JP4159540B2 - Communication device, IP address setting method of the communication device, and IP address setting program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, an IP address setting method for the communication device, and an IP address setting program, and in particular, a communication device capable of setting an IP address via a global IP network, an IP address setting method for the communication device, and an IP address. Regarding the setting program.

  With the spread of computers and advances in communication technology, computer networks have become widespread and widely used. In general, a computer network has an administrator who manages the network. The administrator monitors the operating network system and takes appropriate measures to ensure normal operation when a problem occurs. With the spread of computer networks in recent years, the number of users who use networks has been increasing. Therefore, the administrator is expanding the network system corresponding to the increase in users and the increase in new networks. As the network expands, opportunities for changing address assignments are increasing.

  Conventionally, an administrator has managed each network independently. In particular, when a network in which a plurality of LANs (local area networks) are connected to a wide area network (for example, the Internet) is managed by a small number of administrators, the burden on the administrator accompanying the expansion of the network is large. It was. In recent years, with the spread of the Internet and the advent of technology for managing networks over a wide area (for example, SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol), it has become possible to perform network management by remote monitoring (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  When network management is performed using SNMP or the like, a management server having an SNMP manager (hereinafter referred to as a center side management device) and a management target device having an SNMP agent (hereinafter referred to as a remote side communication device). Network management is realized by exchanging information between the two. When there are a plurality of remote side communication devices and each IP address is changed, the IP address of the lower side communication device is changed first, and then the IP address of the upper side communication device is changed from the center side. At this time, if the network address cannot be correctly accessed with the changed IP address due to an input error of the IP address or other reasons, the administrator has to go to the site and confirm the IP address locally. For this reason, there is a problem that the time and cost required to change the IP address increase even though SNMP is used.

JP 2004-032103 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to predict the possibility that a failure will occur for the IP address after the change when the address assignment of the network on the remote side is changed from the center side through the wide area network. It is to provide network management technology to cope with the above.

  The means for solving the problem will be described below using the numbers used in [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. These numbers are added to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. However, these numbers should not be used to interpret the technical scope of the invention described in [Claims].

  In order to solve the above problem, a communication control unit (33) for controlling network communication based on an assigned IP address (33b), and a storage unit (35a) for storing a return IP address different from the IP address (33b) When the reception of the packet (S106) for the IP address (33b) is monitored and the reception of the packet is not detected at a predetermined time (41b), the IP address (33b) is changed to the return IP address (41d-1). To 41d-4), an IP address control unit (35) is configured. As a result, after the IP address change work is completed, if the IP address change is properly completed, the IP address change work is inappropriately performed by not receiving a packet that the communication device should naturally receive. Automatically detected.

  In the communication device, the storage unit (35a) holds a plurality of the return IP addresses. The plurality of return IP addresses each have a priority, and the IP address control unit (35) updates the IP address (33b) to the return IP address based on the priority. To do.

  In the communication device, the storage unit (35a) includes a plurality of return IP address storage areas (41d-1 to 41d-4) that hold the plurality of return IP addresses, and an IP address storage area that holds the IP addresses ( 42). The IP address controller (35) receives an IP address change command supplied via the network (10, 11, 12, 13, 14), and responds to the IP address change command to receive a current IP address. An address is stored as the return IP address in the return IP address storage area, and a new IP address supplied via the network is stored in the IP address storage area. In addition, the communication control unit (33) controls the network communication based on the IP address held in the IP address storage area.

  In the communication device, the storage unit (35a) is preferably configured to include a priority storage area (41e) that holds priority information indicating the priority. The IP address control unit (35) associates the priority information transmitted via the network (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) with the return IP address, and stores the priority storage area (41e). ). Then, based on the priority information, the priority when updating from the IP address to the return IP address is specified.

  The communication device is preferably configured to further include a timer counter device (35b). The IP address control unit (35) measures the predetermined time based on the count value of the timer counter (35b). Furthermore, in the communication device, the storage unit (35a) is preferably configured to further include a set time storage area (41b). Then, the IP address control unit (35) stores the set value (switching timer value) of the predetermined time transmitted via the network (11, 12, 13, 14) in the set time storage area (41b). Store. In addition, the IP address control unit (35) measures the predetermined time based on the set value and the count value.

  In the communication apparatus, the storage unit (35a) is preferably configured to include a monitoring operation stop flag storage area (41f) for controlling monitoring of the reception of the packet. The IP address control unit (35) stops the monitoring operation of the packet reception based on the monitoring operation stop flag stored in the monitoring operation stop flag storage area (41f).

  In the communication apparatus, the IP address control unit (35) monitors reception of a packet destined for the return IP address corresponding to the return IP address updated from the IP address (33b), and the return IP at a predetermined time. When reception of a packet addressed to an address is not detected, the return IP address is updated to another return IP address based on the priority (41e).

