JP5493299B2 - Tester and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for eliminating complicated manual work required for installation work of a plurality of electronic devices.

  In recent years, it has become difficult to manage all electronic devices (for example, servers) manually by CE (Customer Engineer) due to the enlargement and high complexity of data centers. However, server installation / maintenance work still requires manual work and visual confirmation by the CE, and is highly dependent on the skills of the CE.

  When installing an electronic device, it is necessary to connect to an appropriate power transmission and distribution system according to the purpose of use, voltage, frequency, etc. of each electronic device. However, the transmission / distribution system has become more complicated as the data center becomes larger and more complex. For example, in order to install 10,000 electronic devices, the CE checks the work procedure manual, and the appropriate power transmission / distribution system outlet from the group of more than 10,000 outlets installed in the data center. Each electronic device will be installed.

  At this time, in order to confirm whether or not the electronic device is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system, the voltage and frequency of each power transmission / distribution system are measured using a measuring device, or a label for identifying the power transmission / distribution system is used. Measures such as sticking to an outlet are taken.

  In the past, the reason for having to rely on such manual confirmation work is which power transmission / distribution system the power cable of the electronic device is connected to, unlike a LAN cable or FC (Fibre Channel) cable. There is a reason that automatic inspection is not possible. This is because the power cable is not for communication and an address is not assigned to an end point (outlet).

  On the other hand, in recent years, a communication technique has been provided in which a data signal modulated at a specific frequency is superimposed on a power line and transmitted. As a conventional technique using this communication technique, there is a technique for confirming whether or not power line communication between each slave unit is possible when a slave unit is connected to a power line communication network to which the master unit is connected.

JP 2007-318511 A JP 2005-536971 A

  However, the above-described conventional technology using power line communication is for confirming whether power line communication is possible between electronic devices connected to a certain power transmission / distribution system, and whether each electronic device is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system. I can't confirm. For this reason, complicated manual work and visual confirmation are still required during the installation work of the electronic device, and there is a problem that the work time and work load for the installation work increase.

  The present invention eliminates the complicated manual work and visual confirmation during the installation work of the electronic equipment, and reduces the work time and work load required for the installation work in order to eliminate the above-mentioned problems caused by the prior art. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the disclosed technology is such that the power plug of the tester is connected to an arbitrary outlet selected from a group of outlets arranged in a facility where electronic equipment is installed. Among the plurality of power transmission and distribution systems constituting the power line communication network, the one power transmission and distribution system terminated at the outlet where the connection of the power plug is detected is related to system information unique to the one power transmission and distribution system As a result of broadcasting the request, as a result of the broadcast of the request, the system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system is received from one information processing apparatus attached to the one transmission / distribution system, and the received system information is output. To do.

  According to this disclosed technique, it is possible to eliminate complicated manual work and visual confirmation by hand during the installation work of the electronic device, and to reduce the work time and work load required for the installation work.

  Exemplary embodiments of the tester and the information processing apparatus will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tester and information processing device uses power line communication to check whether the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device is to be connected is correct, thereby eliminating complicated manual work and visual confirmation by humans. Reduce the work time and workload for installation work.

(Embodiment 1)
(Data center configuration)
First, the configuration of the data center according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram (part 1) of the data center. In FIG. 1, a data center 100 is a facility in which a plurality of electronic devices (for example, servers) can be installed, and a plurality of power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn having different operational specifications (performance) (in FIG. System K1-Kn ").

  The tester 101 is a computer device that supports installation work of an electronic device by a CE (Customer Engineer). Each of the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n is a computer apparatus that is attached to each of the power transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn and can communicate with the power line via the first network with the tester 101 used by the CE. .

  Power line communication is a communication technique in which a data signal modulated at a specific frequency is superimposed and transmitted on a power line that transmits electricity. As the power line communication, for example, there is PLC (Power Line Communication). The CE is a worker who carries in, installs, and maintains (inspects and repairs) electronic devices.

  Each power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn is provided with outlets C1 to Cn for connecting a power cable of an electronic device (including the tester 101) and a power line of each power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn. By inserting the power plug of the tester 101 into these outlets C1 to Cn, power line communication is possible between the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n and the tester 101.

  The information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n are connected to a second network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the Internet through a communication line. The information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n can communicate with each other via the second network.

  Each electronic device is connected to the power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn to receive power supply, but is connected to an appropriate power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn depending on the purpose of use, voltage, frequency, and the like. There is a need. However, as the data center 100 becomes larger and more complicated, the power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn become more complicated, and the number of installed electronic devices has become enormous (for example, 10,000).

  For this reason, manual confirmation using a measuring instrument, a label, a system diagram, etc. by hand at the time of installation of an electronic apparatus becomes complicated, and the work load and work time concerning installation work are increasing. Furthermore, the visual check by human hand can not only eliminate the possibility of erroneous recognition, but also there is a possibility that a labeling error to be referred to or a systematic diagram creation error may occur.

  In this case, the expected operation when the power is accidentally turned off, such as switching to the sub system when the main system fails or starting the backup function in the event of a power failure, is not performed properly, causing the worst situation such as electronic equipment failure or data loss. There is a possibility that the quality of the service provided by the data center is lowered.

  In addition, although it is possible to reduce rudimentary mistakes by confirming that there are no errors in the labels (marks) and the system diagram, this confirmation work requires a large-scale inspection work. For this reason, it is difficult to frequently perform confirmation work in accordance with an increase in transmission / distribution system or performance change. For this reason, it is becoming difficult for the CE to perform all the installation work manually while confirming the work procedure manual as in the prior art.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the system information of each power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn is presented using the tester 101 at the time of installing the electronic device, or the power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn to be connected are correct. By automatically inspecting whether or not, it is proposed to eliminate the complicated manual work and visual confirmation by CE, and reduce the work time and work load for installation work.

(Appearance of tester)
Next, the appearance of the tester 101 according to the first embodiment will be described. The tester 101 includes a portable type that can be carried and a built-in type that can be installed in an electronic device. Here, the appearance of a portable type tester will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the tester. In FIG. 2, a display 201 and an operation panel 202 are provided on the housing front surface 210 of the tester 101. A power cable 203 having a power plug 204 that can be inserted into the outlets C1 to Cn (see FIG. 1) of the power transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn is attached to the case side surface 220 of the tester 101.

  Furthermore, a jack 205 into which a removable medium, a connection cable, or the like can be inserted is provided on the case side surface 230 of the tester 101. By inserting a removable medium holding work procedure information for constructing the system of the data center 100 into the jack 205, the work procedure information can be taken into the tester 101.

  The CE can confirm the system information of each power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn by inserting the power plug 204 into the outlets C1 to Cn. At this time, power line communication is performed between the tester 101 and each of the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n via the power lines of the power transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn.

  Note that the tester 101 may receive power supply from each of the power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn, or may receive power supply from a battery (not shown) built in the tester 101.

(Contents stored in the condition table)
Next, the contents stored in the condition table used for the tester 101 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the condition table. In FIG. 3, the condition table 300 includes work procedure information 300- showing the conditions of the power transmission / distribution system to which each electronic device is connected for each work procedure included in the entire series of work related to the installation work of a plurality of electronic devices. 1 to 300-m are stored.

