Information processing system and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method and a program capable of providing a monitoring and file transfer system that suppresses system resources without adding a large change to an apparatus monitoring system used for a network environment in which communication is unstable such as a factory or the like.SOLUTION: This invention includes an execution part for detecting update of a monitoring object file and executing an external script on the basis of a detection result of the update of the monitoring object file, and an external module to be expanded by the execution part, and the external module includes a detection part for detecting the monitoring object file or the characteristics of the communication quality of the monitoring object file, a change part for changing a file acquisition mode of the monitoring object file on the basis of a result of detection of the characteristics, and an upload part for acquiring the monitoring object file according to the changed file acquisition mode and uploading the acquired monitoring object file to a cloud storage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system ,oh and programs. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a growing trend to incorporate digital technology into the manufacturing industry, and it has become known through keywords such as digital manufacturing (hereinafter referred to as DM) and smart factories. DM is an initiative to improve productivity throughout an organization by collecting and analyzing various data from each manufacturing process, allowing machines to perform manufacturing processes that were previously only performed by skilled workers.

[0003] Meanwhile, in the field of server management, attempts have been made to develop equipment management systems that monitor equipment and accumulate and analyze operation logs. Therefore, by adapting equipment management systems developed in the field of server management, DM can easily build an equipment monitoring system in the manufacturing industry.

[0004] There are many information collection systems out there that monitor PCs and cloud systems. For example, Zabbix (registered trademark) is configured as a client-server system consisting of a Zabbix server and a Zabbix agent, and detailed device information on the monitored terminal can be collected by the Zabbix server via the Zabbix agent running on the monitored terminal.

[0005] Furthermore, the information collection system has an analysis function for the various types of information collected, and is extensible so that changes in the various types of information collected from the monitored terminal can be used as a trigger to execute an external program.For example, it is relatively easy to build a system in which the Zabbix server detects changes in sensor information on the monitored terminal, triggers the execution of an external program, accesses the monitored terminal via SSH, and automatically uploads sensor information and log information as files to a cloud system. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In client-server device monitoring systems, the load distribution mechanism for collecting log information is characterized by limiting the amount of data transferred per unit time to each monitored device. This allows the server's computer resources to be divided, enabling the monitoring of a large number of monitored devices.

[0007] When monitoring log information, if a large amount of log information is generated that exceeds the data transfer limit, the data transfer may never finish, affecting the collection of other monitoring data from the same monitored terminal. For example, on monitored terminals in a factory, statistical information from sensor information may be generated as a huge file (sensor information statistical results, log file). In this case, it is necessary to review the data transfer limit by increasing the server's computer resources, etc.

[0008] However, in factories, there are likely to be many cases where simply revising data transfer limits will not be enough. Specifically, when increasing data transfer limits, it is necessary to consider the depletion of server resources. Furthermore, unlike networks in the server field, factories are likely to operate their network environments suboptimally. For example, hundreds of sensor devices using various wireless communications (Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, etc.) may be locally deployed, resulting in network instability, loss of wireless communication connections, and poor transfer rates. For example, in a file upload system to the cloud, communication may be interrupted due to network instability during file transfer. Furthermore, the larger the file size, the greater the possibility of transfer failure due to packet loss.

[0009] From the above, it can be assumed that when a large amount of data to be monitored is generated instantaneously as an information collection system in a factory, situations will arise in which simply reusing an equipment management system that has grown in the field of existing server management will not be suitable.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an information processing system that can provide a monitoring and file transfer system that minimizes system resources without making major changes to an equipment monitoring system that is used in a network environment where communication is unstable, such as a factory. ,oh The purpose of this website is to provide information and programs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention detects updates to a monitored file and executes an external script based on the detection result of the update to the monitored file. and sends the update detection results for the monitored file to cloud storage. and an external module that is extended by the execution unit. An information processing system The external module includes a detection unit that detects characteristics of the monitoring target file or the communication quality of the monitoring target file, a change unit that changes the file acquisition mode of the monitoring target file to one or more of a plurality of different file acquisition modes based on the detection result of the characteristics, and a change unit that acquires the monitoring target file according to the changed file acquisition mode and stores the acquired monitoring target file. The aforementioned an upload unit that uploads to cloud storage; The feature detection result includes a file size of the monitored file, and if the file size is small and the communication environment of the information processing system is stable, the execution unit executes the external script and transmits the detection result of the update of the monitored file to the cloud storage; if the communication environment of the information processing system is unstable or a large data transfer occurs in the information processing system, the change unit changes the file acquisition mode to one or more of the plurality of different file acquisition modes based on the feature detection result, and the upload unit acquires the monitored file in accordance with the changed file acquisition mode and uploads the acquired monitored file to the cloud storage. do. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a monitoring and file transfer system that reduces system resources without making major changes to an equipment monitoring system that is used in a network environment where communication is unstable, such as a factory. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the device monitoring server and the IoT gateway included in the information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the device monitoring server and the IoT gateway included in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of uploading a monitoring target file to cloud storage by the device monitoring server in the information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of differential data generated by the sensor box of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of uploading a monitoring target file to a cloud server by an IoT gateway in the information processing system according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. First, with reference to Fig. 1, an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 , the information processing system according to this embodiment includes a sensor 1, a sensor box 2, a router 3, an IoT gateway 4, an equipment monitoring server 5, and a cloud storage 6. In this embodiment, the sensor 1, the sensor box 2, the router 3, and the IoT gateway 4 are installed in a communication environment with many wireless terminals, such as a factory, and can communicate with each other via wireless communication. In this embodiment, the equipment monitoring server 5 is installed outside the factory or the like in which the sensor 1, the sensor box 2, the router 3, and the IoT gateway 4 are installed, but this is not limiting. For example, the equipment monitoring server 5 may be installed in a factory and in an environment in which the sensor 1, the sensor box 2, the router 3, and the IoT gateway 4 can communicate with each other (for example, wirelessly) via an existing LAN or the like.

