Computer system and job executing method

• US 5,481,698 A
• Filed: 03/15/1993
• Issued: 01/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Electronics Services Company Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd. (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Endo, Shinichi, Iwanaga, Masaharu, Hirosawa, Toshio, Kokunishi, Motohide, Itoh, Tutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUA, LY
• Application Number:
  US08/031,729
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 395/575, 395/200, 395/375, 395/775, 395/800
• US Class Current: 714/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/549 Remote execution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4843 by program, e.g. task dispatcher, supervisor, operating system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/505 considering the load
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes

Abstract

Job execution within a computer system having a plurality of host computers is handled over an electronic mail system having a terminal and server, by the use of job control processing interfacing between the computer system and the electronic mail system. Job mail comprises job offer paper mail, job execution result mail, job execution progress mail and job data mail. The electronic mail system 2 stores job mail, converts the format, etc., of the job mail, and manages the electronic mail. The job control terminal 4 converts the format, etc., of the job mail, generates commands to the computer system on interpreting the job mail, selects a host computer for executing based upon the running state and/or load, etc. of the host computers 42 of the computer system 3, generates job mail based upon execution results and execution progress from the computer system and exchanges mail between the electronic mail system and the computer system. The computer system executes jobs in response to the job commands from the job control terminal 4, with execution starting time based upon a date when provided by the job mail.

Claims

1. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a job control system;

a computer system composed of a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a transmission system for electronic mail interconnecting the user system, the computer system and, the electronic mail system, and the job control system; and

the transmission system sending job offer type of electronic mail from the user system through the electronic mail system to the job control system independently of running of the host computers within the computer system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system monitors a running state of the host computers within the computer system to produce running state data with respect to each host computer within the computer system;

wherein said job control system selects one of the host computers within the computer system as a selected computer with selection being based upon an analysis of the running state data of at least some of the host computers; and

wherein said job control system issues a job execution command to the selected computer based upon content of the job offer type of electronic mail.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system monitors load of the host computers within the computer system to produce load data with respect to each host computer within the computer system;

wherein said job control system selects one of the host computers within the computer system as a selected computer with selection being based upon an analysis of the load data of at least some of the host computers; and

wherein said job control system issues a job execution command to the selected computer based upon content of the job offer type of electronic mail.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system commands the computer system to send job execution results based upon execution of the job of the job offer type of electronic mail, generates job execution result electronic mail from the job execution results, and issues the job execution result electronic mail to pass through the electronic mail system to the user system based upon information in the job offer type of electronic mail.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system commands the computer system to send, to the job execution system, job execution progress type of electronic mail based upon execution of the job of the job offer type of electronic mail, generates job execution progress electronic mail from the job execution progress, and issues the job execution progress type of electronic mail to pass through the electronic mail system to the user system based upon information in the job offer type of electronic mail.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system includes software and a dedicated computer separate from the host computers.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system includes software and one of the host computers of the computer system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer system has file storage and wherein said job control system has storage independent of the computer system for storing execution results from execution of the job in the computer system, and for storing both generated electronic mail and received electronic mail.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system includes means for converting an electronic mail system ID into a computer system ID independently of the electronic mail system.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system includes means for analyzing and converting a format of the electronic mail received from the electronic mail system to generate commands to the computer system, and for analyzing and converting the format of data from the computer system to generate electronic mail for the electronic mail system, so that the computer system is vender independent with respect to the electronic mail and user systems and so that the internal structure of and format of data within the computer system is transparent to the electronic mail system and user system.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system selects one of the host computers for executing a job within a received job offer type of electronic mail based upon a comparison of information in the job offer type of electronic mail and authorization to the host computers.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system selects one of the host computers for executing a job within a received job offer type of electronic mail based upon a comparison of information in the job offer type of electronic mail and security levels of the host computers.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system, at fixed periodic intervals, monitors turnaround time of job execution on each of the host computers within the computer system, selects one of the host computers for executing the job of the job offer type of electronic mail based upon the turnaround times of the host computers, and issues electronic mail to the user system through the electronic mail system to provide a predicted turnaround time for job execution by the selected host computer.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system, at fixed periodic intervals, monitors a turnaround time of job execution on each of the host computers within the computer system, and selects one of the host computers for execution of the job within the job offer type of electronic mail with the selection being based upon a comparison of turnaround time of at least some of the host computers.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system extracts an execution date from the job offer type of electronic mail, interrupts execution within a host computer based upon the execution date and issues an execution command for execution of the job to the interrupted host computer.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system analyzes the job offer type of electronic mail and determines whether or not job execution result type of electronic mail is to be issued to the mail system.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system analyzes the job offer type of electronic mail and determines whether or not job execution progress type of electronic mail is to be issued to the electronic mail system.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system, based upon data received from the computer system, generates and issues job electronic mail through the electronic mail system to the user system by one of single, simultaneous and circular distribution selected in accordance with information within job offer type of electronic mail.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system has an electronic mail system mail box and said electronic mail system has a mail server with an electronic mail box, so that the job control means is independent of the format/code of the mail server and the job control system stores electronic mail independently of the structure of the user system.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system enters a wait state until selection criteria is met for at least one of the host computers and stores the job offer type of electronic mail during the wait state.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system interprets the job offer type of electronic mail to issue commands to the computer system, and generates job electronic mail from data received from the computer system.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, further including the mail system having a dedicated computer, a plurality of electronic mail terminals and job electronic mail storage.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, further including the electronic mail system having format/code conversion means for converting at least one of the format and code of data passing through the electronic mail system.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system, in response to a single job request by the job offer type of electronic mail, first selects a host computer for job execution and issues a job execution command to the selected host computer, thereafter monitors the selected host computer as to job execution progress, and when execution trouble or error occurs in the selected host computer, selects another host computer and issues a job execution command for executing the job of the single job request.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said job control system monitors turnaround time of job execution for each host computer with respect to each of a plurality of job classes;