  In the communication device, the IP address control unit (35) is updated when the IP address (33b) is updated to the return IP address in response to the monitoring operation executed at the predetermined time. The return IP address is transmitted to a predetermined management apparatus via the network.

In order to solve the above problem, the changed IP address is re-changed using the following method. The method is
(A) controlling network communication based on the assigned IP address;
(B) reading the IP address and a return IP address different from the IP address;
(C) monitoring reception of a packet for the IP address;
(D) An IP address return method comprising a step of updating the IP address to the return IP address when reception of the packet is not detected at a predetermined time.

In the IP address return method,
(E) holding a plurality of the return IP addresses in advance;
(F) giving a priority (41e) to each of the plurality of return IP addresses;
It is preferable that the method includes: The step (d) is preferably an IP address return method including a step of updating the IP address to the return IP address based on the priority (41e).

  In the IP address return method, the step (e) includes receiving an IP address change command supplied via a network, and responding to the IP address change command with a current IP address as the return IP address. It is preferable that the IP address return method includes a step of storing in a return IP address storage area and a step of storing a new IP address supplied via the network in the IP address storage area.

  In the IP address return method, the step (f) includes the step of storing priority information transmitted via a network in a priority storage area in association with the return IP address, and based on the priority information. It is preferable that the IP address return method comprises a step of specifying a priority (41e) when updating from the IP address to the return IP address.

  In the IP address restoration method, the step (d) is preferably an IP address restoration method including a step of measuring the predetermined time based on a count value of a timer counter. Furthermore, in the IP address recovery method, the step (d) includes a step of reading out a set value of the predetermined time transmitted in advance from the network and stored in advance from a set time storage area; and It is preferable that the IP address return method includes a step of measuring the predetermined time based on the set value and the count value.

In the IP address return method,
(G) It is preferable that the IP address return method includes a step of stopping the monitoring operation of reception of the packet based on the monitoring operation stop flag stored in the monitoring operation stop flag storage area in advance. In the IP address recovery method, the step (d) includes the step of monitoring reception of a packet addressed to the return IP address corresponding to the return IP address updated from the IP address, and addressing the return IP address at a predetermined time. It is preferable that the IP address return method includes a step of updating the return IP address to another return IP address based on the priority (41e) when reception of a packet is not detected.

In the IP address return method,
(H) In response to the monitoring operation executed at the predetermined time, when the IP address held in the IP address storage area is updated to the return IP address, the updated return IP address is It is preferable that the IP address return method includes a step of transmitting to a predetermined management apparatus via a network.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a computer program for operating a communication device for controlling communication,
(A) controlling network communication based on the assigned IP address;
(B) reading the IP address and a return IP address different from the IP address;
(C) monitoring reception of a packet for the IP address;
(D) When a reception of the packet is not detected at a predetermined time, a computer-executable program including a step of updating the IP address to the return IP address is installed in a communication device. When a failure occurs by executing the program, the IP address is changed again.

In that program,
(E) holding a plurality of the return IP addresses in advance;
(F) giving a priority (41e) to each of the plurality of return IP addresses;
It is preferable that it is comprised so that it may contain. The step (d) is preferably a computer-executable program that includes a step of updating the IP address to the return IP address based on the priority (41e).

  In the program, the step (e) includes a step of receiving an IP address change command supplied via a network, and a return IP address using the current IP address as the return IP address in response to the IP address change command. Preferably, the program is a computer-executable program comprising a step of storing in a storage area and a step of storing a new IP address supplied via the network in the IP address storage area.

  In the program, the step (f) includes the step of storing priority information transmitted via a network in a priority storage area in association with the return IP address, and based on the priority information, the IP It is preferable that the program includes a computer-executable method including a step of specifying a priority (41e) when updating from the address to the return IP address.

  In the program, the step (d) is preferably a program capable of executing a method including a step of measuring the predetermined time based on a count value of a timer counter by a computer. In the program, the step (d) includes a step of reading a preset value of the predetermined time transmitted from the network and stored in advance from a preset time storage area; and It is preferable that the program includes a computer-executable method including the step of measuring the predetermined time based on the count value.

In that program,
(G) It is preferable that the program is a computer-executable program that includes a step of stopping the monitoring operation of reception of the packet based on the monitoring operation stop flag stored in the monitoring operation stop flag storage area in advance. In the program, the step (d) includes the step of monitoring reception of a packet addressed to the return IP address corresponding to the return IP address updated from the IP address, and reception of the packet addressed to the return IP address at a predetermined time. Preferably, the program is a computer-executable program that includes a step of updating the return IP address to another return IP address based on the priority (41e).

In that program,
(H) In response to the monitoring operation executed at the predetermined time, when the IP address held in the IP address storage area is updated to the return IP address, the updated return IP address is It is preferable that the program be a computer-executable program that includes the step of transmitting to a predetermined management apparatus via a network.

