US4803683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for testing a distributed computer system
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1986-08-11
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Granted: 1989-02-07
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Expires: 2006-08-11
Abstract
Abstract In a distributed processing system where a series of processes are carried out by distributed processors connected through a network without provision of a control processor which controls the overall system, an arbitrary processor generates test information and the processors, each having a memory for storing a program to be tested, decide whether or not the program is to be test-run in accordance with the test information and, if test-run is carried out, send out the result of the test-run program into the network when necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Kinji Mori
- 👤 Yasuo Suzuki
- 👤 Katsumi Kawano
- 👤 Masayuki Orimo
- 👤 Minoru Koizumi
- 👤 Hirokazu Kasajima
- 👤 Kozou Nakai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/36; G06F11/3668; G06F11/3672; G06F11/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for testing a program in a distributed processing system including a plurality of processors connected through a network, each of said processors operating independently form each other, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether or not said program in said distributed processing system is to be test-run by a particular one of said plurality of processors; acquiring test information corresponding to said program when said program is determined to be test-run by said particular one of said plurality of processors; and executing said test-run of said program on the basis of said test information; wherein said determining, acquiring and executing steps are performed during on-line operation of said distributed processing system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for testing a program in a distributed processing system including a plurality of processors connected through a network, each of said processors operating independently form each other, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether or not said program in said distributed processing system is to be test-run by a particular one of said plurality of processors; acquiring test information corresponding to said program when said program is determined to be test-run by said particular one of said plurality of processors; and executing said test-run of said program on the basis of said test information; wherein said determining, acquiring and executing steps are performed during on-line operation of said distributed processing system.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of testing a program in a distributed processing system including a plurality of processors connected through a network, each of said processors having a memory for storing said program when distributed to each of said plurality of processors, said method, comprising the steps of: selecting at least one of said processors to operate as a tester for said program; determining whether or not said program is to be test-run; receiving test information corresponding to said program to be test-run; and executing said test-run of said program on the basis of said test information; wherein said selecting, determining, receiving and executing steps are performed during on-line operation of said distributed processing system.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of testing a program in a distributed processing system including a plurality of processors connected through a network, each of said processors having a memory for storing said program when distributed to each of said plurality of processors, said method, comprising the steps of: selecting at least one of said processors to operate as a tester for said program; determining whether or not said program is to be test-run; receiving test information corresponding to said program to be test-run; and executing said test-run of said program on the basis of said test information; wherein said selecting, determining, receiving and executing steps are performed during on-line operation of said distributed processing system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: sending a result of said test-run of said program into said network and receiving the result of the test by said other processor for detecting abnormality of said program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein each of said processors suppresses an input or output of data to be processed for an associated input/output device without precluding operation of said input/output device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said test information comprises information indicative of a test-run and test data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said information indicative of said test-run is appended to transmission data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said test information is included in said program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said test information is stored in said plurality of processors.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for testing a program in a distributed processing system including a plurality of processors connected through a network, each of said processors having a first memory for storing a program under test, a second memory for storing a test flag for said program and test means for implementing a test, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting data including a test flag from an arbitrary one of said plurality of processors working as a tester into said network; discriminating first test data and other data based on said test flag; producing program-running data from said data in said network if said data in said network is identified to be test data; executing said program using said program-running data; forming execution result data into second test data; and transmitting said second test data back into said network; wherein all of said method steps are provided in any of said plurality of processors during on-line operation of said distributed processing system.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for testing a program in a distributed processing system including a plurality of processors connected through a network, each of said processors having a first memory for storing a program under test, a second memory for storing a test flag for said program and test means for implementing a test, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting data including a test flag from an arbitrary one of said plurality of processors working as a tester into said network; discriminating first test data and other data based on said test flag; producing program-running data from said data in said network if said data in said network is identified to be test data; executing said program using said program-running data; forming execution result data into second test data; and transmitting said second test data back into said network; wherein all of said method steps are provided in any of said plurality of processors during on-line operation of said distributed processing system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said first test data identified by each of said processors includes a test input value and a normal output value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said test means executes said program using fetched first test data and determines normality or abnormality of said program based on a comparison of output data as a result of execution with said normal output value in said first test data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining whether or not an application program loaded in said processor is in a test mode; producing data of a test-run result by fetching data as a result of execution of said application program; and transmitting said produced data out into said network when said application program is determined to be in said test mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: collecting input data for said program in said test mode and test result data corresponding to said input data, and displaying said input data and said test result data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein each of said processors has a predetermined output pattern in correspondence to said program in said test mode, said method further comprising the steps of: comparing said test result data with said output pattern; and releasing said processor from said test mode in response to a predetermined result of the comparison.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
A test system for testing a program in a distributed processing system including a plurality of processors connected through a network, each of said processors operating independently from each other and at least one of said processors working as a tester, each of said processors comprising: means for determining whether or not a program in said system is to be test-run during on-line operation of said system; means for acquiring test information corresponding to said program when said program is to be test-run; and means for executing the test-run of said program on the basis of said test information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
99 words
A test system for testing a program in a distributed processing system including a plurality of processors connected through a network, each of said processors operating independently from each other and at least one of said processors working as a tester, each of said processors comprising: means for determining whether or not a program in said system is to be test-run during on-line operation of said system; means for acquiring test information corresponding to said program when said program is to be test-run; and means for executing the test-run of said program on the basis of said test information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system according to claim 15, wherein each of said processors further comprises: means for transmitting a result of execution of said program into said network in response to the execution of the test-run of said program caused by test information received from another processor; and wherein said tester processor includes means for receiving said result and detecting an abnormality of said program.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for testing a program in a data processing system in which a plurality of programs are stored, said method comprising the steps of: preparing a table including test flags respectively corresponding to said plurality of programs, said test flags indicating whether or not the corresponding program is to be tested; determining, based on said test flags contained in said table, whether each of said programs is in a test mode or an on-line mode; and executing said program based on a result of said determining step.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for testing a program in a data processing system in which a plurality of programs are stored, said method comprising the steps of: preparing a table including test flags respectively corresponding to said plurality of programs, said test flags indicating whether or not the corresponding program is to be tested; determining, based on said test flags contained in said table, whether each of said programs is in a test mode or an on-line mode; and executing said program based on a result of said determining step.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-07 | 1992-08-08 | 1993-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-07 | 1996-08-08 | 1997-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-07 | 2000-08-08 | 2001-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |