification information stored in the storage location of the notification information storage area to an unprocessed state, wherein the processing step is performed by referring to the unreported information storage location storage area. Acquiring the notification information in the notification information storage area based on the obtained position data, and the second updating step includes a step of obtaining the notification information in the notification information storage area obtained by the processing means. It can include the step of updating the processing information to a processing state.

In the communication management method between host computers, a processing type information storage area having information for identifying whether each of the notification information included in the unprocessed notification information table is in an unprocessed state or a processed state in the processing state table. And the first updating step stores the notification information in the processing type information storage area, and stores the information indicating that the first host computer is in an unprocessed state with respect to the stored notification information. The setting step is performed. Each time the notification information in the notification information storage area is obtained, the second host computer processes the notification information obtained in the processing type information storage area. It is also possible to have a step of setting the information that the process has been completed.

Further, the system comprises a plurality of host computers and a management device shared by the host computers, and secures an unprocessed notification information table and a processing status table in the management device; Storing the notification information in the unprocessed notification information table, and the first host computer updating the processing information in the processing state table corresponding to the stored notification information to the unprocessed state. Updating, a step in which the first host computer transmits a synchronization processing request signal to a second host computer among the plurality of host computers, and a step in which the second host computer receives the synchronization processing request signal, Processing notification information stored in the processing notification information table; Updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notified notification information to the processing state, and the first host computer refers to the processing state table and adds the unprocessed processing information of the processing state table to the processing information of the processing state table. A storage medium storing a program for executing a step of stopping a processing request signal when it is determined that a state is not included.

In the storage medium, a step of securing a predetermined notification information storage area for individually storing notification information issued from each of the plurality of host computers in the unprocessed notification information table; In the notification information table, a step of securing a non-notification information storage location storage area in which data indicating a storage location of a notification information storage area for storing notification information to be issued next is stored, and in the unprocessed notification information table, The step of allocating a storage area for a non-notification information reference position where data indicating the storage position of the notification information storage area of the notification information to be read next is stored, and the step of storing the storage area are performed by referring to the storage area of the non-notification information storage area. Storing the notification information in the storage location of the obtained notification information storage area, and the first updating step is performed by the storage unit by using the storage location of the notification information storage area. Has a step of updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information stored in the unprocessed state, and the step of processing is performed based on the position data obtained by referring to the non-notified information storage position storage area. Acquiring the notification information in the notification information storage area;
In the updating step, a program having a step of updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information in the notification information storage area acquired by the processing means to the processing state can be recorded.

In the storage medium, a process type information storage area having information for identifying whether each of the notification information included in the unprocessed notification information table is in an unprocessed state or in a processed state in the processing state table. And the first updating step includes the step of storing the notification information in the processing type information storage area and the step of setting the information indicating that the first host computer is in an unprocessed state with respect to the stored notification information. And the second updating step includes, every time the notification information in the notification information storage area is acquired, the second host computer has processed the notification information acquired in the processing type information storage area. It is possible to record a program comprising a step of setting the information of

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication method between host computers according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the host computer on the transmitting side and the host computer on the receiving side are arranged one-to-one. That is, the host computer 1 is the transmitting side and the host computer 2 is the receiving side. In FIG. 1, the communication method between host computers according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 1 on the transmission side, a host computer 2 on the reception side, a management device 3 interposed between the host computers 1 and 2, and a device 15 And a storage medium 16 accessible via the.

The host computer 1 on the transmitting side prepares a communication request including communication information, a request creating unit 11, which is started by the request creating unit 11, and stores the communication information in the unprocessed notification information table 31 in the management device 3. The unprocessed notification information creating unit 12 sequentially stores the communication information in an entry designated sequentially, and is activated each time the communication information is stored from the unprocessed notification information creating unit 12 and is stored in the processing state table 32 in the management apparatus 3. Processing state table updating unit 13 for setting the state as the unprocessed state, and synchronous processing for setting the synchronous processing request signal 33 in the management device 3 to the transmission state when the processing state table updating unit 13 is started each time the state is set. Request signal transmitter 1
And 4.

