JP2003283550A - Network connection setting method and information terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network connection setting method in which network connection setting is automatically switched. <P>SOLUTION: The network connection setting method includes a first step for storing network connection setting for performing a connection to a prescribed network into a logging file 6 with respect to a network application/ service 1 which is subjected to connection to the prescribed network, second steps (S2 and S3) for acquiring network connection setting for performing the connection to the prescribed network from the logging file 6 with the start (S1) of the application/service 1 as a trigger, and third steps (S4 and S5) for replacing acquired network connection setting with network connection setting set at present. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for setting connection to a network, and an information terminal device, a server and a network system to which such method is applied. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program for executing such network connection setting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, various services and applications such as file sharing, electronic mail, WWW (World Wide Web), etc. have become available on a network. When using such network services and network applications, it is necessary to connect the computer to a network where the desired services and applications can be used. Then, in order to connect the computer to the network, it is necessary to make connection settings (network connection settings) on the computer according to the environment unique to the network.

As a network for connecting computers, in addition to a LAN (Local Area Network) in which a plurality of processing devices such as PCs and workstations are communicably connected via a transmission medium such as a communication cable, TCP / IP (Transmis)
Internet using the Sion Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (typically "The interne
It is marked as "t"). In addition, telephone network and ISD
It is also known that a LAN (Wide area network) represented by N (Integrated services digital network) or the like is used to connect LANs to each other to construct a network of a scale close to the Internet.

Network connection settings when using network applications / services will be described below by taking connections to LANs and the Internet as an example.

FIG. 14A is a diagram for explaining connection setting to a network, FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram showing a connection form to the Internet, and FIG. 14B is a connection form to a LAN. It is a schematic diagram.

First, the connection form to the Internet shown in FIG. 14A will be described. The PC terminal 100 is used by the user and is connected to the telephone line 102 via the modem 101. The user makes a contract to use the Internet 104 in advance with an Internet service provider (ISP) that provides an access environment to the Internet 104, and registers necessary information.

The ISP access point 103 is an ISP
Managed by, and has a modem (not shown), a router, and a server (including a mail server, a Web server, etc.). The server uses the telephone line 10 via the modem.
2 and the Internet 104 via a router.

In the example shown in FIG. 14A, the PC terminal 1
By accessing the ISP access point 103 from 00, the Internet 104 can be accessed. When connecting the PC terminal 100 to the Internet 104, the user first activates the pre-installed environment setting program on the PC terminal 100, and the IP address (TCP / IP The address used by IP in the protocol suite) is manually entered along with the parameters needed to implement TCP / IP. In some cases, it is necessary to input a well-known IP broadcast address, subnet mask, default gateway address, and the like. Thereby, the network connection setting is made.

After the network connection is set, the user is
On the terminal 100, pre-installed mailer (software for sending and receiving e-mail via a predetermined mail server) or browser (acquiring information provided on the Internet via a predetermined web server) When an application such as software) is started, connection to the Internet 104 is executed according to the above-mentioned network connection setting.

Next, a connection form to the LAN shown in FIG. 14B will be described. The server 201 and the plurality of clients 202 _{1 to} 202 _n are connected via the transmission medium 200, whereby a LAN is constructed. Each of the clients 202 _{1 to} 202 _n is a PC terminal used by a different user, and is a network dedicated board (NIC (Network Interface Card) or LAN).
Server) and is connected to the LAN via a card).
By accessing 1 you can receive services such as file sharing and e-mail.

Also in the above LAN connection mode, each of the clients 202 _{1 to} 202 _n , when connecting to the LAN, uses the IP address previously assigned by the LAN administrator on each terminal to connect to the LAN. Manually enter with required parameters (network connection settings). After the network connection is set, the clients 202 _{1 to} 202 _n can access the server 201.

The LAN connection form shown in FIG. 14 (b) is
LAN basic configuration, and recently RAS on LAN
There is also a mobile environment compatible with a (Remote Access Service) server that can be connected to a LAN from outside via a telephone line or ISDN by placing a server anywhere. In addition, LAN via firewall server
Is always connected to the Internet so that e-mail services and WWW services can be received via the Internet. Also in the case of these LANs, the parameters necessary for introducing TCP / IP as described above are manually input when setting the network connection.

[0013]

However, since the above-mentioned conventional network connection setting method is a manual input operation, it is troublesome for the user.
Further, such an input operation requires a high degree of specialized knowledge, and thus has a main problem that it imposes a heavy burden on the user.

In addition to the above main problems, there are the following problems.

For example, in the case of the Internet connection form shown in FIG. 14A, it is possible to connect to a plurality of different networks by dial-up connection. In this case, the network connection settings are made for each network,
Each network connection setting is stored in the PC terminal. When a plurality of network connection settings are stored in the PC terminal in this way, when the user connects to the network in which the service (or application) is desired to be used, the user selects the corresponding network connection setting from the PC terminals. It is necessary to select the appropriate network connection settings to switch to. Since this switching operation needs to be manually performed by the user every time when connecting to a different network, it is very troublesome and burdens the user.

In addition, when the number of network connection settings stored in the PC terminal increases, it is expected that the user will erroneously select the network connection setting when selecting the network connection setting. If the network connection settings are incorrect, the connection to the network is not made and a communication error occurs, which causes the user to feel uncomfortable. In order to select the correct network connection setting, the user needs to know exactly which network the PC terminal is physically connected to, which requires a high degree of expertise. This places a heavy burden on the user.

Also in the connection form to the LAN shown in FIG. 14B, when one client (PC terminal) is connected to a different LAN or another network, network connection setting is made for each network. It will be. For example, one PC terminal in the office
Used in the connection form to the LAN as shown in 4 (b),
In the case of using in a connection form to the Internet as shown in FIG. 14A at home, the user needs to make network connection settings in both use forms on the PC terminal. In this case as well, the user has to manually switch the network connection depending on the network to be connected, which is very troublesome and burdens the user.

Recently, mobile terminals (mobile phones, P
With the spread of HS (Personal Handy-Phone system), small computers with communication functions, etc.,
It can be used in a mobile environment in which a mobile terminal is connected to a network and a required service (or application) is used. For example, LANs (or WANs) are built in offices scattered in each region, and a user connects to the LAN of a business office to which he / she is moving with a single PC terminal to use a required service or application. It can be used. Even in this case, the user should always be aware of the difference in the network connection settings due to the difference in the connection environment, and connect to the LAN
Therefore, the user has to manually switch the network connection each time, which is very troublesome and burdens the user.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configura)
tion Protocol: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
There is also provided a system for automatically setting an IP address, an IP broadcast address, a subnet mask, a default gateway address, etc. when a user connects a computer to a network. However, in this case, it is necessary to install a DHCP server in each network, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost. In addition, for example, when a plurality of LANs are connected and a DHCP server is not installed in any LAN, the same problem as described above occurs when connecting to that LAN.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to automatically set network connection at low cost,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a network connection setting method, an information terminal device, a server, and a network system capable of automatically switching network connection settings or performing both operations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a program for executing such network connection setting.

[0022]

In order to achieve the above object, a network connection setting method of the present invention provides a network connection setting necessary for connecting to a desired network, which is related to the desired network. It is characterized by including a first step of acquiring using information, and a second step of connecting to the desired network according to the network connection setting acquired in the first step. In this case, the first step may include a step of acquiring the network connection setting relating to the desired network from the history information recording the connection settings of the networks connected in the past. If the network connection setting for the desired network does not exist, the method may further include the step of acquiring a new network connection setting for the desired network in a predetermined procedure using the existing information. Further, the first step may include a step of using the existing information to acquire a new network connection setting regarding the desired network in a predetermined procedure.

According to the above method, the network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network is automatically switched, so that the user is aware of the difference in the network connection setting due to the difference in the connection environment. There is no need and no manual input operation is required.

In the network connection setting method of the present invention, the step of acquiring the network connection setting from the history information includes a predetermined application / service which is connected to the desired network and which is transmitted at the time of startup. Storing information as history information in association with information and network connection settings necessary for connection to the desired network; and when the predetermined application / service is started, based on the predetermined information. Acquiring the network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network from the history information.

