Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium that records history information control program

A method and an apparatus include storing history information into a first storage section that accumulates history information concerning a process performed, transmitting a received acquisition request of the history information accumulated into the first storage section, transmitting the accumulated history information to the history information accumulation section having transmitted the acquisition request, transmitting the history information to the another history information accumulation section, transmitting the acquisition request to the first history information accumulation section at a time of startup, and storing the transmitted history information into a second storage section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-72286, filed on Mar. 19, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method thereof.

BACKGROUND

In the prior art, various kinds of backup techniques have been discussed (JP-A-2000-89917, JP-A-2002-49534, JP-A-2002-297427, and JP-A-H11-53123). For example, in an information processing apparatus provided with a processing section for performing a predetermined processing and a log information accumulation section having a storage section for accumulating log information which is the log of the processing section, a technique is known in which log information is multiplexed and synchronously recorded into a plurality of log information accumulation sections.

For example, in the information processing apparatus, the log information accumulation sections are composed of a log information accumulation section of an operation system for acquiring log information from the processing section and storing the information into a storage section; and a log acquisition apparatus of a standby system for acquiring the log information acquired by the log information accumulation section of operation system, and storing the information into a storage section. Further, in this information processing apparatus, a technique is employed that at the time of synchronizing the log information, the log information accumulation section of operation system monitors the startup timing of the standby-system log information accumulation section.

That is, in the prior art information processing apparatus, the operation-system log information accumulation section always monitors whether the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up. Then, when a monitoring result that the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up is obtained, the operation-system log information accumulation section transmits the acquired log information to the standby-system log information accumulation section.

Then, the standby-system log information accumulation section stores into the storage section the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section. As a result, synchronization is established between the log information stored in the operation-system log information accumulation section and the log information stored in the standby-system log information accumulation section.

Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned technique, the operation-system log information accumulation section needs to monitor whether the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up. This has prevented reduction of processing load of synchronization.

For example, in the prior art technique, the operation-system log information accumulation section always monitors whether the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up. Then, only when the startup is confirmed, log information is transmitted to the standby-system log information accumulation section. Thus, in the prior art the information processing apparatus, log information synchronization cannot be achieved without the necessity of monitoring whether the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up. This has prevented reduction of processing load of synchronization. Here, the above-mentioned Patent Documents do not disclose a technique of synchronization processing without monitoring.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided for processing information. According to an embodiment a method that controls an information processing apparatus including storing history information acquired from a processing section into a first storage section provided in a first history information accumulation section that accumulates history information concerning a process performed by a processing section, transmitting a received acquisition request of the history information accumulated into the first storage section, transmitting the accumulated history information to another history information accumulation section having transmitted the acquisition request, transmitting the history information to the other history information accumulation section, transmitting the acquisition request to the first history information accumulation section at a time of startup, and storing the transmitted history information into a second storage section provided in a second history information accumulation section.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of an information processing apparatus are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1illustrates an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing section that performs a (certain) process, and a log information accumulation section including a storage section that accumulates log information of the process performed by the processing section. The log information is an example of history information.

The log information accumulation section, in other words, a monitor unit, is installed in the information processing apparatus. The log information accumulation section acquires log information from the processing section such as a system board and an IO unit provided in the information processing apparatus. While a few examples of a processing section is provided, the present invention is not limited to acquiring processing information from any particular section. Instead, the present invention may acquire information of processing(s) from any system, processor, computer, and/or device that performs specialized or general operation(s).

The log information indicates a state of the information processing apparatus. A log concerning a processing section provided in an information processing apparatus, for example, such as a main (business) server may correspond to the “log information” mentioned here. An example of the “log information” is a log that indicates presence or occurrence of abnormality in the processing section.

The information processing apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1has N processing sections, processing section1to processing section N, and two log information accumulation sections. Further, the information processing apparatus has an operation-system log information accumulation section and a standby-system log information accumulation section that serve as log information accumulation sections.

The operation-system log information accumulation section indicates a log information accumulation section that is presently acquiring log information from the processing section as illustrated in part (1) ofFIG. 1. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1(1), the operation-system log information accumulation section acquires log information concerning each processing section from each of the processing sections1to N.

As illustrated inFIG. 1(2), the operation-system log information accumulation section stores log information newly acquired from any of the processing section into a first storage section serving as a storage section provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1(2), the operation-system log information accumulation section stores the log information acquired from each of the processing sections1to N into the first storage section.

The standby-system log information accumulation section acquires log information from the operation-system log information accumulation section. The standby-system log information accumulation section illustrated inFIG. 1acquires the log information stored in the first storage section from the operation-system log information accumulation section, and stores the acquired information into the second storage section provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section.

