JPH07253917A - Backup processing method for file, and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To lighten the burden on a user at the time of management, operation, etc., on a recording device for a replaceable recording medium and a recording medium when data are backed up by effectively utilizing an unused area of a disk. CONSTITUTION:A server 1 provided with a server backup control part 11 and a transfer source clients 2 and a transfer destination client 3 provide with a client backup control parts 12 respectively are connected by a network 22. Then a backup file 19 for restoring a file 18 to be backed up which is stored in a used area 16 on the disk 15 of the transfer source client 2 is stored in an unused area 17 on the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 through the network 22, and is used to restore the file 18 to be backed up. Further, the server backup control part 11 has management information on respective files.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer system on a network including an external storage device, and more particularly to a backup method and device suitable for protecting data stored in the external storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a computer system including an external storage device such as a disk device, a backup process for saving the data stored in the disk device to another storage medium is performed in order to protect the data from failure. . In such backup processing, a replaceable recording medium such as a magnetic tape or an optical disk is often used as the storage medium. In this case, the computer having the disk device also has a recording device for a replaceable recording medium, and the computer has a configuration and method in which the data read from the disc is written in the recording medium set in the recording device. Even when considering the application of the configuration and method to a computer on a network, backup to a recording medium using a recording device is a prerequisite. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-81224, a proposal has been made for speeding up data recovery processing in backup processing using a recording device, but in any case, in the above backup processing, a recording medium is recorded. It is necessary to set the device, remove the used recording medium from the recording device, and store the recording medium. Further, in the case of recovering the data in the disk device by using the data backed up in the recording medium for the failure of the disk device, it is necessary to set the recording medium in which the necessary data is recorded in the recording device. Needed.

There is also a technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-288638, in which when a file generation exceeding the free space is predicted, it is stored by using another storage device on the network.

When attempting to save data to a remote computer as in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-289933, it is confirmed whether the remote computer can be saved. There is also one that selects another remote computer and saves it.

Further, as in the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-210562, it is checked which machine has a copy source file and a file to be copied, and a machine having a copy source file and a copy destination file, There is also a demand for an efficient copy method because of the relationship with the machine that executes the command.

[0006]

The conventional method has the following problems.

Since it is necessary to use a replaceable recording medium for the backup process, there is a continuous cost for the recording medium.

Further, since the backup process using the recording medium is frequently performed, a system user who performs the backup process is often forced to perform management and complicated work for the recording medium and the recording apparatus for the recording medium. Therefore, the burden on the user for the backup process is large.

Further, in the case of recovering the data in the disk device by using the data backed up on the recording medium, the burden on the user is also large.

Further, in order to recover the data in the disk device by using the data backed up in the recording medium, it is necessary to perform the work for the recording medium and the recording device for the recording medium. Data cannot be recovered promptly.

Further, in the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-288638, the transferred file is not a copy (backup) of the file. The condition for starting the file transfer is when the free space in the external storage device is insufficient (not during backup processing).

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-289933, the file transferred as a backup file is not managed. Also,
The condition used for searching the transfer destination computer is the presence / absence of a response, and the presence / absence of an unused area is not assumed.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-210562, a file transferred as a backup file is not managed. In addition, the transfer destination computer is not searched.

A first object of the present invention is to reduce the frequency of using the exchangeable recording medium in backup processing.

A second object of the present invention is to reduce the work required in the backup process and reduce the burden on the user for the backup process.

A third object of the present invention is to reduce the work required in the process of recovering the data in the disk device using the backed up data and to reduce the burden on the user for the data recovery process. Is.

A fourth object of the present invention is to reduce the work required in the process of recovering the data in the disk device by using the backed up data, and to recover the data promptly.

[0018]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, in a computer system in which a plurality of computers each having an external storage device are connected to each other, data to be backed up is provided. A first computer including an external storage device, a second computer including an external storage device having an available unused area, and backup data of data stored in the external storage device of the first computer, Second
Backup control means for storing in an external storage device of the computer.

Further, the backup control means generates backup data for recovering data to be backed up, and uses the backup data as the second data.
When storing it in the external storage device of the computer, it is confirmed whether the backup data generated in the past backup process for the data exists in any of the mutually connected computers, When the past backup data exists, the computer having the past backup data can delete the past backup data.

Further, the backup control means confirms to the mutually connected computers whether or not there is an unused area of the external storage device that can be used to store the backup data, and the computer can be used. When the unused area of the external storage device does not exist, it is possible to select the backup data for the past backup process existing in the area of the external storage device of the computer and delete the past backup data. .

Further, the backup control means expands the area of the external storage device used by the operating systems and applications of the computers connected to each other, thereby reducing the area of the external storage device of the computer. When it is detected, the backup data stored in the unused area of the external storage device is selected, and whether or not there is an unused area of the external storage device available for storing the backup data is determined.
The other computer connected to each other is checked, the computer storing the backup data is determined from the plurality of computers having the usable area, and the backup data is transferred to the computer. Alternatively, the backup data can be stored in an unused area of the external storage device of the computer in which the backup data is stored.

Further, the backup control means confirms to the other computers connected to each other whether or not there is an unused area of the external storage device that can be used to store the backup data. It is also possible to delete past backup data when there is no unused area of the external storage device that can be used in all the computers to be checked.

Further, the backup control means specifies information for specifying a backup target file set by the user of the computer and a transfer source computer before deleting the past backup data to be deleted. Including at least information for backup, start date and time of backup, and type of final processing of backup,
It is also possible to perform processing based on user setting information.

Further, the backup control means sets a time table, which is set by the user of the computer, for specifying a target file to be backed up and a time table storing the date and time to be backed up based on the user setting information. You can also create and start the backup process.

Furthermore, the backup control means can detect a failure that has occurred in an external storage device that stores backup data, and activate a backup process for the data to be restored by the backup data. .

Further, the backup control means, with respect to the data to be restored by the backup data stored in the external storage devices of the mutually connected computers, causes a failure of the external storage device in which the data is stored. It is also possible to detect and initiate a backup process on said data.

Further, the backup control means can be present outside the operating system that controls the computer system.

Further, the backup control means can be present inside an operating system which controls the computer system.

Further, the backup control means is a backup file name, a backup file creation date and time, a backup file for the data which is the object of the backup process and the backup data which is generated so as to recover the data in the backup process. Size, the information for identifying the transfer source computer, the backup target file name, and the management information having at least the information for identifying the transfer source computer.

Further, the backup control means is provided for each computer, and a backup file name and a backup file creation are made for the data which is the object of the backup process and the backup data generated so as to recover the data in the backup process. The plurality of backup control means disperse management information having at least date and time, size of backup file, information for identifying transfer source computer, backup target file name, and information for identifying transfer source computer. You can also

Further, a disk device can be used as the external storage device.

[0032]

According to the present invention, since the backed up data is stored by effectively utilizing the unused area of the disk of the computer on the network, the frequency of using a replaceable recording medium in the backup processing can be reduced. .

Further, since the work required in the backup process is reduced, the burden on the user for the backup process can be reduced.