  Specifically, the work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m includes information on work procedure numbers, electronic device names, transmission / distribution system IDs, voltages, frequencies, and UPS (Uninterruptable Power Systems). The work procedure number is a number that identifies the work procedure. The electronic device name is a name of the electronic device.

  The transmission / distribution system ID is an identifier for identifying the transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn. The voltage / frequency is a designed voltage / frequency [V / Hz] used in each of the transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn. The UPS is information indicating the presence or absence of a device that supplies power to an electronic device using an internal battery as a power source when a power failure such as a power failure or a power fluctuation occurs.

  Here, taking the work procedure information 300-1 as an example, the electronic device “host_1” has a voltage of 200 [V], a frequency of 60 [Hz], and a condition for connecting to the transmission / distribution system K2 with UPS. It is shown. In addition, when using several systems for one electronic device, it is good also as having work procedure information of multiple systems (for example, main system, sub system).

  Each work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m includes a voltage / frequency error range (for example, ± 10 [%]), an expected instantaneous power failure time (for example, 20 [ms] or less), a UPS It is good also as having design values (an error range is included), such as backup time, electric capacity which can be supplied, failure rate, power consumption, power factor, and ripple current / voltage.

  Furthermore, as information indicating the current status of each of the transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn, the measured values of the voltage, current, and frequency that are actually supplied, the remaining backup time, the presence of power failure and other failures are indicated. It is good also as having information.

  These work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m can be extracted from physical design information of a system constructed in the data center 100. Specifically, for example, design procedure information and physical design information are created by giving system logical design information to CAD (Computer Aided Design).

  Then, by extracting connection information between the electronic device and the power transmission / distribution system from the physical design information, work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m for each work procedure included in the entire series of work specified from the design procedure information. Can be created. The work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m created in this way is taken into the tester 101 via a removable medium, for example.

  Although not shown, the condition table 300 may hold a work procedure manual ID for identifying a work procedure manual referred to by the CE when a system is built in the data center 100. The work procedure manual is a procedure manual showing the work contents to be performed by the CE in each work procedure included in the entire series of work. Here, it is assumed that the work procedure manual ID “DCCE-A” is held.

(Hardware configuration of computer device)
Next, a hardware configuration of the computer apparatus (tester 101, information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n) according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the computer apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  4, the computer apparatus includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, a magnetic disk drive 404, a magnetic disk 405, and an optical disk drive 406. An optical disk 407, a display 408, an interface (I / F) 409, and an operation panel 410. Each component is connected by a bus 400.

  Here, the CPU 401 controls the entire computer apparatus. The ROM 402 stores programs such as a boot program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The magnetic disk drive 404 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to control of CPU401. The magnetic disk 405 stores data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404.

  The optical disk drive 406 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disk 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. The optical disk 407 stores data written under the control of the optical disk drive 406, or causes the computer to read data stored on the optical disk 407.

  The display 408 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. As the display 408, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, or the like can be adopted.

  An interface (hereinafter, abbreviated as “I / F”) 409 is connected to a network 414 (for example, a first network and a second network) through a communication line (including a power line). Connected to the device. The I / F 409 controls an internal interface with the network 414 and controls data input / output from an external apparatus.

  The operation panel 410 (for example, the operation panel 202 of the tester 101 shown in FIG. 2) includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. Moreover, a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad may be used.

(Functional configuration of tester)
Next, a functional configuration of the tester 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the tester. In FIG. 5, the tester 101 includes an input unit 501, a detection unit 502, a transmission unit 503, a reception unit 504, a comparison / determination unit 505, and an output unit 506.

  Specifically, the functions (input unit 501 to output unit 506) serving as the control unit are, for example, a program stored in a storage area such as the ROM 402, RAM 403, magnetic disk 405, and optical disk 407 shown in FIG. This function is realized by executing the function or by the I / F 409. The connection destination function indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 reads output data from the connection source function from the storage area and causes the CPU 401 to execute a program related to the function.

  The tester 101 can communicate with the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n attached to the transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn constituting the first network (power line communication network). The tester 101 may be a portable type that can be carried or a built-in type that is installed in an electronic device.

  First, the input unit 501 has a function of receiving input of conditions of a power transmission / distribution system to which an electronic device is to be connected. The conditions are information defining the voltage, frequency, presence / absence of UPS, backup time, instantaneous power failure time, and the like of the power transmission / distribution system. The conditions of the power transmission / distribution system may be input by the user operating the operation panel 202 (410) shown in FIG. 2, for example, or acquired from an external device (for example, a management device 1801 described later). It is good as well.

  At this time, the conditions for all electronic devices installed in the data center 100 may be input in a lump. In this case, the conditions of the power transmission / distribution system (for example, the work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m shown in FIG. 3) are associated with the work procedure included in the entire series of work related to the system construction in the data center 100. It is good also as inputting.

  The input work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m is stored in the condition table 300 realized by storage areas such as the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407 shown in FIG.

  Further, the input unit 501 may accept an input of a work procedure number that specifies the current work procedure. In this case, the comparison / determination unit 505 extracts the work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m stored in association with the work procedure number input by the input unit 501 from the condition table 300. Become.

  The detection unit 502 connects the power plug 204 of the tester 101 to an arbitrary outlet Ci (i = 1, 2,..., N) selected from the outlet group C1 to Cn disposed in the data center 100 where the electronic device is installed. Has a function of detecting that is connected. Specifically, for example, when the supply of electricity from the power transmission / distribution system Ki to the tester 101 is detected, it may be detected that the power plug 204 is connected to the outlet Ci.

  The transmission unit 503 relates to system information unique to the power transmission / distribution system Ki to the power transmission / distribution system Ki terminated at the outlet Ci where the connection of the power plug 204 is detected by the detection unit 502 among the plurality of power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn. It has a function to broadcast a request. In the header of this request, a flag representing a request for system information is set.

  When broadcast to the power transmission / distribution system Ki, the request is distributed to all electronic devices (including the information processing apparatus 102-i) connected to the power transmission / distribution system Ki. Further, the information processing apparatus 102-i that has received the request can recognize the request for the system information from the tester 101 based on the flag set in the header.

  Note that the transmission timing by the transmission unit 503 can be arbitrarily set. For example, automatic transmission may be performed when insertion of the power plug 204 is detected, and transmission may be performed when the start button of the operation panel 202 is pressed by the user as a result of detection of insertion of the power plug 204. Also good.

  The reception unit 504 has a function of receiving system information unique to the transmission / distribution system Ki from the information processing apparatus 102-i attached to the transmission / distribution system Ki as a result of the request being broadcast by the transmission unit 503. Here, a specific example of system information unique to the power transmission and distribution system will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of system information unique to the power transmission and distribution system.

  In FIG. 6, system information 600 shows information on the transmission / distribution system ID, voltage, frequency, and UPS regarding the transmission / distribution system K1. According to the system information 600, the power transmission / distribution system K1 can recognize that the voltage is 200 [V], the frequency is 60 [Hz], and the UPS is provided.