As illustrated inFIG. 1(3), the standby-system log information accumulation section starts up. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 1(4), the standby-system log information accumulation section transmits an acquisition request for log information to the operation-system log information accumulation section. The “acquisition request” indicates that the standby-system log information accumulation section requests the acquisition of log information accumulated into the first storage section by the operation-system log information accumulation section. An example of the “acquisition request” is a request for acquiring all log information accumulated in the first storage section issued at a point in time that the standby-system log information accumulation section transmits an acquisition request, or alternatively at a point in time that the acquisition request is received by the operation-system log information accumulation section.

As illustrated inFIG. 1(5), in the information processing apparatus, the operation-system log information accumulation section transmits all log information. When receiving an acquisition request from the standby-system log information accumulation section serving as another log information accumulation section, the operation-system log information accumulation section transmits the log information accumulated in the first storage section to the standby-system log information accumulation section having transmitted the acquisition request.

As illustrated inFIG. 1(6), in the information processing apparatus, the standby-system log information accumulation section stores the log information received from the operation-system log information accumulation section. The standby-system log information accumulation section stores all log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section in response to an acquisition request, into a second storage section provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section.

In the information processing apparatus, when the operation-system log information accumulation section newly acquires log information from the processing section as shown inFIG. 1(7), the operation-system log information accumulation section transmits the newly acquired log information to the standby-system log information accumulation section as illustrated inFIG. 1(8).

In the information processing apparatus, as illustrated inFIG. 1(9), the standby-system log information accumulation section stores the log information newly transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section. That is, the standby-system log information accumulation section stores the log information newly acquired by the operation-system log information accumulation section into the second storage section and transmitted to the standby-system log information accumulation section.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus, without monitoring whether the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up, the operation-system log information accumulation section may synchronize the data stored in the operation-system log information accumulation section with the data stored in the standby-system log information accumulation section. Thus, in the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment, the processing load of synchronization of data can be reduced.

The information processing apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1is further described below with reference toFIGS. 2 to 6. Description is given below of a configuration of an information processing apparatus, a hardware configuration of a log information accumulation section, and a configuration of software of the log information accumulation section. The following description is given for a case that the information processing apparatus has one operation-system log information accumulation section and one standby-system log information accumulation section. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The information processing apparatus may have a plurality of standby-system log information accumulation sections.

The configuration of the information processing apparatus is described below with reference toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the information processing apparatus200has a crossbar board (XB)201and a status display panel202. The information processing apparatus200has a power supply unit205and a cooling fan206. The information processing apparatus200further has a system board (SB)208, an IO unit (IOU)209, and a line switch210.

The information processing apparatus200has a plurality of log information accumulation sections. InFIG. 2, the information processing apparatus200has one operation-system log information accumulation section300and one standby-system log information accumulation section400.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the information processing apparatus200has a plurality of power supply units205and a plurality of cooling fans206. The information processing apparatus200has two XBs201and two line switches210. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular number of components.

The information processing apparatus200has an operation-system log information accumulation section300and a standby-system log information accumulation section400that serve as log information accumulation sections. The XBs201, the status display panel202, the power supply unit205, the cooling fan206, the SBs208, the IOUs209, and the line switches210are individually (directly) connected only to the operation-system log information accumulation section300, but not connected to the standby-system log information accumulation section400. Further, the information processing apparatus200is connected to a remote management apparatus100for managing the information processing apparatus200.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, an embodiment describes for a case that the XBs201, the status display panel202, the power supply unit205, the cooling fan206, the SBs208, the IOUs209, the line switches210, and the log information accumulation section are provided inside the information processing apparatus200. In an embodiment, the remote management apparatus100is located outside the information processing apparatus200.

The following description is given under the assumption that the XBs201, the status display panel202, the power supply unit205, the cooling fan206, the SBs208, the IOUs209, and the line switches210individually serve as processing sections for performing certain (predetermined) processing.

The XBs201are connected with the SBs208, the IOUs209, and the operation-system log information accumulation section300. The XBs201connects each of the plurality of SBs208to each of the plurality of IOUs209in one-to-one correspondence, and controls data transfer between each of the SBs208and each of the IOUs209. In a case that two XBs201are provided in the information processing apparatus200, the two XBs201have a similar function to each other. Further, the two XBs have a mutually similar connecting relation to other processing sections. When the two XBs201are operating normally, the two XBs201perform corresponding process individually. Further, when abnormality occurs in one XB201, the XB201having the abnormality is disconnected by reboot of the server and the like. Alternatively, the process of the XB201having the abnormality is terminated, and then the other XB201having no abnormality processes the data transfer. The above-mentioned description has been given for the case that the XBs201connect each of the plurality of SBs208to each of the plurality of IOUs209in one-to-one correspondence. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The SBs and the IOUs may be connected in plural-to-plural correspondence.