In the receiving side host computer 2, the processing status table determining unit 21 for checking the processing status at the designated position in the processing status table 32 is activated and synchronized when the processing status table determining unit 21 obtains the processed status. A synchronous processing request signal receiving unit 22 that activates the processing state table determining unit 21 after the processing request signal 33 is in the transmission state.
Is activated when the processing state table determination unit 21 obtains the unprocessed information, acquires the notification information from the specified position in the unprocessed notification information table 31, and sets the specified position to the next number. The process notification information acquisition unit 23 and the unprocessed notification information acquisition unit 23 are started when the notification information is acquired, and the designated position in the processing state table 32 is processed, and the designated position is updated to the next entry position. And a request processing unit 25 that is activated by the processing state table updating unit 24, processes the acquired notification information, and activates the processing state table determining unit 21 after the processing is completed.

The management device 3 includes a management area, that is, the above-described unprocessed notification information table 31 and a processing state table 32.
And a synchronization processing request signal 33. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration and contents of the unprocessed notification information table 31, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration and contents of the processing state table 32, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration and contents of the synchronization processing request signal 33.

The unprocessed notification information table 31 stores a plurality of notification information storage areas of a predetermined number in the notification information storage unit 313 and the location of the notification information storage area in which the notification information requested by the host computer A1 is to be stored. And a non-notified information reference position storage area 312 indicating the position of the notification information storage area storing the notification information to be checked by the host computer B2. The processing status table 32 corresponds to each of the notification information stored in the notification information storage area of the unprocessed notification information table 31 and includes a plurality of processing type information storage areas that store processing type information of unprocessed or processed. The processing type information storage unit 323, the processing type flag storage location storage area 321 indicating the location of the processing type information storage area where the host computer 1 should store the processing type information, and the host computer 2 examines and updates as necessary. A processing type flag reference position storage area 322 indicating the position of the processing type information storage area storing the processing type information to be stored.
Synchronization processing request signal 33 is a synchronization processing request signal content 3 indicating presence / absence of a synchronization signal indicating the timing of the processing process.
32, and a synchronous processing request signal address 33 indicating its position.
1 is provided.

The unprocessed notification information table 31, the processing status table 32, and the synchronization processing request signal 33 are initialized when the host computer A1 is started up. Storage area 3
12, the processing type flag storage position storage area 321, and the processing type flag reference position storage area 322 are both set to 1 indicating the first position, and the processing type information in the processing type information storage unit 323 that stores the processing type information. All processed areas are set to processed, the address of the synchronization processing request signal address 331 is set to the address of the content of the synchronization processing request signal, and the synchronization processing request signal content 332 is set to “none”.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the communication method between host computers according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of the communication method between host computers according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the limit value of the notification information storage area in the notification information storage unit 313 of the unprocessed notification information table 31 is set to 5, and the first information of the notification information generated in the host computer A1 is set. , The second information,... Are respectively "aa", "bb",.

First, the operation of the host computer A1 shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described. First, when a notification request occurs in the host computer A1,
In step 101, the request creating unit 11 creates notification information in the same manner as in the conventional processing, and
Start 2 The unprocessed notification information creating unit 12 stores the unprocessed information storage location storage area 311 of the unprocessed notification information table 31.
The notification information is stored by knowing the storage area where the notification information should be stored from the value of. For example, if the notification information created by the request creating unit 11 is “aa” of the first information, it is the first time, and the value of the unnotified information storage location storage area 311 is 1; The information is stored in the first notification information storage area in the unit 313.

Next, in step 102, the unprocessed notification information creating unit 12 sets the value of the unreported information storage location storage area 311 to +1 and specifies the next storage location. Next, in step 103, it is checked whether or not the designated storage position exceeds the limit value. If it does, the value of the storage position is set to 1 which is the leading position in step 104. If it does not exceed it, leave it as it is. For example, if the notification information is “aa” of the first information, the value of the non-notification information storage location storage area 311 is updated from 1 to 2. After that, when the setting of the storage location of the notification information is completed, the unprocessed notification information creating unit 12 activates the processing state table updating unit 13.