  According to the present invention, when changing the address assignment of the remote side network via the wide area network from the center side, it is predicted that a failure may occur with respect to the changed IP address and appropriately dealt with. Can do.

  The present invention detects a state in which a packet having a new IP address that should be received after the change is not received even if the change to the new IP address fails for some reason during the IP address change operation. To automatically return to the original IP address. Therefore, even if the change work to the new IP address fails, the IP address change work can be performed again from the center side without the administrator going to the site. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the time and cost related to network management.

[Configuration of the first embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system according to the present embodiment includes a global IP network 10, a center-side local IP network 11, a remote-side local IP network 12, and a user local IP network 13. Has been. In the embodiment of the present invention described below, the case where the global IP network 10 is the Internet will be described as an example. However, this is not limited to the network management of the present invention being performed via the Internet. Absent. Moreover, although the network system in this Embodiment uses IPv4 prescribed | regulated by RFC791, this invention is not limited to the said IPv4.

  The center-side local IP network 11 is a network having a management device 1 that manages devices to be managed (hereinafter referred to as remote-side communication devices). A local IP address for management is assigned to the center-side local IP network 11. The management device 1 provided in the center-side local IP network 11 is a computer having a function for executing management of managed devices (hereinafter referred to as network management) via the global IP network 10. It is assumed that the management device 1 in the following embodiment performs network management using SNMP (SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol) as its function. Therefore, the management apparatus 1 performs network management (address change or the like) by performing information communication with the SNMP agent provided in the plurality of remote communication apparatuses 3 using the SNMP manager.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the global IP network 10 and the center-side local IP network 11 are connected via a router 2. The router 2 is a device (software) that connects a plurality of networks. The router 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a function of finding an optimum route among routes for delivering data to a transmission destination on the network. The router 2 has a function such as NAT (Network Address Translation). Therefore, the router 2 can convert the global address and private address of the global IP network 10 to each other. Therefore, the router 2 can share one IP address among a plurality of terminals. In addition, the router 2 preferably has a function of converting a plurality of protocols to each other and controlling the data exchange smoothly.

  The remote local IP network 12 is a network including devices to be managed (remote communication devices) managed by the management device 1. A remote IP address is assigned to the communication device 3. The remote IP address is an IP address that can be rewritten in response to a command from the management apparatus 1. The remote-side communication device 3 provided in the remote-side local IP network 12 constructs the remote-side local IP network 12 by executing processing of packets transmitted and received based on the remote IP address assigned to itself. ing.

  The communication device 3 provided in the remote local IP network 12 is a device that establishes a communication path with the communication slave device 4 provided in the same network. The communication device 3 secures a communication path between the communication path and the upstream side network (to the management apparatus) of the remote side communication apparatus 3. In the present embodiment, there is no substantial difference between the remote communication device 3 and the communication slave device 4 shown in FIG. The communication apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment corresponds to, for example, an xDSL collective modem provided on the access point side in broadband using xDSL communication. Moreover, the communication subunit | mobile_unit 4 respond | corresponds to the single modem with which the downstream network was equipped, if the broadband using the above-mentioned xDSL communication is made into an example.

  The user local IP network 13 is a network to which a user-set local IP address is assigned. Referring to FIG. 1, a user local IP network 13 is connected to a router 2 installed in a remote local IP network 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the user local IP network 13 includes a personal computer 5. The personal computer 5 establishes communication with a predetermined node connected to the global IP network 10 via the router 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication device 3 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the communication device 3 includes a Giga Ethernet interface 31, a MAC layer processing unit 32, an IP layer processing unit 33, an upper layer processing unit 34, an IP address control unit 35, a console interface 36, a plurality of A downstream Mac layer processing unit (37-1 to 37-n: n is an arbitrary natural number) and a plurality of VDSL interfaces (38-1 to 38-n) are configured. The communication device 3 according to the present embodiment establishes a communication path with the communication slave unit 4 using the VDSL interface (38-1 to 38-n). It does not mean that communication is performed only in correspondence with VDSL.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the GigaEthernet interface 31 is a connection interface connected to the router 2 of FIG. Here, although not shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the router 2 includes an interface corresponding to the Giga Ethernet interface 31. The GigaEthernet interface 31 receives the packet supplied from the router 2 and outputs it to the MAC layer processing unit 32.

  The MAC layer processing unit 32 is an information processing unit that performs processing of a packet based on the MAC address of the packet output from the GigaEthernet interface 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the MAC layer processing unit 32 is connected to the IP layer processing unit 33. If the MAC address of the packet output from the GigaEthernet interface 31 is the MAC address of the communication device 3, the MAC layer processing unit 32 passes the packet to the IP layer processing unit 33. When the MAC address is different from the MAC address possessed by the communication device 3, processing for discarding the packet is performed.