According to the above method, the application /
When the service is started, the network connection setting necessary for using the started application / service is automatically switched. In this way, the network connection setting is automatically performed according to the application / service, so the user does not need to be aware of the difference in the network connection setting due to the difference in the connection environment, and the manual input operation is also possible. unnecessary.

In the network connection setting method of the present invention, the network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network is stored as the history information in association with predetermined information provided at the time of connection from the desired network. And a step of acquiring a network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network from the history information based on the predetermined information when the connection to the desired network is made. Good.

According to the above method, when the connection to the target network is made, the necessary network connection setting is automatically made. Therefore, also in this case, the user does not need to be aware of the difference in the network connection settings due to the difference in the connection environment, and the manual input operation is not necessary.

The information terminal device of the present invention comprises a connection setting acquisition means for acquiring the network connection setting necessary for connecting to a desired network by using the existing information related to the desired network, And a connection setting switching unit for replacing the network connection setting acquired by the connection setting acquisition unit with the currently set network connection setting. In this case, the connection setting acquisition unit has a storage unit that stores history information that records connection settings of networks that have been connected in the past, and acquires the network connection settings related to the desired network from the history information. When there is no network connection setting related to the desired network in the history information, a new network connection setting related to the desired network is used in a predetermined procedure using the existing information. May be configured to obtain Further, the connection setting acquisition means may be configured to acquire a new network connection setting relating to the desired network in a predetermined procedure using the existing information.

In the information terminal device of the present invention as well, similar to the network connection setting method of the present invention described above, the necessary network connection setting is automatically made, so that the user can set the network connection setting depending on the connection environment. There is no need to recognize the difference, and no manual input operation is required.

The network system of the present invention comprises a first information terminal device for which connection setting to a predetermined network has been made, and at least one device for mutual communication with the first information terminal device via a local network. A second information terminal device, the second information terminal device acquiring network connection settings for connection from the first information terminal device to the predetermined network via the local network. And connecting to the predetermined network based on the acquired network connection setting.

In the network system of the present invention as well, similar to the above-described network connection setting method of the present invention, the necessary network connection setting is automatically made, so that the user has a difference in the network connection setting due to the difference in the connection environment. Need not be recognized, and manual input operation is not required.

The server of the present invention is a server to which at least one client terminal is connected, and the network connection setting necessary for connecting the client terminal to a desired network is provided with existing information related to the desired network. And a connection setting switching unit that replaces the network connection setting acquired by the connection setting acquisition unit with the network connection setting currently set in the client terminal. . In this case, the connection setting acquisition unit has a storage unit that stores history information recording connection settings of networks that have been connected to the client terminal in the past, and relates to the desired network from the history information. The network information may be configured to acquire the network connection setting, and when the history information does not include the network connection setting related to the desired network, the existing network is used to perform the desired network in a predetermined procedure. May be configured to obtain new network connection settings for. Further, the connection setting acquisition means may be configured to acquire a new network connection setting relating to the desired network in a predetermined procedure using the existing information.

In the server of the present invention as well, similar to the network connection setting method of the present invention described above, the necessary network connection setting is automatically made, so that the user
There is no need to recognize the difference in network connection settings due to the difference in connection environment, and no manual input operation is required.

The program of the present invention comprises: a first process for acquiring network connection settings necessary for connecting to a desired network by using existing information relating to the desired network; The second processing for connecting to the desired network is executed by the computer according to the network connection setting acquired in the processing of 1. In this case, the first process may include a process of acquiring the network connection setting regarding the desired network from the history information that records the connection settings of the networks connected in the past.
When the history information does not include the network connection setting related to the desired network, the history information may further include a process of using the existing information to acquire a new network connection setting related to the desired network. . Further, the first process may include a process of using the existing information to acquire a new network connection setting regarding the desired network in a predetermined procedure.

In the program of the present invention as well, similar to the above-described network connection setting method of the present invention, the necessary network connection setting is automatically made, so that the user can make a difference in the network connection setting due to the difference in the connection environment. There is no need to recognize it, and no manual input operation is required.

[0036]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The network connection setting method of the present invention is a network connection setting necessary for connecting to a desired network (for example, a network connection setting necessary for using a predetermined application / service).
Is acquired using existing information, and is connected to the desired network according to the acquired network connection setting, whereby the network connection setting is automatically performed without manual input operation. to enable.

For example, when acquiring the network connection setting necessary to use a predetermined application / service, there are two approaches. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the approach. In FIG. 1, a network 301 and a network connection setting 30 are shown as the points of the processing when the network connection setting is performed.
2. The three points of the network application / service 303 are hierarchically shown, and two approaches A and B are shown by arrows.

In Approach A, the network application / service 303 is started, and then the connection to the network 301 is performed via the network connection setting 302. In this case, the information necessary for network connection is acquired from the network application / service 303 side, and the network connection setting is performed based on this acquired information. When making network connection settings, the history of past network connection settings can be referenced.

In the other approach B, the network 3
01 connection to network connection settings 30
Network application / service 30 through 2
3 is activated. In this case, the information (connection environment) necessary for network connection is acquired from the network 301 side, and the network connection setting is performed based on the acquired information. Similar to the case of the above approach A, when performing the network connection setting, the history of the past network connection setting can be referred to.

The network connection setting method described above can be applied to well-known information terminal devices (for example, PC terminals) and servers. For example, in a PC terminal, the network connection setting necessary for connecting to a desired network (for example, the network connection setting necessary for using a predetermined application / service) is acquired using existing information. By providing the connection setting acquisition unit and the connection setting switching unit that replaces the acquired network connection setting with the currently set network connection setting, it becomes possible to perform the network connection setting without manual input operation. The operation in each of these processing units can be realized by a program.

Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the above-mentioned network connection setting, Embodiments 1 to 3 based on the approach A,
Embodiments 4 to 6 based on the approach B will be described.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a network connection setting method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the network application / service 1, the network connection analysis driver software 2, the operation system (OS) 3, the dial-up connection processing 4, and the LAN connection processing 5 are all user computer terminals (not shown), For example, it is a program installed in advance in the hard disk of the PC terminal. The logging file 6 is a file stored in the hard disk of the computer terminal of the user, and the history information 6a of the past network connection settings including the network connection settings manually input by the user is stored.

The network application / service 1 is application software such as a well-known mailer or browser. The network application / service 1 is activated by a user performing a predetermined input operation on a PC terminal, and at the time of activation, specific information (target information) required to connect to a target network (hereinafter, referred to as a target network). (Information capable of specifying at least the network and the started application / service) is transmitted together with the communication request. The communication request including such specific information is, for example, TCP / IP.
It can also be sent out in the form of IP packets well known in. In this case, the specific information includes application / service name (program name), target network address (IP address of network device of connection destination),
Protocol used (TCP / IP, UDP (User Datag
ram Protocol), used port address name (80,
25 etc.) and the like. Here, the port address is a publicly assigned TCP port address, and the application / service can be specified by the address. For example, port 25 is an SMTP (Simple Mail Transf
er Protocol; simple mail transfer protocol), and it can be seen that this is a request for email transmission by a mailer.

The network connection analysis driver software 2 includes the above-mentioned specific information included in the communication request sent by the network application / service 1 at the time of startup,
The optimum connection setting to the target network is determined from the past network connection setting history information 6a stored in the logging file 6, and the network connection setting history information 6a is added or updated. In the logging file 6, the history information 6a of the past network connection settings is stored in association with the specific information, and the network connection settings made in the past can be referred to based on the specific information. There is. The network connection analysis driver software 2 and the logging file 6 realize each processing operation by the connection setting acquisition unit and the connection setting switching unit described above.

The dial-up connection processing 4 connects to the target network in a predetermined procedure via a modem (not shown) prepared in advance. The LAN connection processing 5 connects to a target LAN in a predetermined procedure through a network-dedicated circuit board (not shown) (hereinafter also referred to as a network device or a network adapter) of a NIC or a LAN card prepared in advance. To do.

The operating system 3 is a well-known OS.
Software, which is the above network application / service 1, network connection analysis driver software 2, dial-up connection processing 4 and LAN
Execution management in connection processing 5 is performed.

Next, the basic flow of network connection setting will be described.