  The output unit 506 has a function of outputting system information unique to the power transmission and distribution system Ki received by the receiving unit 504. Specifically, for example, the system information 600 shown in FIG. 6 is output. Examples of the output format include display on the display 408 and transmission to an external device via the I / F 409. Alternatively, the data may be stored in a storage area such as the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407. Note that examples of screens displayed on the display 408 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The comparison / determination unit 505 has a function of comparing the conditions of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected with the system information unique to the transmission / distribution system Ki received by the reception unit 504. The conditions of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected can be extracted from the condition table 300 by operating the operation panel 202 and inputting the current work procedure number, for example. .

  In the case of the tester 101 built in the electronic device, the conditions of the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device is connected may be stored in advance in the storage area. In this case, the comparison / determination unit 505 compares the transmission / distribution system conditions stored in the storage area with the system information unique to the transmission / distribution system Ki received by the reception unit 504.

  More specifically, for example, the comparison / determination unit 505 includes a transmission / distribution system ID between a transmission / distribution system to which an electronic device currently being installed is connected and a transmission / distribution system Ki to which the tester 101 is currently connected. The design value may be compared among at least one of voltage, frequency, instantaneous power failure time, presence / absence of UPS, backup time, electric capacity, failure rate, power consumption, power factor, and ripple current / voltage.

  The output unit 506 may output the comparison result compared by the comparison / determination unit 505. Specifically, for example, the comparison result of the design values is displayed on the display 201 (408). Thereby, CE can judge whether it is connected to the right power transmission / distribution system only by confirming the display 201.

  The comparison / determination unit 505 has a function of determining whether or not the tester 101 is connected to a correct power transmission / distribution system based on the comparison result. Specifically, for example, it may be determined that the design value matches, and if they match, it is determined that they are connected to the correct power transmission and distribution system. For example, considering that the voltage and frequency are the same but the operational specifications are different, even if the voltage, frequency, and presence / absence of the UPS match, it can be determined that it is connected to the correct transmission / distribution system. Good.

  Further, it may be determined whether or not the correct power transmission / distribution system is connected in consideration of the error range of each design value. For example, it is assumed that the conditions of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device is connected are voltage: 100 [V], frequency: 60 [Hz], and each error range: 10 [%]. In this example, when the voltage of the transmission / distribution system Ki is 90 to 110 [V] and the frequency is 54 to 66 [Hz], the voltage and frequency are within the error range, so the connection to the correct transmission / distribution system is made. It is determined that

  Further, even if the transmission / distribution system ID of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected and the transmission / distribution system Ki to which the tester 101 is currently connected is different, other design values match. Alternatively, if it is within the error range, it may be determined that the power transmission / distribution system is connected.

  The output unit 506 may output the determination result determined by the comparison / determination unit 505. Specifically, for example, a message indicating whether or not a correct power transmission / distribution system is connected is displayed on the display 408. Thereby, CE can grasp | ascertain whether it is connected to the right power transmission / distribution system only by confirming the display 408. FIG.

  Further, when the comparison / determination unit 505 determines that the tester 101 is connected to the wrong transmission / distribution system, the transmission unit 503 issues a search request for the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is to be connected. It may be broadcast to the power transmission / distribution system Ki. In the header of this search request, a flag representing the search request for the transmission / distribution system is set, and the condition of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected is described in the body.

  Further, the reception unit 504 may receive, from the information processing apparatus 102-i, position information related to the installation position of the transmission / distribution system to which the tester 101 is connected as a result of the search request being broadcast by the transmission unit 503. The position information regarding the installation position of the power transmission / distribution system is information representing the installation positions of the outlets C1 to Cn of the power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn in the data center 100.

  As a specific example of this position information, a floor number, a stripe number, a rack number, etc. in the data center 100 may be used, and the labels attached to the outlets C1 to Cn of the power transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn. It may be a color (for example, red, blue, etc.). Furthermore, the floor image which highlights the installation position of the power transmission / distribution system in a floor may be sufficient.

  As a result of broadcasting the search request, if no transmission / distribution system that satisfies the condition is found, message information indicating that there is no transmission / distribution system to which the tester 101 should be connected is sent from the information processing apparatus 102-i. It may be received.

  The output unit 506 may output position information of the power transmission / distribution system to which the tester 101 received by the receiving unit 504 is connected. Specifically, for example, position information specifying the position of the power transmission / distribution system to which the tester 101 is connected is displayed on the display 408. Thereby, CE can grasp | ascertain the position of the power transmission / distribution system which should be connected only by confirming the display 408. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an example of a screen displayed on the display 201 (408) of the portable tester 101 during the installation work of the electronic device will be described. FIG. 7 is a screen example (part 1) displayed on the tester display. In FIG. 7, first, when the tester 101 is turned on, a work procedure manual ID confirmation screen 710 is displayed on the display 201.

  Here, the CE confirms whether the work procedure manual ID described in the work procedure manual and the work procedure manual ID displayed on the display 201 match. This is to prevent inconsistency between the work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m stored in the condition table 300 of the tester 101 and the contents described in the work procedure manual.

  If they coincide with each other, the work procedure number of the work procedure to be performed is input by operating the operation panel 202 with the CE. Here, the work procedure number “j” is input (j = 1, 2,..., M). Next, the power plug 204 of the tester 101 is inserted into an arbitrary outlet C1 to Cn by CE. Here, it is inserted into the outlet C1.

  When the power plug 204 is inserted into the outlet C1, a request regarding system information unique to the power transmission / distribution system K1 (for example, system information 600 shown in FIG. 6) is broadcast from the tester 101 to the power transmission / distribution system K1, indicating that an inquiry is being made. A standby screen 720 is displayed on the display 201.

  Thereafter, when there is a response from the information processing apparatus 102-1 attached to the power transmission / distribution system K1, and the system information is included in the response, the system information screen 730 is displayed on the display 201. Thereby, CE can confirm the system information of the power transmission / distribution system K1 currently connected.

  Furthermore, the power transmission / distribution system K1 to which the electronic device “host_j” is to be connected is correct by comparing the system information of the power transmission / distribution system K1 with the work content of the work procedure number j described in the work procedure manual. It can be judged whether it is a thing.

  Next, an example of a screen displayed on the display 201 when it is automatically determined whether or not it is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system will be described. FIG. 8 is a screen example (part 2) displayed on the tester display.

  In FIG. 8, first, upon receiving the system information of the power transmission / distribution system K1 from the information processing apparatus 102-1, the process of determining whether or not the tester 101 is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system is started, and the standby indicating that the inspection is being performed. A screen 810 is displayed on the display 201. Here, a comparison / determination process between the work procedure information 300-j of the work procedure number j and the system information of the power transmission / distribution system K1 is executed.

  Here, when it is determined that it is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system, an end screen 820 indicating the end of the inspection is displayed on the display 201 together with a message to that effect. On the other hand, when it is determined that the electronic power supply system is connected to the wrong power transmission / distribution system, a start screen 830 indicating the start of searching for the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” is connected is displayed on the display 201.

  Next, an example of a screen displayed on the display 201 as a result of broadcasting a search request for the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” should be connected to the transmission / distribution system K1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a screen example (part 3) displayed on the display of the tester.