The status display panel202is connected to the operation-system log information accumulation section300. The status display panel202displays information concerning the information processing apparatus200to, for example, a managing operator who manages the information processing apparatus200. When power is supplied to the information processing apparatus200and hence the information processing apparatus200can perform corresponding process, the status display panel202turns ON a certain LED, for example, an LED “A”. Further, when power is not supplied to the information processing apparatus200and hence the information processing apparatus200cannot perform corresponding process, the status display panel202turns OFF the LED.

The power supply unit205is connected to the operation-system log information accumulation section300. The power supply unit205supplies power to other processing sections. The cooling fan206is connected to the operation-system log information accumulation section300. The cooling fan206is used for cooling other apparatuses.

The SBs208are connected to the XBs201and the operation-system log information accumulation section300. Each SB208has a CPU, a memory, and the like, and performs corresponding process in the information processing apparatus200. The IOUs209are connected to the XBs201and the operation-system log information accumulation section300. Each IOU209inputs and outputs data. The line switches210are connected to the operation-system log information accumulation section300. Each line switch210is connected to the line outside the information processing apparatus200and realizes a switching function.

When abnormality occurs during the process such as the execution of a certain application, the SBs208, the IOUs209, and the line switches210transmit to the operation-system log information accumulation section300log information concerning the abnormality and an instruction of registering the log information, that is, a command for requesting the registration of the log information.

As described below, each log information accumulation section has a storage section for accumulating the log information of the process performed by the processing section. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the log information accumulation sections includes the operation-system log information accumulation section300and the standby-system log information accumulation section400. The operation-system log information accumulation section300are connected to the standby-system log information accumulation section400. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the operation-system log information accumulation section300and the standby-system log information accumulation section400connected to each other through a LAN in the inside of the information processing apparatus200. While some components inFIG. 2are described as being connected to other(s), the present invention is not limited to such configurations.

The hardware configuration of the log information accumulation section is described below with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a log information accumulation section according to an embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the log information accumulation section has serial communication bus ports501, BUS-SWs502, a serial communication bus controller503, an inter-log-information-accumulation-section LAN ports504, a RAM505, a nonvolatile memory B506, a nonvolatile memory C507, a nonvolatile memory A508, and an MPU509.

The log information accumulation sections includes the operation-system log information accumulation section300and the standby-system log information accumulation section400. In the following description, the configuration of the log information accumulation section is described with reference toFIG. 3for a case that the operation-system log information accumulation section300and the standby-system log information accumulation section400have the same structure.

The difference between the operation-system log information accumulation section300and the standby-system log information accumulation section400according to an embodiment will be described below briefly. The standby-system log information accumulation section400is not connected to the individual sections provided in the information processing apparatus200. That is, the plurality of the serial communication bus ports501in the standby-system log information accumulation section400are not connected to the individual sections in the information processing apparatus200. Further, the operation-system log information accumulation section300is always provided inside the information processing apparatus200, while information of the standby-system log information accumulation section400is exchanged at a fixed period.

When failure occurs in the operation-system log information accumulation section300so that an operation system cannot continue an operation, or alternatively when the operation-system log information accumulation section300is to be exchanged in accordance with an instruction of a user, the operation-system log information accumulation section300operates as the standby system, while the standby-system log information accumulation section400operates as the operation system. At that time, the plurality of serial communication bus ports501in the operation-system log information accumulation section300are disconnected from the individual sections in the information processing apparatus200. Then, instead, the plurality of serial communication bus ports501in the standby-system log information accumulation section are connected to the individual sections in the information processing apparatus200.

When abnormality occurs during the execution of the process, the standby-system log information accumulation section400transmits to the operation-system log information accumulation section300log information concerning the abnormality, and an instruction of registering the log information, that is, a command for requesting the registration of the log information.

The serial communication bus ports501, the BUS-SWs502, the serial communication bus controller503, the inter-log-information-accumulation-section LAN ports504, the RAM505, the nonvolatile memory B506, the nonvolatile memory C507, the nonvolatile memory A508, and the MPU509each performs corresponding process.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the log information accumulation section has the plurality of serial communication bus ports501and the BUS-SWs502.

The serial communication bus ports501are connected to the BUS-SWs502in the inside of the log information accumulation section. Further, the serial communication bus ports501are connected to the individual processing sections in the information processing apparatus200located outside the log information accumulation section. Examples of the processing sections include the XBs201, the status display panel202, the power supply unit205, the cooling fan206, the SBs208, the IOUs209, and the line switches210. The plurality of serial communication bus ports501are connected to the individual processing sections in the information processing apparatus200located outside the log information accumulation section.

Each serial communication bus port501relays the data transmitted and received between each processing section in the information processing apparatus200located outside the log information accumulation section and the operation-system log information accumulation section.

