JP2000040065A - Parallel computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate a parallel computer system even without having a dedicated console device, to utilize an existent personal computer(PC) or a work station(WS) as a console and to connect any number of computers usable as consoles at the same time. SOLUTION: A parallel computer system 101 is provided with plural computers 1-2 to 1-4 mutually connected through a network 1-5 and a hardware managing mechanism 1-6 for performing the operation and monitoring of a hardware such as the control of power sources of these computers or the management of the console. Inside the computers 1-2 to 1-4, a system managing program 1-10 is provided for monitoring the messages of all the computers in the parallel computer system 1-1 and managing the monitoring of computer performance such as a CPU using rate or a memory using rate. The computer 1-2 and the hardware managing mechanism 1-6 are connected through a network 1-11 such as Ethernet(R) connectable with a distant place to computers 1-12 to 1-14 such as PC or WS to be used as the console.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a parallel computer system and, more particularly, to a parallel computer having a client-type console for managing a parallel computer system in which a plurality of computers are connected to a network. About the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique relating to a parallel computer system managed from a plurality of consoles, for example, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-11115 is known. In this conventional technique, a management mechanism of a parallel computer system to be managed is provided in each of a plurality of consoles.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional parallel computer system managed from a plurality of consoles. The prior art will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, 4-1 is a parallel computer system,
4-2 to 4-4 are computers, 4-5 is a network, 4-
6-4-8, 4-12-4-14 are serial lines, 4-
Reference numerals 9 and 4-15 are dedicated consoles, 4-10 and 4-16 are terminal input / output programs, 4-11 and 4-17 are system management programs, and 4-18 and 4-19 are hardware management mechanisms.

[0004] A parallel computer system according to the prior art shown in FIG. 4 comprises a plurality of computers 4-2 via a network 4-5.
To a computer connected to each other through a serial line 4-6 to 4-8 for managing each computer of the parallel computer system. 4-9 and serial line 4-
And a console 4-15 connected to each computer by 12 to 4-14. Console 4-9
This is a dedicated console device for managing the parallel computer system 4-1. The console device has a hardware management mechanism 4-18, and has a terminal input / output program 4-10 and a system management program 4-11 installed.

[0005] In the above, the console 4-
If 9 becomes unusable due to some failure, the console 4-15 can be used as an alternative console. Like the console 4-9, the console 4-15 includes a hardware management mechanism 4-19, and includes a terminal input / output program 4-16 and a system management program 4-19.
17 are installed.

In the above-described parallel computer system according to the prior art, the hardware management mechanism of the console and the system management program manage the parallel computer system using a serial line connecting the console and the computer.

[0007]

In the prior art as described above, since the parallel computer system and the management mechanism of the parallel computer system are separated, a dedicated console device is used as a console for managing the parallel computer system. However, at least one was required.

In the above-described prior art, a console is provided with not only a system management program for managing software but also a hardware management mechanism for managing hardware, so that a line connecting the console and the parallel computer system is provided. In addition, there is a problem that a line that can be used from a remote place such as Ethernet or the like cannot be used, and a serial line or the like having a short connection distance and capable of managing hardware must be used.

In the above-mentioned prior art, the console and the parallel computer system are connected by a line such as a serial line for performing one-to-one communication. When the console is added, the line is connected. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of consoles that can be connected at the same time is limited because it is necessary to add additional hardware to the parallel computer system.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to provide a parallel computer system management mechanism in the parallel computer system itself so that the parallel computer system can operate without a dedicated console device. No connection by serial line etc. is required, existing PC (personal computer), WS (workstation)
It is another object of the present invention to provide a parallel computer system which can be used as a console and can connect any number of consoles which can be used simultaneously.

[0011]

According to the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a parallel computer system comprising a plurality of computers connected via a network, wherein at least one of the computers constituting the parallel computer system includes A computer having a hardware management mechanism for controlling hardware of a computer constituting the parallel computer system is provided.The computer provided with the hardware management mechanism is provided outside the parallel computer system via a network, and monitors the parallel computer system. This is achieved by being connected to at least one computer used as a console for controlling and controlling hardware of the computers constituting the parallel computer system according to a hardware control instruction from the computer used as the console. .

[0012] Further, the object is that the computer provided with the hardware management mechanism is connected to each of the other computers constituting the parallel computer system by a line other than the network constituting the parallel computer system. Further, a hardware management mechanism of a computer having the hardware management mechanism is provided in the parallel computer system independently of a computer constituting the parallel computer system, and the hardware management mechanism is configured to control the at least one of the computers via a network. This is achieved by being connected to a computer used as a console.