  The IP layer processing unit 33 is an information processing unit that executes packet processing based on the IP address of the packet output from the MAC layer processing unit 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the IP layer processing unit 33 includes an upper layer processing unit 34, an IP address control unit 35, and a plurality of downstream MAC layer processing units (37-1 to 37-n). It is connected. The IP layer processing unit 33 passes a packet having an IP address addressed to the communication device 3 to the upper layer processing unit 34, and outputs an IP address addressed to the communication device 3 or a packet having a different IP address determined according to the routing table 33a. Process to send to the interface. The routing table 33a provided in the IP layer processing unit 33 is a routing table that is referred to when the IP layer processing unit 33 determines an output destination interface based on the IP address of the received packet.

  The upper layer processing unit 34 is an information processing unit that performs termination processing for packets output from the IP layer processing unit 33 and addressed to the communication device 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper layer processing unit 34 is connected to the IP address control unit 35. The plurality of VDSL interfaces (38-1 to 38-n) are communication interfaces that are connected to any of the communication slave units 4 provided in the remote local IP network 12 and transmit / receive signals on the VDSL line. The plurality of downstream MAC layer processing units (37-1 to 37-n) are information processing units that process packets output from the VDSL interface. As shown in FIG. 2, the downstream MAC layer processing units (37-1 to 37-n) are configured in a one-to-one relationship with the plurality of VDSL interfaces (38-1 to 38-n).

  The IP address control unit 35 is a control device that executes the IP address processing of the present invention. The IP address control unit 35 includes an information processing device such as a microprocessor and a work area such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). As shown in FIG. 2, the IP address control unit 35 includes a storage unit 35 a that holds information for executing the operation of the present invention, separately from the above work area. The IP address control unit 35 executes processing related to setting of the IP address based on the information held in the storage unit 35a. The detailed operation of the IP address control unit 35 will be described later.

  The console interface 36 is an interface for a user to connect a console terminal. As shown in FIG. 2, the console interface 36 is connected to the IP address control unit 35. The console interface 36 is preferably connected to an input / output device (not shown) such as a personal computer. Then, the console interface 36 outputs a command supplied from the input / output device to the IP address control unit 35. The console interface 36 supplies information output from the IP address control unit 35 to the input / output device.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the management apparatus 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the management device 1 includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, a mass storage device 23, a communication unit 24, an output unit 25, and an input unit 26. As shown in FIG. 3, they are connected to each other via a bus 27.

  The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that executes control of various devices provided in the management device 1 and processing of data supplied to the management device 1. The CPU 21 reads a predetermined program when the management device 1 executes processing related to setting of the IP address of the router 2 or the communication device 3. And CPU21 performs the process regarding an IP address setting via a network based on the program.

  The memory 22 is a storage medium that electrically stores data. The memory 22 is used as a work area when the CPU 21 executes predetermined information processing. The memory 22 is preferably composed of a semiconductor memory device, more preferably a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can read / write data at high speed.

  The mass storage device 23 is a storage medium that stores information electrically or magnetically. The mass storage device 23 is preferably composed of a storage medium that holds information in a nonvolatile manner. The mass storage device 23 of the present embodiment is assumed to be composed of a hard disk drive. The mass storage device 23 stores software used when the management device 1 sets the IP addresses and the like of the plurality of routers 2 and the plurality of communication devices 3 via the network. As shown in FIG. 3, the mass storage device 23 includes an SNMP manager 23a. The management device 1 reads the SNMP manager 23a, connects to the desired router 2 or communication device 3 via the communication unit 24, and communicates with the router 2 or communication device 3. The output unit 25 is an information output function block that outputs an information processing result executed by the CPU 21 to a predetermined output device. The output unit 25 shown in FIG. 3 is provided in a device that displays predetermined information, such as a display device (not shown). The input unit 26 is an interface that receives a command supplied to the management device 1 and outputs the command to a predetermined functional block. The input unit 26 receives a command supplied from an input device (not shown) (for example, a keyboard), converts the command into a format that can be processed inside the management device 1, and then transmits a predetermined functional block (for example, the bus 27). CPU21 etc.).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the IP address setting table 40 held in the storage unit 35a. Referring to FIG. 4, the IP address setting table 40 has two areas of a user setting item 41 and a setting value 42, and holds setting data relating to the IP address change corresponding to each area. As shown in FIG. 4, the item 41 holds data corresponding to the automatic IP address switching flag 41a to the switching result notification flag 41h.

