Redundancy method, redundancy program, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To replace existing information processing devices in a redundancy system with new information processing devices without requiring any downtime.SOLUTION: In an information processing device 10, a communication control unit 11 performs communication using a first communication method and communication using a second communication method that is faster than the first communication method. An equalizing unit 13b performs equalization processing using the first communication method with respect to a first information processing device in a redundancy system in which the first information processing device and a second information processing device are in redundant configuration using the first communication method. After the equalization processing is completed by the equalizing unit 13b, an equalizing unit 13c performs equalization operation using the second communication method with respect to a third information processing device 10, and forms a redundancy system in which the information processing device 10 and the third information processing device 10 are used.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a redundancy method, a redundancy program, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in plants, factories, etc. (hereinafter, when collectively referring to these, simply referred to as "plants"), a process control system for controlling various state quantities (for example, pressure, temperature, flow rate, etc.) in an industrial process has been constructed, and highly automated operation has been realized. Specifically, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below, for example, a controller that forms the core of a process control system acquires detection results of a plurality of sensors (such as a flow meter and a thermometer), obtains an operation amount of an actuator (such as a valve) according to this detection result, and operates the actuator according to this operation amount, whereby the above-described various state quantities are controlled.

[0003] Such a process control system is almost always required to operate continuously over a long period of months to years, so the process control system in the operating state cannot be freely stopped. For example, except for stoppage due to regular maintenance or shutdown performed to ensure the safety of the plant, basically, it is not permitted to stop the process control system.

[0004] On the other hand, also in a process control system, for the purpose of enhancing production control and cooperation with an external system, it has become common to perform production control using a general-purpose PC, which is less reliable than a dedicated control device. In this case, in order to prevent the process control system from stopping even if a failure occurs in the general-purpose PC, there are cases where an application is made redundant using two or more general-purpose PCs and a configuration is adopted to maintain the continuity of application data and operation states.

[0005] Here, a system that adopts a redundant configuration with two general-purpose PCs is given. In a redundant system that adopts a redundant configuration with two general-purpose PCs (hereinafter, this configuration is typically referred to as a redundant system), in the general-purpose PCs used for redundancy (a general-purpose PC is an example of an information processing device and is hereinafter also referred to as a redundant PC), an equivalent network is constructed using a general-purpose NIC (Network Interface Card) between the Active side and the Standby side. Then, in the redundant PC, the data and operating status of the application are equated from the Active side to the Standby side via the equivalent network. Even if one of the general-purpose PCs fails and stops functioning, the other general-purpose PC that has not stopped continues the production control.

[0006] The status of these two redundant PCs (the presence or absence of failure and the Active / Standby status of each general-purpose PC) can be monitored by a redundancy management tool that the HMI (Human Machine Interface) has, and instructions for status transition (switching between Active / Standby, shutting down, and rebooting each general-purpose PC) are possible.

[0007] In the redundant system, the performance of equating is an important factor that determines the processing performance of the redundant system. This is because the processing of the redundant system must be temporarily stopped until the equating between the Active and Standby is completed at a certain timing. The higher the communication performance of the equivalent network and the processing performance of the equating itself, the shorter the time until the equating is completed, and accordingly, the shorter the temporary stop time of the processing, and the processing performance of the redundant system is improved.

[0008] The life cycles of general-purpose PCs and external systems to be interconnected have a faster technological advancement and shorter product life cycles compared to those of process control systems. Therefore, in order to improve the performance of the redundancy system, it may be necessary to replace the existing general-purpose PCs on both the active side and the standby side with new general-purpose PCs that can be equivalently updated at high speed. Also, due to the short product life cycle, the same model or equivalent products of the general-purpose PCs to be replaced may become unavailable, and thus it may be inevitable to replace the existing general-purpose PCs on both the active side and the standby side with new general-purpose PCs.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] However, in the conventional technology, when there is no compatibility between the general-purpose NICs of the new general-purpose PCs and the equivalence methods adopted by the new general-purpose PCs and the existing general-purpose PCs, downtime is required for replacement. That is, conventionally, at the time of replacement, both the existing general-purpose PCs on the active side and the standby side are stopped, and after restoring the backup to the new general-purpose PC on the active side, it is restarted. At that time, during the backup for about one hour, the hardware replacement for several tens of minutes, and the restore for about one hour, the redundant PCs are in downtime where they are cut off from the process production control system.

