Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory – Storage accessing and control – Access timing
Utility Patent
1997-04-30
2001-01-02
Yoo, Do Hyun (Department: 2755)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory
Storage accessing and control
Access timing
C709S241000
Utility Patent
active
06170045
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates, in general, to data piping between applications and, in particular, to using shared pipes within an external shared memory to perform data piping between applications of different systems.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application contains subject matter which is related to the subject matter of the following applications, which are assigned to the same assignee as this application and filed on the same day as this application. The below listed applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
“Cross-System Data Piping Method Using An External Shared Memory,” by Bobak et al., Ser. No. 08/846,718 (Docket No. PO9-97-052); and
“Cross-System Data Piping System Using An External Shared Memory,” by Bobak et al., Ser. No. 08/846,714 (Docket No. PO9-97-056).
BACKGROUND ART
Simple data piping between two units of work (e.g., a writer application and a reader application) includes the writer application writing data to a pipe and the reader application reading data from the pipe. In one example, the pipe is a first in-first out (FIFO) queue, which is a conduit of a stream of data. As data is written to the pipe, the data is read from the pipe.
Within a single system (i.e., one operating system image), data piping is typically implemented using a FIFO buffer queue structure located in inboard memory. The pipe is accessible to both applications participating in the piping. Further, in single systems, multiple writer and reader applications of the same single system can access the same pipe, providing for a shared pipe. The shared pipe enhances performance by allowing the multiple writers and readers of the single system to access the shared pipe, concurrently.
In addition to the above, data piping has been performed between applications on two different systems, using point-to-point communication lines. In particular, the pipe is maintained on at least one of the two systems participating in the piping (i.e., at least one of the systems dispatching the work units) and there is a direct, static connection between the two systems.
However, a need still exists for a cross-system data piping facility that can be extended beyond two systems. Further, a need exists for a dynamic cross-system data piping facility that allows dynamic connections to a shared pipe and does not require static connections between the systems and the pipe. A yet further need exists for a cross-system data piping facility that enables the shared pipe to be separate from the systems that are dispatching the work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of an article of manufacture including at least one computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing cross-system data piping. The computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture includes, for instance, computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect writing data, by a writer of a first system, to a pipe located within an external shared memory. The first system has a first operating system image and the external shared memory has processing capabilities. The computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture further includes computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect reading data from the pipe by a reader of a second system, wherein the second system has a second operating system image. The external shared memory is coupled to the first system and the second system such that the pipe is separate from the first and second systems.
In one example, the first system is located within a central processing complex coupled to the external shared memory and the second system is located within another central processing complex coupled to the external shared memory.
In another example, the first and second systems are located within the same central processing complex coupled to the external shared memory.
In another embodiment, the first and second systems and the pipe are included in a first pipeplex. Further, in another example, computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect forming a second pipeplex is provided. The second pipeplex includes another pipe located within the external shared memory and at least one system of the first system, the second system and another system.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the pipe of the first pipeplex is located within a first list structure of the external shared memory and the another pipe of the second pipeplex is located within a second list structure of the external shared memory.
In other embodiments of the invention, computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect allocating, opening and closing the pipe are included.
The cross-system data piping capability of the present invention advantageously enables the sharing of one or more data pipes across systems within a system processing complex. The systems can be included within one central processing complex or a plurality of central processing complexes. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, multiple readers and writers from multiple systems can access a shared pipe, which is located in a storage facility separate from any of the systems issuing the requests. The cross-system data piping capability of the present invention advantageously allows dynamic connections to one or more shared pipes and the efficient balancing of work loads throughout the processing complex by not requiring all users of a common pipe to exist on the same system image.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.
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Bobak Roman A.
Compton Scott Brady
Johnson Jon K.
Martens Alan F.
Maurer Max M.
Fourson Gary Scott
Heslin & Rothenberg, P.C.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kinnaman, Jr. Esq. William A.
Yoo Do Hyun
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