Next, in step 105, the activated processing status table updating unit 13 checks the processing type flag storage location storage area 321 of the processing status table 32 and specifies the processing type information designated in the processing type information storage unit 323. An unprocessed flag 1 is set in the storage area. Next, in step 106, the processing state table updating unit 13 updates the value of the processing type flag storage location storage area 321 by +1 to the next storage location. Next, at step 107, it is checked whether or not the updated storage position has exceeded the limit value.
Then, the value of the storage position is set to 1, which is the first position. If not, leave it as it is. Step 1
For example, if the processing from step 05 to step 108 is the first time, since the value of the processing type flag storage position storage area 321 is 1, the first processing type information storage area in the processing type information storage unit 323 is not stored. Flag 1 indicating the process is set. Then, the value of the processing type flag storage location storage area 321 is updated from 1 to 2. At this time, the process of step 108 is not performed.

After completing the setting of the storage position of the flag, the processing state table updating unit 13 continues to step 109
Then, the synchronization processing request signal transmitting unit 14 is activated. The activated synchronization processing request signal transmitting unit 14 outputs the synchronization processing request signal 3
The synchronous processing request signal content 332 indicated by the synchronous processing request signal address 331 of No. 3 is set to “present”. The synchronization processing request signal content 332 can be set from “absence” to “present”, and it is assumed that the synchronization signal request processing has succeeded. If the “present” state is already “present”, the synchronization signal request processing is performed. In step 110, it is determined whether or not the transmission has succeeded. If the transmission of the synchronization signal has succeeded in the above sense, the process ends, and the process from step 101 is repeated. If it is already "present" and the transmission of the synchronization signal has failed, as one means, the processing is terminated in the same manner as described above, and the processing from step 101 is repeated.
As another means, since the timing indicates that the host computer B2 is processing unprocessed communication information, the illustration is omitted. Can be terminated.

The sizes of the unprocessed notification information table 31 and the processing status table 32 in the above management areas are as follows.
It is determined by the host computer A1 in consideration of the worst pattern of the communication request frequency in the host computer A1 and the communication information processing capability of the host computer B2, and is secured by the host computer A1. For this reason, the formal use of the management area can be performed without any trouble. This is a feature of the present invention. However, in steps 102, 104, and 107, the means for unconditionally allocating an entry for the next communication information has been exercised. That is, it is checked whether or not the processing is completed. If not, the processing step or the task including the processing step is in a standby state until the processing becomes empty (that is, until the processing is completed). The conventional processing method described above can be used in combination with the above method. Further, the above-mentioned method of expanding the management area, that is, the unprocessed notification information table and the processing state table when the state is not empty can also be adopted in combination with the above method.

Next, the operation of the host computer B2 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be described. In the host computer B2, first, in step 201, the processing state table determination unit 21 refers to the processing type flag reference position storage area 322 of the processing state table 32 and specifies the processing state 21 in the processing type information storage unit 323. Get the flag of the processing type information storage area. Next, step 2
At 02, it is checked whether the acquired flag is unprocessed or processed, and if processed, the synchronous processing request signal receiving unit 22 is activated.

When the synchronous processing request signal receiving section 22 is started, in step 203, the synchronous processing request signal content 332 is obtained from the address indicated by the synchronous processing request signal address 331 of the synchronous processing request signal 33. And step 204
It is checked whether or not the content obtained in step 2 is "present". If not, step 204 is repeated. If "present", the content of the synchronization processing request signal is cleared in step 205 and the process returns to step 201. While the processing of step 205 is being performed, the request to make the synchronization processing request signal 33 “present” generated from the synchronization processing request signal transmission unit 14 of the host computer A1 is invalidated by the processing of step 205. Although illustration is omitted to prevent occurrence of a situation,
The synchronous processing request signal 33 is set to exclusive control, and step 205
It is also possible to use a method in which the synchronization processing request signal 33 is occupied in the processing of. In this case, the request to make the synchronous processing request signal 33 generated from the synchronous processing request signal transmitting section 14 of the host computer 1 "present" is executed again after the processing in step 205 is completed.