The BUS-SWs502are connected to the serial communication bus ports501and the serial communication bus controller503. Each of the plurality of BUS-SWs502is connected to each of the plurality of serial communication bus ports501. Further, each BUS-SW502relays data transmitted and received between the serial communication bus ports501and the serial communication bus controller503. Each of the BUS-SWs502collects information received from the individual sections in the information processing apparatus200by the plurality of serial communication bus ports501respectively, and then transmits the collected information to the serial communication bus controller503. Further, in accordance with the information received from the serial communication bus controller503, each BUS-SW502identifies a processing section to which the information is to be transmitted in the information processing apparatus200. The BUS-SW502transmits the information to a serial communication bus port501connected to the identified processing section.

The serial communication bus controller503is connected to the BUS-SWs502, the inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504, the RAM505, the nonvolatile memory B506, the nonvolatile memory C507, the nonvolatile memory A508, and the MPU509. The serial communication bus controller503relays data transmitted and received between the BUS-SWs502and the MPU509.

The inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504are connected to the serial communication bus controller503, the RAM505, the nonvolatile memory B506, the nonvolatile memory C507, the nonvolatile memory A508, and the MPU509. Further, the inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504are connected to other log information accumulation sections. Each inter log information accumulation section LAN port504relays data transmitted and received between other log information accumulation sections and the MPU509.

The RAM505is connected to the serial communication bus controller503, the inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504, the nonvolatile memory B506, the nonvolatile memory C507, the nonvolatile memory A508, and the MPU509. The RAM505serves as a main memory when the MPU509operates. Further, the RAM505stores temporarily log information of the individual sections in the information processing apparatus200inputted by the MPU509. After the log information inputted to the RAM505is read, the log information is deleted by the MPU509. Alternatively, another data is overwritten by the MPU509.

The nonvolatile memory B506is connected to the serial communication bus controller503, the inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504, the RAM505, the nonvolatile memory C507, the nonvolatile memory A508, and the MPU509. The nonvolatile memory B506stores, for example, an operating system (OS) executed by the MPU509.

The nonvolatile memory C507is connected to the serial communication bus controller503, the inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504, the RAM505, the nonvolatile memory B506, the nonvolatile memory A508, and the MPU509. The nonvolatile memory C507stores log information. Further, as described later, the nonvolatile memory C507receives the input of log information from the MPU509, and stores the inputted log information.

The nonvolatile memory A508, is connected to the serial communication bus controller503, the inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504, the RAM505, the nonvolatile memory B506, the nonvolatile memory C507, and the MPU509. The nonvolatile memory A508stores software for controlling the log information accumulation section. Further, the nonvolatile memory A508receives log information inputted from the MPU509and then stores the inputted log information.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the nonvolatile memory C507and the nonvolatile memory A508store the log information inputted to the MPU509. The nonvolatile memory C507and the nonvolatile memory A508store log information, an information source that indicates the information source of the log information and an acquisition date and time that indicates the date and time of acquisition of the log information, in a corresponding manner. InFIG. 4, the nonvolatile memory C507and the nonvolatile memory A508store the log information “voltage abnormality”, the information source “power supply unit”, and the acquisition date and time “2008/3/3” in a corresponding manner.

An embodiment describes a case where without requiring distinguishing between the nonvolatile memory C507and the nonvolatile memory A508, the log information accumulation section stores the log information into a vacant region in any one of the nonvolatile memory C507and the nonvolatile memory A508.

An embodiment describes a case that the “information source” and the “acquisition date and time” are used in a correspondence manner to the log information. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the “log information” may solely be used. Further, any one of the log information, the “acquisition date and time”, the “information source” may be used. Alternatively, another information may be used together.

The MPU509is connected to the serial communication bus controller503, the inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504, the RAM505, the nonvolatile memory B506, the nonvolatile memory C507, the nonvolatile memory A508. The MPU509executes the software stored in the nonvolatile memory A508to control the log information accumulation sections. When log information is transmitted from the individual sections in the information processing apparatus200to the serial communication bus controller503, the MPU509stores the transmitted log information into the RAM505. Details of process for the log information stored in the RAM505are described later.

The flow of log information in the operation-system log information accumulation section300is described below. Log information inputted from outside of the operation-system log information accumulation section300to the operation-system log information accumulation section300is transmitted to the MPU509via the serial communication bus ports501, the BUS-SWs502, and the serial communication bus controller503, and stored into the RAM505. The log information stored in the RAM505is stored into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508by the MPU509.

The software configuration of the log information accumulation section is described below. For simplicity of description, the configuration of the operation-system log information accumulation section of description is described first. Then, the configuration of the standby-system log information accumulation section is described next.

The following description is given under the assumption that different kinds of software used respectively in the operation-system log information accumulation section300and the standby-system log information accumulation section400are stored in the nonvolatile memory A508.

Although not mentioned in the following description, the following process is performed when the MPU509reads the software stored in the nonvolatile memory A508and then executes the software. In other words, software that sets forth processes described below is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory A508.

