Input/output device information management system for multi-computer system

Abstract

In a multi-computer system having a plurality of computers, an input/output device configuration definition table and an input/output device configuration reference table are adapted to be collectively managed. A configuration management program manages the configuration definition of all input/output devices of a plurality of computers by using the input/output device configuration definition table, and generates a changed data file when an input/output device configuration is changed. Dynamic system alteration is effected by changing the contents of the input/output device configuration reference table stored in a shared memory, in accordance with the changed data file. The input/output device configuration definition table and the input/output device configuration reference table each have an input/output device information part and an input/output device connection information part arranged in a matrix form to allow addition/deletion of an input/output device and a computer.

1 . An information processing system comprising: 
 a plurality of computers;    a plurality of storage devices coupled with and shared by said computers;    a file which stores configuration information for said storage devices and different information having update information to update said configuration information; and    a memory which stores configuration reference information used by said computers,    wherein said configuration reference information is updated by using said configuration information and said different information.    
   
   
       2 . An information processing system comprising: 
 a plurality of computers;    a plurality of storage devices coupled with and shared by said computers;    a shared file which stores configuration information for said storage devices and different information having update information to update said configuration information; and    a shared memory which stores configuration reference information accessed by said computers,    wherein said configuration reference information is updated by using said configuration information and said different information when a program of at least one of said computers is executed.    
   
   
       3 . An information processing system comprising: 
 a plurality of computers; and    a plurality of storage devices coupled with and shared by said computers,    wherein one of said storage devices has stored therein configuration information for said storage devices and different information having update information to update said configuration information, and configuration reference information used by said computers, and    wherein said configuration reference information is updated by using said configuration information and said different information.    
   
   
       4 . An information processing system comprising: 
 a plurality of computers; and    a plurality of storage devices coupled with and shared by said computers,    wherein one of said storage devices has stored therein configuration information for said storage devices and different information having update information to update said configuration information, and configuration reference information accessed by said computers, and    wherein said configuration reference information is updated by using said configuration information and said different information when a program of at least one of said computers is executed.    
   
   
       5 . A method in an information processing system having a plurality of computers and a plurality of storage devices coupled with and shared by said computers, said method comprising the steps of: 
 storing, in a shared file, configuration information for said storage devices and differential information having update information to update said configuration information;    storing, in a shared memory, configuration reference information accessed by said computers; and    updating said configuration reference information by using said configuration information and said differential information when a program of at least one of said computers is executed.    
   
   
       6 . A method in an information processing system having a plurality of computers and a plurality of storage devices coupled with and shared by said computers, said method comprising the steps of: 
 storing, in one of said storage devices, configuration information for said storage devices and differential information having update information to update said configuration information;    storing, in one of said storage devices, configuration reference information accessed by said computers; and    updating said configuration reference information by using said configuration information and said differential information when a program of at least one of said computers is executed.