[0017] The sensor 1 detects various types of information (hereinafter referred to as sensor information), and transmits the detected sensor information to the sensor box 2 via an existing LAN (Local Area Network).

[0018] The sensor box 2 is configured with a Raspberry Pi or the like, and generates monitoring target files such as statistical information on the sensor information, differential data on the sensor information, and log data based on the sensor information received from the sensor 1. Then, the sensor box 2 transmits the generated monitoring target files to the IoT gateway 4 or the device monitoring server 5 via the router 3.

[0019] The router 3 is a relay that transfers the monitoring target file transmitted from the sensor box 2 to the IoT gateway 4 or the device monitoring server 5.

[0020] The device monitoring server 5 (an example of an information processing device) is an example of a server that executes OSS (Open Source Software) for monitoring devices, such as Zabbix (registered trademark). Zabbix is ​​an OSS that detects updates to monitored files and executes external scripts based on the results of the detection of the updates to the monitored files. As a result, Zabbix automatically uploads the results of the detection of the updates to the monitored files to the cloud storage 6. Furthermore, OSS such as Zabbix is ​​an example of an execution unit that detects updates to monitored files and executes external scripts based on the results of the detection of the updates to the monitored files.

[0021] The IoT gateway 4 executes OSS such as Ansible (registered trademark) to change the mode for acquiring the monitoring target file (hereinafter referred to as the file acquisition mode) when the communication environment is unstable or when a large amount of data transfer occurs. Then, the IoT gateway 4 acquires the monitoring target file from the sensor box 2 based on the changed file acquisition mode, and uploads the acquired monitoring target file to the cloud storage 6.

[0022] The cloud storage 6 accumulates files to be monitored that are uploaded from the device monitoring server 5 or the IoT gateway 4.

[0023] 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the device monitoring server and IoT gateway 4 included in the information processing system according to this embodiment. Here, the hardware configuration of the IoT gateway 4 will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the IoT gateway 4 is constructed by a computer, and as shown in FIG. 2, includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0025] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the IoT gateway 4. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as an IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data, such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information, such as a cursor, menu, window, text, or image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The data bus 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like, for electrically connecting the components, such as the CPU 501, shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that this is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515, such as a flash memory.

[0027] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the device monitoring server and IoT gateway included in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the IoT gateway 4 and the device monitoring server 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] In this embodiment, the device monitoring server 5 has a detection unit 301 as an external module extended to Zabbix, as shown in Fig. 3. The detection unit 301 is an example of a detection unit that detects the characteristics of a monitored file or the communication quality of the monitored file (hereinafter referred to as characteristic information). In this embodiment, the detection unit 301 uses the information collection function and analysis function that Zabbix has as default functions to detect at least one of the file size of the monitored file, time information when the monitored file was sent, and delay or fluctuation in the round trip time of the monitored file as characteristic information.

[0029] 3, the IoT gateway 4 has a change unit 311 and an upload unit 312 as external modules that are extended to Zabbix. The change unit 311 is an example of a change unit that changes the file acquisition mode of the monitoring target file from the sensor box 2 based on the characteristic information detected by the detection unit 301 of the device monitoring server 5.