[0011] Also, an external storage is required for storing the backup, and there is also a risk that the acquisition and handling of the backup may fail and it may become impossible to restore.

[0012] In view of the above, an object of the redundancy system is to replace an existing information processing apparatus with a new information processing apparatus without requiring downtime.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0013] A redundancy method according to one aspect is a redundancy method executed by an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus executes communication using a first communication method and communication using a second communication method that is faster than the first communication method. Between the information processing apparatus and the first information processing apparatus in a redundancy system in which the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus are redundant using the first communication method, an equalization process is executed by the first communication method. After completion of the equalization process, an equalization process is executed by the second communication method between the information processing apparatus and a third information processing apparatus, and a redundancy system using the information processing apparatus and the third information processing apparatus is formed. It is characterized by executing the process.

[0014] A redundancy program according to one aspect causes a computer to execute communication using a first communication method and communication using a second communication method that is faster than the first communication method. Between the information processing apparatus and the first information processing apparatus in a redundancy system in which the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus are redundant using the first communication method, an equalization process is executed by the first communication method. After completion of the equalization process, an equalization process is executed by the second communication method between the information processing apparatus and a third information processing apparatus, and a redundancy system using the information processing apparatus and the third information processing apparatus is formed. It is characterized by causing the process to be executed.

[0015] An information processing apparatus for one side includes a communication control unit that performs communication using a first communication method and communication using a second communication method that is faster than the first communication method, and between the first information processing apparatus and the first information processing apparatus in a redundancy system in which the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus are redundant using the first communication method, a first equalization unit that performs equalization processing by the first communication method, and after completion of the equalization processing, a second equalization unit that performs equalization processing by the second communication method with a third information processing apparatus and forms a redundancy system using the own apparatus and the third information processing apparatus.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to one embodiment, in a redundancy system, replacement from an active information processing apparatus to a new information processing apparatus can be performed without requiring downtime.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the analysis method, analysis program, and information processing apparatus disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Also, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined within a range without contradiction.

[0019] [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the system configuration according to the present embodiment. In each information processing apparatus constituting the process production control system, application data and operation states are equalized and made redundant.

[0020] For example, each information processing apparatus is connected to a control network dedicated to plant control. For example, each information processing apparatus executes transmission and reception of various data with a controller that controls sensors and actuators in the plant via the control network. As such a control network, for example, Vnet / IP (registered trademark) can be used.

[0021] In addition, each information processing apparatus is connected to a higher-level network used for plant monitoring and the like. For example, each information processing apparatus executes transmission and reception of various data with a monitoring terminal conforming to OPC (Open Platform Communications) and the like via the higher-level network. As such a higher-level network, various communication networks such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet can be adopted.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the existing information processing apparatus 100 or the new information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment forms a redundant system in which application data and operation states are equalized between the active side and the standby side as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(c). Here, the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment executes communication using a first communication method and communication using a second communication method faster than the first communication method.

[0023] Then, by the redundancy processing of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1(a), the existing information processing apparatus 100 applied as the active side and the standby side of the redundant system is replaced with the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment having a high-speed communication function as shown in FIG. 1(c).

[0024] First, as shown in FIG. 1(b), during the operation of the process production control system, the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is applied to the standby side of the redundant system, and an equalization process is executed between the information processing apparatus 10 and the active information processing apparatus 100. At this time, in the information processing apparatus 10, the determination unit 13a determines to use the active communication method in accordance with the active information processing apparatus 100 among the active communication method or the high-speed communication method. Further, via the general-purpose NIC (Network Interface Card) 11a for equalization that executes the active communication method, an equalization unit (first equalization unit) 13b corresponding to the active communication method executes the equalization process.

[0025] Next, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the information processing apparatus 10 that has completed the equalization process with the active information processing apparatus 100 is applied to the active side, and another information processing apparatus 10 (third information processing apparatus) is applied to the standby side, and an equalization process is executed between the two information processing apparatuses 10. At this time, the determination unit 13a negotiates which of the active communication method or the high-speed communication method to use via the general-purpose NIC 11a for equalization that executes the active communication method, and determines to use the high-speed communication method. Then, via the general-purpose NIC 11b for equalization that executes the high-speed communication method, an equalization unit (second equalization unit) 13c corresponding to the high-speed communication method executes the equalization process.