In the initial setting state, the user's PC terminal (not shown) has a different network A / network 1 as network application / service 1.
Three applications A, which require connections to B and C,
B and C are installed. Further, the logging file 6 corresponds to the network connection setting A previously connected by the application A, the network connection setting B previously connected by the application B, and the network connection setting C previously connected by the application C, respectively. It is stored in association with specific information that can specify the target application and the target network.

First, when the user performs a predetermined input operation on the PC terminal to activate the application A, the application A sends a connection request to the network A (step S1). The network connection analysis driver software 2 constantly monitors the transmission of connection requests from the applications A to C that are executed and managed on the operation system 3.

When the connection request is sent from the application A, the network connection analysis driver software 2
Based on the specific information contained in the connection request,
From the network connection settings A to C stored in the logging file 6, the network connection settings previously connected by the application A are searched (step S2). Here, the network connection setting A is searched.

Subsequently, when the network connection analysis driver software 2 receives the result of the search in the step S2 from the logging file 6 (step S3), based on the network connection setting A which is the search result, the current PC terminal is detected. Network connection settings (step S
4). Normally, in the PC terminal, the previous network connection setting is held, and the network connection analysis driver software 2 replaces the held previous network connection setting with the network connection setting A.

When the connection setting based on the network connection setting A is performed, subsequently, the network connection analysis driver software 2 issues a network connection execution request according to the network connection setting A set in step S4 to the operation system 3. (Step S5)
At the same time, the connection result is written to the logging file 6 (step S6).

Finally, the operation system 3 which has received the network connection execution request executes the target network in the corresponding connection processing of the dial-up connection processing 4 or the LAN connection processing 5 according to the network connection setting A set in step S3. Is executed (step S7).

The above-mentioned procedure is an example of the network connection setting when the application A is started, but the network connection setting is performed by the same procedure when the other applications B and C are started. For example, in the case of the application B, the network setting B is set, and in the case of the application C, the network setting C is set.

According to the above procedure, the network connection setting is automatically replaced with the network connection setting to which the started application is connected in the past, triggered by the start of the application. Therefore, the user can set the network connection setting for each application. Need not be performed, and it is not necessary to be aware of the difference in connection environment to the target network.

Depending on the initial setting state, a plurality of different network connection settings may be retrieved as the network connection settings for the application A, for example. In this case, since a plurality of network connection settings are obtained as the search result of step S3, the network connection settings are provided to the user in step S4, for example, in the form of a selection request message, and the user receives the message. According to the above, the appropriate network connection setting is selectively input from the provided network connection settings, and the selected network connection setting is replaced.

In the above case, since the input operation by the user is involved, the network connection setting cannot be completely automated, but it is superior to the conventional manual setting in the following points. There is. That is, when there are many network connection settings for each application, the network connection settings for the activated application are searched, and as a result, the network connection settings are narrowed down for the user. By narrowing down the network connection settings, the user can easily and accurately make the necessary network connection settings.

It is also possible to automate the input operation by the user. In this case, the network connection analysis driver software 2 performs a trial connection with each of the plurality of network connection settings that are the search results, and selects the one in which the communication error or the information input request does not occur as the optimum network connection setting. to decide. Then, the current connection is replaced with the network connection setting determined to be the optimum one.

Next, the configuration of a computer to which the above-mentioned network connection setting method is applied will be concretely described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer to which the network connection setting method shown in FIG. 2 is applied. The computer 10 shown in FIG.
1, an interface 12, a storage device 13, an input unit 14 including a mouse and a keyboard, and an output unit 15 including a CRT, a liquid crystal display, a printer, or the like.
Have. The interface 12 can be connected to different networks via a modem 20 and a LAN card 30 which are well-known interface adapters.

The storage device 13 includes various programs including the network application / service 1, the network connection analysis driver software 2, the operation system (OS) 3, the dial-up connection processing 4, and the LAN connection processing 5 shown in FIG. The program is stored in advance, and the control unit 11 reads out the stored program as necessary and executes the program, whereby the operations in steps S1 to S7 described above are performed.

Next, the processing performed by the network connection analysis driver software 2 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific processing procedure performed by the network connection analysis driver software 2 shown in FIG. In the example described below, three applications "AAAAA",
"BBBBBB" and "CCCCC" are pre-installed, and when each application connects to the network, application / service name (program name) target network address (IP address) used protocol name (TCP / IP, UD, etc.) ) A communication request (IP packet) including at least four parameters (specific information) of the used port address name (80, 25, etc.) shall be sent. Further, in the logging file 6, table information as shown in FIG. 5 is stored as history information 6a of past network connection settings regarding the above three applications.

In the example of FIG. 5, the details of the network connection settings connected in the past are stored together with their names (used network connection setting names) in association with the above parameters (1) to (3). The name of the network connection setting to be used can be arbitrarily determined by the user on the computer. Specifically, the application "AAAAAA"
As a past network connection setting related to
"P-address LAN connection", "IP address (192.168.1.10) gateway address (192.168.1.25
4) ”is stored. Further, as the past network connection setting related to the application “BBBBB”, the connection setting content “acquire from DHCP server” with the name “DHCP client connection” is stored. Furthermore, as a past network connection setting for the application "CCCCC", with the name "modem dial-up connection",
The connection setting contents of "dial-up telephone number (XXXX)" are stored. Note that the target network address, used protocol name, and used port address name are actually included in the IP packet sent by the application at the time of communication request, "IP address (192.168.1.10)", "TCP / IP", "25"
Although concrete data such as is stored, in the example of FIG. 5,
For simplification of description, they are abbreviated as “IP address A”, “protocol A”, “port address A”, and the like.

The user uses the LAN card prepared in advance to connect the PC terminal to a predetermined LAN (for example, a LAN installed in the company), and performs a predetermined input operation to execute the application " AAAAA ”is started. When the application “AAAAA” is activated, a connection request including the above-mentioned parameters 1 to 3 is transmitted from the application “AAAAA”. Based on the transmitted connection request, the network connection analysis driver software 2 sets the connection to the LAN according to the following procedure shown in FIG.

First, in step S10, the network application is temporarily shut down. The reason for performing the temporary cutoff is that when the connection request is sent from the application “AAAAA”, the connection process in the previous network connection setting held in the PC terminal is executed,
If the process continues to be executed as it is, if the previous network connection setting is not the connection setting to the target target LAN, a communication error will occur or you will be prompted to enter the information necessary for network connection. Is. For example, the application "AAAAA"
If is a mailer that can access the mail server installed on the LAN, the connection process to the LAN will be executed based on the previous network connection settings with different connection environments maintained on the PC terminal at the same time as starting up. If done,
A communication processing request is made to connect to the network address of the mail server. The processing of the network application is temporarily blocked so that such a communication error or information input request does not occur.

Then, in step S11, the content of the connection request sent from the application "AAAAAA" is analyzed. Specifically, the above-mentioned parameters (1) to (4) included in the connection request are analyzed. Further, in step S12, the logging file is searched based on the parameters (1) to (4) which are the analysis results. Then, as a result of this search, it is determined whether or not there is a corresponding network connection setting in the history information of the past network connection settings. Replace the connection settings with their corresponding network connection settings. If there is no corresponding network connection setting in the logging file, a new network connection setting is created in a predetermined procedure in step S15. Then, in step S14, the connection setting is replaced with the created new network connection setting.

In the example of FIG. 5, the application "AAA
As a past network connection setting of “AA”, “fixed I
"P-address LAN connection", "IP address (192.168.1.10) gateway address (192.168.1.25
4) ”is stored, the determination in step S13 is“ Applicable ”, and the“ fixed IP address LAN connection ”is replaced with the connection setting content in step S14. .

Subsequently, in step S16, the temporary interruption of the network application performed in step S10 described above is canceled, and a connection process based on the network connection setting set in step S14 is performed for the operation system 3. Request.

Finally, in step S17, the combination of the network connection setting set in step S14 and the application "AAAAAA" is written in the logging file 6. Here, in the case of the existing network connection in the log, only the "registered name" is saved.

The above is the application "AAAAAA".
This is an explanation of replacing the network connection settings when the application is started. The applications "BBBBBB", "CC"
When the "CCC" is activated, the network connection setting is replaced by the same procedure.