Further, since the work required in the process of recovering the data in the disk device by using the backed up data is reduced, the burden on the user for the backup process can be reduced.

Further, since the work required in the process of recovering the data in the disk device by using the backed up data is reduced, the recovery process can be performed quickly.

[0036]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a server computer (server) for a backup function, which is an upper layer of an operating system (OS) 14. To
It has a configuration having a server backup control unit 11. Reference numeral 2 denotes a client computer (transfer source client) having a backup target file 18 and having a backup function, and has a configuration in which a client backup control unit 12 is provided above an operating system (OS) 14. Reference numeral 3 denotes a client computer (transfer destination client) having a backup function 19 for recovering the backup target file 18 and having a backup control unit 12 for a client above an operating system (OS) 14. Has become. Four
Is an old backup file (old backup file 20) for recovering the backup target file 18
Is a client computer (old transfer destination client) having a backup function, and has a configuration in which a client backup control unit 12 is provided above an operating system (OS) 14. The server 1, the transfer source client 2, the transfer destination client 3, and the old transfer destination client 4 each have a disk 15, and the area of each disk 15 is O
It is divided into a used area 16 used by S14 and the application and an unused area 17 which is the other area. Further, a backup target file 18 is stored in the used area 16 of the disk 15 of the transfer source client 2. Also, the disk 1 of the transfer destination client 3
A backup file 19 is stored in the unused area 17 of No. 5. Furthermore, the old backup file 20 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the old transfer destination client 4.
Is stored. The server 1, the transfer source client 2, the transfer destination client 3, and the old transfer destination client 4 are connected by the network 22.

In order to protect the backup target file 18 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer source client 2 from loss due to a failure of the disk 15, a backup file 19 having information for recovering the backup target file 18 is created, Regarding the processing of storing in a storage medium other than the disk 15, so-called backup processing, the present embodiment uses an unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 connected by the network 22 as the storage medium. is there.

That is, in this embodiment, the backup file 19 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 having a sufficiently large unused area 17 via the network 22 and is required later. According to the above, the backup file 19 is used to recover the backup target file 18, and in order to realize this, an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 is created. A process of searching for the transfer destination client 3 having the disk 15 including it, a process of securing the unused area 17 when the unused area 17 is insufficient, and a disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 storing the backup file 19 If a failure occurs in the backup, create a new backup file 19 Process to be stored in 15 and performs like.

In the present embodiment, the server backup control unit 11 and the client backup control unit 12, which are software for controlling and executing the above-mentioned backup processing, are located above the OS 14, respectively. The above processing is performed using the backup management information that is centrally held.

FIG. 2 shows a flow of search processing of the transfer destination client 3 having an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 in the information processing system, and FIG. The block diagram about the example regarding a process is shown. FIG. 4 shows a flow at the time of transfer processing of the backup file 19 in the above information processing system. FIG. 5 shows a flow at the time of recovery processing in the above information processing system. Figure 6
Shows a desirable processing flow when a failure occurs in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 in the above information processing system. FIG. 7 shows the backup file 1
The backup file 19 when the unused area 17 of the transfer destination client 3 in which 9 is stored runs out
FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a process for the above process, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show a flow regarding the process.

According to FIG. 2, the backup file 19
The operation of the search process of the transfer destination client 3 having an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the will be described. All the computers having the server backup control unit 11 or the client backup control unit 12 have a computer registration table in which the computer for which the server backup control unit 11 or the client backup control unit 12 exists and which can be used is registered. ing. This computer registration table is shown in FIG.
Shown in. The computer registration table includes computer names, computer addresses, groups, and states. The computer address is a unique number assigned to each computer for identifying each computer on the network. The group will be described later. The state describes whether it is available (becomes a search target in the search process) or not available (not be a search target in the search process). When the backup process for the backup target file 18 of the transfer source client 2 is activated, the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 uses the computer registration table and the client backup control unit 12 exists and can be used. , One computer is selected from the computers (search target computer 10) other than the transfer source client 2 (10
1), an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 of the backup target file 18 is stored in the disk 1 in the computer 1.
5 is inquired by notifying the size of the area necessary for storage (102).

If the disk 15 has an unused area 17 of a sufficient size, the client backup controller 12 of the computer secures an area of the required size by, for example, creating a dummy file. Shi (10
3) Notifying the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 of the area reservation. The server backup control unit 11 that has received the area reservation notification adopts the computer as the transfer destination client 3 for storing the backup file 19 in the transfer processing described later (104).

In response to the above inquiry, if the unused area 17 of a sufficient size does not exist in the disk 15 of the computer that received the inquiry, the client backup control unit 12 of the computer is
The server backup control unit 11 is notified that the area cannot be secured. The server backup control unit 11, which has received the notification that the area cannot be secured, uses the computer registration table to check whether there is a computer that has not yet made an inquiry (105).

If there is a computer that has not yet made an inquiry, the server backup control unit 11
Makes an inquiry to the computer in the same manner as above.

If there is no computer that has not made an inquiry yet, that is, if an inquiry has already been made for all the registered computers, it is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 by the past backup processing. Delete the other backup files that are stored in the unused area 17
The following processing is performed in order to secure. The server backup control unit 11 uses the backup file management information stored in the backup management table, which will be described later, to create a backup file 19 of a size necessary to secure an area for a certain transfer destination client 3.
Is selected as the backup file to be deleted (10
6). Furthermore, the user setting information (which will be described later) preset by the user for the backup target file 18 relating to the deletion target backup file is searched, and the final process set by the user, for example, saving using a magnetic tape device on the network 22. The above processing is confirmed (107), and the final processing is notified to the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination client 3 having the selected backup file to be deleted together with the area reservation request (108). Upon receiving the notification of the final processing, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination client 3 executes the final processing on the deletion target backup file (109), deletes the deletion target backup file (110), and secures an area ( 111) notifies the server backup control unit 11 of area reservation. The server backup control unit 11 that has received the area reservation notification updates the backup file management information regarding the deletion processing (112), and transfers the backup destination client 3 to the backup file 19 in the transfer processing described later. It is adopted as the transfer destination client 3 for storing (11
3).

FIG. 17 shows an example of the user setting information. The user setting information is, for example, the backup target file I.
D, transfer source client name, backup target file owning user name, backup schedule, and final processing. As a backup schedule, for example,
It has the backup type, start date, start time, interval days, and interval time.

A preferred example of the method for selecting one computer from the computer registration table will be described with reference to FIG. Computers connected to one network 22 are grouped, for example, by office floor or by, for example, a department of a company. The server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 that belongs to a certain group 23 (for example, the group # 1) first performs the above-mentioned search process on the computers that belong to the group 23 (group # 1) to which the server 1 belongs, and finds a sufficient size. If no computer having the unused area 17 is obtained, then the above-described search processing is performed for computers belonging to another group 23. That is, the backup file 19 is stored in the server 1
It is desirable to store them in a computer that is physically or logically close to them.