[0026] Thereby, while maintaining the operation of the process production control system, the redundant system shown in FIG. 1(a) is reliably and quickly replaced with the redundant system shown in FIG. 1(c). Thus, according to the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, in the redundant system, it is possible to quickly replace the active information processing apparatus 100 with the new information processing apparatus 10 without requiring downtime.

[0027] [Functional Configuration] Next, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a communication control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. Note that the functional units included in the information processing apparatus 10 are not limited to those shown in the figure, and the information processing apparatus 10 may include other functional units such as a display unit realized by a display or the like.

[0028] The communication control unit 11 is a processing unit that controls communication with other devices, and is realized by, for example, a communication interface or the like. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 11 includes a general-purpose NIC 11a for equalization and a general-purpose NIC 11b for equalization. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 10 executes communication using a first communication method and communication using a second communication method faster than the first communication method.

[0029] That is, the general-purpose NIC 11a for equalization controls communication using the current communication method (first communication method). The general-purpose NIC 11b for equalization controls communication using a high-speed communication method (second communication method). Here, the first communication method and the second communication method have different protocols. For example, the first communication method is an Ethernet (registered trademark) method, and the second communication method is an RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access, see RFC5040) method or the like.

[0030] And the equalization unit (first equalization unit) 13b described later communicates with other information processing apparatuses (10, 100) via the general-purpose NIC 11a for equalization. Also, the equalization unit (second equalization unit) 13c described later communicates with the other information processing apparatus 10 via the high-speed equalization function of the general-purpose NIC 11b for equalization. Comparing the equalization unit 13b using this first communication method with the equalization unit 13c using the second communication method, the equalization unit 13c employs a high-speed communication method, that is, a communication protocol and data reception mechanism with less overhead more suitable for equalization, and the method of referring to received data from the application has also been speeded up (e.g., when the communication method is RDMA, the received data can be directly delivered to the memory area of the application by DMA: Direct Memory Access). Therefore, the equalization unit 13c can perform equalization processing faster than the equalization unit 13b.

[0031] The storage unit 12 is a processing unit that stores various data and various programs executed by the control unit 13, and is realized by, for example, a memory or a hard disk. This storage unit 12 stores various data generated in the processes executed by the control unit 13, such as data obtained during the execution of various processes and processing results obtained by executing various processes, that is, various data generated in the processes executed by the information processing apparatus 10.

[0032] The control unit 13 is a processing unit that controls the entire information processing apparatus 10 and is realized by, for example, a processor. This control unit 13 includes a determination unit 13a, an equalization unit (first equalization unit) 13b, and an equalization unit (second equalization unit) 13c.

[0033] The equalization unit 13b executes equalization processing by the first communication method between the first information processing apparatus 100 in a redundancy system in which the existing first information processing apparatus 100 and the second information processing apparatus 100 are redundant using the first communication method.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the equalization unit 13b executes equalization processing of application data and operation states via the general-purpose NIC 11a for equalization that performs communication using the first communication method with the information processing device 100 on the active side of the current redundancy system.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the equalization unit 13b includes a reception-side operation state equalization function X, a transmission-side operation state equalization function X, and a resource re-initialization unit for X. The resource re-initialization unit executes initialization processing of resources such as memory when the communication method is switched.

[0036] The determination unit 13a negotiates using the first communication method to determine whether the third information processing device (10, 100) is applying the second communication method. In this case, a negotiation network using the first communication method is formed.

[0037] When it is determined that the third information processing device (10, 100) is not applying the second communication method, the equalization unit 13b executes equalization processing using the first communication method. In this case, the negotiation network is applied as the equalization network as it is.

[0038] On the other hand, when the determination unit 13a determines that the third information processing device (10, 100) is applying the second communication method, the equalization unit 13c described below executes equalization processing using the second communication method. In this case, an equalization network using the second communication method is formed separately from the negotiation network.