In the case of the application "BBBBB", since it is a DHCP client connection, information such as an IP address necessary for network connection is exchanged between the DHCP server connected to the target network and the known broadcast information. Is given by doing. This point is different from the case of the application "AAAAAA" described above.

In the case of the application "CCCCC", as can be seen from FIG. 5, since the connection to the network is made by the dial-up connection using the modem, when the application "CCCCC" is started, the user must use the PC It is necessary to connect the terminal to the model in advance. In addition, the user has previously made a contract for using the Internet with an arbitrary ISP that provides an environment for accessing the Internet, and, for example, via the modem 20 on the personal computer 10 shown in FIG. As information necessary for setting connection to a predetermined network, user information such as ID number and password, telephone number of dial-up destination, information such as IP address assigned by contracted ISP are stored. When the application “CCCCC” is activated, a network connection is made via a predetermined IPS server according to the stored setting contents of the modem dial-up connection. This form of using a modem is common in home Internet connections.

By the above operation, the user can use one PC
For example, if the terminal is used in both the in-house LAN connection and the modem dial-up connection at home, and if the network connection settings have been made in the past, the network connection is automatically established according to the usage pattern. The settings will be switched.

In the creation of a new network connection setting in step S15, an automatic generation process of the network connection setting, which will be described later, is performed, or a manual input operation similar to the conventional case is performed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a network connection setting method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The network connection setting method of the present embodiment uses the network connection analysis driver software 2,
Network address (IP address) analogy function (network address analogy engine) as described below
The method is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment except that the above is added.

Only the characteristic operation of the network connection analysis driver software 2 will be described below.

When a connection request is sent from the network application / service 1, first, the logging file 6 is generated based on the specific information included in the connection request.
The past network connection settings stored therein are searched (step S21).

Then, the result of the search in step S21 is received from the logging file 6 (step S2).
2). If a past network connection setting is given as the search result, the above-described steps S3 to S7 are performed.
The connection is set according to the procedure (see FIG. 2). When the search result indicating that there is no corresponding network connection setting is notified, the specific information is set to be wider than the current search condition and the search is performed again (step S23). For example, the inside of the logging file 6 is searched again for a network address similar to the address of the target network included in the above-mentioned specific information.

Specifically, "Target network address: HYPERLINK http://aaa.bbb.co.jp http: // aa
If it is "a.bbb.co.jp/", it is searched again with "similar network address: http: //***.bbb.co.jp/". By doing so, the search range is expanded.

When the result of re-search by the similar network address is received from the log file (step S24),
Then, based on the result of the re-search, the current network connection setting of the PC terminal is performed (step S25). After this, the same processing as the processing of steps S5 to S7 shown in FIG. 2 is performed.

Also in the present embodiment, the connection setting regarding a plurality of network addresses may be given as the re-search result. In this case, similarly to the case of the above-described first embodiment, the selection input operation by the user or the selection process by the trial connection is performed.

(Third Embodiment) The network connection setting methods of the first and second embodiments described above are basically
Although it is applied to the computer terminal (client computer) as shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to apply the same network connection setting method to the server computer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a server computer system to which the network connection setting method according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied. In this system, a network application / service from a client computer 40 is connected to any of networks A to C having different connection environments via a server computer 41 such as a proxy server or a dial-up server.

The client computer 40 is, for example, a mailer or browser application (program) for using a network application / service of an electronic mail service or a Web page browsing service.
Is pre-installed. Server computer 4
1 is arranged on the LAN 42, and the same software as the above-mentioned network connection analysis driver software 2 is installed in advance and a storage unit corresponding to the logging file 6 is provided. The client computer 40 is the server computer 4 via the LAN 42.
1 can be accessed. Networks A to C are
It is a network such as the Internet, LAN or WAN.

In the system of this embodiment, a LAN card prepared in advance is attached to the client computer 40, and this LAN card is used to connect to the LAN 42. In this state, when a predetermined application is started on the client computer 40, a connection request is sent from the application to the target network via the server computer 41. The network connection analysis driver software of the server computer 41 constantly monitors the transmission of this connection request, and when the connection request is transmitted from the client computer 40,
The network connection setting of the client computer 40 is switched by the procedure shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 described above. By this operation, also in the system of the present embodiment, the client computer 40 can automatically switch to the optimum network connection setting, triggered by the activation of the network application / service.

(Embodiment 4) In each of the above-described first to third embodiments, the necessary network connection setting is performed using the activation of the network application / service as a trigger, but the reverse is true. , It is also possible to set the network connection by using the connection to the network as a trigger. Here, a method for performing such network connection setting will be described.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a computer to which the network connection setting method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied. This computer (portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 8) is capable of connecting to a plurality of networks 56 ₁ to 56 _{n having} different connection environments, and includes a network detection unit 50, a location management unit 51, and a storage unit. It has a unit (logging file) 52, a network connection setting automatic generation unit 53, and a network connection setting unit 54.
The network detection unit 50, the storage unit 52, and the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 correspond to the connection setting acquisition unit described above, and the location management unit 51 corresponds to the connection setting switching unit described above.

The networks 56 _{1 to} 56 _n are, for example, dial-up connection via a modem, connection via a mobile / PHS, connection via an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, and various connections such as LAN connection. It is various networks corresponding to the form.

The network detecting section 50 is a section for detecting which _one of the networks 56 _{1 to} 56 _n is connected, and a network device (a device on the network, such as a modem or a LAN adapter) is changed. Check if it was done. For example, when the network is switched to the LAN connection by the dial-up connection via the modem, the network device is changed from the modem to the LAN adapter, so the network detection unit 50 detects the change of the network device. The network detection unit 50 also collects information (IP address, routing, gateway address, etc.) contained in packets transmitted from other computers flowing on the network, information on connected network devices, and the like. Then, the connection setting to the currently connected network is estimated from the history information of the past network connection settings stored in the storage unit 52. The result of this estimation is passed to the location management unit 51.

The storage unit 52 stores information about connection settings of networks connected in the past together with information necessary for network connection settings. Here, the information necessary for the network connection setting is, for example, the information registered by the user at the time of the contract if the user has a contract with the ISP that provides an access environment to the Internet in advance. For example, the user information (ID or password) or the telephone number of the dial-up destination. The telephone number of the dial-up destination usually differs depending on the area where the user's computer is installed (usually at home), so it is possible to identify the area from the telephone number, so treat this as location information. it can.

The location management unit 51 instructs the network connection setting unit 54 to change the network connection setting based on the estimation result from the network detection unit 50. When the estimation result indicating that the corresponding network connection setting does not exist in the storage unit 52 is received from the network detection unit 50, the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 is requested to create a new network connection setting, and the request is made. The network connection setting unit 54 is instructed to change the network connection setting based on the new network connection setting generated by the automatic network connection setting generation unit 53. Further, when instructing the network connection setting unit 54 to change to a new network connection setting, the location management unit 51 adds / updates the network connection setting information stored in the storage unit 52 each time.

The network connection setting automatic generation unit 53
When receiving a request for creating a new network connection setting from the location management unit 51, the new network connection setting is created from the state of the currently connected network device. The network connection setting unit 54 is a unit for setting each parameter related to the connection environment, and includes a network unit 54a and an application unit 54b.
Have. The network unit 54a is a unit in which information related to the network layer in the OSI reference model (Open Systems Interconnection) is set. The application section 54b is a section for setting information related to the application layer in the OSI reference model. For example, information about a protocol required when activating an application such as a mailer or a browser is set. Location management unit 5
1 changes the settings of the network unit 54a and the application unit 54b.

Next, the procedure of network connection setting in the computer of this embodiment will be described. Figure 9
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of network connection setting in the computer shown in FIG. 8.
The basic flow of network connection setting will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

First, in step S31, the network detection unit 50 determines whether the network device has been changed. If there is no change in the network device, the network connection setting process ends, and the connection process is performed with the previous network connection setting retained. If there is a change in the network device, then in step S32, the network detection unit 50 causes the network detection unit 50 to obtain necessary information from the currently connected network, for example, information about the network device and other information flowing on the network. The information (IP address, gateway address, etc.) contained in the packet sent from the computer is collected and analyzed. And step S
At 33, the network detection unit 50 causes the network connection corresponding to the connection setting to the currently connected network in the history information of the past network connection settings stored in the storage unit 52 from the analysis result. Determine if there is a setting.