According to FIG. 4, the backup file 19
The operation of the transfer process from the transfer source client 2 to the transfer destination client 3 will be described. The server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 notifies the client backup control unit 12 of the transfer source client 2 of the adopted transfer destination client 3 (201). Upon receiving the notification, the backup control unit 12 for the client sends the backup file 19 to the backup target file 18.
Is created (202), and the notified transfer destination client 3
To the backup file 19 (20
3). The client backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 stores the transferred backup file 19 in the secured area in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 (204), and when the transfer and storage are completed, , And notifies the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 of the transfer end. The server backup control unit 11 receives the notification of the transfer end from the client backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 and newly creates backup file management information for the backup file 19 (205).

Further, the server backup controller 11
Searches the backup file management information and confirms whether or not a backup file (old backup file 20) created by a backup performed in the past exists for the backup target file 18 (206).

When the old backup file 20 exists, the server backup control unit 11 uses the above-mentioned backup file management information to store a computer having the old backup file 20 (old transfer destination client 4).
Is confirmed (207), and the old transfer destination client 4 is notified of invalidation of the old backup file 20 (208). The old transfer destination client 4 that has received the invalidation notification deletes the old backup file 20 from the unused area 17 of the disk 15 (209) and notifies the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 of the deletion end. To do. The server backup control unit 11 that has received the deletion completion notification deletes the information regarding the old backup file 20 from the backup file management information (21).
0).

With reference to FIG. 5, the operation of the recovery processing for recovering the backup target file 18 of the transfer source client 2 using the backup file 19 in the transfer destination client 3 will be described. When the recovery process is started, the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1
Searches the backup file management information and confirms the transfer destination client 3 storing the backup file 19 for the backup target file 18 to be restored (301), and the client backup control unit of the transfer destination client 3 The transfer source client 2 storing the backup target file 18 is notified to the server 12 (302), and the transfer of the backup file 19 for recovery is requested (303).
The client backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 that has received the transfer request transfers the backup file 19 to the notified transfer source client 2 (304). The client backup controller 12 of the transfer source client 2 recovers the backup target file 18 from the transferred backup file 19 (305).

With reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given of an operation of desirable processing when a failure occurs in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3. When a failure occurs in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3, the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 cannot be used, and the recovery processing of the backup target file 18 for the backup file 19 is also impossible. . Therefore, when a failure is detected, it is desirable that a new backup process be performed on the backup target file 18, and therefore the following process be desirably performed. When the client backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 detects a failure of the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3, the client backup control unit 12 notifies the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 of The failure is notified (401). The server backup control unit 11 which has received the notification of the failure occurrence searches the backup management information, and the backup target file 18 related to the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 in which the failure of the transfer destination client 3 occurs. , The transfer source client 2 having the backup target file 18 is confirmed (402), and the backup target file 18 is searched for the transfer destination client 3 having a sufficiently large unused area 17 and the backup file The transfer process 19 is activated (403).

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, in the transfer destination client 3 in which the backup file 19 is stored, the unused area 17 is insufficient due to the system and application expanding the used area 16 of the disk 15. In this case, a desirable processing operation will be described. When the transfer destination client 3 detects that the unused area 17 of the disk 15 is insufficient,
The client backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 notifies the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 of the shortage of the unused area 17 (50
1). The server backup control unit 11, which has been notified of the shortage of the unused area 17, searches the backup file management information, and the disk 1 of the transfer destination client 3 is searched.
Of the backup files 19 stored in 5,
Select the largest backup file 19 (50
2). Next, the server backup control unit 11 uses the disk 1 in the same manner as the search process of the transfer destination client 3 having the unused area 17 having a sufficient size described with reference to FIG.
A computer other than the transfer source client 2 in which the unused area 17 of 5 has a sufficient size is searched (5
03).

When there is another computer having a sufficiently large unused area 17 of the disk 15, the backup file 19 is copied to a disk of another computer (new transfer destination client 5) other than the transfer source client 2. Moving to 15, the following processing is performed to secure the unused area 17. The server backup control unit 11 sets the computer to the new transfer destination client 5
(505), and the transfer destination client 3
For the client backup control unit 12 of the above, together with the name of the selected backup file 19,
Notify the adopted new transfer destination client 5 (50
6). The client backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 transfers the backup file 19 to the new transfer destination client 5 notified from the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 (50
7). The client backup control unit 12 of the new transfer destination client 5 stores the transferred backup file 19 in the secured area in the disk 15 of the new transfer destination client 5 (508), and when the transfer and storage are completed. Then, the transfer completion is notified to the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1. The server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the notification of the transfer end from the client backup control unit 12 of the new transfer destination client 5, and newly generates backup file management information (509). Further, the server backup control unit 11 notifies the transfer destination client 3 of invalidation of the backup file 19 (510). Upon receiving the notification of invalidation, the computer deletes the backup file 19 from the unused area 17 of the disk 15 (51
1) Notify the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 of the end of deletion. The server backup control unit 11 that has received the deletion completion notification deletes the information regarding the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 from the backup file management information (512).

In the above-mentioned search processing, when there is no other computer having a sufficiently large unused area 17 of the disk 15, the server backup control unit 1
1 retrieves the backup file management information, and confirms whether or not the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 has an unselected backup file 19 (514). When there are backup files 19 that have not been selected yet, the largest backup file 19 is selected from these backup files 19 (516) and the above processing is performed. The above processing is repeated until the shortage of the unused area 17 of the transfer destination client 3 is resolved.

There is no other computer whose unused area 17 of the disk 15 has a sufficient size, and the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 has not been selected yet. If no backup file 19 exists, that is, all the backup files 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 have a sufficient size in the disks 15 of all computers other than the transfer source client 2. If the unused area 17 is not present, another backup file stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 is deleted by the past backup process, and the unused area 17 is deleted.
In order to secure the The server backup control unit 11 searches the backup file management information and selects the largest backup file 19 among the backup files 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 as the deletion target backup file ( 517). Furthermore, the user setting information preset by the user is searched for the backup target file 18 relating to the deletion target backup file, and the final processing set by the user,
For example, the processing such as evacuation using the magnetic tape device on the network 22 is confirmed (518), and the final processing is notified to the backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 (519). The backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 that has received the notification of the final process executes the final process for the deletion target backup file (520), deletes the deletion target backup file (521), and notifies the server backup control unit 11 of the deletion. Notify the end of deletion. The server backup control unit 11 that has received the deletion completion notification updates the backup file management information regarding that the final processing has been performed (522). The above-mentioned backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 has not been selected and there is no other computer in which the unused area 17 of the disk 15 has a sufficient size. The process when there is no backup file 19 is repeated until the shortage of the unused area 17 of the transfer destination client 3 is resolved.

In the above processing method, the server backup control unit 11 of the server 1 manages the backup file 19 using the backup file management information. The server backup control unit 11 manages the backup file 19 so that the backup file 1
9, the transfer destination client 3 in which the backup file 19 is stored, the name of the backup target file 18 related to the backup file 19, the transfer source client 2 in which the backup target file 18 is stored, the backup file 19 creation It has a backup file management table having the contents as shown in FIG. 10, for example, which has the date and time and the size of the backup file 19 as parameters and is used in the above processing. In FIG. 10, there are areas for storing an ID, a backup file name, a backup file creation date and time, a backup file size, a transfer destination client, a backup target file name, a transfer source client, and a status.