  In FIG. 9, when a search request for a transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” is connected is broadcast from the tester 101 to the transmission / distribution system K <b> 1, a standby screen 910 indicating that a search is in progress is displayed on the display 201.

  Thereafter, when position information regarding the installation position of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” is connected is received from the information processing apparatus 102-1, a position information screen 920 is displayed on the display 201. Thereby, CE can grasp | ascertain the installation position of the power transmission and distribution system which should connect electronic apparatus "host_j".

  On the other hand, when the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” is to be connected is not searched, an end screen 930 indicating the end of the inspection is displayed on the display 201 together with a message to that effect. Note that a floor image that highlights the installation position of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” should be connected may be displayed as the position information.

  FIG. 10 is a screen example (part 4) displayed on the tester display. In FIG. 10, a position information screen 1000 indicating the installation position of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” is to be connected is displayed on the display 201.

  On this position information screen 1000, a floor image 1000 that highlights 1010 the installation position of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” should be connected is displayed. The CE can intuitively grasp the installation position of the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device “host_j” is connected by visually recognizing the floor image 1010.

(Functional configuration of information processing device)
Next, a functional configuration of the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n (hereinafter simply referred to as “information processing apparatus 102”) will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus. In FIG. 11, the information processing apparatus 102 includes a first reception unit 1101, a first transmission unit 1102, a determination unit 1103, a second transmission unit 1104, a second reception unit 1105, and an output unit 1106. It is the structure containing these.

  Specifically, the functions (the first receiving unit 1101 to the output unit 1106) serving as the control unit are stored in a storage area such as the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407 shown in FIG. The function is realized by causing the CPU 401 to execute the program or by the I / F 409. The connection destination function indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11 reads output data from the connection source function from the storage area and causes the CPU 401 to execute a program related to the function.

  The information processing apparatus 102 is attached to transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn (hereinafter, simply referred to as “transmission / distribution system K”) constituting the first network (power line communication network), and is connected to the tester via the transmission / distribution system K. 101 can communicate with the power line. The information processing apparatus 102 can communicate with another information processing apparatus 102 via a second network such as the Internet, a LAN, or a WAN.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus 102, system information unique to the power transmission and distribution system K is set in advance. This system information is stored in storage areas such as the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the magnetic disk 405, and the optical disk 407 shown in FIG.

  First, the first receiving unit 1101 is connected to the outlet C of the power transmission / distribution system K installed in the data center 100 where the electronic equipment is installed, and as a result, the power receiving plug specific to the power transmission / distribution system K is obtained. The function of receiving a request regarding the system information from the tester 101 is provided. Specifically, it is possible to recognize a request related to the system information of the power transmission / distribution system K by a flag set in the header of the request.

  The first transmission unit 1102 has a function of transmitting system information unique to the transmission / distribution system K set in advance to the tester 101 when a request is received by the first reception unit 1101. Specifically, the system information is read from the storage area, and the system information is transmitted to the tester 101 that is the request transmission source.

  Further, the first receiving unit 1101 may receive a search request for a transmission / distribution system to which an electronic device currently being installed is connected from the tester 101. Specifically, the search request for the transmission / distribution system can be recognized by the flag set in the header of the search request. Further, the condition of the transmission / distribution system to be searched can be recognized from the description content of the body of the search request.

  The determination unit 1103 determines the condition of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed included in the search request received by the first reception unit 1101 is connected, and the system information specific to the transmission / distribution system K. By comparing, it has the function to determine whether the transmission / distribution system K satisfy | fills the said conditions. Note that the determination process by the determination unit 1103 is the same as the determination process by the comparison / determination unit 505 of the tester 101 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In addition, the first transmission unit 1102 may transmit the determination result determined by the determination unit 1103 to the tester 101. Specifically, for example, when the above condition is satisfied, a message indicating that the connection is made to the correct transmission / distribution system is transmitted. On the other hand, when the above condition is not satisfied, an incorrect transmission / distribution system is transmitted. A message indicating that the connection is established is transmitted (see FIG. 8).

  When the determination unit 1103 determines that the transmission / distribution system K does not satisfy the above condition, the second transmission unit 1104 transmits the search request received by the first reception unit 1101 to another information processing apparatus 102. Has the function of Specifically, for example, the search request is broadcast to the second network. When the address of another information processing apparatus 102 is held, a search request may be transmitted with the address as a destination.

  As a result of the search request being transmitted to the other information processing apparatus 102, the second receiving unit 1105 obtains position information regarding the installation position of the transmission / distribution system that satisfies the above conditions, and other information attached to the transmission / distribution system. It has a function of receiving from the processing device 102. Then, the first transmission unit 1102 transmits the position information received by the second reception unit 1105 to the tester 101.

  If position information cannot be received from another information processing apparatus 102, a message indicating that a transmission / distribution system that satisfies the above conditions has not been searched for may be transmitted to the tester 101.

  Further, when the second reception unit 1105 receives a search request from another information processing apparatus 102, the determination unit 1103 receives the transmission / distribution system conditions included in the search request and the system information unique to the own system. It is determined whether or not the own system satisfies the condition.

  Here, when the own system satisfies the condition, the second transmission unit 1104 transmits the position information regarding the installation position of the own system to the other information processing apparatus 102 that has transmitted the search request. On the other hand, when the own system does not satisfy the condition, a message indicating that may be transmitted to the other information processing apparatus 102 of the transmission source.

  When the determination unit 1103 determines that the power transmission / distribution system K satisfies the above conditions, the output unit 1106 is turned on to a light emitting device (for example, LED: Light Emitting Diode) provided at the outlet C of the power transmission / distribution system K It has a function of outputting a signal. The information processing apparatus 102 and the light emitting device may be connected by a power line of the power transmission / distribution system K or may be connected by another dedicated line.

  Here, a specific example of the light emitting device will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a light emitting device. In FIG. 12, the light emitting device 1200 is an LED provided above the outlet C disposed in the data center 100. The light emitting device 1200 has a function of causing the LED to emit light for a certain period (for example, 5 minutes) when receiving a lighting signal from the information processing device 102.

  The CE can find the light emitting device 1200 that is lit in the data center 100, thereby grasping the installation position of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected.

  The system information unique to the transmission / distribution system K set in the information processing apparatus 102 is updated from an external device (for example, a management apparatus 1801 described later) when the system performance of the transmission / distribution system K is changed. Updated on demand. Further, the user may operate the operation panel 410 illustrated in FIG. 4 to directly input the update information to the information processing apparatus 102.

(Tester work support procedure)
Next, a work support processing procedure of the tester 101 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts showing an example of the work support processing procedure of the tester. In the flowchart of FIG. 13, first, it is determined whether or not a work procedure number for specifying the current work procedure has been input by the input unit 501 (step S1301).

  Here, after waiting for the work procedure number to be input (step S1301: No), if it is input (step S1301: Yes), the comparison / determination unit 505 inputs the work input from the condition table 300. The work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m stored in association with the procedure number is extracted (step S1302).