If the result of the determination in step S33 is "Yes", the location management unit 51 instructs the network connection setting unit 54 to change the connection setting based on the corresponding network connection setting in step S34. In response to the instruction, the network connection setting unit 54 receives the network unit 54a and the application unit 54.
The setting of b is changed. After this, the process of network connection setting ends.

If the determination in step S33 is "not applicable", the location management unit 51 requests the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 to create a new network connection setting in step S35, In response to the request, the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 creates a new network connection setting. Then, step S
At 36, the location management unit 51 registers the created new network connection setting in the storage unit 52.
Then, in step S37, the location management unit 51
Instructs the network connection setting unit 54 to change the connection setting based on the new network connection setting, and the network connection setting unit 54 which has received the instruction changes the settings of the network unit 54a and the application unit 54b. After this, the process of network connection setting ends.

Next, the network connection setting automatic generation unit 5
A procedure for automatically generating a new network connection setting performed in 3 will be specifically described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of automatic generation of a new network connection setting performed by the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53. Hereinafter, the procedure for automatically generating a new network connection setting will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S41, it is determined whether the modem is a modem. In the case of a modem, in step S42, for example, an ID and password necessary for connecting to the Internet are connected to a server of a specific ISP, such as an ISP that can issue only a name registration. When making a contract with this particular ISP, the name registered by the user in his / her computer, the area code entered in the dialing information of the OS, etc., is sent to the ISP, and the ISP sends the Internet code. Obtain ID, password information, telephone number of dial-up destination, and other address information required for Internet connection required for connection. In the following step S43, using the information obtained in S42, the specific I
A new network connection setting is generated with the SP server. Then, in step S44, the generated new network connection setting is passed to the location management unit 51 shown in FIG. After that, the process of automatically creating the network connection setting ends.

If the determination in step S41 is not a modem, then in step S45, the portable / P
It is determined whether the connection is by HS. In the case of connection by mobile / PHS, the process shifts to the above step S42, and the same process is performed thereafter. If the connection is not by mobile / PHS, then in step S46, ADS.
It is determined whether or not it is an L modem. In the case of an ADSL modem, the process shifts to the above step S42, and the same process is performed thereafter.

If the judgment in the above step S46 is not an ADSL modem, it is judged in step S47 whether or not it is a LAN connection. If not LAN connection,
In step S48, a predetermined message, for example, a message indicating that automatic connection setting cannot be performed is displayed.
After that, the process of automatically creating the network connection setting ends. If it is a LAN connection, then step S4
At 9, it is determined whether or not there is a DHCP server on the connected network.

The determination in step S49 is DHCP.
If there is a server, the DHC is set in step S50.
Information necessary for network connection, such as an IP address, is acquired by exchanging information by broadcasting, which is well known, with the P server, and a new network connection setting is created using this acquired information. Then, the process proceeds to step S44 described above. If there is no DHCP server, in step S51, the contents (in particular, IP address and gateway address) of the packet sent from another computer flowing on the connected network are collected and the local setting of the LAN is determined. It is analyzed whether the settings are correct, and a new network connection setting is created based on the analysis result. Then, the process proceeds to step S44 described above.

The creation of the new network connection setting in step S51 is specifically performed as follows. Various information (packets) sent from other participating computers are flowing on the connected LAN, and each packet contains information (IP address, gateway) necessary for connecting to the LAN. Address, etc.) is included. LA using these information
The IP address is acquired while guessing what the local setting of N is. The IP address can be acquired by, for example, using the IP address included in the packet sent from another computer,
The procedure of rewriting the parameter included in the P address and identifying the self is performed. At this time, it is necessary to rewrite the parameter that identifies itself to be different from that of the IP address assigned to another computer. Therefore, after checking all the IP addresses of the packets sent by the participating computers that are flowing on the LAN, rewriting is performed so that the IP addresses are different from those.

By the above procedure, a new network connection setting can be created according to the connected network.

In the system shown in FIG. 8, the location management unit 51 stores the new network connection setting created in step S51 in the storage unit 52 as history information of past network connection settings, When it is used at the next network connection, the stored IP address may be used by another computer at the next network connection. In order to prevent this, the server managed by the LAN administrator should know all the IP addresses used on the LAN, and the computer should make a broadcast inquiry to the server when connecting. It is desirable to do. This prevents such duplication of IP addresses.

As another method different from the above, the location management unit 51 does not store the new network connection setting created in the above step S51 in the storage unit 52, and every time it joins the LAN. There is a method of creating a new network connection setting in step S51 described above. In this case, it is not necessary for the server to grasp the IP address used on the LAN as described above.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a computer to which the network connection setting method of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied. This computer (the part surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 11) is a server 5 such as a mail server or a proxy server in the hard disk.
5 is provided in a pseudo manner, and is similar to the system (see FIG. 8) in the above-described fourth embodiment except that a storage unit 56 for storing the data acquired by the server 55 is further provided. It has a configuration of.

In the system shown in FIG. 8, the location management unit 51 changes the connection settings for the network unit 54a and the application unit 54b of the network connection setting unit 54, but in the system of this embodiment, the location management unit 51 is used. Reference numeral 51 is adapted to change connection settings in the network unit 54a of the network connection setting unit 54 and the server 55. That is, in the system of the present embodiment, step S shown in FIG.
The procedure from 31 to S36 is the same, but step S3
Instead of 7, the following step S38 is performed.

The location management unit 51 instructs the network connection setting unit 54 and the server 55 to change the network connection setting based on the estimation result (corresponding network connection setting) from the network detection unit 50. In addition, when the location detection unit 51 receives an estimation result indicating that the corresponding network connection setting does not exist in the storage unit 52 from the network detection unit 50, the location management unit 51 instructs the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 to create a new network connection setting. And requests the network connection setting unit 54 and the server 55 to change the network connection setting based on the new network connection setting generated by the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 in response to the request.

The network connection setting unit 54 changes the connection setting of the network unit 54a according to the connection setting change instruction from the location management unit 51. Similarly, the server 55 also changes its own connection setting in accordance with the connection setting change instruction from the location management unit 51.

In the system of this embodiment in which the connection settings of the network unit 54a and the server 55 are changed as described above, each application of the application unit 54a does not directly access the network when accessing the network. In addition, the server 55, which is artificially provided inside the computer, is accessed. Therefore, the application side can continue the process without being affected by the switching of the network (interruption of communication).

(Embodiment 6) In the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, the network connection setting is estimated from all the connection information stored in the storage unit 52, and the network connection setting is made based on the estimation result. However, if the search in the storage unit 52 is performed based on the type of the network device to be connected, the search range can be narrowed down, resulting in an increase in processing speed. I can give you. Further, by determining (verifying) whether or not the retrieved network connection setting is suitable based on the specific information flowing on the connected network, it is possible to perform a more accurate connection process. Here, what includes such processing will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the network connection setting method according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The network connection setting method of this embodiment is
It is applied to the computer shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 11 described above. Hereinafter, a network connection setting when applied to the configuration shown in FIG. 8 will be described as an example. In the following description, the storage unit 52 stores information about connection settings of previously connected networks and user registration information (user information (ID and password) and dial-up telephone number) in the network device. It is assumed that the information is stored in association with the identifiable information (for example, the name of the network device).

First, in step S61, the network detection unit 50 starts resident monitoring of the change of the network device, and in the following step S62, it is determined whether or not the network device has been changed. Normally, the computer is configured to notify a preinstalled OS (not shown) when there is a change in the network device, so the network detection unit 50 detects the notification. By doing so, it is possible to know the change of the network device. Here, the case where the network device is changed means, for example, a case where an event such as "a network cable is inserted" or "a network adapter is inserted" occurs, and when these events occur, After the resident monitoring, the process proceeds to step S63 described later.