[0039] After the equalization processing by the equalization unit 13b is completed, the equalization unit 13c executes equalization processing using the second communication method with the third information processing device 10, and forms a redundancy system using the information processing device 10 and the third information processing device 10.

[0040] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1(c), after the own device is switched to the active side, the equalization unit 13c performs equalization processing with the third information processing device 10 applied to the standby side via the general-purpose NIC 11b for equalization that executes communication using the second communication method. As a result, a redundancy system by the new information processing device 10 is formed at high speed without downtime.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the equalization unit 13c includes a reception-side operation state equalization function Y, a transmission-side operation state equalization function Y, and a resource re-initialization unit for Y. The resource re-initialization unit executes initialization processing of resources such as a memory when the communication method is switched. For example, when the equalization unit 13c is switched from the first communication method to the second communication method and starts equalization processing with the third information processing device 10, this resource re-initialization unit executes the initialization processing.

[0042] Here, the communication method of the communication executed by the communication control unit 11 is not limited to the above-described two types of the first communication method and the second communication method, and communication using one or more communication methods different from the first communication method and the second communication method may be further executed.

[0043] In this case, the determination unit 13a selects a communication method in a predetermined priority order from among the communication methods applied by the third information processing device (10, 100). As a result, the equalization unit corresponding to the selected communication method performs equalization processing using the selected communication method.

[0044] Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the information processing device. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 10 can execute communication using four communication methods corresponding to four equalization processes of the equalization units 13b to 13e.

[0045] In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the information processing apparatus 10 stores a predetermined priority order as an equalization method management table 12a in the storage unit 12. Then, the determination unit 13a selects a communication method to be preferentially applied from among the communication methods executable by the information processing apparatuses (10, 100) on the active side and the standby side. At this time, the determination unit 13a selects a communication method to be applied with reference to the equalization method management table 12a.

[0046] The determination unit 13a may diagnose the communication state of each communication method and select, in a predetermined priority order according to the communication state, from among the communication methods applied by the third information processing apparatus (10, 100). Thereby, for example, it is possible to avoid a network of a communication method that is normally fast but has a failure, and to dynamically select an optimal communication method and perform equalization processing.

[0047] [Flow of processing] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a user including an administrator or an operator instructs the start of redundancy processing.

[0048] First, the standby-side information processing apparatus 100 of the current redundant system is stopped (step S1). Also, an information processing apparatus 10 having a high-speed communication function is connected to the active-side information processing apparatus 100 (step S2). The information processing apparatus 10 connected at this time is automatically applied to the standby side.

[0049] Then, the standby-side information processing apparatus 10 executes equalization processing with the active-side information processing apparatus 100 (step S3). At this time, in the information processing apparatus 10, the determination unit 13a determines to use the current communication method in accordance with the current information processing apparatus 100, from among the current communication method or the high-speed communication method. Also, via the equalization general-purpose NIC 11a that executes the current communication method, the equalization unit 13b corresponding to the current communication method executes equalization processing.

[0050] Next, the information processing apparatus 10 for which the equalization process has been completed with the active information processing apparatus 100 is switched to the active side (step S4). At this time, the active information processing apparatus 100 switched to the standby side is stopped.

[0051] Also, the active information processing apparatus 100 is replaced with another information processing apparatus 10 and connected to the information processing apparatus 10 on the active side (step S5). The connected information processing apparatus 10 is automatically applied to the standby side.

[0052] Then, an equalization process is executed between the information processing apparatus 10 on the standby side and the information processing apparatus 10 on the active side (step S6). At this time, for example, in the information processing apparatus 10 on the standby side, the determination unit 13a negotiates whether to use the current communication method or the high-speed communication method via the equalization general-purpose NIC 11a that executes the current communication method, and determines to use the high-speed communication method. Then, via the equalization general-purpose NIC 11b that executes the high-speed communication method, the equalization unit 13c corresponding to the high-speed communication method executes the equalization process. As a result, the redundant system formed by the current information processing apparatus 100 is replaced with the redundant system formed by the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment that executes the high-speed communication method.