[0030] Here, the file acquisition mode may include at least one of the following five modes: The first file acquisition mode is a mode in which the monitored file is divided and transferred, and includes a retry if the transfer of the monitored file fails. The second file acquisition mode is a mode in which the window size in communication control for the monitored file is adjusted.

[0031] The third file acquisition mode adjusts the MTU in the information processing system. The fourth file acquisition mode expands or reduces the buffer size of the monitored files. The fifth file acquisition mode uses the remote command execution function of Ansible to execute a compression command for the monitored files on sensor box 2 (an example of the destination for the monitored files) to reduce the total amount of data before transferring the monitored files.

[0032] The upload unit 312 acquires the monitoring target files from the sensor box 2 in accordance with the file acquisition mode changed by the change unit 311. The upload unit 312 is an example of an upload unit that uploads the acquired monitoring target files to the cloud storage 6. This makes it possible to provide a monitoring and file transfer system that minimizes system resources without making major changes to an equipment monitoring system such as Zabbix that is used in a network environment with unstable communication, such as a factory. In this embodiment, the upload unit 312 may acquire the monitoring target files from the sensor box 2 by temporarily applying the file acquisition mode changed by the change unit 311 to the monitoring target files or to some of the files.

[0033] 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of uploading a monitoring target file to cloud storage 6 by the device monitoring server in the information processing system according to this embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the flow of uploading a monitoring target file to cloud storage 6 when the communication environment of the information processing system is stable will be described.

[0034] If the size of the monitoring target file is small and the communication environment of the information processing system is stable, the information processing system transfers differential data, which is an example of a monitoring target file, to the cloud storage 6 via the shortest route. Specifically, first, the sensor box 2 acquires sensor information from the sensor 1 (step S401). Then, the sensor box 2 generates a monitoring target file such as differential data based on the acquired sensor information, and transmits the generated monitoring target file to the device monitoring server 5 (step S402).

[0035] By executing Zabbix, the equipment monitoring server 5 detects updates to the monitored files sent from the sensor box 2, executes an external script based on the detection results, and sends the detection results to the cloud storage 6 (step S403).

[0036] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of differential data generated by the sensor box 2 of the information processing system according to this embodiment. Next, an example of differential data generated by the sensor box 2 of the information processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5.

[0037] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, character string information (sensor information) is added to the sensor box 2 as a general log file. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, the sensor box 2 transmits only the character string information (an example of differential data) of the newly added portion that is being added (appended) to the log file to the device monitoring server 5. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of data in the monitored file, thereby enabling efficient data transfer.

[0038] 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of uploading a monitoring target file to a cloud server by an IoT gateway in the information processing system according to this embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of a flow of uploading a monitoring target file to the cloud storage 6 when the communication environment of the information processing system according to this embodiment is unstable will be described.

[0039] Since many wireless terminals are installed in factories and the like, the communication environment may become unstable and large amounts of data may need to be transferred. For example, when the day's information collection in a factory is completed, a set of sensor information generated that day may be compressed and backed up to cloud storage 6 (so-called bulk backup). Also, if normal sensor information is acquired during the day every 1-2 minutes with data communication of about 1 MB, then bulk backup will result in instantaneous data transfer of nearly 1 GB.

[0040] Therefore, when such a special situation is detected in the device monitoring server 5, the IoT gateway 4 uploads the monitoring target file to the cloud storage 6 using a transfer method that is appropriate for this special situation.

[0041] Specifically, the sensor box 2 acquires sensor information from the sensor 1 (step S601). Then, the sensor box 2 generates a monitoring target file such as differential data based on the acquired sensor information, and transmits the generated monitoring target file to the device monitoring server 5 (step S602).

[0042] The detection unit 301 of the device monitoring server 5 detects the characteristic information of the monitoring target file or the communication quality of the monitoring target file received from the sensor box 2 (step S603). Then, the detection unit 301 notifies the IoT gateway 4 of the detected characteristic information (step S604).

[0043] The change unit 311 of the IoT gateway 4 changes the file acquisition mode based on the characteristic information notified from the device monitoring server 5. Next, the upload unit 312 of the IoT gateway 4 acquires the monitoring target file (e.g., sensor information) from the sensor box 2 in accordance with the changed file acquisition mode (step S605). Then, the upload unit 312 uploads the acquired monitoring target file to the cloud storage 6 (step S606).

[0044] In this way, according to the information processing system of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a monitoring and file transfer system that conserves system resources without making major changes to equipment monitoring systems such as Zabbix that are used in network environments with unstable communication, such as factories.

[0045] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a conventional circuit module designed to perform each of the above-described functions.