When the determination in the above step S62 indicates that the network device has been changed, the following step S6
At 3, the network detection unit 50 checks whether or not the information stored in the storage unit 52 includes the network connection setting using the changed network device. For example, when it is detected in step S62 that the LAN cable is inserted in the Ethernet (registered trademark) board A, in step S63, the Ethernet board A is included in the information stored in the storage unit 52. Check whether there is a connection setting of (IP address, gateway address, etc.). Ethernet board A
If the connection setting of No. 2 is stored in the storage unit 52, the process proceeds to step S64 described below, and if the connection setting of the Ethernet board A is not stored in the storage unit 52, the process proceeds to step S65 described later.

In step S64, the network detection unit 50 actually connects to the network using the changed network device according to the network connection setting checked in step S63, and checks the validity of the checked network connection setting. . Specifically, the network detection unit 50 checks the gateway address and DNS (DomainName Sys) to check whether the network connection setting checked in step S63 can be used as the connection setting for the network to be connected.
tem) Check the connection with the server. In this way, the network detection unit 50 collects necessary information from the network, and verifies whether the connection is possible and the validity of using the network connection setting checked in step S63.

If the verification result in step S64 is valid, the process proceeds to step S66, where the location management unit 51 changes the connection setting based on the network connection setting checked in step S63. The network connection setting unit 54 that has received the instruction changes the settings of the network unit 54a and the application unit 54b. After this, the process of network connection setting ends. Step S above
If the verification result in 64 is not valid, the process proceeds to step S65 described later.

In step S65, the network detection unit 50 causes the network detection unit 50 to obtain more detailed information from the network actually connected in step S64 (for example, packet data sent from another computer flowing on the network (IP address, gateway address, etc.). including))
Further, the location management unit 51 requests the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 to create a new network connection setting, and the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 causes the network detection unit 50 to respond to the request. Analyze the information collected. Then, in step S66,
The network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 creates a new network connection setting based on the collected and analyzed result.

When a new network connection setting is created, in step S68, the location management unit 51
Registers the created new network connection setting in the storage unit 52. Then, in step S69, the location management unit 51 changes the connection setting based on the new network connection setting to the network connection setting unit 5
4 and receives the instruction, the network connection setting unit 5
4, the settings of the network unit 54a and the application unit 54b are changed. After this, the process of network connection setting ends.

Also when applied to the computer shown in FIG. 11, basically the same processing as described above is performed except that the connection setting is changed by the location management unit 51 for the server 55 and the network unit 54a. It becomes a procedure.

In the above fourth to sixth embodiments,
A configuration for performing both a first process of obtaining a network connection setting from the information stored in the storage unit 52 and a second process of automatically creating a new network connection setting by the network connection setting automatic generation unit 53 However, since each has different effects, either 1
It may be configured to have one process. With the configuration of only the first processing, it is possible to automatically switch the network connection setting using the information of the network connection setting set in the past, and with the configuration of only the second processing, the connection setting in the past is Enables automatic setting of network connection settings for networks that have not been made.

(Other Embodiments) In the first to sixth embodiments described above, the network connection setting is performed starting from the start of the application / service or the connection to the network, but other than this. Also, new network connection settings can be created automatically.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a system to which the network connection setting method of another embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 13, a network A is a global IP network managed by a unique IP address, and a network B is a private IP network to which an IP address is arbitrarily assigned at the time of connection. Two computers 1000 and 2000 connected via the network B are connected to the network A, respectively.

The computer 1000 is connected to the network A via the LAN 1a and is connected to the network B via the LAN 1b, and has a logging file 1c for storing connection settings to these networks. Computer 2000 is LAN2
It is configured to be connected to the network A via a and to be connected to the network B via the LAN 2b, and has a logging file 2c for storing connection settings to these networks A and B.

Next, a procedure for creating a new network connection setting in the system of this embodiment will be described.

The computer 1000 is connected to the network A by the LAN 1a with the network connection setting and further connected with the network B by the LAN 1b with the network connection setting, and the respective network connection settings are stored in the logging file 1c. Suppose It is also assumed that the logging file 2c does not store any information regarding network connection settings. Under such a precondition, a procedure in which the computer 2000 newly creates a network connection setting necessary for connecting to the network A will be described below.

The computer 2000 is the network A
First, join the network B using the LAN 2b in order to acquire the network connection settings necessary for connecting to the network. At that time, a network connection setting is required, which is distributed from the network B. Specifically, the network B is provided with a function of allocating an IP address such as DHCP, and the computer 20
00 exchanges information with the network B by broadcasting to acquire an IP address required for network connection. Then, the computer 2000 uses the acquired IP address to join the network B and acquires various kinds of information necessary for network connection.

Subsequently, the computer 2000 acquires the network connection setting (stored in the logging file 1c) from the computer 1000 via the network B and uses this acquired network connection setting as its own network connection setting. . In using this, I included in the network connection setting
Since the P address belongs to the computer 1000 and cannot be used as it is, it is necessary to rewrite the part of the IP address that identifies itself. Basically, the address may be different from that of the computer 1000.

With the above operation, the computer 2000
Can create a new network connection setting without any user input operation.

When the network connection setting is used as its own network connection setting, it is desirable to actually conduct a connection test to confirm whether the acquired network connection setting can be used as its own network connection setting. By this confirmation, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of a failure such as a communication error when the network connection setting is used, and it is possible to provide a stable network connection. However, in this case,
If the confirmation result is “problem”, the user is required to manually input information.

In addition, the example shown in FIG. 13 is an example in which two computers are connected.
3 or more computers connected to the network A may be connected to the network A, respectively. In this case, each computer is the above-mentioned computer 2000.
In the same manner as in the above case, a new network connection setting can be created for the network A using the network connection setting of the computer 1000. However, when rewriting the IP address, each computer inquires of another computer via the network B about its IP address, and then the I
Rewrite the IP address so that it is different from the P address. This makes it possible to avoid duplication of IP address with other computers. However, it is assumed that the IP address is rewritten within the range set by the administrator of the network A, and the range is given by the LAN connecting to the network A.

In the system shown in FIG. 13, the computer 2000 may execute any one of the procedures for creating the network connection setting shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 described above. In particular, when the computer 2000 is made to execute the procedure of FIG. 4, the above-described procedure of creating the new network connection setting may be applied to the creation of the new network connection setting of step S15 shown in FIG. it can. As a result, the procedure of network connection setting shown in FIG. 4 is almost automated.

The procedure of network connection setting in each of the embodiments described above can be basically realized by a program. This program may be pre-installed in the hard disk of the computer, or may be provided by a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Furthermore, this program may be provided (downloaded) via the Internet.

[0136]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the user does not know the surrounding network environment, it is possible to automatically perform the network connection setting according to the purpose (network application / service or connected network device). Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to manually switch the network connection settings and input information as in the related art. Therefore, operation mistakes are eliminated and the time required for connection is shortened.

Furthermore, it is possible to automatically set the network connection even for a network that does not have a DHCP server.

Further, in the invention in which the network connection setting is automatically performed according to the environment of the network to be connected, the connection setting on the application side can also be automatically switched. Comfortable work can be provided without interruption of time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a basic flow of a network connection setting method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a network connection setting method according to the first embodiment of this invention.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a computer to which the network connection setting method shown in FIG. 2 is applied.

4 is a flowchart showing a specific processing procedure performed by the network connection analysis driver software 2 shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of table information stored in the logging file shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a network connection setting method according to a second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a server computer system to which a network connection setting method according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a computer to which a network connection setting method according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied.

9 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of network connection setting in the computer shown in FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of automatic generation of a new network connection setting performed by the network connection setting automatic generation unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a computer to which a network connection setting method according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart diagram for explaining a network connection setting method according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a system to which a network connection setting method according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.