[0053] [Effect] As described above, in the information processing apparatus 10, the communication control unit 11 executes communication using the first communication method and communication using the second communication method that is faster than the first communication method. The equalization unit 13b executes an equalization process by the first communication method between the first information processing apparatus 100 and the first information processing apparatus 100 in the redundant system in which the first information processing apparatus 100 and the second information processing apparatus 100 are redundant using the first communication method. After the equalization process of the equalization unit 13b is completed, the equalization unit 13c executes an equalization process by the second communication method with the third information processing apparatus 10, and forms a redundant system using the own apparatus 10 and the third information processing apparatus 10.

[0054] This enables the replacement of the redundant system to be performed quickly and reliably while maintaining the operation of the process production control system. Thus, according to the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, in the redundant system, it is possible to replace the current information processing apparatus 100 with a new information processing apparatus 10 quickly and reliably without requiring downtime.

[0055] Further, the determination unit 13a negotiates using the first communication method to determine whether the third information processing apparatus applies the second communication method. When the determination unit 13a determines that the third information processing apparatus 10 applies the second communication method, the equalization unit 13c executes equalization processing using the second communication method. On the other hand, when it is determined that the third information processing apparatus 100 does not apply the second communication method, the equalization unit 13b executes equalization processing using the first communication method. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 10 can appropriately and reliably execute equalization processing with the information processing apparatuses (10, 100).

[0056] Further, the first communication method and the second communication method have different protocols. Also, in the equalization processing by the first communication method and the equalization processing by the second communication method, the data formats of the applications to be processed are different. Thereby, it is possible to perform equalization processing even more quickly.

[0057] Further, the communication control unit 11 further executes communication using one or more communication methods different from the first communication method and the second communication method. Then, the equalization unit executes equalization processing by the communication method selected in a predetermined priority order among the communication methods applied by the third information processing apparatus 10. Thereby, it is possible to perform equalization processing with high efficiency using an appropriate communication method.

[0058] Further, the determination unit 13a further diagnoses the communication states of each communication method, and the equalization unit executes equalization processing using the communication method selected in a predetermined priority order according to the communication state among the communication methods applied by the third information processing apparatus 10. Thereby, for example, it is possible to avoid a network of a communication method that is normally fast but has a failure, and to dynamically select an optimal communication method and perform equalization processing.

[0059] Also, the communication control unit 11 performs communication using the first communication method and communication using a second communication method faster than the first communication method. The equalization unit 13b executes equalization processing (synchronization) using the first communication method. The equalization unit 13c executes equalization processing using the second communication method. The determination unit 13a determines, using the first communication method, whether another information processing apparatus 10 is applying the second communication method. Thereby, it is possible to determine communication and equalization processing with different methods and perform appropriate equalization processing.

[0060] [Other Embodiments] Now, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms other than the above-described embodiments. For example, the communication control unit 11 may be a NIC with a different physical layer for each of a plurality of different communication methods. In this case, it is possible to replace the current information processing apparatus 100 with an information processing apparatus 10 equipped with a NIC having a different physical layer. For example, it is possible to apply an information processing apparatus 10 equipped with a NIC having a different physical layer with enhanced bandwidth or improved environmental resistance than the current information processing apparatus 100.

[0061] Alternatively, the communication control unit 11 may be a NIC that can be shared for communication of these plurality of different communication methods. For example, the communication control unit 11 may be implemented by a NIC that also serves as both the general-purpose NIC 11a for equalization and the general-purpose NIC 11b for equalization shown in FIG. 1. In that case, the equalization general-purpose NIC 11a becomes unnecessary, and the negotiation network for performing negotiation also becomes unnecessary.

[0062] In addition, when the communication control unit 11 is a NIC that can be shared by communications using a plurality of different physical layer communication methods, when connecting the information processing apparatus 10 and the active information processing apparatus 100, by temporarily incorporating a physical layer converter, replacement by the information processing apparatus 10 becomes possible. In this case, the incorporated converter can ultimately be removed.

[0063] [System] Regarding the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings, they can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

[0064] Also, each component of each illustrated device is a functional concept, and it is not necessarily physically configured as shown in the drawing. That is, the specific form of the distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the drawing. In other words, all or a part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads, usage situations, etc.

[0065] Furthermore, each processing function performed by each device can be realized in whole or in any part by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware by wired logic.