  The automatic IP address switching flag 41a is an area for holding data used for determining whether or not to perform automatic switching in an IP address changing operation described later. When the setting value 42 corresponding to the automatic IP address switching flag 41a is valid, automatic switching processing at the time of the IP address changing operation is executed. The switching timer value 41b is an area for holding setting data relating to the time until the above-described automatic switching is executed. The communication device 3 specifies the time until automatic switching is performed based on the setting value 42 corresponding to the switching timer value 41b. When the time elapses after the IP address is changed, the communication device 3 automatically switches the IP address when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  The number of return IP address registrations 41c is an area for holding the number of return IP address registrations to be described later. A plurality of return IP addresses (41d-1 to 41d-4) are registered in the IP address setting table 40 in correspondence with the value set in the set value 42 corresponding to the return IP address registration number 41c. In FIG. 4, the maximum number of registrations is set to 4 in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but this does not limit the return IP address registration number 41c in the present invention. The first return IP address 41d-1 to the fourth return IP address 41d-4 are automatically set when a predetermined condition is not satisfied even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the change of the IP address. This is an area for holding an IP address to be switched to. As shown in FIG. 4, the IP address setting table 40 holds the number of IP addresses set in the return IP address registration number 41c as the return IP address.

  The priority 41e is an area for holding information on the priority when updating the current IP address to the return IP address. When a plurality of different IP addresses are set as the return IP address, the communication device 3 alternatively selects an IP address based on the priority 41e. The communication device 3 executes the automatic switching of the IP address by updating the current IP address to the selected IP address.

  The re-switching flag 41f is information for determining whether to switch to another return IP address when a predetermined time elapses again after automatic IP address switching is performed when a plurality of return IP addresses are registered. Is an area for storing Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a certain condition is satisfied after the current IP address is updated to the first return IP address 41d-1, the communication device 3 The IP address with the second highest priority (for example, the second return IP address 41d-2) is extracted after the return IP address 41d-1, and the IP address is updated.

  The switching result notification destination IP address 41g is an area for holding information on a notification destination that notifies that the communication device 3 executes automatic IP address switching. In the present embodiment, it will be explained in advance that the notification destination is the management apparatus 1, but this does not limit the notification destination in the present invention. The switching result notification flag 41h holds information used to determine whether or not to actually perform notification when an IP address is set in the setting value 42 corresponding to the above-described switching result notification destination IP address 41g. It is an area. When the valid flag is set in the setting value 42 corresponding to the switching result notification flag 41h, the communication device 3 notifies the notification destination IP address that automatic IP address switching has been executed.

[Operation of the first embodiment]
The operation of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the IP address changing operation of the router 2 and the communication device 3 in the present embodiment. Here, the router 2 and the communication device 3 are preferably configured to be switched between the normal mode and the address change mode. As described above, the management apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of changing the IP address of an apparatus connected via a network. The operations shown in FIG. 5 are mainly operations performed by the management apparatus 1. Referring to FIG. 5, the operation of the flowchart starts when the management apparatus 1 connects to a predetermined communication apparatus 3 via a network.

  In step S101 in FIG. 5, the management apparatus 1 switches the communication apparatus 3 connected via the network to the address change mode, and then changes the IP address set in the communication apparatus 3 to the current IP address (hereinafter, the current IP address). It is changed (rewritten) from the IP address) to the new IP address.

  In step S102, the management apparatus 1 registers a return IP address. At this time, the management apparatus 1 can also register the current IP address in the IP address setting table 40 as a return IP address having a high priority (for example, the first return IP address 41d-1 in FIG. 4). . This makes it possible to quickly return to the old IP address (IP address before setting change = current IP address) when a setting mistake or the like for the new IP address occurs.

  In step S103, the management apparatus 1 sets a time (hereinafter referred to as a switching timer value) for monitoring reception of a packet addressed to the new IP address after the communication apparatus 3 is updated to the new IP address. The management apparatus 1 stores the set value in the switching timer value 41b of the communication apparatus 3 currently connected via the network.

  In step S104, the communication device 3 is restarted. The communication device 3 automatically executes a restart operation in response to the connection with the management device 1 being disconnected. Alternatively, the management device 1 may transmit a restart command via a network, and the communication device 3 may execute a restart operation in response to the restart command.

  In step S105, the management device 1 changes the IP address (address on the communication device 3 side) of the router 2 connected to the communication device 3 to an address corresponding to the new IP address. Thereafter, in step S106, a confirmation packet is transmitted to the new IP address. In step S107, when the time corresponding to the switching timer value set in step S103 has elapsed, the management device 1 executes a connection test to the communication device 3 whose IP address has been changed.

  In step S108, the management apparatus 1 determines whether or not the communication apparatus 3 can be accessed with the new IP address. If the connection to the communication device 3 can be made with the new IP address, the process ends. If it is not possible to connect to the communication device 3 with the new IP address, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the management apparatus 1 executes a connection test for the communication apparatus 3 with the return IP address.