Further, the object is that at least one of the computers constituting the parallel computer system includes:
A hardware management mechanism provided independently of the computers constituting the parallel computer system has a system management program for performing software control such as command operation of an operating system and message monitoring on all the computers constituting the parallel computer system. This is achieved by:

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a parallel computer system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a parallel computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process for turning on a computer constituting the parallel computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 and FIG. 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating a process of outputting a message to a computer operating as a console. In FIG. 1, 1-
1 is a parallel computer system, 1-2 to 1-4 are computers, 1
-5 is a network, 1-6 is a hardware management mechanism,
1-7 to 1-9 are serial lines, 1-10 is a system management program, 1-11 is a network such as Ethernet, 1-12 to 1-14 are computers as consoles, 1-15 to 1-17 are terminals It is an input / output program.

The parallel computer system 1-1 includes a plurality of computers 1-2 connected to each other by a network 1-5.
1-4, and a hardware management mechanism 1-6 for performing hardware operations such as power control of these computers, monitoring and console management. Since the hardware management mechanism 1-6 is an important element for the parallel computer system, a plurality of hardware management mechanisms are prepared, and are automatically switched when a failure occurs. The hardware management mechanism 1-6 and all the computers 1-2 to 1-4 are connected to a serial line 1-7.
1-9.

In the computer 1-2, monitoring of messages of all the computers 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 in the parallel computer system 1-1, performance of the computer such as CPU utilization, memory utilization, etc. A system management program 1-10 for managing the monitoring and the like is provided. Since the system management program 1-10 is an important element as the parallel computer system 1-1 like the hardware management mechanism 1-6, the system management program 1-10 is provided in another computer, and the system management program in a plurality of computers is provided. The program 1-10 can be started in parallel and automatically switched in case of a failure.

Computer 1-2 and hardware management mechanism 1
-6 is connected to a network 1-11, which can be connected to a remote place such as Ethernet, and computers 1-12-used as one or more consoles provided outside the parallel computer system on this network 1-11. 1-
14 are connected. Computers 1-12 to 1-14 provided outside the parallel computer system are installed with terminal input / output programs 1-15 to 1-17 for outputting messages to operators and executing system operations, respectively. Then, the computers 1-12 to 1-14 provided outside the parallel computer system correspond to the existing P
C, WS, and the like can be used, each of which can be used as a console, and the parallel computer system 101 can be operated from any of the computers 1-12-1-14.

Next, as an example of an operation on a parallel computer system from a computer used as a console, an operation when the power of the computer is turned on will be described with reference to a sequence shown in FIG.

This is unnecessary when the parallel computer system is not connected to a network accessible from the outside. However, when the parallel computer system is connected to a network accessible from the outside, it is necessary to manage security. There is. Various security management methods are known. Here, an explanation will be given using an example of authentication using an ID and a password, which are basic security management methods. The parallel computer system is composed of a plurality of computers, and the power is turned on.
Is a unit of the whole parallel computer system, a plurality of computers, a single computer, and the like. Here, a plurality of computers in the parallel computer system are grouped, and the power of the computers in the group is turned off. The operation of turning on the power from the state described above will be described.

In the following example, the computer 1-2 is given a computer name "nodeA", the computer 1-3 is given a computer name "nodeB", and the computer 1-4 is given a computer name "nodeC". Assume that Furthermore, there are various types of display methods of the terminal input / output program. Here, a simple display format using buttons will be described as an example.

(1) Now, in order for the operator to use the computer 1-12 provided outside the parallel computer system as a console and access the parallel computer system using the terminal input / output program 1-15, first, the computer It is assumed that "admin1" is entered in the authentication ID input field and "abcd" is entered in the password input field of the authentication screen 2-12 of 1-12. The terminal input / output program 1-15 transmits the authentication ID and the password to the hardware management mechanism 1-6 via the network 1-11 (Step 2-1).

(2) The hardware management mechanism 1-6 includes:
An authentication ID registry 2-10 is stored, and its contents are registered in advance. Hardware management mechanism 1-6
Checks the authentication ID register 2-10 and permits access to the terminal input / output program 1-15 (step 2-2).

(3) Accordingly, the terminal input / output program 1-15 permitted to access next requests information of all computers in the parallel computer system from the hardware management mechanism 1-6 (step 2). -3).

(4) The hardware management mechanism 1-6 transmits information 2-11 of all computers in the parallel computer system to the terminal input / output program 1-15. Although there are a plurality of computer information, in the illustrated example, information on the power supply state and information on the group name are transmitted (step 2-4).

(5) The terminal input / output program 1-15 having received the information of the computer displays a power operation screen 2-13. In the illustrated example, the display screen displays a power operation button indicating a power state by a power operation icon for each group, and the operator can know the current state of the computer by referring to this screen. (Step 2
-5).

(6) Next, the operator operates the power operation screen 2-13 to request the terminal input / output program to turn on the power of the computer of “Group 1”.
Group 1 is a computer name “node” of the computer 1-2.
A ”and the computer name“ nodeB ”of the computer 1-3 are set to 1
(Step 2-
6).

(7) The screen for power supply operation after the operator's operation is as shown in Screen 2-14. The terminal input / output program 1-15 requests the hardware management mechanism to turn on the power of “Group1” (step 2-7).