The processing from step 201 to step 204 is performed, for example, if the host computer B2 has just been started, the processing type information storage section 323 of the processing state table 32
The processing type information storage area is initialized and processed, and the synchronous processing request signal content 332 is "none". The notification information “aa” is stored in the unprocessed notification information table 31 by A1,
The flag indicating the processing type information in the processing state table 32 becomes unprocessed, and further waits for the synchronization processing request signal content 332 to change to “present”.
If “32” is set to “present”, it indicates that the contents of the processing state table 32 are to be checked again after that point. Therefore, when the processing state table determination unit 21 finds that the flag indicating the processing type information is unprocessed in step 202, the processing state table determination unit 21 activates the unprocessed notification information acquisition unit 23.

When the unprocessed notification information acquiring unit 23 is started, in step 206, the value of the unprocessed information reference position storage area 312 of the unprocessed information table 31 is obtained, and
At 07, the notification information of the notification information storage area in the notification information storage unit 313 of the obtained value is obtained, and the value of the non-notification information reference storage location storage area 312 is incremented by one. Thereafter, the unprocessed notification information acquiring unit 23 activates the processing state table updating unit 24. When the processing state table updating unit 24 is activated, in step 208, the processing state information processing unit 323 processes the contents of the processing type information storage area in the processing type information storage unit 323 indicated by the value of the processing type flag reference position storage area 322 of the processing state table 32. To the flag 0 indicating that the processing has been completed, and furthermore, the processing type flag reference position storage area 3
+1 is added to the value of 22. Thereafter, the processing state table updating unit 24 activates the request processing unit 25. In step 209, the request processing unit 25 sends the unprocessed notification information
3 performs the processing in response to the acquired notification information, and upon completion of the processing, activates the processing state table determination unit 21 again to execute step 2
Returning to 01, the above series of processing is repeated.

FIG. 8 shows the contents of the unprocessed notification information table 31, the processing status table 32, and the synchronization processing request signal 33 at the time when a series of processing in the host computer B2 is completed, according to the above specific example. FIG.
In the unprocessed notification information table 31 illustrated in FIG. 8A, the first information “aa” is acquired by the host computer B2, and the unreported information reference position storage area 312 is changed to 2 indicating the next second information. Then, the third information is stored by the host computer A1 after the acquisition of the first information, and the unreported information storage location storage area 311 is changed to 4 for storing the next fourth information. .

In the processing status table 32 shown in FIG. 8B, after the first information "aa" is obtained by the host computer B2, the processing status table updating unit 24 has processed the first processing type information storage area. And the process type flag reference position storage area 322 is also updated to 2 at this time. FIG.
In the synchronization processing request signal 33 shown in (c), the synchronization processing request signal content 332 is cleared when the first information “aa” is acquired by the synchronization processing request signal receiving unit 22.
This indicates that the status has been changed to "present" when the second information "bb" is stored by the host computer A1.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing a functional configuration of a communication method between host computers according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in having a host computer C4. In the present embodiment, the communication between one-to-many host computers can be performed by referring to the management device 3 in which the notification information of the host computer A1 is stored in common from the host computer B2 and the host computer C4. Become.

In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the host computer C4 is added to the first embodiment by one set. However, the added host computer is generally 3 to 4 bytes. m (m ≧ 3). The operation flow of the host computers 3 to m is the same as that of the host computer B2. The management device 3 in the present embodiment, that is, the unprocessed notification information table 3
1, the processing state table 32 and the synchronization processing request signal 33 can be the same as those in the first embodiment, or the host computers 2 to n (n ≧ 3)
Can be assigned a dedicated management area. If the host computer in each of the above embodiments is replaced with a process such as a task, a similar method can be considered as an inter-process communication method in a multi-process in one computer.