[0046] The devices described in the embodiments are merely illustrative of one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the device monitoring server 5 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. The multiple computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, etc., and perform the processes disclosed herein. Similarly, the IoT gateway 4 may include multiple computing devices configured to communicate with each other.

[0047] The information processing device is not limited to an image forming device as long as it has a communication function. The information processing device may be, for example, a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board with an electronic blackboard function that allows mutual communication), an output device such as digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, an imaging device, a sound collection device, a medical device, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

[0048] The programs executed by the IoT gateway 4 and device monitoring server 5 of this embodiment are provided by being pre-installed in the ROM 502 or the like. The programs executed by the IoT gateway 4 and device monitoring server 5 of this embodiment may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

[0049] Furthermore, the programs executed by the IoT gateway 4 and device monitoring server 5 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the programs executed by the IoT gateway 4 and device monitoring server 5 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0050] The program executed by the IoT gateway 4 of this embodiment has a modular structure including the above-mentioned units (change unit 311, upload unit 312), and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU 501 (an example of a processor) reads and executes the program from the ROM 502, thereby loading the above-mentioned units onto the main memory, and the change unit 311 and upload unit 312 are generated on the main memory.

[0051] In addition, the program executed by the equipment monitoring server 5 in this embodiment has a modular structure including each of the above-mentioned units (detection unit 301), and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU 501 (an example of a processor) reads and executes the program from the ROM 502, thereby loading each of the above-mentioned units onto the main memory device and generating the detection unit 301 on the main memory device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 sensor 2 Sensor Box 3. Router 4. IoT Gateway 5. Equipment monitoring server 6. Cloud Storage 301 Detection unit 311 Changes 312 Upload Section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0053] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-170946

Claims

1. an execution unit that detects updates to the monitored files, executes an external script based on the detection result of the updates to the monitored files, and transmits the detection result of the updates to the monitored files to the cloud storage; an external module that is extended to the execution unit, The external module includes: a detection unit that detects the monitoring target file or a characteristic of communication quality of the monitoring target file; a change unit that changes the file acquisition mode of the monitoring target file to one or more of a plurality of different file acquisition modes based on the detection result of the feature; an upload unit that acquires the monitoring target file in accordance with the changed file acquisition mode and uploads the acquired monitoring target file to the cloud storage; Equipped with The detection result of the feature includes a file size of the monitored file; If the file size is small and the communication environment of the information processing system is stable, the execution unit executes the external script and transmits a detection result of an update of the monitoring target file to the cloud storage; When the communication environment of the information processing system is unstable and when a large amount of data transfer occurs in the information processing system, the change unit changes the file acquisition mode to one or more of the plurality of different file acquisition modes based on a result of the detection of the feature; The upload unit acquires the monitoring target file in accordance with the changed file acquisition mode, and uploads the acquired monitoring target file to the cloud storage.

2. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the detection unit uses information collection and analysis functions provided in the execution unit to detect at least one of the file size, time information when the monitored file was sent, and delay or fluctuation in the round-trip time of the monitored file as the characteristics.

3. 3. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the file acquisition mode includes at least one of a mode in which the monitored file is divided and transferred, a mode in which a window size in communication control of the monitored file is adjusted, a mode in which an MTU in the information processing system is adjusted, a mode in which a buffer size of the monitored file is enlarged or reduced, and a mode in which a compression command for the monitored file group is executed on the acquisition destination of the monitored file before transferring the monitored file.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the upload unit applies the file acquisition mode temporarily or partially to the monitoring target files.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the execution unit is an OSS.

6. A computer that controls an information processing system, an execution unit that detects updates to the monitored files, executes an external script based on the detection result of the updates to the monitored files, and transmits the detection result of the updates to the monitored files to the cloud storage; functioning as an external module that is extended to the execution unit; The external module includes: a detection unit that detects the monitoring target file or a characteristic of communication quality of the monitoring target file; a change unit that changes the file acquisition mode of the monitoring target file to one or more of a plurality of different file acquisition modes based on the detection result of the feature; an upload unit that acquires the monitoring target file in accordance with the changed file acquisition mode and uploads the acquired monitoring target file to the cloud storage; Equipped with The detection result of the feature includes a file size of the monitored file; If the file size is small and the communication environment of the information processing system is stable, the execution unit executes the external script and transmits a detection result of an update of the monitoring target file to the cloud storage; When the communication environment of the information processing system is unstable and when a large amount of data transfer occurs in the information processing system, the change unit changes the file acquisition mode to one or more of the plurality of different file acquisition modes based on a result of the detection of the feature; The upload unit acquires the monitoring target file in accordance with the changed file acquisition mode, and uploads the acquired monitoring target file to the cloud storage.

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