In the above processing method, the server 1
The server backup control unit 11 has user setting information. The user setting information is the backup target file 1
8, the transfer source client 2 having the backup target file 18, the user who owns the backup target file 18, the backup schedule set by the user, and the disk existing in the information processing system set by the user When the unused area 15 of 15 cannot be secured, the contents include the above-mentioned final processing, and the server backup control unit 11 uses this in the above processing. It is desirable that the user can perform operations such as registration / deletion / editing on the user setting information from a local computer at hand via the network 22.

Further, in the above processing method, the functions of all the client backup control units 12 are equal,
It is desirable that all computers having the client backup control unit 12 operate as both the transfer source client 2 and the transfer destination client 3. It is desirable that the server backup control unit 11 also has the function of the client backup control unit 12 and operates as a client.

By the above processing method, the unused area 17 of the disk 15 existing in the information processing system can be used to realize the backup of the backup target file 18. Further, as long as the unused area 17 of the disk 15 existing in the information processing system can be secured, in the recovery processing of the backup target file 18, management and work for the magnetic tape device and the magnetic tape on the network 22 are particularly performed. You can achieve what you don't need.

In the above processing method, the backup process for the backup target file 18 of the transfer source client 2 is started by a timetable (described later) based on the backup schedule set in the user setting information. Is desirable. As a result, it is possible to automatically execute the backup of the backup target file 18 that the user deems necessary.

The timetable is created by the backup controller based on the backup schedule of the user setting information. As shown in FIG. 18, the backup execution number, the backup start date, the backup start time, and the backup target file are set. The IDs are stored in the order in which the backup is executed.

In the above processing method, when the user of the information system determines that the backup target file 18 needs to be backed up, the backup process is started from the local computer that the user has. , It is desirable to be able to do so by executing a command via the network 22.

In the above processing method, the backup target file 1 using the backup file 19
Regarding the activation of the recovery process of No. 8, when the client backup control unit 12 or the server backup control unit 11 detects an abnormality at the time of accessing the backup target file 18, the server backup control unit 11 is automatically activated. It is desirable to be activated automatically.
As a result, it becomes possible to automatically perform the recovery processing of the file in which the failure has occurred.

Further, in the above processing method, when the user of the information system determines that the file 18 to be backed up needs to be recovered when the recovery process is started, the user has a local computer at hand. Therefore, it is desirable to execute the command via the network 22.

Further, in the above processing method, when the backup file 19 is created from the backup target file 18, it is desirable to compress the file and reduce the size of the backup file 19. As a result, the area in the disk 15 can be effectively used, and the network 22 at the time of transferring the backup file 19 via the network 22 can be used.
The load of can be reduced.

In the above processing method, it is desirable that an authentication process using encryption is performed in communication between computers via the network 22, and the backup file 19 is transferred via the network 22. , The backup file 1
9 is preferably encrypted, and the backup file 1 stored in the transfer destination client 3
It is desirable that the owner of the access right to 9 is limited to only the administrator of the above information system. This makes it possible to enhance security against unauthorized access to the information system and prevent the backup file 19 from being deleted by mistake.

Further, in the processing of deleting the backup files to be deleted after the final processing is executed by the above processing method, the server is set in the order of the importance of the individual backup files 18 set by the user in the user setting information. Backup control unit 11 may select a backup file to be deleted.

In the search processing of the transfer destination client 3 having the unused area 17 having a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 in the above processing method,
Each disk 1 monitored by the server backup control unit 11 and the client backup control unit 12
The server backup control unit 11 may select the transfer destination client 3 in the ascending order of access frequency 5.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an information system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 6 denotes a computer (transfer source computer) having a backup target file 18, which is an operating system (OS) 1.
4, the backup control unit 13 is provided on the upper level. Reference numeral 7 denotes a computer (transfer destination computer) having a backup file 19 for recovering the backup target file 18, which has a backup control unit 13 above the operating system (OS) 14. 8 is the file to be backed up 18
Computer (old transfer destination computer) that has an old backup file (old backup file 20) for recovering
4, the backup control unit 13 is provided on the upper level. The server 1, the transfer source computer 6, the transfer destination computer 7, and the old transfer destination computer 8 are
Each has a disc 15 and each disc 15
The area is divided into a used area 16 used by the OS 14 and the application, and an unused area 17 which is the other area. Further, a backup target file 18 is stored in the used area 16 of the disk 15 of the transfer source computer 6. Also, the transfer destination computer 7
The backup file 19 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15. Further, the old backup file 20 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the old transfer destination computer 8. The transfer source computer 6, the transfer destination computer 7, and the old transfer destination computer 8 are connected by a network 22.

In order to protect the backup target file 18 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer source computer 6 from loss due to a failure of the disk 15, a backup file 19 having information for recovering the backup target file 18 is created, Regarding the processing of storing in a storage medium other than the disk 15, so-called backup processing, this embodiment uses an unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 connected by the network 22 as the storage medium. is there.

That is, in the present embodiment, the backup file 19 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 having a sufficiently large unused area 17 via the network 22 and is required later. According to the above, the backup file 19 is used to recover the backup target file 18, and in order to realize this, an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 is created. A process of searching for the transfer destination computer 7 having the disk 15 including it, a process of securing the unused area 17 when the unused area 17 is insufficient, and a disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 storing the backup file 19 If a failure occurs in the backup, create a new backup file 19 Process to be stored in 15 and performs like.

In the present embodiment, the backup control unit 13, which is software for controlling and executing the above-mentioned backup processing, has the OS 14 in each computer.
Stored in the disk 15 of each computer, which is located in the upper level of the
The transfer destination backup management information about the backup file 19 and the transfer source backup management information about the backup target file 18 are mutually utilized between the computers to perform the above processing.

FIG. 12 shows an unused area 1 of the transfer destination computer 7 in which the backup file 19 is stored.
7 is a block diagram showing a process for the backup file 19 when 7 becomes insufficient.

First, the operation of the search process of the transfer destination computer 7 having an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 will be described. All computers having the backup control unit 13 have a computer registration table in which the computers that have the backup control unit 13 and are available are registered. When the backup process for the backup target file 18 of the transfer source computer 6 is started, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 uses the computer registration table to backup the backup control unit 1
3 exists and can be used, and one of the computers (search target computer 10) other than the transfer source computer 6 is selected, and a backup file 19 for the backup target file 18 is stored in the selected computer. The size of the area required for storage is inquired as to whether or not there is an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for the disk 15.

When the disk 15 has an unused area 17 of a sufficient size, the backup control unit 13 of the computer secures an area of a required size by, for example, creating a dummy file, The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 is notified of the area reservation. The transfer source computer 6 that has received the notification of area reservation
The backup control unit 13 employs the computer as the transfer destination computer 7 for storing the backup file 19 in the transfer process described later.