  Thereafter, the detection unit 502 waits for the power plug 204 of the tester 101 to be connected to an arbitrary outlet Ci selected from the outlet groups C1 to Cn arranged in the data center 100 (step S1303: No). ), When the connection is detected (step S1303: Yes), the transmission unit 503 changes the power transmission / distribution system Ki to the end of the outlet Ci where the connection of the power plug 204 is detected among the power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn. A request for system information unique to the power transmission and distribution system Ki is broadcast (step S1304).

  Then, the receiving unit 504 determines whether a response to the request has been received within a certain time (step S1305). Note that the response waiting time (the predetermined time) is arbitrarily set in advance by the user operating the operation panel 410 shown in FIG.

  Here, when a response is received within a certain time (step S1305: Yes), it is determined whether or not system information unique to the transmission and distribution system Ki is included in the response (step S1306). (Step S1306: Yes), by the comparison / determination unit 505, the system information unique to the power transmission and distribution system Ki, and the conditions of the power transmission and distribution system specified from the work procedure information 300-1 to 300-m extracted in Step S1302 Are compared (step S1307).

  Further, the comparison / determination unit 505 determines whether or not the tester 101 is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system based on the comparison result (step S1308). If it is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system (step S1308: Yes), the output unit 506 outputs a message indicating that it is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system (step S1309). The series of processes by is terminated.

  On the other hand, when connected to the wrong power transmission / distribution system (step S1308: No), the output unit 506 outputs a message indicating that it is connected to the wrong power transmission / distribution system (step S1310). The process proceeds to step S1401 shown in FIG.

  In step S1305, if a response is not received within a certain time (step S1305: No), it is determined whether the broadcast count of the request has reached the specified count (step S1311), and the specified count is reached. If not (Step S1311: No), the process returns to Step S1304.

  On the other hand, when the specified number of times has been reached (step S1311: Yes), the output unit 506 outputs an error message indicating that there is no response to the request (step S1312), and the series of processing according to this flowchart ends.

  Also, in step S1306, when the system information unique to the transmission and distribution system Ki is not included (step S1306: No), the output unit 506 outputs an error message indicating that the system information is not included in the response ( Step S1312), a series of processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

  Next, in the flowchart of FIG. 14, first, the transmission unit 503 broadcasts a search request for a transmission / distribution system to which an electronic device currently being installed is connected to the transmission / distribution system Ki (step S1401). Then, the receiving unit 504 determines whether or not a response to the search request is received within a certain time (step S1402).

  If a response is received within a certain time (step S1402: Yes), it is determined whether or not the response includes position information regarding the installation position of the transmission / distribution system to which the tester 101 should be connected (step S1403). If it is included (step S1403: Yes), the output unit 506 outputs position information related to the installation position of the transmission / distribution system (step S1404), and the series of processes according to this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S1402, if no response is received within a certain time (step S1402: No), it is determined whether the search request broadcast count has reached the specified count (step S1405), and the specified count has been reached. If not (step S1405: No), the process returns to step S1401.

  On the other hand, when the specified number of times has been reached (step S1405: Yes), the output unit 506 outputs an error message indicating that there is no response to the search request (step S1406), and ends the series of processing according to this flowchart. .

  In step S1403, when the position information is not included (step S1403: No), the output unit 506 outputs an error message indicating that the transmission / distribution system to which the tester 101 should be connected has not been searched (step S1403). S1406), a series of processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

(Working support processing procedure of information processing device)
Next, a work support processing procedure of the information processing apparatus 102 according to the first embodiment will be described. 15 to 17 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a work support processing procedure of the information processing apparatus. In the flowchart of FIG. 15, first, the first receiving unit 1101 determines whether or not a request regarding system information unique to the transmission and distribution system K has been received from the tester 101 (step S1501).

  Here, after waiting for reception of the request (step S1501: No), if received (step S1501: Yes), it is determined whether or not system information unique to the transmission / distribution system K is set (step S1502). If set (step S1502: Yes), the first transmission unit 1102 transmits system information unique to the transmission / distribution system K to the tester 101 that is the transmission source of the request (step S1503). Terminate the process.

  On the other hand, when the system information specific to the transmission / distribution system K is not set (step S1502: No), the first transmission unit 1102 sends a message to the effect that the system information specific to the transmission / distribution system K is not set. The data is transmitted to the transmission source tester 101 (step S1504), and the series of processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

  Next, a work support processing procedure when a search request from the tester 101 received via the first network is transferred to another information processing apparatus 102 via the second network will be described.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 16, first, the first receiving unit 1101 determines whether or not a search request for a transmission / distribution system to which an electronic device currently being installed is connected has been received from the tester 101 (step S1601).

  Here, after waiting for a search request to be received (step S1601: No), if received (step S1601: Yes), the second transmission unit 1104 sends the received search request to another information processing apparatus 102. Broadcast (step S1602).

  Then, the second receiving unit 1105 determines whether a response to the search request is received within a certain time (step S1603). Here, when a response is received within a certain time (step S1603: Yes), it is determined whether or not the response includes position information regarding the installation position of the transmission and distribution system that satisfies the search request (step S1604).

  If the location information is included (step S1604: Yes), the first transmission unit 1102 causes the location information regarding the installation position of the transmission / distribution system that satisfies the search request to be sent to the tester 101 that is the transmission source of the search request. After transmitting (step S1605), a series of processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S1603, if a response is not received within a certain time (step S1603: No), it is determined whether the search request broadcast count has reached the specified count (step S1606), and the specified count has been reached. If not (step S1606: No), the process returns to step S1602.

  On the other hand, when the specified number of times has been reached (step S1606: Yes), the first transmission unit 1102 transmits an error message indicating that no transmission / distribution system satisfying the search request has been searched (step S1607), A series of processing by this flowchart is complete | finished.

  Next, a work support processing procedure when a search request is received from another information processing apparatus 102 via the second network will be described.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 17, first, the second receiving unit 1105 determines whether or not a request for searching for a transmission / distribution system to which an electronic device currently being installed is connected has been received from another information processing apparatus 102 ( Step S1701).

  Here, after waiting for the search request to be received (step S1701: No), if received (step S1701: Yes), the determination unit 1103 determines the transmission / distribution system conditions included in the received search request in advance. The set system information is compared with the set system information unique to the own system (step S1702), and it is determined whether or not the own system satisfies the conditions of the transmission and distribution system (step S1703).

  Here, when the conditions of the transmission / distribution system are satisfied (step S1703: Yes), the second transmission unit 1104 transmits position information regarding the installation position of the own system to the other information processing apparatus 102 that has transmitted the search request. After transmitting (step S1704), a series of processing according to this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when the conditions of the power transmission / distribution system are not satisfied (step S1703: No), a series of processes according to this flowchart is terminated.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, during the installation work of the electronic device, the transmission using the power line communication between the tester 101 and the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n is performed. The system information of the distribution systems K1 to Kn can be presented.

  Thereby, CE can confirm the system information of the transmission / distribution system K1-Kn currently connected. Moreover, the power transmission / distribution system K1-Kn which is going to connect an electronic device is compared with the system information of this power transmission / distribution system K1-Kn, and the work content of the present work procedure number described in the work procedure manual. It can be determined whether or not is correct.