The operation-system log information accumulation section300is described below with reference toFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation-system log information accumulation section according to an embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the operation-system log information accumulation section has a log management section601, an apparatus monitoring section602, a log registration request receiving section603, and an inter-system communication section604.

The log management section601of the operation system acquires log information. The log management section601receives log information and a log information registration request from each processing section of the information processing apparatus200. Then, at each time of reception, the log management section601stores the received log information into the RAM505.

The log management section601receives log information and a log information registration request transmitted from the SBs208, the IOUs209, or the line switches210via the serial communication bus ports501. The log management section601receives log information and a log information registration request from the standby-system log information accumulation section400via the inter log information accumulation section LAN ports504.

For example, when receiving log information “application abnormal termination” and a log registration request from an IOU209, the log management section601inputs into the RAM505the log information “application abnormal termination” and the information source “IOU” in a corresponding manner. At the time of reception of the log information and the log registration request, the log management section601adopts as the “acquisition date and time” the time of reception of the log information “application abnormal termination” and the log registration request, and inputs the “acquisition date and time” into the RAM505in a corresponding manner to the log information.

The apparatus monitoring section602of operation system acquires the log information. The apparatus monitoring section602monitors a state of each of the individual processing sections of the information processing apparatus200to detect abnormality. When detecting abnormality, the apparatus monitoring section602stores log information concerning the detected abnormality into the RAM505at each time of detection.

The apparatus monitoring section602monitors the individual processing sections of the information processing apparatus200that has the XBs201, the status display panel202, the power supply unit205, the cooling fan206, the SBs208, the IOUs209, the line switches210, and the standby-system log information accumulation section400. The apparatus monitoring section602monitors, for example, whether the voltage of each processing section of the information processing apparatus200has a normal value or not. At each time of detection of abnormality, the apparatus monitoring section602stores the detected log information into the RAM505.

When voltage abnormality in the power supply unit205is detected, the apparatus monitoring section602stores into the RAM505the log information “voltage abnormality”, the information source of the log information “power supply unit”, and the acquisition date and time “2008/3/3”.

The difference between the log information acquired by the log management section601and the log information acquired by the apparatus monitoring section602is described below briefly. The log management section601receives log information and a log registration request from a processing section among the individual processing sections of the information processing apparatus200that transmits log information to the log information accumulation section spontaneously when abnormality occurs, and thereby the log management section601acquires the log information. In contrast, the apparatus monitoring section602monitors always or periodically the individual processing sections of the information processing apparatus200, and thereby monitors the basic states of the individual processing sections and the presence or absence of abnormality in the voltages or the like. Then, when abnormality is detected, the apparatus monitoring section602acquires log information.

The log registration request receiving section603of operation system stores the log information into the storage section. The log registration request receiving section603stores the log information newly acquired from the processing section of the information processing apparatus200into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section300. Further, at each time that the log information is stored into the RAM505by the log management section601and the apparatus monitoring section602, the log registration request receiving section603reads the log information from the RAM505. The log registration request receiving section603stores the log information read from the RAM505into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section300.

Further, the log registration request receiving section603transmits the log information read from the RAM505to the inter-system communication section604of the operation system.

The inter-system communication section604of the operation system transmits the newly acquired log information to the another log information accumulation section. The inter-system communication section604receives from the log registration request receiving section603the log information newly acquired from the processing section of the information processing apparatus200. The inter-system communication section604transmits the received new log information to the log registration request receiving section704of standby system.

The inter-system communication section604transmits to the another log information accumulation sections all log information accumulated in the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section300. The inter-system communication section604receives the acquisition request, and transmits the log information accumulated in the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section, to the another log information accumulation sections serving as the transmitting sources of the acquisition request, that is, to the standby-system log information accumulation section400.

The inter-system communication section604receives an acquisition request from the standby-system log information accumulation section400. The inter-system communication section604reads all log information stored in the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section300at the time of reception of the acquisition request. The inter-system communication section604transmits all read-out log information to the standby-system log information accumulation section400having transmitted the acquisition request.

The following description is given for an exemplary case that the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section300stores a set of the log information “voltage abnormality”, the information source “power supply unit”, and the acquisition date and time “2008/3/3”, and a set of the log information “application abnormal termination”, the information source “IOU”, and the acquisition date and time “2008/3/5”. The inter-system communication section604receives an acquisition request from the standby-system log information accumulation section400. The inter-system communication section604reads from the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section300the set of the log information “voltage abnormality”, the information source “power supply unit”, and the acquisition date and time “2008/3/3”, and the set of the log information “application abnormal termination”, the information source “IOU”, and the acquisition date and time “2008/3/5”. The inter-system communication section604transmits to the standby-system log information accumulation section400the set of the log information “voltage abnormality”, the information source “power supply unit”, and the acquisition date and time “2008/3/3”, and the set of the log information “application abnormal termination”, the information source “IOU”, and the acquisition date and time “2008/3/5” which have been read.