In response to the above inquiry, if the unused area 17 of sufficient size does not exist in the disk 15 of the computer that received the inquiry, the backup control unit 13 of the computer causes the transfer source computer 6 The backup control unit 13 is notified that the area cannot be secured. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 that has received the notification that the area cannot be secured uses the computer registration table to check whether there is a computer that has not yet made an inquiry.

If there is a computer that has not yet made an inquiry, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 makes an inquiry to the computer in the same manner as above.

If there is no computer that has not made an inquiry yet, that is, if an inquiry has already been made for all the registered computers, it is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 by past backup processing. Delete the other backup files that are stored in the unused area 17
The following processing is performed in order to secure. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 uses the transfer source backup file management information to select an area from the backup file 19 for the backup target file 18 of the transfer source computer 6 for the transfer destination computer 7. A backup file 19 of a size necessary for securing is selected as a deletion target backup file, the transfer destination computer 7 storing the deletion target backup file is confirmed, and
The user setting information preset by the user for the backup target file 18 regarding the backup file to be deleted is searched, and the final process set by the user, for example, the process such as the saving using the magnetic tape device on the network 22 is confirmed, and the area is secured. The final processing together with the request is performed by the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7.
To notify. Upon receiving the notification of the final processing, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 executes the final processing, deletes the backup file to be deleted, reserves an area, updates the backup file management information for the transfer destination, The area allocation is notified to the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 that has received the notification of area reservation
Updates the transfer source backup file management information regarding the deletion processing, and transfers the transfer destination computer 7 to the backup file 1 in the transfer processing described later.
9 is used as the transfer destination computer 7 for storing 9.

Next, the operation of the transfer processing of the backup file 19 from the transfer source computer 6 to the transfer destination computer 7 will be described. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 creates a backup file 19 for the backup target file 18, and transfers the backup file 19 to the adopted transfer destination computer 7. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 stores the transferred backup file 19 in the secured area in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7, and when the transfer and storage are completed, the backup file 19 The backup file management information for the transfer destination is generated, and the end of transfer is notified to the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 receives the notification of the transfer end from the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7, and newly generates the transfer source backup file management information for the backup file 19.

Further, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 retrieves the transfer source backup file management information, and the backup target file 1
8, it is confirmed whether or not there is a backup file (old backup file 20) created by the backup performed in the past.

When the old backup file 20 exists, the backup control unit 1 of the transfer source computer 6
3 confirms the computer (old transfer destination computer 8) having the old backup file 20 by using the transfer source backup file management information, and invalidates the old backup file 20 to the old transfer destination computer 8. Notification. The old transfer destination computer 8 that has received the invalidation notification deletes the old backup file 20 from the unused area 17 of the disk 15, deletes the information about the old backup file 20 from the transfer destination backup file management information, and finally Is notified to the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 that deletion has been completed. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 that has received the notification of the end of deletion deletes the old backup file 20 from the transfer source backup file management information.
Delete information about.

Next, the operation of the recovery process for recovering the backup target file 18 of the transfer source computer 6 using the backup file 19 in the transfer destination computer 7 will be described. When the recovery process is started,
The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 having the backup target file 18 to be recovered searches the transfer source backup file management information and stores the backup file 19 for the backup target file 18 to be recovered. The transfer destination computer 7 is confirmed, and the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 is requested to transfer the backup file 19 for recovery. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 that has received the transfer request transfers the backup file 19 to the transfer source computer 6. Backup control unit 1 of the transfer source computer 6
3 restores the backup target file 18 from the transferred backup file 19.

Next, the disk 1 of the transfer destination computer 7
An operation of a desirable process when a failure occurs in No. 5 will be described. When a failure occurs in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7, the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 cannot be used, and the recovery processing of the backup target file 18 for the backup file 19 is also impossible. . Therefore, when a failure is detected, the backup target file 18
It is desirable that a new backup process be performed for the above, and therefore the following process be performed. Backup controller 13 of transfer destination computer 7
However, when a failure of the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 is detected, the backup control unit 13 searches the transfer destination backup management information, and the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 in which the failure has occurred.
Regarding the backup target file 18 and the transfer source computer 6 having the backup target file 18, the transfer destination computer 7 having the sufficiently large unused area 17 is searched for the backup target file 18. Processing and backup files 19
The transfer process of is started.

According to FIG. 12, the backup file 1
A description will be given of a desirable processing operation when the unused area 17 of the disk 15 runs short due to the system and application expanding the used area 16 of the disk 15 in the transfer destination computer 7 in which 9 is stored. When the transfer destination computer 7 detects that the unused area 17 of the disk 15 is insufficient,
The backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7
The backup file management information for the transfer destination is searched, and the largest backup file 19 among the backup files 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 is selected.
The transfer source computer 6 that stores the backup target file 18 for 9 is confirmed. Next, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 performs the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 in the above-described search process of the transfer destination computer 7 having the unused area 17 of a sufficient size. Similar to the operation, a computer other than the transfer source computer 6 in which the unused area 17 of the disk 15 has a sufficient size is searched for.

When there is another computer whose unused area 17 of the disk 15 has a sufficient size, the backup file 19 is copied to a disk of a computer (new transfer destination computer 9) other than the transfer source computer 6. Moving to 15, the following processing is performed to secure the unused area 17. The computer is adopted as the new transfer destination computer 9, and the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 transfers the backup file 19 to the new transfer destination computer 9. The backup control unit 13 of the new transfer destination computer 9 stores the transferred backup file 19 in the secured area in the disk 15 of the new transfer destination computer 9, and owns it when the transfer and storage are completed. Transfer destination backup file management information is generated, and the transfer completion is notified to the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 receives the notification of the transfer end from the backup control unit 13 of the new transfer destination computer 9 and changes the computer having the backup file 19 to the transfer source computer 6. Notice. The transfer source computer 6 that has received the notification of the change of the computer having the backup file 19 updates the transfer source backup file management information. Finally, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 deletes the backup file 19 from the unused area 17 of the disk 15 and stores it in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 from the transfer destination backup file management information. Information regarding the backup file 19 is deleted.

In the above search process, when there is no other computer having a sufficiently large unused area 17 of the disk 15, the backup controller 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 transfers the backup data for the transfer destination. The backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 is searched for the file management information.
Regarding, there is a backup file 19 that has not been selected yet. If there are backup files 19 that have not been selected yet, the largest backup file 19 is selected from the backup files 19 and the above processing is performed. The above processing is
This is repeated until the shortage of the unused area 17 of the transfer destination computer 7 is resolved.