  In step S <b> 110, the management device 1 connected to the communication device 3 with the return IP address determines whether or not to reset the IP address of the communication device 3. In the case of resetting, the process returns to step S101, and resetting of the IP address is executed. If no resetting is performed, the process ends.

  As a result, when the IP address of the communication device 3 is changed via the network, it is not possible to connect to the communication device 3 after the change of the IP address due to a setting error or the like, so that the resetting is impossible. It becomes possible to do.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication apparatus 3 in which the IP address has been changed. Referring to FIG. 6, the operation shown in the flowchart starts when the communication device 3 is connected to the management device 1 via the network. In step S201, the communication device 3 shifts from the normal mode to the address change mode in response to the command transmitted from the management device 1. The communication device 3 that has shifted to the address change mode updates the setting value 42 of the IP address setting table 40 based on the setting data transmitted from the management device 1 via the network. In step S202, the communication device 3 whose setting value 42 has been updated is restarted. After the restart is executed, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the communication apparatus 3 determines whether the IP address currently used for network construction has been changed to a new IP address. Specifically, the IP address control unit 35 of the communication device 3 and the IP layer processing unit 33 that are set in the plurality of return IP addresses (41d-1 to 41d-4) of the IP address setting table 40. Is compared with the current IP address 33b held in As a result of the comparison, if the IP address that matches the current IP address 33b is not held in the IP address setting table 40, the IP address control unit 35 determines that the current IP address 33b has been changed to the new IP address. The process proceeds to step S204. As a result of the comparison, when the current IP address 33b matches the return IP address held in the IP address setting table 40, it is determined that the return operation from the new IP address has been performed, and the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S204, the IP address control unit 35 refers to the IP address setting table 40 and determines whether or not a value indicating “valid” is held in the setting value 42 of the automatic IP address switching flag 41a. As a result of the determination, when the automatic IP address switching function is operating, the process proceeds to step S206 in order to determine whether or not the current IP address is normally set. As a result of the determination, when the automatic IP address switching function is not operating, the process proceeds to step S210 and shifts from the address change mode to the normal mode.

  In step S205, the IP address control unit 35 refers to the IP address setting table 40 and determines whether or not a value indicating “valid” is held in the setting value 42 of the re-switching flag 41f. As a result of the determination, when the re-switching is functioning effectively, the process proceeds to step S206 in order to determine whether or not the current IP address is normally set. As a result of the determination, if the re-switching function is invalid, the process proceeds to step S210 and shifts from the address change mode to the normal mode.

  In step S206, the IP address control unit 35 measures a predetermined time based on the count value of the timer counter 35b and the value set in the switching timer value 41b of the IP address setting table 40. In step S207, the IP address control unit 35 sends the GigaEthernet interface 31 to the current IP address 33b (new IP address or return IP address) currently held in the IP layer processing unit 33 until the predetermined time elapses. Monitor whether or not the packet is received. As a result of the monitoring, if a packet addressed to the current IP address 33b is received, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, the IP address control unit 35 stops measuring time in response to receiving the packet addressed to the current IP address 33b. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S210 to end the address change mode.

  If it is determined in step S207 that the packet addressed to the current IP address 33b is not received as a result of the monitoring, the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the IP address control unit 35 changes the current IP address 33b of the IP layer processing unit 33 from the new IP address to the return IP address, and executes the restart program of the communication device 3. After the restart program is executed, the process returns to step S203.

  As described above, the network system according to the present embodiment includes the communication device 3 configured as described above on the network. Then, the management device 1 that executes network management changes the IP address of the communication device via the network. At this time, if the IP address setting change is not properly executed (for example, when a setting error of the address to be changed occurs), a new IP address may cause a network failure. There is. In such a case, since it is difficult to specify a new IP address (inappropriate IP address), it is not normally possible to perform reconfiguration from the management apparatus 1 via the network. However, by operating the communication device 3 as described in the present embodiment, a communication device in which an inappropriate IP address is set can be automatically updated to an appropriate IP address.

  Therefore, even if the change to the new IP address fails for some reason during the change of the IP address, the present apparatus detects the state of not receiving a packet having the new IP address that should be received after the change. Automatically return to the IP address. Therefore, even if the change work to the new IP address fails, the IP address change work can be performed again from the center side without the administrator going to the site. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the time and cost related to network management.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication device 3a in the second embodiment. In the communication device 3a shown in FIG. 7, the functional blocks to which the same reference numerals as those of the communication device 3 described in the first embodiment are attached have the same configuration as that of the communication device 3 in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the description which overlaps with 1st Embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the communication device 3a according to the second embodiment includes an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface 53 as an upstream physical interface, and a plurality of dedicated line interfaces (50-1 to 50-1) on the downstream physical interface. 50-n). The dedicated line here refers to a dedicated line for data communication established in a specific section between the communication carrier and the user terminal. This dedicated line transmits data at a transmission rate of about 128 kbps to 512 kbps. The communication device 3a according to the second embodiment can be applied to an environment in which a plurality of local networks using dedicated lines are aggregated into one Ethernet (registered trademark).

