DE102015102206A1 - Method for generating a network address - Google Patents

Abstract

A disadvantage of this prior art is that a device configured for use in a local area network can not be automatically used in another local area network. The object of the invention is therefore to specify a method which makes it possible to use a device that is configured for use in a local area network with particularly little effort and in particular automatically in another local network. This object is achieved as follows: An ID is read from the device (1) from the associated electronic nameplate (11), in particular the RFID tag (11), via a data bus (14) in a device memory (12); the device (1) generates a network address (121) using the ID. This ID is read by means of an RFID reader (2), transmitted to the network (4) and used by the network (4) to address the device (1). The network address (121) is a local network address and in particular a so-called "link local address". The ID is unique especially because of its size.

Description

The invention is based on a method for generating a network address according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Such methods are needed so that devices can get a network address and thus be addressed in one in a network.

State of the art

It is known that devices are assigned a network address so that they can be addressed in a network. In addition, it is known to manage an assignment of such a device to the network address assigned thereto at a predetermined location in the network.

This usually requires the involvement of an administrator and is therefore a major barrier to the use of mobile devices in industrial installations.

From the publication US 8,896,448 B2 shows how to generate a routable network address using an ID (Identification) of a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) tag. Thus, a newly introduced into the network device can be addressed via this address and integrated into the network.

Furthermore, it is from the document EP 1 567 994 B1 It is known to use a variable dynamic identification in the form of an EPC as the identifier of the RFID tag.

A disadvantage of this prior art is that such a device configured for use in a local area network can not be automatically used in another local area network.

task

The object of the invention is therefore to specify a method which makes it possible to use a device that is configured for use in a local area network with particularly little effort and in particular automatically in another local network.

The object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned by the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

Such a method is used to address a device with little effort in the network.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

A particular advantage is that the device can be used worldwide in local networks without any manual configuration effort.

Advantageously, the ID (identification) of the device is linked directly to its network address, e.g. by writing the ID in a local network address.

As a result, the network does not need a mapping table or a so-called "router". This eliminates the administrative burden associated with configuration.

Advantageously, for example, devices and / or workpieces that are integrated into a network context, e.g. within a production machine are automatically addressed by a computer without a network configuration must first be performed.

In a preferred refinement, such a machine reads an electronic nameplate of the device, in particular the ID of a corresponding RFID tag, via a reading device, in particular an RFID reader. For example, this ID may have been previously written by the manufacturer of the device in the nameplate, in particular the RFID tag. In particular, this ID may correspond to the so-called EPC ("Electronic Product Code") - Global Standard. It is then an EPC ID. For example, the so-called "EPC-64" standard as well as the currently more common "EPC-96" standard ,

It is particularly advantageous that the device thus assigns itself automatically this unique network address by reading the ID or at least part of the nameplate, in particular the RFID tag, and takes over in its network address, because this process thus decentralized and automatic and works without manual configuration effort. In particular, the ID, in particular the EPC-ID, can be completely included in the network address.

The network address is preferably an IP network address, and more particularly an IPv6 address. The IPv6 protocol is particularly advantageous because it has a sufficiently large addressing space compared to the commonly used IPv4 standard to accommodate said "global" uniqueness guarantee. Advantageously, the assignment of an IP address from a central location can thus be dispensed with.

Finally, it can be prevented that network addresses are assigned multiple times due to a limited address space and thus are no longer unique, as may be the case for example with the use of eg IPv4 and in particular over a long period of time.

The IP network address, in particular the IPV6 address, has a unique part of the address in which the ID or at least part of the ID is written. This distinctive part is so large that a confusion with another address can be considered "global", ie worldwide, as impossible. Usually, a size of at least 48 bits is considered. Other standards include 64-bit, 96-bit, or even 128-bit, to make sure that the IP address is globally unique.

The size of the unmistakable part of the network address into which the ID of the nameplate is written, therefore, in an advantageous embodiment is at least 48 bits, in particular at least 64 bits, in a preferred embodiment at least 96 bits, which is within the scope of the common IPv6 standard , as well as the EPC-Global Standard, eg the EPC-96 standard equivalent.

It is thus of particular advantage, if the ID is unique, and especially if the ID is unique because of its size, because it is thereby "globally" unique, i. It is so large that a multiple award worldwide is so unlikely that can be dispensed with a central allocation of this ID and the ID is still considered unique. As a result, configuration effort, in particular manual configuration effort, is saved.

It is particularly advantageous that the network address is in the form of a local network address and in particular a so-called "link local address" and thus directly, i. without using a mapping table, can be used to respond to the device. This is of particular advantage because such a local address, and in particular the link local address, is characterized in that it is suitable for a router-free operation.

Thus, neither the machine needs to change the network configuration of the device nor does a service need to service the device, e.g. Configure according to a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to enable network operation. As a result, the effort, in particular the manual administrative configuration effort is significantly reduced.

Of particular advantage is the combination of a unique ID with the "Link Local" address format, because a routing-free format is combined with a "globally" unique address, not only in a single local area network but also in another local area network so that basically works in each local network - and thus in particular worldwide routing-free in the respective local network.

For example, a user may thus operate a corporate laptop in his private, network and connect to his home PC without manual configuration overhead.

The invention thus enables network communication without prior configuration. In particular, this allows network operation without a router. A device can thus also be operated in various local networks without further configuration effort and without the use of a router, which is of particular advantage because this simplifies network operation. In particular, the structure of the network is accelerated in particular, it saves network capacity in the form of computing power, data traffic and storage space, the network operation is less error-prone and in particular administrative effort, in particular manual administrative effort, avoided.