The standby-system log information accumulation section400is described below with reference toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a standby-system log information accumulation section according to an embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the standby-system log information accumulation section400has a log management section703, a log registration request receiving section704, an inter-system communication section702, and an initialization section701.

At the time of startup of the standby-system log information accumulation section400, the initialization section701of standby system transmits an acquisition request to the operation-system log information accumulation section300, that is, to the inter-system communication section604, via the inter-system communication section702. The startup indicates, for example, a point in time that the existing standby-system log information accumulation section400is exchanged so that a new standby-system log information accumulation section400is connected to the information processing apparatus200, or alternatively a point in time that power is initially supplied to the information processing apparatus200so that the information processing apparatus200has started up. It is assumed that at the time of startup, no log information is accumulated in the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400corresponding to the startup.

The inter-system communication section702of standby system relays an acquisition request to be transmitted from the initialization section701to the operation-system log information accumulation section300.

The inter-system communication section702transmits to the log management section703of the standby system the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section300to the standby-system log information accumulation section400. In response to the acquisition request transmitted from the initialization section701, the inter-system communication section702receives the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section300. The inter-system communication section702transmits the received log information to the log management section703.

The inter-system communication section702receives the log information newly acquired and transmitted by the operation-system log information accumulation section300. The inter-system communication section702transmits the received log information to the log management section703.

The log management section703of the standby system stores into the RAM505the log information transmitted from the inter-system communication section702. The log management section703receives from the inter-system communication section702: the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section300in response to the acquisition request; and the log information newly acquired and transmitted by the operation-system log information accumulation section300. The log management section703stores the received log information into the RAM505.

The log registration request receiving section704of the standby system stores the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section300into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400. The log registration request receiving section704reads the log information stored into the RAM505by the log management section703, and stores the read-out log information into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400.

In an embodiment, the log management section703has stored into the RAM505the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section300in response to the acquisition request and the log information newly acquired and transmitted by the operation-system log information accumulation section300.

The log registration request receiving section704reads from the RAM505the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section300in response to the acquisition request, and stores the log information into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400. After storing data, the log registration request receiving section704reads from the RAM505the log information newly acquired and transmitted by the operation-system log information accumulation section300, and stores the log information into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400.

The log registration request receiving section704determines whether initialization processing has been performed or not, that is, whether at the time of startup of the standby-system log information accumulation section400, acquiring of all log information stored in the storage section provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section has been performed or not. In other words, the log registration request receiving section704determines whether or not the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section300in response to the acquisition request has been stored into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400.

When the log registration request receiving section704determines that the initialization processing is not yet completed, until the initialization processing is completed, the log registration request receiving section704does not store the log information newly acquired and transmitted by the operation-system log information accumulation section300, into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400. On the other hand, when the log registration request receiving section704determines that the initialization processing has been completed, the log registration request receiving section704stores the log information newly acquired and transmitted by the operation-system log information accumulation section300, into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400.

The process performed by the information processing apparatus is described below with reference toFIGS. 7 to 11. Description is given for the flow of initialization process, the flow of new log information transmission process, and the flow of new log information storing process.

FIG. 7is a flow chart illustrating an initialization process performed by the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG. 8is a sequence diagram illustrating an initialization process performed by the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG. 9is a flow chart illustrating a new log information transmission process performed by the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG. 10is a sequence diagram illustrating a new log information transmission performed by an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG. 11is a flow chart illustrating a new log information storing process performed by the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment.

The initialization process performed by the information processing apparatus200(FIG. 2) is described below with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. The initialization process indicates process that at the time of startup, the standby-system log information accumulation section400acquires all log information stored in the storage section provided in the operation-system log information accumulation section300.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, when the standby-system log information accumulation section400has started up (S101), the initialization section701requests the operation-system log information accumulation section300to transmit all log information (S102). As shown in S201and S202inFIG. 8, the initialization section of the standby system transmits an acquisition request to the operation-system log information accumulation section300via the inter-system communication section.

In the standby-system log information accumulation section400, the log management section703writes the log information received from the operation-system log information accumulation section300(S103). As shown with respect to S203and S204inFIG. 8, in the operation-system log information accumulation section, all log information is transmitted from the inter-system communication section to the log management section of the standby system. In the standby-system log information accumulation section400, the log management section703stores into the RAM505all log information received from the operation-system log information accumulation section300.

In the standby-system log information accumulation section400, the log registration request receiving section704writes into the storage section the log information registered in the queue (RAM505) (S104). The log registration request receiving section704reads the log information stored in the RAM505, that is, the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section300in response to the acquisition request, and stores the read-out log information into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400. Further, upon completion of writing data into the storage section, the log registration request receiving section704deletes from the queue the log information registered in the queue. When no log information is registered in the queue, the write process is not generated that the log registration request receiving section704stores the read-out log information into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508.