  Further, it is possible to automatically check whether or not the transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn to be connected are correct by using the conditions of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device stored in the tester 101 is to be connected. . This eliminates the need for visual confirmation while viewing the work procedure manual by the CE, thereby preventing a confirmation error and reducing the work load.

  Furthermore, when the transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn to be connected are incorrect, the installation positions of the transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn to be connected can be presented. Thereby, CE can grasp | ascertain the installation position of the right power transmission / distribution system K1-Kn, and can reduce the effort concerning a system search.

  For this reason, it is possible to eliminate complicated manual work and visual confirmation using measuring equipment, labels (markers), system diagrams, etc. by CE during the installation work of electronic equipment, and work related to the installation work Time and workload can be reduced. In addition, by using the tester 101 for the inspection work of the label and the system diagram, it is possible to simplify the inspection work for confirming that there is no error in the label and the system diagram.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the portable tester 101 has been described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the tester 101 is built in an electronic device connected to each of the power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn. In addition, about the same location as the location demonstrated in Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Data center configuration)
First, the configuration of the data center according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram (part 2) of the data center. In FIG. 18, the data center 1800 includes a management device 1801, servers 1802-1 to 1802-k, and information processing devices 102-1 to 102-n.

  Each server 1802-1 to 1802-k includes a tester 101-1 to 101-k (corresponding to the tester 101). The management device 1801, the testers 101-1 to 101-k, and the information processing devices 102-1 to 102-n can communicate with each other via a third network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet.

  The management device 1801 is a computer device used by an administrator of the data center 1800, and has a function of controlling the operation of each tester 101-1 to 101-k. In addition, the management device 1801 has a function of transmitting a system information update request to the information processing devices 102-1 to 102-n attached to the power transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn.

  Here, the testers 101-1 to 101-k and the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n respectively built in the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k are the power sources of the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k. Power line communication is performed with each other via a cable.

  Each tester 101-1 to 101-k is set with a condition of a transmission / distribution system to which each server 1802-1 to 1802-k is connected. This condition may be set by the CE at the time of installation of each server 1802-1 to 1802-k, and at the time of shipment of each server 1802-1 to 1802-k (for example, a condition determined from the specifications of the electronic device). ) May be set.

  Further, each of the testers 101-1 to 101-k stores position information regarding the installation positions where the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k are currently installed. This position information is set in, for example, the outlets C1 to Cn of the power transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn, and is taken into the testers 101-1 to 101-k via the power cables of the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k. It is good as well.

(Hardware configuration of management device)
Next, a hardware configuration of the management apparatus 1801 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the management apparatus according to the second embodiment. 19, the management device 1801 includes a CPU 1901, a ROM 1902, a RAM 1903, a magnetic disk drive 1904, a magnetic disk 1905, an optical disk drive 1906, an optical disk 1907, a display 1908, an I / F 1909, a keyboard 1910, and the like. A mouse 1911, a scanner 1912, and a printer 1913. Each component is connected by a bus 1900.

  Here, the CPU 1901 controls the entire management apparatus 1801. The ROM 1902 stores programs such as a boot program. The RAM 1903 is used as a work area for the CPU 1901. The magnetic disk drive 1904 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the magnetic disk 1905 according to the control of the CPU 1901. The magnetic disk 1905 stores data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 1904.

  The optical disk drive 1906 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disk 1907 according to the control of the CPU 1901. The optical disc 1907 stores data written under the control of the optical disc drive 1906, or causes the computer to read data stored on the optical disc 1907.

  A display 1908 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. As the display 1908, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  An interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I / F”) 1909 is connected to a network 1914 (for example, a third network) through a communication line, and is connected to other devices via the network 1914. The I / F 1909 controls an internal interface with the network 1914 and controls input / output of data from an external device. For example, a modem or a LAN adapter may be employed as the I / F 1909.

  The keyboard 1910 includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. Moreover, a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad may be used. The mouse 1911 performs cursor movement, range selection, window movement, size change, and the like. A trackball or a joystick may be used as long as they have the same function as a pointing device.

  The scanner 1912 optically reads an image and takes in the image data into the management apparatus 1801. Note that the scanner 1912 may have an OCR (Optical Character Reader) function. The printer 1913 prints image data and document data. As the printer 1913, for example, a laser printer or an ink jet printer can be employed.

(Functional configuration of management device)
Next, a functional configuration of the management apparatus 1801 illustrated in FIG. 18 will be described. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the management apparatus. In FIG. 20, the management device 1801 includes an input unit 2001, a transmission unit 2002, a reception unit 2003, and an output unit 2004.

  Specifically, the functions (input unit 2001 to output unit 2004) serving as the control unit are, for example, programs stored in a storage area such as the ROM 1902, RAM 1903, magnetic disk 1905, and optical disk 1907 shown in FIG. The function is realized by executing the function or by the I / F 1909.

  First, the input unit 2001 has a function of receiving an input of an inspection start instruction for inspecting whether or not the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k installed in the data center 1800 are connected to the correct power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn. . The inspection start instruction is input by, for example, the user operating the keyboard 1910 and the mouse 1911 shown in FIG.

  When the inspection start instruction is input by the input unit 2001, the transmission unit 2002 sends an inspection request for inspecting whether or not each server 1802-1 to 1802-k is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn. It has a function to transmit to the testers 101-1 to 101-k built in the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k.

  When each tester 101-1 to 101-k receives an inspection request from the management apparatus 1801, the tester 101-1 to 101-k executes a comparison / determination process for determining whether or not the own apparatus is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system. The result is transmitted to the management apparatus 1801 as the inspection result.

  As a result of the transmission of the inspection request by the transmission unit 2002, the reception unit 2003 indicates whether or not each of the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn. 1 to 101-k. This inspection result may include position information regarding the installation positions at which the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k are currently installed.

  The output unit 2004 has a function of outputting the inspection result received by the receiving unit 2003. Examples of the output format by the output unit 2004 include display on the display 1908, print output to the printer 1913, and transmission to an external device by the I / F 1909. Further, it may be stored in a storage area such as the RAM 1903, the magnetic disk 1905, and the optical disk 1907.

  Moreover, the input part 2001 is good also as receiving the input of the update request | requirement regarding the system information peculiar to each power transmission / distribution system K1-Kn. This update request includes system information unique to each transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn after the update.

  The transmission unit 2002 may transmit the update request input by the input unit 2001 to the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n in which the system information to be updated is set. Thereby, the system information peculiar to each transmission / distribution system K1-Kn can be arbitrarily set according to the change of the system performance of the transmission / distribution system K1-Kn.

  When each of the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n receives the update request, the information processing apparatuses 102-1 to 102-n update the system information set in accordance with the update request and transmit an update completion response to the management apparatus 1801. Thereby, in the management apparatus 1801, it can recognize that the update process of the system | strain information of information processing apparatus 102-1 to 102-n was performed normally.

  Here, a specific example of the inspection result table displayed on the display 1908 will be described. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of the inspection result table. In FIG. 21, the inspection result table 2100 shows inspection results 2100-1 to 2100-k of the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k to be inspected.