There is no other computer having a sufficiently large unused area 17 of the disk 15, and the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 has not been selected yet. If no backup file 19 exists, that is, all backup files 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 have a sufficient size in the disks 15 of all computers other than the transfer source computer 6. If the unused area 17 does not exist, the following process is performed to secure the unused area 17 by deleting other backup files stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 by the past backup processing. Is performed. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 searches the backup file management information for the transfer destination and finds the largest backup file 19 among the backup files 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7. The transfer source computer 6 which selects the backup file to be deleted and stores the backup target file 18 relating to the deletion target backup file is confirmed, and the unused area 17 is stored in the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6. Notify that it is impossible to secure. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6, which has received the notification that the unused area 17 cannot be secured,
The user setting information preset by the user with respect to the backup target file 18 is searched, and the final processing set by the user, for example, the processing such as evacuation using the magnetic tape device on the network 22 is confirmed, and the final processing is performed. Backup control unit 1 of the transfer destination computer 7
Call back to 3. Upon receiving the notification of the final processing, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 executes final processing on the deletion target backup file, deletes the deletion target backup file, and updates the transfer destination backup file management information. The deletion completion is notified to the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6. Transfer source computer 6 that received notification of deletion completion
The backup control unit 13 updates the transfer source backup file management information regarding that the final processing has been performed. The above-mentioned backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 has not been selected and there is no other computer in which the unused area 17 of the disk 15 has a sufficient size. The process when there is no backup file 19 is repeated until the shortage of the unused area 17 of the transfer destination computer 7 is resolved.

In the above processing method, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 uses the transfer destination backup file management information to execute the backup file 1
Manage 9. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 manages the backup file 19 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7, in order to manage the backup file 19, the name of the backup target file 18 related to the backup file 19, A transfer destination backup file management table having the contents as shown in FIG. 13, for example, with the transfer source computer 6 in which the backup target file 18 is stored, the creation date and time of the backup file 19 and the size of the backup file 19 as parameters. Which is used in the above process.

In the above processing method, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 manages the backup target file 18 using the transfer source backup file management information. The backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 manages the backup target file 18 of the transfer source computer 6, the name of the backup target file 18, the name of the backup file 19 relating to the backup target file 18, the backup file 19 The transfer destination computer 7 in which is stored, the backup file 19 creation date and time, the size of the backup file 19 and the like as parameters. This is used in the processing of.

In the above processing method, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer source computer 6 has user setting information. The user setting information is set for each backup target file 18, and the backup file target 1 is set.
8, the backup schedule set by the user, the contents of the final processing set by the user when the unused area 17 of the disk 15 existing in the information processing system cannot be secured Therefore, the server backup control unit 11 uses this in the above processing. It is desirable that the user can perform operations such as registration / deletion / editing on the user setting information from a local computer at hand via the network 22.

In the above processing method, all the backup control units 13 have the same function, and all computers having the backup control unit 13 have the transfer source backup file management information and the transfer destination backup file management information. It is desirable that both the transfer source computer 6 and the transfer destination computer 7 operate.

By the above processing method, the backup of the backup target file 18 can be realized by using the unused area 17 of the disk 15 existing in the above information processing system. Further, as long as the unused area 17 of the disk 15 existing in the information processing system can be secured, in the recovery processing of the backup target file 18, management and work for the magnetic tape device and the magnetic tape on the network 22 are particularly performed. You can achieve what you don't need.

In the above processing method, the backup process for the backup target file 18 of the transfer source computer 6 is started based on the backup schedule set in the user setting information, for example, as shown in FIG. It is desirable to be done by a timetable. As a result, it is possible to automatically execute the backup of the backup target file 18 that the user deems necessary.

In the above processing method, when the user of the information system determines that the backup target file 18 needs to be backed up, the backup process is started from the local computer that the user has. , It is desirable to be able to do so by executing a command via the network 22.

In the above processing method, the backup target file 1 using the backup file 19
With respect to the activation of the recovery process of No. 8, it is desirable that it be automatically activated when the backup control unit 13 detects an abnormality at the time of access to the backup target file 18. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically perform the recovery processing of the file in which the failure has occurred.

Further, in the above processing method, when the user of the information system determines that the backup target file 18 needs to be recovered when the recovery processing is started, the user has a local computer at hand. Therefore, it is desirable to execute the command via the network 22.

In the above processing method, when the backup file 19 is created from the backup target file 18, it is desirable to compress the file and reduce the size of the backup file 19. As a result, the area in the disk 15 can be effectively used, and the network 22 at the time of transferring the backup file 19 via the network 22 can be used.
The load of can be reduced.

Further, in the above processing method, it is desirable that an authentication process using encryption is performed in communication between the computers via the network 22, and the backup file 19 is transferred via the network 22. , The backup file 1
9 is preferably encrypted, and the backup file 1 stored in the transfer destination computer 7
It is desirable that the owner of the access right to 9 is limited to only the administrator of the above information system. This makes it possible to enhance security against unauthorized access to the information system and prevent the backup file 19 from being deleted by mistake.

Further, in the processing of deleting the backup files to be deleted after the final processing is executed by the above processing method, the backups are made in the ascending order of importance of the individual backup files 18 set in the user setting information by the user. The control unit 13 may select the backup file to be deleted.

In the search processing of the transfer destination computer 7 having the unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 by the above processing method,
The backup control unit 13 may select the transfer destination computer 7 in the ascending order of access frequency of each disk 15 monitored by each backup control unit 13.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an information system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a server computer (server) for a backup function.
Then, inside the operating system (OS) 14,
It has a configuration having a server backup control unit 11. Reference numeral 2 denotes a client computer (transfer source client) having a backup target file 18 and having a backup function.
S) 14 has a backup control unit 12 for the client. 3 is a backup file 19 for recovering the backup target file 18
A client computer (transfer destination client) having a backup function has a client backup control unit 12 inside an operating system (OS) 14. 4 has an old backup file (old backup file 20) for recovering the backup target file 18,
A client computer (old transfer destination client) having a backup function is configured to have a client backup control unit 12 inside an operating system (OS) 14. Each of the server 1, the transfer source client 2, the transfer destination client 3, and the old transfer destination client 4 has a disk 15, and an area of each disk 15 is a use area 16 used by the OS 14 and an application, and other areas. It is divided into an unused area 17, which is an area. Further, the used area 1 of the disk 15 of the transfer source client 2
A backup target file 18 is stored in 6. A backup file 19 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3. Further, the old backup file 20 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the old transfer destination client 4. The server 1, the transfer source client 2, the transfer destination client 3, and the old transfer destination client 4 are connected by the network 22.

In order to protect the backup target file 18 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer source client 2 from loss due to the failure of the disk 15, a backup file 19 having information for recovering the backup target file 18 is created, Regarding the processing of storing in a storage medium other than the disk 15, so-called backup processing, the present embodiment uses an unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 connected by the network 22 as the storage medium. is there.

That is, in this embodiment, the backup file 19 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 having a sufficiently large unused area 17 via the network 22 and is required later. According to the above, the backup file 19 is used to recover the backup target file 18, and in order to realize this, an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 is created. A process of searching for the transfer destination client 3 having the disk 15 including it, a process of securing the unused area 17 when the unused area 17 is insufficient, and a disk 15 of the transfer destination client 3 storing the backup file 19 If a failure occurs in the backup, create a new backup file 19 Process to be stored in 15 and performs like.