[Third Embodiment]
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication device 3b in the third embodiment. In the communication device 3b shown in FIG. 8, the functional blocks to which the same reference numerals as those of the communication device 3 described in the first embodiment (or the communication device 3a described in the second embodiment) are attached are the first block. Or it is the structure similar to the communication apparatus (3, 3a) of 2nd Embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the description overlapping with the first or second embodiment is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the communication device 3 b includes a layer switch unit 51 and a packet processor 52 addressed to itself. The layer switch unit 51 does not have a routing function but has a switching function. Reference numeral 52 denotes a packet processing unit that processes a packet addressed to itself output from the layer switch unit 51. The communication device 3b according to the third embodiment will be described as an example of the network system shown in FIG. 1. The communication device 3b is preferably applied to a communication device installed in the remote local IP network 14. By configuring the communication device of the remote IP network 14 with the communication device 3b, it is possible to construct a network system with a simple configuration.

  It should be noted that the configurations and operations of the plurality of embodiments described above can be executed in combination as long as no contradiction occurs.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication device 3 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the management apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the IP address setting table 40. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication apparatus 3 in which the IP address has been changed. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication device 3a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication device 3b according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Management apparatus 2 ... Router 3, 3a, 3b ... Communication apparatus 4 ... Communication cordless handset 5 ... Personal computer 10 ... Global IP network 11 ... Center side local IP network 12 ... Remote side local IP network 13 ... User local IP network 14 ... Remote-side local IP network 21 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Memory 23 ... Mass storage device 23a ... SNMP manager 24 ... Communication part 25 ... Output part 26 ... Input part 27 ... Bus 31 ... GigaEthernet interface 32 ... MAC layer processing part 33 ... IP layer processing part 33a ... Routing table 33b ... Current IP address 34 ... upper layer processing unit 35 ... IP address control unit 35a ... storage unit 35b ... timer counter 36 ... console interface 37-1 to 37-n ... downstream MAC layer processing units 38-1 to 38-n ... VDSL Interface 40 ... IP address setting table 41 ... Item 41a ... Automatic IP address switching flag 41b ... Switching timer value 41c ... Number of restored IP address registrations 41d-1 to 41d-4 ... First to fourth restored IP addresses 41e ... Priority 41f ... Re-switching flag 41g ... Switching result Notification destination IP address 41h ... switching result notification flag 42 ... setpoint 50-1 to 50-n ... private line interface 51 ... layer switch part 52 ... itself addressed packet processing unit 53 ... Ethernet interface

Claims (24)