  Specifically, each inspection result 2100-1 to 2100-k has information on the electronic device name, the inspection result, and the installation position. The electronic device name is the name of each server 1802-1 to 1802-k. An inspection result is a result which shows whether it is connected to the right power transmission / distribution system K1-Kn.

  Here, when connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn, “OK” is indicated, and when connected to the wrong power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn, “NG” is indicated. Although illustration is omitted, if there is no response to the inspection request, “no response” is written in the inspection result column.

  The installation position is position information indicating the current installation positions of the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k connected to the wrong power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn. Here, as an example, the floor number “3F”, the strip number “4”, and the rack number “2” on which the server 1802-2 is installed are described. In addition, when connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn, “Null” is written in the column of the installation position.

  The CE can collectively manage the connection status of all the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k installed in the data center 1800 by confirming the inspection result table 2100. Further, since the current installation position of the server 1802-2 connected to the wrong power transmission / distribution system K1-Kn is presented, the server 1802-2 to which the power transmission / distribution system K1-Kn should be changed is quickly and accurately found. be able to.

  Although illustration is omitted here, the inspection result table 2100 identifies the transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn to which the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k are currently connected and the correct transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn to be connected. Information to be stored may be stored as an inspection result. These pieces of information can be received as test results from the testers 101-1 to 101-k.

  Note that the management apparatus 1801 may include the function of the comparison / determination unit 505 of the testers 101-1 to 101-k. In this case, the management device 1801 collects the conditions of the transmission / distribution system to be connected and the system information unique to the currently connected transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn from each tester 101-1 to 101-k. It is possible to collectively check whether each server 1802-1 to 1802-k is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn.

(Work support processing procedure of the management device)
Next, a work support processing procedure of the management apparatus 1801 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a work support processing procedure of the management apparatus. In the flowchart of FIG. 22, first, an inspection start instruction for inspecting whether the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k installed in the data center 1800 are connected to the correct power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn is input by the input unit 2001. It is determined whether or not an input has been made (step S2201).

  Here, it waits for an inspection start instruction to be input (step S2201: No), and if it is input (step S2201: Yes), the transmission unit 2002 causes each server 1802-1 to 1802-k to send and receive power correctly. An inspection request for inspecting whether or not it is connected to the systems K1 to Kn is transmitted to the testers 101-1 to 101-k built in the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k (step S2202).

  After this, whether or not the reception unit 2003 has received from the testers 101-1 to 101-k the inspection results as to whether or not the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k are connected to the correct power transmission and distribution systems K1 to Kn. Is determined (step S2203).

  Here, when the inspection result is received (step S2203: Yes), it is determined whether or not the inspection result has been received from all the testers 101-1 to 101-k as the transmission destinations of the inspection request (step S2204). If not (step S2204: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the inspection request was transmitted (step S2205). In step S2203, when the inspection result is not received (step S2203: No), the process proceeds to step S2205.

  Here, when the fixed time has not elapsed (step S2205: NO), the process returns to step S2203. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed (step S2205: Yes), the output unit 2004 outputs the inspection result received in step S2203 (step S2206), and the series of processes according to this flowchart ends.

  When the test results are received from all the destination testers 101-1 to 101-k in step S2204 (step S2204: Yes), the output unit 2004 outputs the test results received in step S2203 ( In step S2206), a series of processes according to this flowchart is terminated.

  According to the second embodiment, the management device 1801 can collectively manage the connection status of the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k installed in the data center 1800. Thus, it is possible to confirm whether or not the CE is connected to the correct power transmission / distribution system K1 to Kn without going to the place where the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k are installed for inspection. it can.

  Moreover, the present installation positions of the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k connected to the wrong power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn can be presented as inspection results. Thereby, the servers 1802-1 to 1802-k connected to the wrong power transmission / distribution systems K1 to Kn can be accurately found out of a huge number of servers 1802-1 to 1802-k.

  The work support method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Further, this program may be a medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The following additional notes are disclosed with respect to the first and second embodiments described above.

(Appendix 1) An information processing apparatus attached to each of a plurality of power transmission / distribution systems constituting a power line communication network, and a tester capable of power line communication via each of the power transmission / distribution systems,
Detecting means for detecting that the power plug of the tester is connected to an arbitrary outlet selected from a group of outlets arranged in a facility where the electronic device is installed;
Transmission that broadcasts a request regarding system information unique to the one power transmission / distribution system to one power transmission / distribution system that ends with the outlet where the connection of the power plug is detected by the detection means among the plurality of power transmission / distribution systems Means,
As a result of the request being broadcast by the transmission means, receiving means for receiving system information unique to the one power transmission / distribution system from one information processing device attached to the one power transmission / distribution system;
Output means for outputting system information received by the receiving means;
A tester comprising:

(Supplementary note 2) Comparing means for comparing the conditions of the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected with the system information unique to the one power transmission / reception system received by the receiving means,
The output means includes
The tester according to appendix 1, wherein a comparison result compared by the comparison unit is output.

(Supplementary Note 3) A table that stores the work procedure included in the entire series of work related to the installation work of a plurality of electronic devices and the conditions of the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic devices are to be connected in association with each other,
Extraction means for extracting the conditions of the transmission and distribution system stored in association with a specific work procedure from the table,
The comparison means includes
The tester according to appendix 2, wherein the condition of the transmission / distribution system extracted by the extraction means is compared with the system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system.

(Appendix 4)
The comparison means includes
The tester according to appendix 2 or 3, wherein the voltage and frequency of the one power transmission / distribution system are compared with the voltage and frequency of the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently installed is to be connected.

(Supplementary note 5)
Any one of appendixes 2 to 4 characterized in that the instantaneous power failure time of the one power transmission / distribution system is compared with the power failure time of the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently installed is connected. The tester described.

(Appendix 6) The comparison means
Additional notes 2-5, wherein the presence / absence of UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) in the one power transmission / distribution system is compared with the presence / absence of UPS in the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently installed is connected. The tester according to any one of the above.

(Appendix 7) The comparison means
The backup time of the one power transmission / distribution system is compared with the backup time of the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently installed is to be connected. Tester.

(Additional remark 8) It is provided with the determination means which determines whether the said tester is connected to the right power transmission / distribution system based on the comparison result compared by the said comparison means,
The output means includes
The tester according to any one of appendices 2 to 7, wherein the determination result determined by the determination means is output.

(Supplementary note 9) The transmission means includes:
Broadcasting a search request for a power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic equipment currently installed is to be connected to the one power transmission / distribution system,
The receiving means includes
As a result of the search request being broadcast by the transmission means, position information regarding the installation position of the transmission / distribution system to which the tester is to be connected is received from the one information processing apparatus,
The output means includes
The tester according to appendix 8, wherein the position information received by the receiving means is output.

(Supplementary Note 10) The transmission means includes:
The tester according to appendix 9, wherein when the determination unit determines that the tester is not connected to a correct power transmission / distribution system, the search request is transmitted to the one information processing apparatus.