[0037]

As described above, in the communication method between host computers according to the present invention, a single synchronous processing request signal is provided to generate the first communication request between host computers from the start of the transmitting host computer. The notification information is delivered to the receiving host computer by using the notification information storage table provided on the management device and the processing state table for recording the processing state of the notification information. By setting the size to an arbitrary size on the host computer side, there is an effect that the sending host computer can proceed with the processing without being affected by the processing capacity and processing state of the receiving host computer. Specifically, it is possible to transmit a communication request of a scene frequently occurring within a short time without causing a waiting time. It is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication method between host computers according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration and contents of an unprocessed notification information table 31;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration and contents of a processing state table 32;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration and contents of a synchronization processing request signal 33.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the host computer A1 of the communication method between host computers.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer A1 of the communication method between host computers.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the host computer B2 of the communication method between host computers.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, according to a specific example, the contents of an unprocessed notification information table 31, a processing state table 32, and a synchronization processing request signal 33 at the time when a series of processing in the host computer B2 ends.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication method between host computers according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication method between host computers according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sending host computer A 2 Receiving host computer B 3 Management device 4 Receiving host computer C 11 Request creation part 12 Unprocessed notification information creation part 13, 24, 44 Processing state table update part 14 Synchronization processing request signal transmission part 21 , 41 processing status table determination unit 22, 42 synchronization processing request signal receiving unit 23, 43 unprocessed notification information acquisition unit 25, 45 request processing unit 31 unprocessed notification information table 32 processing status table 33 synchronization processing request signal 311 unreported information Storage location storage area 312 Non-notification information reference location storage area 313 Notification information storage section 321 Processing type flag storage location storage area 322 Processing type flag reference location storage area 323 Processing type information storage section 331 Synchronization processing request signal address 332 Synchronization processing request signal Content