14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining a conventional network connection setting, in which FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram showing a connection form to the Internet, and FIG. 14B is a schematic diagram showing a connection form to a LAN.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,303 Network application / service 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b LAN 2 Network connection analysis driver software 3 Operation system 4 Dial-up connection processing 5 LAN connection processing 6, 1c, 2c Logging file 6a Past network connection setting history information 10 , 1000, 2000 Computer 11 Control unit 12 Interface 13 Storage device 14 Input unit 15 Output unit 20 Modem 30 LAN card 40 Client computer 41 Server computer 42 LAN 50 Network detection unit 51 Location management unit 52 Storage unit (logging file) 53 Network connection Automatic setting generation unit 54 Network connection setting unit 54a Network unit 54b Application unit 55 Servers 56 _{1 to} 56 _n , 301 Network 302 Network connection settings 56 Storage

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Tanabe             1-4-24 Jomi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture             NC System Technology Stock Association             In-house (72) Inventor Hidemichi Kamata             1-4-24 Jomi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture             NC System Technology Stock Association             In-house (72) Inventor Hisanori Yamamoto             1-4-24 Jomi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture             NC System Technology Stock Association             In-house F-term (reference) 5B076 AA06                 5K030 HA08 HC02 HC04 HD06 LB02

Claims (79)