(Supplementary Note 11) The receiving means includes
As a result of the search request being transmitted by the transmission means, message information indicating that there is no transmission / distribution system to which the tester is to be connected is received from the one information processing apparatus,
11. The tester according to appendix 9 or 10, wherein the message information received by the receiving means is output.

(Supplementary note 12) An information processing apparatus attached to one power transmission / distribution system constituting a power line communication network and capable of power line communication with a tester via the one power transmission / distribution system,
As a result of the connection of the power plug of the tester to the outlet of the one transmission / distribution system arranged in the facility where the electronic equipment is installed, a request regarding system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system is received from the tester. Receiving means for
When the request is received by the receiving means, transmitting means for transmitting system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system set in advance to the tester;
An information processing apparatus comprising:

(Additional remark 13) It has the determination means which determines whether the said one power transmission / distribution system satisfy | fills the conditions of the power transmission / distribution system which should connect a specific electronic device,
The receiving means includes
Receives from the tester the conditions of the power transmission and distribution system to which the electronic equipment currently being installed is connected,
The determination means includes
By comparing the condition of the transmission / distribution system received by the receiving means and the system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system, it is determined whether the one transmission / distribution system satisfies the condition,
The transmission means includes
13. The information processing apparatus according to appendix 12, wherein the determination result determined by the determination unit is transmitted to the tester.

(Supplementary Note 14) Output means for outputting a lighting signal to a light emitting device provided at an outlet of the one power transmission / distribution system when the determination means determines that the one power transmission / distribution system satisfies the condition The information processing apparatus according to attachment 13, further comprising:

(Additional remark 15) It has a communication means which communicates with other information processor via a communication network which connects between the information processors attached for every transmission and distribution system,
The communication means includes
When it is determined by the determination means that the one power transmission / distribution system does not satisfy the condition, a search request for the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to appendix 13 or 14, characterized in that:

(Supplementary Note 16) The receiving means includes:
Received from the tester a search request for a transmission and distribution system to which the electronic equipment currently installed is to be connected,
The communication means includes
The information processing apparatus according to any one of appendices 13 to 15, wherein when the search request is received by the receiving unit, the search request is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus.

(Supplementary Note 17) The communication means includes:
As a result of the search request being transmitted to the other information processing apparatus, position information regarding the installation position of the transmission / distribution system that satisfies the condition is received from another information processing apparatus attached to the transmission / distribution system,
The transmission means includes
The information processing apparatus according to appendix 16, wherein the position information received by the communication unit is transmitted to the tester.

(Supplementary Note 18) The communication means includes:
A search request for a transmission / distribution system to be connected to the electronic device currently being installed is received from the other information processing apparatus,
The determination means includes
Whether or not the one transmission / distribution system satisfies the condition by comparing the condition of the transmission / distribution system included in the search request received by the communication means with the system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system The information processing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 13 to 17, characterized by:

  As described above, the tester and the information processing apparatus are useful for installing electronic devices in a data center or a server room that can accommodate a plurality of electronic devices.

It is a block diagram (the 1) of a data center. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a tester. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the memory content of a condition table. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer device according to a first embodiment; It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a tester. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the system information intrinsic | native to a power transmission / distribution system. It is a screen example (the 1) displayed on the display of a tester. It is a screen example (the 2) displayed on the display of a tester. It is a screen example (the 3) displayed on the display of a tester. It is a screen example (the 4) displayed on the display of a tester. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of information processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of a light-emitting device. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows an example of the work assistance processing procedure of a tester. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows an example of the work assistance process procedure of a tester. 12 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of a work support processing procedure of the information processing apparatus. 10 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of a work support processing procedure of the information processing apparatus. 12 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating an example of a work support processing procedure of the information processing apparatus. It is a block diagram (2) of a data center. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a management apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a management apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of a test result table. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the work assistance process procedure of a management apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

100, 1800 Data center 101 Tester 102-1 to 102-n Information processing device 501 Input unit 502 Detection unit 503 Transmission unit 504 Reception unit 505 Comparison / determination unit 506 Output unit 1101 First reception unit 1102 First transmission unit 1103 Determination unit 1104 Second transmission unit 1105 Second reception unit 1106 Output unit 2001 Input unit 2002 Transmission unit 2003 Reception unit 2004 Output unit C1 to Cn Outlet K1 to Kn Power transmission and distribution system

Claims (6)

An information processing device attached to each of a plurality of power transmission / distribution systems constituting a power line communication network, and a tester capable of power line communication via each of the power transmission / distribution systems,
Detecting means for detecting that the power plug of the tester is connected to any outlet disposed in the facility where the electronic device is installed;
Transmission that broadcasts a request regarding system information unique to the one power transmission / distribution system to one power transmission / distribution system that ends with the outlet where the connection of the power plug is detected by the detection means among the plurality of power transmission / distribution systems Means,
As a result of the request being broadcast by the transmission means, the one power transmission / distribution system used to determine the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device is to be connected from one information processing apparatus attached to the one power transmission / distribution system Receiving means for receiving system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system representing at least one of voltage and frequency, instantaneous power failure time, presence / absence of UPS (Uninterruptable Power System) ,
Output means for outputting system information received by the receiving means;
A tester comprising: Comparing means for comparing the conditions of the transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected and the system information unique to one transmission / distribution system received by the receiving means,
The output means includes
The tester according to claim 1, wherein a comparison result compared by the comparison unit is output. A table that stores and associates work procedures included in the entire series of work related to installation work of a plurality of electronic devices, and conditions of a power transmission and distribution system to which the electronic devices are to be connected,
Extraction means for extracting the conditions of the transmission and distribution system stored in association with a specific work procedure from the table,
The comparison means includes
3. The tester according to claim 2, wherein the condition of the transmission / distribution system extracted by the extraction unit is compared with the system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system. An information processing apparatus attached to one power transmission / distribution system constituting a power line communication network and capable of power line communication with a tester via the one power transmission / distribution system,
As a result of the connection of the power plug of the tester to the outlet of the one transmission / distribution system arranged in the facility where the electronic equipment is installed, a request regarding system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system is received from the tester. Receiving means for
When the request is received by the receiving means , at least one of the voltage and frequency of the one power transmission / distribution system used for the determination of the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device is connected, the instantaneous power failure time, and the presence / absence of UPS said one transmission and distribution system specific system information representing transmission means for transmitting to said tester,
An information processing apparatus comprising: A determination means for determining whether the one power transmission / distribution system satisfies a condition of the power transmission / distribution system to which a specific electronic device is to be connected;
The receiving means includes
Receives from the tester the conditions of the power transmission and distribution system to which the electronic equipment currently being installed is connected,
The determination means includes
By comparing the condition of the transmission / distribution system received by the receiving means and the system information unique to the one transmission / distribution system, it is determined whether the one transmission / distribution system satisfies the condition,
The transmission means includes
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determination result determined by the determination unit is transmitted to the tester. A communication means for communicating with other information processing devices via a communication network connecting information processing devices attached to each of the power transmission and distribution systems;
The communication means includes
When it is determined by the determination means that the one power transmission / distribution system does not satisfy the condition, a search request for the power transmission / distribution system to which the electronic device currently being installed is connected is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein:

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