[0066] [Hardware] Next, a hardware configuration example of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a hardware configuration example. As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a communication device 10a, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 10b, a memory 10c, and a processor 10d. Also, each part shown in FIG. 5 is mutually connected by a bus or the like.

[0067] The communication device 10a is a network interface card or the like and communicates with other servers. The HDD 10b stores a program and a DB for operating the functions shown in FIG. 2.

[0068] The processor 10d reads a program that executes the same processes as each processing unit shown in FIG. 2 from the HDD 10b or the like and expands it in the memory 10c, thereby operating a process that executes each function described in FIG. 2 and the like. For example, this process executes the same functions as each processing unit included in the information processing apparatus 10. Specifically, the processor 10d reads a program having the same functions as the determination unit 13a, the equalization unit 13b, the equalization unit 13c, the equalization unit 13d, the equalization unit 13e, etc. from the HDD 10b or the like. Then, the processor 10d executes a process that executes the same processes as the determination unit 13a, the equalization unit 13b, the equalization unit 13c, the equalization unit 13d, the equalization unit 13e, etc.

[0069] In this way, the information processing apparatus 10 operates as an information processing apparatus that executes a redundancy method by reading and executing a program. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 can also realize the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments by reading the program from the recording medium by the medium reading device and executing the read program. Note that the program referred to in this other embodiment is not limited to being executed by the information processing apparatus 10. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied when another computer or server executes the program, or when these cooperate to execute the program.

[0070] This program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, this program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and can be executed by being read from the recording medium by a computer.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0071] 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Communication control unit 11a, 11b, etc. General-purpose NIC for equalization 12 Storage unit 12a Equivalence method management table 13 Control unit 13a Determination unit 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e Equivalence units

Claims

1. In a redundancy method executed by an information processing apparatus capable of performing communication using a plurality of communication methods including a first communication method, between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus in a redundancy system connected to a communication network used for plant control or monitoring, the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus being redundant using the first communication method, perform a first equalization process by the first communication method, after completion of the first equalization process, negotiate using the first communication method to determine whether a third information processing apparatus is applying a communication method other than the first communication method, diagnose the communication state of each communication method, and perform a second equalization process with the third information processing apparatus by a communication method selected in order of priority based on communication speed, excluding communication methods in which a failure has occurred, among the communication methods executable by the information processing apparatus and the third information processing apparatus, forming a redundancy system using the information processing apparatus and the third information processing apparatus, A redundancy method characterized by executing the process.

2. The redundancy method according to claim 1, wherein the first communication method and the communication method other than the first communication method have different protocols.

3. The redundancy method according to claim 2, wherein in the first equalization process by the first communication method and the second equalization process by a communication method other than the first communication method, the data formats of the applications to be processed are different.

4. On a computer, perform communication using a plurality of communication methods including a first communication method, between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus in a redundancy system connected to a communication network used for plant control or monitoring, the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus being redundant using the first communication method, perform a first equalization process by the first communication method, after completion of the first equalization process, negotiate using the first communication method to determine whether a third information processing apparatus is applying a communication method other than the first communication method, diagnose the communication state of each communication method, and perform a second equalization process with the third information processing apparatus by a communication method selected in order of priority based on communication speed, excluding communication methods in which a failure has occurred, among the communication methods executable by the own apparatus and the third information processing apparatus, A redundancy program that forms a redundancy system using the self-device and the third information processing device, characterized by causing processing to be executed. **Claim 5** A communication control unit that executes communication using a plurality of communication methods including a first communication method, Among the redundancy systems in which a first information processing device and a second information processing device connected to a communication network used for plant control or monitoring are redundant using the first communication method, between the first information processing device and the first information processing device, an equalization unit that executes a first equalization process by the first communication method, After completion of the first equalization process, a determination unit that negotiates using the first communication method to determine whether the third information processing device is applying a communication method other than the first communication method, having The determination unit diagnoses the communication state of each communication method, and the equalization unit, among the communication methods executable by the self-device and the third information processing device, excludes the communication method in which a failure has occurred, and executes a second equalization process with the third information processing device by the communication method selected in the priority order based on the communication speed, forming a redundancy system using the self-device and the third information processing device, An information processing device characterized by this.

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