In the present embodiment, the server backup control unit 11 and the client backup control unit 12, which are software for controlling and executing the above-mentioned backup processing, are located inside the OS 14, respectively. The above processing is performed using the backup management information that is centrally held.

In this embodiment, the above information system is
By performing the same operation as that described in the first embodiment, it is possible to realize the same function as that realized in the first embodiment.

However, the client of the transfer destination client 3 in the search processing of the transfer destination client 3 having the unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 explained in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. In the process of securing the area for storing the backup file 19 performed by the backup control unit 12 for the disk 15, the processing is performed inside the OS 14 of the transfer destination client 3, and therefore the existence of the area is notified to the user. On the other hand, it is possible to perform the securing process while hiding it. The backup file 1 to the disk 15 by the client backup control unit 12 of the transfer destination client 3 in the transfer processing of the backup file 19 described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment.
In the storage process of 9, the process is the transfer destination client 3
Since it is performed inside the OS 14, the backup file 19 can be stored while the existence of the backup file 19 is hidden from the user. By the above processing, the backup process can be executed without the user of the transfer destination client 3 being aware of the execution of the backup process, and unnecessary operation by the user can be prevented.

In the above processing method, when the authentication processing using encryption is performed in the communication between the computers via the network 22, or the backup file 19 is transferred to the backup file 19 via the network 22. When performing encryption or managing and limiting the access right to the backup file 19 stored in the transfer destination client 3, since these processes can be performed inside the OS 14 of the transfer destination client 3, With respect to these processes, a process dedicated to the backup process, for example, a process of setting a special access right to the backup file 19 can be performed. by this,
It is possible to enhance security against unauthorized access to the information system by the user and prevent erroneous operation by the user.

Further, since the disk 15 can be read and written without going through the file system of the OS 14, an area which is inevitably generated in the striped disk array device and which cannot be used through the file system is created. It can be used effectively.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an information system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 6 is a computer (transfer source computer) having a file 18 to be backed up, and an operating system (OS) 1
4 has a backup control unit 13 inside. Reference numeral 7 denotes a computer (transfer destination computer) having a backup file 19 for recovering the backup target file 18, which has a backup control unit 13 inside an operating system (OS) 14. 8 is the file to be backed up 18
Computer (old transfer destination computer) that has an old backup file (old backup file 20) for recovering
4 has a backup control unit 13 inside. The server 1, the transfer source computer 6, the transfer destination computer 7, and the old transfer destination computer 8 are
Each has a disc 15 and each disc 15
The area is divided into a used area 16 used by the OS 14 and the application, and an unused area 17 which is the other area. Further, a backup target file 18 is stored in the used area 16 of the disk 15 of the transfer source computer 6. Also, the transfer destination computer 7
The backup file 19 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15. Further, the old backup file 20 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the old transfer destination computer 8. The transfer source computer 6, the transfer destination computer 7, and the old transfer destination computer 8 are connected by a network 22.

In order to protect the backup target file 18 stored in the disk 15 of the transfer source computer 6 from loss due to a failure of the disk 15, a backup file 19 having information for recovering the backup target file 18 is created, Regarding the processing of storing in a storage medium other than the disk 15, so-called backup processing, this embodiment uses an unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 connected by the network 22 as the storage medium. is there.

That is, in this embodiment, the backup file 19 is stored in the unused area 17 of the disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 having a sufficiently large unused area 17 via the network 22 and is required later. According to the above, the backup file 19 is used to recover the backup target file 18, and in order to realize this, an unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 is created. A process of searching for the transfer destination computer 7 having the disk 15 including it, a process of securing the unused area 17 when the unused area 17 is insufficient, and a disk 15 of the transfer destination computer 7 storing the backup file 19 If a failure occurs in the backup, create a new backup file 19 Process to be stored in 15 and performs like.

In the present embodiment, the backup control unit 13, which is software for controlling and executing the above-mentioned backup processing, has the OS 14 in each computer.
Stored in the disk 15 of each computer, which is located inside the
The transfer destination backup management information about the backup file 19 and the transfer source backup management information about the backup target file 18 are mutually utilized between the computers to perform the above processing.

In this embodiment, the above information system is
By performing the same operation as that described in the second embodiment, the same function as that realized in the second embodiment can be realized.

However, the backup control unit 13 of the transfer destination computer 7 in the search processing of the transfer destination computer 7 having the unused area 17 of a sufficient size for storing the backup file 19 described in the second embodiment. In the process of securing an area for storing the backup file 19 performed on the disk 15 by the process performed inside the OS 14 of the transfer destination computer 7, the existence of the area remains hidden from the user. Secure processing can be performed. The backup control unit 1 of the transfer destination computer 7 in the transfer processing of the backup file 19 described in the second embodiment.
In the process of storing the backup file 19 in the disk 15 according to No. 3, the process is
Since the processing is performed inside S14, the backup file 19 can be stored while the existence of the backup file 19 is hidden from the user. By the above processing, the backup processing can be executed without the user of the transfer destination computer 7 being aware of the execution of the backup processing, and unnecessary operation by the user can be prevented.

Further, in the above processing method, when the authentication processing using the encryption is performed in the communication between the computers via the network 22, or the backup file 19 is transferred to the backup file 19 via the network 22. When performing encryption or managing and limiting the access right to the backup file 19 stored in the transfer destination computer 7, since these processes can be performed inside the OS 14 of the transfer destination computer 7, Regarding these processes, it is possible to perform a process dedicated to the backup process, for example, a process of setting a special access right to the backup file 19. by this,
It is possible to enhance security against unauthorized access to the information system by the user and prevent erroneous operation by the user.

Since the disk 15 can be read and written without going through the file system of the OS 14, an area which is inevitable in the striped disk array device and which cannot be used through the file system is created. It can be used effectively.

[0119]

As described above, according to the present invention, the backed up data is stored by effectively utilizing the unused area of the disk of the computer on the network. The frequency of using the medium can be reduced. In addition to this, it is possible to reduce the work required in the backup process and reduce the load on the user for the backup process. Similarly, the work required in the process of recovering the data in the disk device by using the backed up data can be reduced, the user's load for the recovery process can be reduced, and the recovery process can be promptly performed. . Further, the continuous cost for the replaceable recording medium can be reduced. Further, for example, in a network including 50 disk devices, if there is an unused area of 50 MB in each disk device, the entire network becomes 2.5
An unused area such as GB can be effectively used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transfer destination client search processing flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram relating to a search process of the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a backup file transfer processing flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a recovery processing flow of a backup target file according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow when a disk of a transfer destination client fails according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of processing when an unused area runs short in the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a first diagram showing a processing flow when an unused area is insufficient according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second diagram showing a processing flow when the unused area is insufficient according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a backup file management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of processing when an unused area runs short in the information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer destination backup file management table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer source backup file management table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an information processing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an information processing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user setting information according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a time table according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a computer registration table according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 server 2 transfer source client 3 transfer destination client 4 old transfer destination client 5 new transfer destination client 6 transfer source computer 7 transfer destination computer 8 old transfer destination computer 9 new transfer destination computer 10 search target computer 11 server backup control unit 12 client Backup control unit 13 Backup control unit 14 OS 15 Disk 16 Used area 17 Unused area 18 Backup target file 19 Backup file 20 Old backup file 21 New backup file 22 Network 23 groups