(8) The hardware management mechanism 1-6 determines "nodeA" and "node" based on the computer information 2-11.
B ”is turned on (step 2).
-8, 2-9).

In the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, it is possible to use the computer 1-12 provided outside the parallel computer system as a console to turn on the power of the computers constituting the parallel computer system 101. it can. This operation is performed on computers 1-13 and 1- 1 outside the parallel computer system.
The same can be done by using the console 14 as a console.

Next, as an example of information transmission from a parallel computer system to a computer used as a console, an operation of collecting and outputting messages output by each computer in the parallel computer system is described with reference to a sequence shown in FIG. I will explain.

A conventional system that treats a console as a server collects messages output from the system and sends them to the console one by one. Conventionally, when a plurality of consoles are connected, it has been necessary to manage the consoles in order to determine which console should be transmitted. In the parallel computer system according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, since the computer as the console is treated as a client, the parallel computer system serving as a server in response to a request from the computer handling the console serves as a console. The message output from each computer in the parallel computer system can be transmitted to the computer as a console by transmitting a message to the computer as a console for each request from the computer.

(1) System management program 1-10 in computer 1-2 constituting parallel computer system 1-1
Are all computers 1-2 through the network 1-5.
The output messages of 1-4 are constantly collected and at the same time a request from a computer used as a console is awaited.
Terminal I / O program 1 of computer 1-12 provided outside parallel computer system used as console
-15 indicates that the system management program 1-
10 (step 3).
1).

(2) Upon receiving the request, the system management program 1-10 transmits the currently output message to the computer 1-12 as a console (step 3).
2).

(3) Computer 1-12 as Console
The terminal input / output program 1-15 displays the received message on the screen (step 3-3).

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by providing the hardware management mechanism of the parallel computer system in the parallel computer system itself, the parallel computer system can be operated without a dedicated console device. Therefore, the failure of the computer as the console does not affect the parallel computer system.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since an existing PC, WS or the like can be used as a console, the space and cost for installing a dedicated console can be reduced. Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, any number of computers as consoles that can be used simultaneously can be connected. Therefore, even if a computer that handles one console fails, the computer as another console can be used. A parallel computer system can be managed.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the hardware management mechanism is provided in the parallel computer system independently of the computers constituting the parallel computer system, but the present invention constitutes the parallel computer system. A hardware management mechanism may be provided in the computer. Further, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the computers constituting the parallel computer system are provided with the system management program. However, the present invention provides that the system management program is independent of the computers constituting the parallel computer system. May be provided in the hardware management mechanism provided in the server.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, a parallel computer system can be operated without a dedicated console device, connection of a serial line or the like is unnecessary, and an existing PC, WS or the like can be used as a console. A parallel computer system can be managed by connecting any number of computers as consoles that can be used simultaneously and that can be used at the same time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a parallel computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process for turning on a power supply of a computer constituting the parallel computer system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of outputting a message to a computer that operates as a console.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a parallel computer system according to a conventional technique managed from a plurality of consoles.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1, 4-1 Parallel computer system 1-2, 1-4, 4-2, 4-4 Computer 1-5, 4-5 Network 1-6, 4-18, 4-19 Hardware management mechanism 1 -7 to 1-9, 4-6 to 4-8, 4-12 to 4-14
Serial line 1-10, 4-11, 4-17 System management program 1-11 Network such as Ethernet 1-12 to 1-14 Computer as console 1-15 to 1-17, 4-10, 4-16 Terminal Input / output program 4-9, 4-15 Console dedicated terminal

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A parallel computer system comprising a plurality of computers connected via a network, wherein at least one of the computers constituting the parallel computer system controls hardware of the computers constituting the parallel computer system. A computer provided with a hardware management mechanism for performing the operation, the computer having the hardware management mechanism is provided outside the parallel computer system via a network, and is connected to at least one computer used as a console for monitoring and controlling the parallel computer system. A parallel computer system for controlling hardware of computers constituting the parallel computer system according to a hardware control instruction from a computer used as the console. 2. The computer provided with the hardware management mechanism is connected to each of the other computers constituting the parallel computer system by a line other than a network for constructing the parallel computer system. 2. The parallel computer system according to 1. 3. A parallel computer system comprising a hardware management mechanism of a computer having the hardware management mechanism, independently of a computer constituting the parallel computer system.
3. The parallel computer system according to claim 1, wherein the hardware management mechanism is connected to at least one computer used as the console via a network. 4. At least one of the computers constituting the parallel computer system has a system management program which performs software control such as command operation of an operating system and message monitoring on all the computers constituting the parallel computer system. 4. The parallel computer system according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 5. Software control such as operating system command operations and message monitoring in all the computers constituting the parallel computer system, in a hardware management mechanism provided independently of the computers constituting the parallel computer system. 4. The parallel computer system according to claim 3, further comprising a system management program for executing the program.