The new log information transmitting process performed by the information processing apparatus200is described below with reference toFIG. 9andFIG. 10.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, in the operation-system log information accumulation section300, when new log information is acquired by the log management section601(S301Yes), the operation-system log information accumulation section300updates the log information stored in the corresponding nonvolatile memory C507or its own nonvolatile memory A508(S302). The log registration request receiving section603stores the new log information acquired by the log management section601or the apparatus monitoring section602.

The operation-system log information accumulation section300transmits the newly acquired log information to the standby-system log information accumulation section400(S303). As shown as S401inFIG. 10, when the log information acquired by the log management section601or the apparatus monitoring section602is stored, the log information is transmitted to the log management section of the standby system via the inter-system communication section of the operating system and the inter-system communication section of the standby system as shown as S402to S404ofFIG. 10.

The process for storing new log information into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400is described below with reference toFIG. 11.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, in the standby-system log information accumulation section400, when new log information is received (S501Yes), the received log information is stored into the queue (RAM505) (S502). When receiving new log information from the operation-system log information accumulation section via the inter-system communication section702, the log management section of the standby system stores the log information into the RAM505.

The log registration request receiving section704determines whether initialization process has been completed (S503). When the log registration request receiving section704determines that initialization process has been completed (S503Yes), the log registration request receiving section704reflects all log information registered in the queue into the corresponding log information (S504). The log registration request receiving section704reads the log information that has been newly acquired and transmitted by the operation-system log information accumulation section300and that is accumulated in the RAM505, and stores the log information into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400. Further, upon completion of writing data into the storage section, the log registration request receiving section704deletes from the queue the log information registered in the queue.

On the other hand, when the log registration request receiving section704determines that initialization is not yet completed (S503No), the log registration request receiving section of the standby system terminates the new log information storing process. The log registration request receiving section704is not required to store the log information that has been newly acquired and transmitted by the operation-system log information accumulation section300and that is accumulated in the RAM505, into the nonvolatile memory C507or the nonvolatile memory A508provided in the standby-system log information accumulation section400. This is because the storing process is performed in the initialization process at operation S104.

According to an embodiment, without requiring monitoring of the operation-system log information accumulation section to determine whether the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up or not, the data stored in the operation-system log information accumulation section and the data stored in the standby-system log information accumulation section can be synchronized with each other. This, for example, reduces the process load of synchronization.

According to a typical information processing apparatus, whether a standby-system log information accumulation section has started up or not is always monitored. Then, only when the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up, the log information acquired by the operation-system log information accumulation section is transmitted to the standby-system log information accumulation section. Then, the standby-system log information accumulation section stores the transmitted log information into the storage section, so that the log information is synchronized between the operation-system log information accumulation section and the standby-system log information accumulation section.

In contrast, in the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment, at the time of startup, the standby-system log information accumulation section acquires all log information stored in the operation-system log information accumulation section at the time, and stores the log information into the storage section. In the information processing apparatus of an embodiment, when the standby-system log information accumulation section is exchanged and a new the standby-system log information accumulation section is inserted, or alternatively when power is initially supplied to the information processing apparatus so that the information processing apparatus has started up, all log information stored in the operation-system log information accumulation section is acquired and stored into the storage section.

The operation-system log information accumulation section of an embodiment transmits newly acquired log information to the standby-system log information accumulation section at each time of acquisition. Thus, the standby-system log information accumulation section acquires the log information acquired by the operation-system log information accumulation section after the initialization process, and then stores the log information into the storage section.

In the information processing apparatus of an embodiment, without monitoring the operation-system log information accumulation section to determine whether the standby-system log information accumulation section has started up, the log information stored in the storage section of the standby-system log information accumulation section can be synchronized with the log information stored in the storage section of the operation-system log information accumulation section.

According to an embodiment, at each time that log information is transmitted, the standby-system log information accumulation section stores once the log information into the cache, and then stores the log information stored in the cache after initialization. According to an embodiment, without loosing the log information transmitted from the operation-system log information accumulation section, the standby-system log information accumulation section can store the log information into the storage section of the standby-system log information accumulation section.

The present invention may be implemented in various modes other than the embodiment described above. Thus, another embodiment is described below.

The described embodiment is related to a case that the operation-system log information accumulation section300and the standby-system log information accumulation section400has the same structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The two log information accumulation sections may have mutually different structures. For example, a standby-system log information accumulation section need not to have the serial communication bus ports501, the BUS-SWs502, and the serial communication bus controller503.