A communication control unit that controls network communication based on the assigned IP address;
A storage unit for storing a return IP address different from the IP address;
An IP address control unit that monitors reception of a packet for the IP address and updates the IP address to the return IP address when it does not detect reception of the packet at a predetermined time ;
The storage unit
Holding a plurality of the return IP addresses registered in advance;
Each of the plurality of return IP addresses is set by a user and has a priority that can be changed by the user;
The IP address control unit
Update the IP address to the return IP address based on the priority
Communication device. The communication device according to claim 1 ,
The storage unit
A return IP address storage area for holding the plurality of return IP addresses; and an IP address storage area for holding the IP address;
The IP address control unit
An IP address change command supplied via the network is received, and in response to the IP address change command, the current IP address is stored as the return IP address in the return IP address storage area and supplied via the network A new IP address to be stored in the IP address storage area,
The communication control unit
A communication device that controls the network communication based on the IP address held in the IP address storage area. The communication device according to claim 2 ,
The storage unit
Including a priority storage area for storing priority information indicating the priority;
The IP address control unit
Storing the priority information transmitted via the network in response to a user operation in the priority storage area in association with the return IP address;
A communication device that identifies priority when updating from the IP address to the return IP address based on the priority information. The communication device according to claim 3 , further comprising:
A timer counter,
The IP address control unit
A communication device that measures the predetermined time based on a count value of the timer counter. The communication device according to claim 4 , wherein
The storage unit further includes a set time storage area,
The address control unit
Storing the set value of the predetermined time transmitted via the network in the set time storage area;
A communication device that measures the predetermined time based on the set value and the count value. The communication device according to claim 5 , wherein
The storage unit includes a monitoring operation stop flag storage area for stopping monitoring of reception of the packet,
The address control unit
A communication device that stops the monitoring operation of reception of the packet based on a monitoring operation stop flag stored in a monitoring operation stop flag storage area. The communication device according to claim 6 .
The address control unit
When reception of a packet addressed to the return IP address corresponding to the return IP address updated from the IP address is monitored and reception of the packet addressed to the return IP address is not detected at a predetermined time, the return IP address is determined based on the priority. A communication device that updates an address to another return IP address. The communication device according to claim 7 .
The address control unit
In response to the monitoring operation executed at the predetermined time, when the IP address is updated to the return IP address, the updated return IP address is transmitted to a predetermined management apparatus via the network. Communication device. (A) controlling network communication based on the assigned IP address;
(B) reading the IP address and a return IP address different from the IP address;
(C) monitoring reception of a packet for the IP address;
(D) updating the IP address to the return IP address when the reception of the packet is not detected at a predetermined time ;
(E) holding a plurality of the return IP addresses in advance;
(F) giving each of the plurality of return IP addresses a priority set by a user and changeable by the user;
Including
The IP address recovery method , wherein the step (d) includes the step of updating the IP address to the return IP address based on the priority . In the IP address restoration method according to claim 9 ,
The step (e) includes:
Receiving an IP address change command supplied via the network;
In response to the IP address change command, storing a current IP address as the return IP address in a return IP address storage area;
An IP address restoration method comprising a step of storing a new IP address supplied via the network in the IP address storage area. In the IP address restoration method according to claim 10 ,
The step (f)
Storing priority information transmitted over a network in response to the user's operation in a priority storage area in association with the return IP address;
An IP address return method comprising a step of specifying a priority when updating from the IP address to the return IP address based on the priority information. In the IP address restoration method according to claim 11 ,
The step (d) includes:
An IP address restoration method comprising a step of measuring the predetermined time based on a count value of a timer counter. In the IP address restoration method according to claim 12 ,
The step (d) includes:
Reading from the set time storage area the set value of the predetermined time transmitted via the network and stored in advance;
An IP address restoration method comprising the step of measuring the predetermined time based on the read setting value and count value. The IP address return method according to claim 13 , further comprising:
(G) An IP address return method comprising a step of stopping the monitoring operation of reception of the packet based on a monitoring operation stop flag stored in advance in a monitoring operation stop flag storage area. The IP address recovery method according to claim 14 ,
The step (d) includes:
Monitoring reception of a packet addressed to the return IP address for the return IP address updated from the IP address;
An IP address return method comprising a step of updating the return IP address to another return IP address based on the priority when reception of the packet addressed to the return IP address is not detected at a predetermined time. The IP address return method according to claim 15 , further comprising:
(H) In response to the monitoring operation executed at the predetermined time, when the IP address held in the IP address storage area is updated to the return IP address, the updated return IP address is An IP address recovery method comprising a step of transmitting to a predetermined management apparatus via a network. (A) controlling network communication based on the assigned IP address;
(B) reading the IP address and a return IP address different from the IP address;
(C) monitoring reception of a packet for the IP address;
(D) updating the IP address to the return IP address when the reception of the packet is not detected at a predetermined time ;
(E) holding a plurality of the return IP addresses in advance;
(F) giving each of the plurality of return IP addresses a priority set by a user and changeable by the user;
Including
The computer-executable program comprising the step (d) of updating the IP address to the return IP address based on the priority . The program according to claim 17 , wherein
The step (e) includes:
Receiving an IP address change command supplied via a network; in response to the IP address change command, storing a current IP address as the return IP address in a return IP address storage area;
A computer-executable program comprising a step of storing a new IP address supplied via the network in the IP address storage area. The program according to claim 18 , wherein
The step (f)
Storing priority information transmitted over a network in response to the user's operation in a priority storage area in association with the return IP address;
A computer-executable program comprising a step of specifying a priority when updating from the IP address to the return IP address based on the priority information. The program according to claim 19 , wherein
The step (d) includes:
A program capable of executing by a computer a method comprising the step of measuring the predetermined time based on a count value of a timer counter. The program according to claim 20 ,
The step (d) includes:
Reading from the set time storage area the set value of the predetermined time transmitted via the network and stored in advance;
A computer-executable program comprising a step of measuring the predetermined time based on the read set value and count value. The program according to claim 21 , further comprising:
(G) A computer-executable program that includes a step of stopping the monitoring operation of reception of the packet based on a monitoring operation stop flag stored in advance in a monitoring operation stop flag storage region The program according to claim 22 ,
The step (d) includes:
Monitoring reception of a packet addressed to the return IP address for the return IP address updated from the IP address;
A computer-executable program comprising a step of updating the return IP address to another return IP address based on the priority when reception of the packet addressed to the return IP address is not detected at a predetermined time. The program according to claim 23 , further comprising:
(H) In response to the monitoring operation executed at the predetermined time, when the IP address held in the IP address storage area is updated to the return IP address, the updated return IP address is A program capable of executing by a computer a method comprising a step of transmitting to a predetermined management apparatus via a network.

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