and

wherein said job control system analyzes the job offer type of electronic mail to determine the job class of the job offer type of electronic mail, and selects one of the host computers of the computer system in dependence upon comparison of the turnaround times of at least some of the host computers with respect to the determined job class.

26. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a computer system composed of a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a job control system;

a transmission system for interconnecting the user system, the job control system, the computer system and the electronic mail system;

the job control system monitoring running of the host computers within the computer system and producing monitoring data with respect to each host computer within the computer system;

said job control system selecting one of the host computers within the computer system as a selected computer with selection being based upon an analysis of the monitoring data of at least some of the host computers; and

said job control system issuing a job execution command to the selected computer based upon the requested job execution of the electronic mail.

27. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a computer system composed of a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a job control system;

a transmission system for interconnecting the user system, the computer system, the job control system and the electronic mail system;

the job control system analyzing and converting one of code and format of the electronic mail received from the electronic mail system to generate commands to the computer system; and

said job control system analyzing and converting one of code and format of data from the computer system to generate electronic mail for the electronic mail system, so that the computer system is vender independent with respect to the electronic mail and user systems, and so that structure of the computer system is transparent to the electronic mail and user systems.

28. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a computer system composed of a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a job control system;

a transmission system for interconnecting the user system, the computer system, the job control system and the electronic mail system;

the job control system selecting one of the host computers for executing a job within a received electronic mail, with the selection being based upon a comparison of information in the electronic mail and security or authorization levels of host computers.

29. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a computer system composed of a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a job control system;

a transmission system for interconnecting the user system, the computer system, the job control system and the electronic mail system;

the job control system monitoring, at fixed periodic intervals, a turnaround time of job execution on each of the host computers within the computer system; and

said job control system selecting one of the host computers for execution of a job within the electronic mail from the user system with the selection being based upon a comparison of turnaround time of at least some of the host computers.

30. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a computer system composed of a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a job control system;

a transmission system for interconnecting the user system, the computer system, the job control system and the electronic mail system;

the job control system extracting an execution time from the electronic mail issued by the user system; and

said job control system interrupting execution of a host computer based upon the execution time and issuing an execution command for execution of a job within the electronic mail, with the issuing being to the interrupted host computer.

31. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a job control system;

a transmission system for interconnecting the user system, the computer system, the job control system and the electronic mail system;

the job control system analyzing the electronic mail from the user system; and

said job control system, based upon the analyzing, determining whether or not a job execution result type of electronic mail is to be issued to the electronic mail system.

32. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a computer system composed of a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a job control system

a transmission system for interconnecting the user system, the computer system, the job control system and the electronic mail system;

the job control system receiving the electronic mail from the user system through the electronic mail system; and

said job control system entering a wait state after receiving the electronic mail until selection criteria is met by at least one of the host computers and storing the electronic mail during the wait state.

33. A job executing apparatus, comprising:

a computer system composed of a plurality of host computers;

a user system for issuing electronic mail requesting job execution;

an electronic mail system for transferring the electronic mail;

a job control system;

a transmission system for interconnecting the user system, the computer system, the job control system and the electronic mail system;

the job control system monitoring execution within a host computer of a job defined by the electronic mail; and

said job control system in response to execution trouble or error occurring within the host computer executing the job, selecting another host computer and issuing a job execution command for executing the job in the selected another host computer.

34. A system for connection with an electronic mail system having an electronic mail terminal, comprising:

a computer system for executing jobs when running;

a monitor system monitoring the running of said computer system; and

a job control system receiving electronic job mail from the electronic mail system, generating a command for executing the a job defined in the electronic job mail, and sending the command to said computer system in response to the monitoring.

35. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said computer system includes a plurality of job execution computers, and

wherein said job control system includes select means for selecting one of said job execution computers for executing the command, with the selecting being in response to said monitor system monitoring individual running of said job execution computers.

36. A system as set forth in claim 35, wherein said select means selects said one of said job execution computers from among said job execution computers that are determined by said monitor system to be running.

37. A system as set forth in claim 35, wherein said select means selects said one of said job execution computers in dependence upon individual loads upon said job execution computers as determined by said monitor system.

38. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system receives the electronic job mail from the electronic mail terminal independently of running of said computer system.

39. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system registers electronic mail system discriminators that are assigned to a plurality of entities using the electronic mail system, and when an electronic mail system discriminator contained in the electronic job mail is not registered, said job control system prevents execution of the electronic job mail by the computer system.

40. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system stores a correspondence between a plurality of computer system discriminators and a plurality of electronic mail discriminators that are individually assigned to identify a plurality of senders requesting jobs by using the electronic mail system, and said job control system converting an electronic mail discriminator contained in received electronic job mail into a corresponding one of the computer system discriminators by using the stored correspondence.

41. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system includes means for starting a job in the computer system at a job starting time that is derived from the electronic job mail.

42. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system includes means for determining an estimated execution end time of executing a job of the electronic job mail and sending through the electronic mail system a status type of electronic mail addressed to a sender of the electronic job mail for informing the sender of the estimated execution end time.

43. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system includes means for monitoring progress of executing the electronic job mail by said computer system and for sending through the electronic mail system a status type of electronic mail informing a sender of the electronic job mail of the progress in response to the electronic job mail.

44. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system includes means for requesting and receiving through the electronic mail system data type of electronic mail containing input data for executing a job defined by the electronic job mail at s time of executing the job in said computer system.

45. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system includes means for converting the electronic job mail into job control language, JCL, of said computer system.

46. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said electronic mail system includes an electronic mail box, and means for reading the electronic job mail from said electronic mail box and sending the electronic job mail to said job control system.

47. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said job control system includes means for reading the electronic job mail from an electronic mail box in the electronic mail system.

48. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said computer system includes means for starting a batch job generated within the computer system, and

wherein said computer system includes means for registering both a job started by said job control means and the batch job commonly in a job awaiting queue.

49. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein said computer system transfers an execution result, of executing a job of the electronic job mail, to said job control system, and

wherein said job control system includes means for transferring the execution result as a part of electronic mail to said electronic mail terminal through said electronic mail system.

50. A system as set forth in claim 49, wherein said computer system includes means for extracting the execution result from a spool file when the job execution is ended, and for adding format control information intrinsic to said computer system to the execution result,

wherein said job control system includes means for transferring the execution result and format control information to said electronic mail system, and

wherein said electronic mail system includes means for converting the format control information into format control information intrinsic to said electronic mail system, and for registering a result of the converting in a private box of an electronic mail box of said electronic mail system.

51. A system as set forth in claim 34, wherein the electronic job mail contains distribution information for identifying a method of distributing a result of executing a job of the electronic mail job, and

wherein said job control system includes means for determining a private electronic mail box for registering the result of executing as a part of electronic mail, with the determining being on a basis of the distribution information.

52. A system as set forth in claim 51, wherein said means for determining, in response to the distribution information, selects the method among simultaneous distribution for distributing to all the users in a group simultaneously, and a circular distribution for serially distributing to the users in a group in an appointed order and in a correctable manner.

53. A system as set forth in claim 51, wherein said job control system includes means for distributing the result of executing to the electronic mail system at a time dependent upon information in the electronic job mail.

54. A job executing method, comprising:

receiving an electronic mail defining a job, with the receiving being by a distribution determining computer;

determining a distribution within the electronic mail system of an execution result of executing the job of the electronic mail with said determining being when the electronic mail is received from a TSS (Time Sharing System) terminal, said determining being performed by the distribution determining computer,and said determining being prior to the executing of the job of the electronic mail by an execution computer that is different from the distribution computer, and

issuing a job execution result with said issuing being according to the distribution, said issuing being by electronic mail at the end of execution of the job by the execution computer, and said issuing being on the basis of said determining.

55. A job executing method as set forth in claim 54, including distributing the execution result by an electronic mail system mounted on a computer that is different from the distribution computer and the execution computer.

56. A job executing method as set forth in claim 54, including monitoring running of the execution computer, and generating electronic mail containing the execution result in accordance with said monitoring under control of the distribution computer.

57. A job executing method as set forth in claim 54, including sending the execution result to the distribution computer from the execution computer.

58. A job executing system, comprising:

a computer system for executing jobs;

a TSS (Time Sharing System) terminal connected with said computer system;

an electronic mail system mounted on a first computer;

means for monitoring running of said computer system;

means for receiving a job defining electronic mail from said TSS terminal, determining from the job defining electronic mail a request to have an execution result sent by the electronic mail system, and providing a job, defined in the job defining electronic mail, to said computer system for execution by the computer system to produce an execution result; and

means responsive to said determining for generating electronic mail that includes the execution result and distributing the electronic mail that includes the execution result through said electronic mail system.

59. A job executing system, comprising:

a computer system for executing jobs;

a TSS (Time Sharing System) terminal connected with said computer system;

an electronic mail system mounted on a first computer;

a monitor for monitoring running of said computer system;

in response to receiving a job defining electronic mail from said TSS terminal, said first computer determining from the job defining electronic mail a request to have an execution result sent by the electronic mail system, and providing a job, defined in the job defining electronic mail, to said computer system for execution by the computer system to produce an execution result; and

in response to the determining, said first computer generating electronic mail that includes the execution result and distributing the electronic mail that includes the execution result through said electronic mail system.