[Claims] 1. A first step of acquiring network connection settings necessary for connecting to a desired network by using existing information related to the desired network; and acquisition in the first step. The second step of connecting to the desired network according to the network connection setting described above. 2. The first step includes a step of acquiring a network connection setting relating to the desired network from history information in which connection settings of networks connected in the past are recorded. Network connection setting method described in. 3. In the first step, if there is no network connection setting related to the desired network in the history information, a new network related to the desired network is used in a predetermined procedure using the existing information. The network connection setting method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of acquiring a connection setting. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first step includes a step of using the existing information to acquire a new network connection setting regarding the desired network in a predetermined procedure. Network connection setting method. 5. The step of acquiring the network connection setting from the history information includes the predetermined information transmitted at startup of a predetermined application / service that is connected to the desired network and the information about the desired network. Storing the history information in association with a network connection setting required for connection; when the predetermined application / service is started, the desired network is selected from the history information based on the predetermined information. And a step of acquiring a network connection setting required for connection to the network connection setting method according to claim 2 or 3. 6. When the predetermined application / service is activated, the process of connecting to the desired network by the predetermined application / service is temporarily interrupted, and during the interruption, the connection to the desired network is interrupted. The network connection setting method according to claim 5, wherein the network connection setting necessary for connection is acquired. 7. The search condition when acquiring the network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network from the history information is wider than the search condition including the predetermined information transmitted from the predetermined application / service. The network connection setting method according to claim 5, wherein a condition is used. 8. The predetermined information is an application /
8. The network connection setting method according to claim 5, further comprising at least a service name and a connection destination network address. 9. The step of obtaining the network connection setting from the history information includes associating the network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network with predetermined information provided at the time of connection from the desired network. And storing the history information as the history information, and when the connection to the desired network is made, the network connection setting necessary for the connection to the desired network is acquired from the history information based on the predetermined information. 2. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:
Network connection setting method described in. 10. The step of acquiring the network connection setting from the history information includes the network connection setting necessary for connection to the desired network, and predetermined information provided at the time of connection from the desired network and its Storing as the history information in association with a network device required for connection; when a change is made to the network device, information related to the changed network device is obtained from the history information, and The method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising the step of acquiring a network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network from the acquired information based on the predetermined information. . 11. The network connection according to claim 9, wherein in the second step, the network connection setting for a predetermined application / service is rewritten based on the acquired network connection setting. Setting method. 12. The network connection setting for a pseudo server accessed by a predetermined application / service is rewritten on the basis of the acquired network connection setting in the second step. 9. The network connection setting method described in 9 or 10. 13. The step of acquiring the new network connection setting is a step of generating the new network connection setting based on predetermined information flowing on the desired network. Item 5. The network connection setting method according to Item 3 or 4. 14. The step of acquiring the new network connection setting acquires necessary information from the information terminal device for which the connection setting to the desired network is made, and the new network is acquired based on the acquired information. 4. The step of acquiring connection setting, according to claim 3.
Or the network connection setting method described in 4. 15. The necessary information includes an IP address assigned to the information terminal device, and the step of rewriting the IP address to a predetermined address is included. Network connection setting method. 16. The step of obtaining the new network connection setting is performed between a server managed by a specific Internet provider when a change is made to a network device necessary for connecting to the desired network. The network connection setting method according to claim 3, which is a step of generating the new network connection setting. 17. The predetermined network device comprises:
The network connection setting method according to claim 16, wherein the method is a modem. 18. The predetermined network device comprises:
17. The network connection setting method according to claim 16, wherein the method is an ADSL modem. 19. The predetermined network device comprises:
The network connection setting method according to claim 16, wherein the method is for connecting to a mobile terminal having a predetermined communication function. 20. The step of acquiring the new network connection setting is a step of creating the new network connection setting with a predetermined DHCP server arranged on the desired network. The network connection setting method according to claim 3. 21. The network connection setting method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of storing the new network connection setting acquired in the first step as new history information. 22. A connection setting acquisition unit that acquires network connection settings necessary for connecting to a desired network using existing information related to the desired network; and acquisition by the connection setting acquisition unit. An information terminal device, comprising: a connection setting switching unit that replaces the established network connection setting with the currently set network connection setting. 23. The connection setting acquisition means has a storage means for storing history information recording connection settings of networks that have been connected in the past, and selects network connection settings relating to the desired network from the history information. The information terminal device according to claim 22, wherein the information terminal device is configured to acquire. 24. When the history information does not include a network connection setting related to the desired network, the connection setting acquisition means uses the existing information to perform a new network related to the desired network in a predetermined procedure. The information terminal device according to claim 23, wherein the information terminal device is configured to acquire a connection setting. 25. The connection setting acquisition means is configured to acquire a new network connection setting relating to the desired network in a predetermined procedure using the existing information. The information terminal device according to 23. 26. A predetermined application / service means for connecting to the desired network is provided, and the storage means uses, as the history information, predetermined information transmitted by the predetermined application / service means at startup. And network connection settings necessary for connection to the desired network are stored in association with each other, and the connection setting acquisition means is based on the predetermined information when the predetermined application / service is activated. 25. The information terminal device according to claim 23, wherein the information terminal device is configured to acquire a network connection setting required to connect to the desired network from the history information. 27. The connection setting acquisition means, when the predetermined application / service means is activated, temporarily suspends the connection processing to the desired network by the predetermined application / service means, and suspends the connection processing. 27. The information terminal device according to claim 26, wherein the network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network is acquired during the period. 28. The connection setting acquisition means is a predetermined condition transmitted from the predetermined application / service means as a search condition when acquiring the network connection setting necessary for connection to the desired network from the history information. The information terminal device according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that a wider condition is used than a search condition consisting of the information. 29. The information terminal device according to claim 26, wherein the predetermined information includes at least a name of the application / service means and a network address of a connection destination thereof. 30. The storage means stores, as the history information, a network connection setting required for connection to the desired network in association with predetermined information provided at the time of connection from the desired network. When the connection to the desired network is made, the connection setting acquisition means acquires the network connection setting necessary for the connection to the desired network from the history information based on the predetermined information. The information terminal device according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the information terminal device is configured. 31. The storage means stores, as the history information, predetermined information provided at the time of connection from the desired network and network device necessary for the connection, the network connection setting necessary for connection to the desired network. When the change is made to the network device, the connection setting acquisition unit acquires information related to the changed network device from the history information, and further the predetermined information. 25. The information terminal device according to claim 23, wherein the information terminal device is configured to acquire a network connection setting required to connect to the desired network based on the acquired information. 32. A predetermined application / service means for connecting to the desired network is provided, and the connection setting switching means is a network for the predetermined application / service based on the acquired network connection setting. The information terminal device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the information terminal device is configured to rewrite connection settings. 33. A predetermined application / service means for connecting to the desired network, and a pseudo server means accessed by the predetermined application / service, wherein the connection setting switching means comprises: 32. The information terminal device according to claim 30, wherein the information terminal device is configured to rewrite the network connection setting for the pseudo server based on the acquired network connection setting. 34. The connection setting acquisition means is configured to generate the new network connection setting based on predetermined information flowing on the desired network. Or the information terminal device according to item 25. 35. The connection setting acquisition means acquires necessary information from another information terminal device for which connection setting to the desired network has been made, and acquires the new network connection setting based on the acquired information. The information terminal device according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the information terminal device is configured to acquire. 36. The necessary information includes an IP address assigned to the other information terminal device, and the connection setting acquisition means is configured to rewrite the IP address to a predetermined address. 36. The information terminal device according to claim 35, wherein: 37. The connection setting acquisition means, when a network device necessary for connection to the desired network is changed, the new network connection with a server managed by a specific internet provider. The information terminal device according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the information terminal device is configured to generate a setting. 38. The predetermined network device comprises:
38. The information terminal device according to claim 37, which is a modem. 39. The predetermined network device comprises:
38. The information terminal device according to claim 37, which is an ADSL modem. 40. The predetermined network device comprises:
38. The information terminal device according to claim 37, which is for connecting to a mobile terminal having a predetermined communication function. 41. The connection setting acquisition means is configured to create the new network connection setting with a predetermined DHCP server arranged on the desired network. Item 24. The information terminal device according to item 24. 42. The information terminal device according to claim 24, wherein the new network connection setting acquired by the connection setting acquisition unit is stored in the storage unit as new history information. 43. A first information terminal device for which connection setting to a predetermined network is made, and at least one second information terminal device for mutual communication with the first information terminal device via a local network. A device, the second information terminal device acquires network connection settings for connection from the first information terminal device to the predetermined network via the local network, and the acquired network A network system characterized by making a connection to the predetermined network based on a connection setting. 44. The second information terminal device is the first information terminal device.
44. The network system according to claim 43, wherein the IP address included in the network connection setting acquired from the information terminal device is rewritten to a predetermined address. 45. There are a plurality of the second information terminal devices, each of the second information terminal devices connecting the first information terminal device to the predetermined network via the local network. 45. The network system according to claim 44, further comprising: acquiring a network connection setting for the connection, and connecting to the predetermined network based on the acquired network connection setting. 46. Each of the second information terminal devices rewrites the IP address included in the network connection setting acquired from the first information terminal device into a different predetermined IP address. 46. The network system according to claim 45. 47. In a server to which at least one client terminal is connected, a network connection setting necessary for connecting the client terminal to a desired network is established by using existing information related to the desired network. A server comprising: a connection setting acquisition unit for acquiring; and a connection setting switching unit for replacing the network connection setting acquired by the connection setting acquisition unit with the network connection setting currently set in the client terminal. 48. The connection setting acquisition means has a storage means for storing history information recording connection settings of a network connected to the client terminal in the past.
The server according to claim 47, wherein the server is configured to acquire a network connection setting related to the desired network from the history information. 49. When the history information does not include a network connection setting related to the desired network, the connection setting acquisition unit uses the existing information to perform a new network related to the desired network in a predetermined procedure. 49. The server of claim 48, configured to obtain connection settings. 50. The connection setting acquisition means is configured to acquire a new network connection setting relating to the desired network in a predetermined procedure using the existing information. 47. The server according to 47. 51. The storage means uses, as the history information, predetermined information transmitted at startup of a predetermined application / service that is connected to the desired network and a network necessary for connection to the desired network. Connection settings are stored in association with each other, and when the predetermined application / service is activated, the connection setting acquisition means connects the history information to the desired network based on the predetermined information. 50. The server according to claim 48 or 49, wherein the server is configured to obtain the network connection settings required for the. 52. The connection setting acquisition means, when the predetermined application / service is activated, temporarily suspends connection processing to the desired network by the predetermined application / service, and during the suspension. The server according to claim 51, wherein the server acquires the network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network. 53. The connection setting acquisition means is a predetermined condition transmitted from the predetermined application / service as a search condition when acquiring the network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network from the history information. The server according to claim 51 or 52, wherein a condition wider than a search condition including information is used. 54. The predetermined information includes at least a name of the application / service and a network address of a connection destination thereof.
54. The server according to any one of items 53 to 53. 55. The connection setting acquisition means acquires necessary information from the information terminal device for which the connection setting to the desired network has been made, and acquires the new network connection setting based on the acquired information. The server according to claim 49 or 50, which is configured as follows. 56. The necessary information includes an IP address assigned to the information terminal device, and the connection setting acquisition means is configured to rewrite the IP address to a predetermined address. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein
The server according to 5. 57. The connection setting acquisition means is configured to create the new network connection setting with a predetermined DHCP server arranged on the desired network. Item 49. The server according to Item 49. 58. The server according to claim 49, wherein the storage means stores the new network connection setting acquired by the connection setting acquisition means as new history information. 59. A first process of acquiring a network connection setting necessary for connecting to a desired network by using existing information related to the desired network, and acquired by the first process. A program for causing a computer to execute a second process of connecting to the desired network according to the network connection setting. 60. The first process includes a process of acquiring a network connection setting relating to the desired network from history information recording connection settings of networks that have been connected in the past. The program described in. 61. In the first processing, if there is no network connection setting related to the desired network in the history information, a new network related to the desired network is used in a predetermined procedure using the existing information. The program according to claim 60, further comprising a process of acquiring a connection setting. 62. The method according to claim 59, wherein the first process includes a process of using the existing information to acquire a new network connection setting regarding the desired network in a predetermined procedure. Program of. 63. The process of acquiring the network connection setting from the history information includes the predetermined information transmitted at the time of startup of a predetermined application / service that is connected to the desired network and the information about the desired network. A process of storing the history information in association with a network connection setting necessary for connection; and when the predetermined application / service is started, the desired network is obtained from the history information based on the predetermined information. 61. A process of acquiring a network connection setting required for connection to the Internet.
Or the program according to 61. 64. When the predetermined application / service is started, the predetermined application / service is connected to the desired network before a process of acquiring a network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network. 64. The program according to claim 63, further causing a computer to execute a process of temporarily interrupting the connection process of. 65. The search condition when acquiring the network connection setting required to connect to the desired network from the history information is wider than the search condition including the predetermined information transmitted from the predetermined application / service. The condition according to claim 63 or 6, characterized in that a condition is used.
The program according to 4. 66. The predetermined information includes at least a name of an application / service and a network address of a connection destination, according to any one of claims 63 to 65.
The program according to any one of 1. 67. The process of obtaining the network connection setting from the history information associates the network connection setting necessary for connection to the desired network with predetermined information provided at the time of connection from the desired network. And storing the history information as the history information, and when the connection to the desired network is made, the network connection setting necessary for connection to the desired network is acquired from the history information based on the predetermined information. 62. The processing according to claim 60 or 61.
The program described in. 68. The process of acquiring the network connection setting from the history information includes the network connection setting necessary for connection to the desired network, and predetermined information provided at the time of connection from the desired network and A process of storing the history information in association with a network device required for connection, and when a change is made to the network device, information related to the changed network device is acquired from the history information, and The program according to claim 60 or 61, further comprising: a process of acquiring a network connection setting necessary for connecting to the desired network from the acquired information based on the predetermined information. 69. The program according to claim 67, wherein in the second processing, the network connection setting for a predetermined application / service is rewritten based on the acquired network connection setting. 70. The second process rewrites the network connection setting for a pseudo server accessed by a predetermined application / service based on the acquired network connection setting. 67. A program according to 67 or 68. 71. The process of acquiring the new network connection setting is a process of generating the new network connection setting based on predetermined information flowing on the desired network. The program according to item 61 or 62. 72. In the process of acquiring the new network connection setting, necessary information is acquired from the information terminal device for which the connection setting to the desired network is made, and the new network is acquired based on the acquired information. The program according to claim 61 or 62, which is a process of acquiring a connection setting. 73. The necessary information includes an IP address assigned to the information terminal device, and further causes a computer to execute a process of rewriting the IP address to a predetermined address. 72. The program according to 72. 74. The process of acquiring the new network connection setting is performed between a server managed by a specific Internet provider when a change is made to a network device necessary for connecting to the desired network. The program according to claim 61 or 62, which is a process of generating the new network connection setting. 75. The predetermined network device comprises:
The program according to claim 74, which is a modem. 76. The predetermined network device comprises:
The program according to claim 74, which is an ADSL modem. 77. The predetermined network device is
The program according to claim 74, which is for connecting to a mobile terminal having a predetermined communication function. 78. The process of acquiring the new network connection setting is a process of creating the new network connection setting with a predetermined DHCP server arranged on the desired network. 62. The program according to claim 61. 79. The program according to claim 61, further causing a computer to execute a process of storing the new network connection setting acquired in the first process as new history information.