Advantageously, the devices do not have to be told what a corresponding netmask looks like, so that they can be addressed in the network.

embodiment

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. Show it:

1 An arrangement for writing an RFID tag of a device by its manufacturer with an ID;

2 A method for generating a network address;

3 The data structure of the network address;

4a A local area network;

4b The local network with an additional router.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, for the same, but possibly not identical Elements identical reference numerals used. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

The 1 shows an arrangement for describing an electronic of a device by its manufacturer with an ID.

The device has this 1 the RFID tag 11 and a preferably non-volatile device memory 12 which is, in particular, a combined program data store intended to store both data and program instructions. Furthermore, the device has a network interface 13 , The RFID tag 11 is with the program / data store 12 via a data bus 14 connected. The data store 11 is with the network interface 13 also via the data bus 14' connected. Of course, the device has 1 a not shown in the drawing processor, namely a device processor, inter alia, for managing a data transfer over the data bus 14 suitable is.

An RFID reader 2 is on the one hand in communication with the RFID tag and on the other hand via a data line 23 with a computer interface 33 a computer 3 connected.

The computer 3 also has a computer memory 32 which contains an EPC (Electronic Product Code) table 321 with unique IDs 101 is stored. Alternatively, in the computer memory 32 , which is in particular a combined program / data store, also an education law for the IDs 101 be filed. Of course, the calculator owns 3 also at least one computer processor, not shown, which is provided, inter alia, for managing data transmissions, and at least one data bus 34 about which the store 32 with the computer interface 33 connected is.

Via the data line 23 transfers the calculator 3 a unique ID 101 to the reader 2 , The reader transmits this ID 101 to the RFID tag 11 ,

Via the data bus 14 transmits the device 1 this ID 101 from the RFID tag 11 to the device memory 12 where he uses one also in the device memory 12 stored program and the device processor in a dedicated area of a network address, in particular an IP network address is written. The network address is a so-called "Link Local" address.

The 2 shows a method 4 to generate the "Link Local" network address. For this purpose, after the start S1 of the method in the second step S2, the ID 101 from the RFID tag 11 read. In the third step S3, using the read ID 101 a local network address, in particular a "Local Link" address formed, whereupon the method in the fourth step S4 is completed.

The 3 shows the structure of the network address 121 consisting of three segments. The first segment A preferably consists of 10 bits and contains the IPv6 link local prefix. For example, the second segment B has 96 bits and is intended to store the ID. It is therefore the unique part of the address. The third segment C can comprise 16 bits and can be provided for a possible subaddressing, in particular if values other than zero are entered. Such subaddressing can be used, for example, for the use of virtual interfaces.

The 4a shows a local network in which the device 1 automatically logged in. The ID 101 (no longer explicitly referred to in this illustration) becomes the RFID tag 11 read from another RFID reader, to a network computer 3 ' transmitted.

With this ID 101 can the network computer 3 ' the address 121 of the device 1 determine and the device over the local network 4 over the network interface 13 of the device.

There is no administrative configuration effort and no central address allocation necessary.

Since the ID is unique, this method works in the same way in every other local network.

The local network can be, for example, LAN ( IEEE 802.3 ), WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS ( IEEE 802.11 ) BT PAN ( IEEE 802.15.4 ) act

The 4b shows almost the same layout, with the only difference being that the network is connected to a router 5 connected. The dashed line limits the local area network 44 , The term "local network" refers to a network or network segment, which may also include, for example, devices such as switches, hubs and bridges, but no routers and within which the network addresses do not need to be "rerouted" to allow network construction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 device

11

 RFID tag

12

 Device memory (program / data memory)

13

 Network interface of the device

14, 14'

 bus

101

 ID (identification)

121

 Network address

2, 2'

 RFID Reader

23, 23', 23''

 data line

3, 3'

 Calculator, network computer

32

 Computer memory

33, 33'

 Computer interface

34

 bus

4

local network

44

 Local network with networked components

5

 router

A, B, C

 Segments of the network address

S1, S2, S3, S4

steps 1 . 2 . 3 . 4

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 8896448 B2 [0005]
• EP 1567994 B1 [0006]

Cited non-patent literature

• "EPC-64" standard [0016]
• "EPC-96" standard [0016]
• EPC 96 standard [0021]
• IEEE 802.3 [0048]
• IEEE 802.11 [0048]
• IEEE 802.15.4 [0048]

Claims (10)

Method for generating a network address for addressing a device ( 1 ) with an electronic nameplate ( 11 ), in particular an RFID tag ( 11 ), in a network ( 4 ), comprising the following steps: An ID ( 101 ) is removed from the device ( 1 ) from the associated electronic nameplate ( 11 ), in particular the RFID tag ( 11 ), via a data bus ( 14 ) into a device memory ( 12 ) read in; - the device ( 1 ) generates a network address ( 121 ) using the ID ( 101 ); - the ID ( 101 ) is further by means of a reading device, in particular an RFID reader ( 2 ) read; - the ID ( 101 ) is read by the reader, in particular by the RFID reader ( 2 ), to the network ( 4 ) transmitted; - the ID ( 101 ) is used to connect the device ( 1 ) over the network ( 4 ) to address; characterized in that - at the network address ( 121 ) is a local network address and in particular a so-called "link local address". Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the ID ( 101 ) at least partially into the network address ( 121 ) is written. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID ( 101 ) completely into the network address ( 121 ) is written. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID ( 101 ) is unique. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID ( 101 ) is unique because of its size. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the size of the ID ( 101 ) is at least 48 bits. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the size of the ID ( 101 ) is at least 64 bits. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the size of the ID ( 101 ) is at least 96 bits. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID ( 101 ) corresponds to a so-called EPC (Electronic Product Code), so for example the EPC 64 or the EPC 96. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network address ( 121 ) is formed according to the so-called "OSI" (Open Systems Interconnection) model at the level of a network layer (OSI Layer 3) and in particular according to the IPv6 standard.

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