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoto Matsunami 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Stock Company Hitachi Systems Development Laboratory (72) Inori Yasunori 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi (72) Inventor Ikuya Yagisawa 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Stock Company Hitachi Systems Development Laboratory

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A backup processing method for recovering data stored in an external storage device of a computer connected by a network when the external storage device has a failure, which is stored in the external storage device. Check whether there is an unused area of the external storage device that can be used for multiple computers connected to the network in order to store the backup data. A computer for storing backup data among a plurality of computers having an external storage device to be stored, and a computer determined to store the backup data from a computer having an external storage device having data to be backed up To the backup via the network. When transferring data, storing the backup data in an unused area of the determined external storage device of the computer, and performing recovery processing of the data to be backed up using the backup data, the backup data It is confirmed which computer is equipped with an external storage device, and the backup data is transferred from the computer to the computer having the data to be backed up via the network, and the backup data is transferred. A backup processing method, characterized in that the backup target data is recovered by using the backup processing. 2. The backup processing method according to claim 1, wherein backup data for recovering data to be backed up is generated, and the backup data is stored in a computer on a network. Check if the old backup data generated in the past backup process exists on any computer on the network. If there is past backup data, delete the past backup data on the computer. Characteristic backup processing method. 3. The backup processing method according to claim 1, wherein the computer on the network confirms whether there is an unused area of the external storage device that can be used to store the backup data. If the unused area of the available external storage device does not exist in all computers on the network to be inquired about, it exists in the area of the external storage device of the computer to be inquired. The backup processing method is characterized in that the backup data generated by the backup processing for the arbitrary data is selected, the backup data is deleted, and a necessary unused area is secured. 4. The backup processing method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the external storage device of the computer is expanded by expanding the area of the external storage device used by the operating system and the application of the computer on the network. When the shortage of the area is detected, whether the backup data stored in the unused area of the external storage device is selected and the unused area of the external storage device that can be used for storing the backup data exists. To another computer on the network, determine a computer that stores the backup data from among the computers having the available unused area, transfer the backup data to the computer, and execute the backup. Data is stored in the external storage of the computer Backup processing method characterized by storing in an unused area of the location. 5. The backup processing method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein whether or not an unused area of an external storage device that can be used to store backup data exists on a network is checked. When there is no unused area of the external storage device that can be used in all the computers on the network to be queried, the past backup data is deleted and the required unused area is not used. A backup processing method characterized by securing an area. 6. The backup processing method according to claim 3, wherein the backup data to be deleted is set by the user of the computer before the deletion and is used to specify a file to be backed up. A backup processing method characterized by performing processing based on user setting information including at least information for identifying a transfer source computer, backup start date and time, and type of final backup processing. 7. The backup process according to claim 6, further comprising a time table set by a computer user for storing information for specifying a file to be backed up and date and time to perform the backup process.
A backup processing method, which is created based on the user setting information and starts backup processing. 8. The backup process according to claim 1, wherein when a failure occurs in an external storage device storing backup data, the data to be recovered by the backup data is added. A backup processing method is characterized by activating backup processing. 9. The backup process according to claim 1, wherein data to be restored is stored by backup data stored in an external storage device of a computer on a network. A backup processing method, wherein the backup processing is started for the data when a failure of an external storage device is detected. 10. In a computer system in which a plurality of computers each having an external storage device are connected to each other, a first computer having an external storage device having data to be backed up and an available unused area are provided. A second computer having an external storage device having the same; backup control means for storing backup data of data stored in the external storage device of the first computer in the external storage device of the second computer; A computer system comprising: 11. The backup control means according to claim 10, wherein the backup control means generates backup data for recovering data to be backed up and stores the backup data in an external storage device of the second computer. In the above, it is confirmed whether the backup data generated in the past backup processing for the data exists in any of the mutually connected computers, and if the past backup data exists, A computer system characterized by causing a computer having the past backup data to delete the past backup data. 12. The backup control means according to claim 10 or 11, whether or not there is an unused area of an external storage device that can be used to store backup data for mutually connected computers. If there is no unused area of the external storage device that can be used, the backup data of the past backup process existing in the area of the external storage device of the computer is selected, and the past backup is selected. A computer system characterized by deleting data. 13. The backup control means according to claim 10, 11 or 12, by expanding the area of an external storage device used by an operating system and an application of the mutually connected computers. When a shortage of the external storage device of the computer is detected, the backup data stored in the unused area of the external storage device is selected, and the external storage device available for storing the backup data is not selected. Whether or not there is a used area is confirmed by the other computers connected to each other, and the computer storing the backup data is determined from among the plurality of computers having the usable area, Transferring the backup data to the computer, Is stored in an unused area of an external storage device of the computer in which the backup data is stored. 14. The backup control means according to claim 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein whether or not an unused area of an external storage device that can be used for storing backup data exists is connected to each other. It is confirmed that the backup data is deleted in the case where the unused area of the usable external storage device does not exist in all the computers to be confirmed at this time. And computer system. 15. The backup control means according to claim 12 or 14, for specifying a backup target file set by a computer user before deleting the past backup data to be deleted. A computer system characterized by performing processing based on user setting information including at least information, information for identifying a transfer source computer, backup start date and time, and backup final processing type. 16. The backup control means according to claim 15, wherein the user has a time table for storing information for specifying a file to be backed up set by a user of the computer and a date and time to carry out the backing up process. A computer system characterized by being created based on setting information and starting a backup process. 17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15,
The computer system, wherein the backup control means detects a failure that has occurred in an external storage device that stores backup data, and starts a backup process for data to be restored by the backup data. 18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17,
The backup control means detects a failure of the external storage device in which the data is stored, by performing backup processing on the data to be restored by the backup data stored in the external storage devices of the mutually connected computers. Is activated for the data. 19. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 18,
The computer system, wherein the backup control means is present outside an operating system that controls the computer system. 20. In any one of claims 10 to 18,
The computer system, wherein the backup control means exists inside an operating system that controls the computer system. 21. In any one of claims 10 to 20,
The backup control means, in the data that is the target of the backup process and the backup process,
The backup file name, the backup file creation date and time, the size of the backup file, the information for identifying the transfer source computer, the backup target file name, and the transfer source computer for the backup data generated so that the data can be recovered. A computer system having management information having at least information for use. 22. In any one of claims 10 to 20,
The backup control means is provided for each computer, and the backup file name, the backup file creation date and time, the backup file name, and the backup file for the backup target data and the backup data generated to restore the data in the backup process. The plurality of backup control means dispersively have management information having at least a size, information for identifying a transfer source computer, a backup target file name, and information for identifying a transfer source computer. Computer system. 23. In any one of claims 10 to 22,
A computer system using a disk device as the external storage device.