The described embodiment is related to a case that different kinds of software used respectively in the operation-system log information accumulation section300and the standby-system log information accumulation section400are stored in the nonvolatile memory A508. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the operation-system log information accumulation section and the standby-system log information accumulation section may store the same software in a nonvolatile memory A508, and may execute process by using necessary software.

The described embodiment is related to a technique that after initialization process, the standby-system log information accumulation section400stores into the storage section the log information newly acquired by the operation-system log information accumulation section300. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the standby-system log information accumulation section may execute simultaneously in parallel to each other: the initialization process; and the process for storing into the storage section the log information newly acquired by the operation-system log information accumulation section300.

The process procedure(s), the control procedure(s), the detailed name(s), and the information including various kinds of data and parameters described above may be changed including arbitrarily.

The individual components of the individual apparatuses illustrated in the described embodiment are function-conceptual ones. Thus, they need not physically be constructed exactly as illustrated above. The detailed mode of distribution or integration of the individual apparatuses is not limited to the illustrated one. All or a part of the individual apparatuses may be distributed or integrated functionally or physically in arbitrary units in accordance with various kinds of loads, operating conditions, and the like. For example, the information processing apparatus200may have a processing section other than the processing sections shown inFIGS. 2,3,5, and6.

The described embodiment is related to a case that hardware logic realizes the various kinds of process(es). However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the process may be implemented when a program prepared in advance is executed by a computer. For example, log information may be synchronized between two computers when a program prepared in advance is executed by the computers.

An example of a computer that executes a program for implementing a function similar to that of the log information accumulation section shown in the described embodiment is described below with reference toFIG. 12.FIGS. 12A and 12Bare diagrams describing program(s) provided in a log information accumulation section according to an embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 12A, in a computer3000serving as a log information accumulation section, an operation section3001is connected to a microphone3002, a speaker3003, a processing section3004, a display3005, a communication section3006, a CPU3010, a ROM3011, an HDD3012, and a RAM3013with each other through a bus3009and the like.

The ROM3011stores, in advance, control program(s) that realize function(s) similar to those of the log management section601, the apparatus monitoring section602, the log registration request receiving section603, and the inter-system communication section604that are described. As shown inFIG. 12A, the ROM3011stores a log management program3011a, an apparatus monitoring program3011b, a log registration request receiving program3011c, and an inter-system communication program3011d. Similarly to the individual components of the log information accumulation section shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, these programs3011ato3011dmay be integrated with each other or alternatively may be separated from each other depending on the necessity. Further, whileFIG. 12Ais described with respect to programs3011ato3011d, all or part of the operation(s) may be performed using a single program stored in the ROM3011.

When the CPU3010reads the programs3011ato3011dfrom the ROM3011and then executes the programs, the programs3011ato3011drealize a log management process3010a, an apparatus monitoring process3010b, a log registration request receiving process3010c, and an inter-system communication process3010dof operation system as shown inFIG. 12A.

A log information table3012ais provided in the HDD3012. The log information table3012acorresponds to the contents of the nonvolatile memory C507and the nonvolatile memory A508shown inFIG. 3.

The CPU3010reads the log information table3012aand stores the table into the RAM3013. Then, by using the log information data3013astored in the RAM3013, the CPU3010executes a log information accumulation program.

As illustrated inFIG. 12B, in a computer4000serving as a log information accumulation section, an operation section4001is connected to a microphone4002, a speaker4003, a processing section4004, a display4005, a communication section4006, a CPU4010, a ROM4011, an HDD4012, and a RAM4013with each other through a bus4009and the like.

The ROM4011stores control program(s) that realize function(s) similar to those of the initialization section701, the inter-system communication section702, the log management section703, and the log registration request receiving section704as described above. As shown inFIG. 12B, the ROM4011stores in advance an initialization program4011a, an inter-system communication program4011b, a log management program4011c, and a log registration request receiving program4011d. Similarly to the individual components of the log information accumulation section shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, these programs4011ato4011dmay be integrated with each other or alternatively may be separated from each other depending on the necessity. As mentioned previously, the operations of the computer are not limited to being performed by any particular number of program(s).

When the CPU4010reads the programs4011ato4011dfrom the ROM4011and then executes the programs, the programs4011ato4011drealize an initialization process4010a, an inter-system communication process4010b, a log management process4010c, and a log registration request receiving process4010das shown inFIG. 12B.

A log information table4012ais provided in the HDD4012. Here, the log information table4012acorresponds to the contents stored in the nonvolatile memory C507and the nonvolatile memory A508shown inFIG. 3.

The CPU4010reads the log information table4012aand stores the table into the RAM4013. Then, by using the log information data4013astored in the RAM4013, the CPU4010executes a log information accumulation program.

The information processing apparatus described above may be realized when a program prepared in advance is executed by a computer such as a personal computer and a workstation. The program can be distributed through a network such as the Internet from the other device that stores such program. Further, the program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and then may be read from the recording medium and executed by a computer.