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 30, 1999 (1999.4.3)
0)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A management device comprising a plurality of host computers and a management device shared by the host computers, the management device having an unprocessed notification information table and a processing status table, and a first one of the plurality of host computers. Storage means for storing notification information in the unprocessed notification information table; and first updating means for updating processing information in the processing state table corresponding to the stored notification information to an unprocessed state. Transmitting means for transmitting a synchronization processing request signal to a second host computer among the plurality of host computers, wherein the second host computer receives the synchronization processing request signal and receives the unprocessed notification information table. Processing means for processing the notification information stored in the storage, and the processing state corresponding to the secured notification information A second updating unit that updates the processing information of the table to a processing state; and, when it is determined that the processing information of the processing state table does not include the unprocessed state with reference to the processing state table, A communication management apparatus between host computers, comprising: a stop unit for stopping a processing request signal. 2. The unprocessed notification information table stores a predetermined notification information storage area for individually storing the notification information issued from each of the plurality of host computers, and a next notification information to be issued. The non-notification information storage location storage area in which data indicating the storage location of the notification information storage area to be stored is stored, and the data indicating the storage location of the notification information storage area of the notification information to be read next are not stored. A notification information reference location storage area, wherein the storage means includes means for storing the notification information in a storage location of the notification information storage area obtained by referring to the unnotified information storage location storage area, Means for updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information stored in the storage position of the notification information storage area by the storage means to an unprocessed state; The processing means includes means for acquiring the notification information in the notification information storage area based on position data obtained by referring to the unnotified information storage location storage area, and wherein the second updating means 2. The host computer according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit configured to update the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information in the notification information storage area acquired by a processing unit to a processing state. Communication management device. 3. The processing status table has a processing type information storage area having information for identifying whether each of the notification information included in the unprocessed notification information table is in an unprocessed state or in a processed state. A first updating unit that stores the notification information in the processing type information storage area and sets information indicating that the first host computer is in an unprocessed state with respect to the stored notification information; , The second
The updating means may include information that, each time the notification information in the notification information storage area is obtained, the second host computer has processed the notification information obtained in the processing type information storage area. 3. The communication management device between host computers according to claim 1, further comprising: means for setting. 4. A system comprising a plurality of host computers and a management device shared by the host computers, a step of securing an unprocessed notification information table and a processing status table in the management device; Wherein the first host computer stores the notification information in the unprocessed notification information table, and the first host computer processes the processing information in the processing state table corresponding to the stored notification information. A first updating step of updating to a state, the first host computer transmitting a synchronization processing request signal to a second host computer of the plurality of host computers, and the second host computer Receiving the synchronization processing request signal and storing the same in the unprocessed notification information table. Processing the notification information, and a second updating step of updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the secured notification information to a processing state; and the first host computer,
A method for managing communication between host computers, comprising the step of stopping the processing request signal when it is determined that the unprocessed state is not included in the processing information of the processing state table with reference to the processing state table. 5. A step of securing, in the unprocessed notification information table, a predetermined notification information storage area for individually storing the notification information issued from each of the plurality of host computers; In the information table,
Securing a non-notification information storage location storage area in which data indicating a storage location of the notification information storage area for storing the notification information to be issued next is stored in the unprocessed notification information table. Securing a non-notified information reference position storage area in which data indicating the storage position of the notification information storage area of the read notification information is stored, and the storing step refers to the non-notified information storage position storage area. Storing the notification information in a storage location of the notification information storage area obtained by the step, and the first updating step includes storing the notification information in the storage location of the notification information storage area by the storage unit. Updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information to an unprocessed state, wherein the processing step stores the unnotified information storage location storage area Obtaining the notification information in the notification information storage area based on the position data obtained by comparing the notification information storage area, and the second updating step includes the step of obtaining the notification information in the notification information storage area obtained by the processing unit. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information to a processing state. 6. Securing a processing type information storage area in the processing state table, which has information for identifying whether each of the notification information included in the unprocessed notification information table is in an unprocessed state or in a processed state, The first updating step stores the notification information in the processing type information storage area, and sets information indicating that the notification information is in an unprocessed state with respect to the stored notification information. Performing the second updating step, wherein each time the notification information in the notification information storage area is acquired, the notification information acquired by the second host computer in the processing type information storage area 6. The communication management method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of setting information indicating that processing has been completed. 7. A plurality of host computers and a management device shared by the host computers, a step of securing an unprocessed notification information table and a processing status table in the management device; Wherein the first host computer stores the notification information in the unprocessed notification information table, and the first host computer processes the processing information in the processing state table corresponding to the stored notification information. A first updating step of updating to a state, the first host computer transmitting a synchronization processing request signal to a second host computer of the plurality of host computers, and the second host computer Receiving the synchronization processing request signal and storing the same in the unprocessed notification information table. Processing the notification information, and a second updating step of updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the secured notification information to a processing state; and the first host computer,
A storage medium storing a program for executing a step of stopping the processing request signal when it is determined that the unprocessed state is not included in the processing information of the processing state table with reference to the processing state table. 8. A step of securing a predetermined notification information storage area for individually storing the notification information issued from each of the plurality of host computers in the unprocessed notification information table; In the information table,
Securing a non-notification information storage location storage area in which data indicating a storage location of the notification information storage area for storing the notification information to be issued next is stored in the unprocessed notification information table. Securing a non-notified information reference position storage area in which data indicating the storage position of the notification information storage area of the read notification information is stored, and the storing step refers to the non-notified information storage position storage area. Storing the notification information in a storage location of the notification information storage area obtained by the step, and the first updating step includes storing the notification information in the storage location of the notification information storage area by the storage unit. Updating the processing information of the processing state table corresponding to the notification information to an unprocessed state, wherein the processing step stores the unnotified information storage location storage area Obtaining the notification information in the notification information storage area based on the position data obtained by comparing the notification information storage area, and the second updating step includes the step of obtaining the notification information in the notification information storage area obtained by the processing unit. A storage medium storing a program according to claim 7, wherein said program executes a program having a step of updating said processing information of said processing state table corresponding to said notification information to a processing state. 9. Securing a processing type information storage area in the processing state table, which has information for identifying whether each of the notification information included in the unprocessed notification information table is in an unprocessed state or in a processed state, The first updating step stores the notification information in the processing type information storage area, and sets information indicating that the notification information is in an unprocessed state with respect to the stored notification information. Performing the second updating step, wherein each time the notification information in the notification information storage area is acquired, the notification information acquired by the second host computer in the processing type information storage area 9. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the storage medium executes a program having a step of setting information that processing has been completed.