JP2005174195A - Method, apparatus, and program for automatic configuration of network device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for quickly configuring specified data for many network devices if necessary without increasing useless traffic. <P>SOLUTION: The configuration means has a detection step for receiving packets transmitted from network devices and detecting that network devices are connected to a network; a determination step for determining whether or not stored specified data for network devices are set to the network devices detected at the detection step; a starting step for starting to set the stored specified data for network devices to the network devices that are determined to be set at the determination step, and a configuration step for setting the stored specified data for network devices to the network devices. With these steps, without increasing traffic, specified data for network devices are efficiently configured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to automatic setting of network devices connected to a network, and more particularly to automatic detection and automatic setting of network devices.

  Conventionally, there is a data setting method using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol: IETF RFC2141) or TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol: IETF RFC 1350) to automatically set and update the configuration information of network devices. .

  In addition, for the automatic setting of information that cannot be set by DHCP, after setting the minimum settings necessary for the network device to communicate, such as the IP address, perform network device-specific settings by starting from the network device A method using a pull-type model is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-209237 A

  In the pull type model as described above, a request is made from the network device side to the server, and in response to the request, whether or not to update the information in order for the server to return information based on the request, and when to perform the update Is left to the network equipment side.

  Therefore, although it is effective in the case of a PC application in which a network device operates on demand when necessary, an apparatus that always operates on a network has the following problems.

  The first problem is that, for example, in the case of updating the setting information of a network device, even if the information held in the server is updated, the update is started only by activation from the network device. This information is not updated immediately.

  The second problem is that when the network device periodically inquires to solve the first problem, the inquiries are made even when there is no need for updating, and unnecessary traffic is generated. It is.

  The third problem is that if the update cycle is shortened in order to shorten the time until the information held in the server is reflected in the network device, it causes unnecessary traffic increase and the network device When there are a large number, a large number of updates are performed in a short time, which causes a temporary load concentration on the server. In addition, when the entire system is stopped once due to a power failure or construction, it is also caused to concentrate traffic similarly.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a means for quickly shifting to a new setting when a setting change is performed efficiently and even for a device that is constantly operating on a network.

  Also, when making settings for many network devices at once, such as initial device settings at the final stage of the manufacturing process, automatic test settings for a large number of devices at the time of new installation, operation settings, and maintenance after installation Is intended to provide effective means.

  The network device automatic setting method of the present invention includes a detection step of receiving a packet transmitted from a network device and detecting that the network device is connected to the network, and a network device held in the network device detected in the detection step The determination step for determining whether to set the setting data, the starting step for starting the setting of the network device setting data held in the network device determined to be set in the determining step, and the starting step for starting And a setting step for setting network device setting data held in the network device.

  Another network device automatic setting method of the present invention includes a detection step of receiving a packet transmitted from a network device and detecting that the network device is connected to the network, and a current version number of the network device setting data of the network device. The identification information and the latest version identification information are retained, and for the network device detected in the detection step, the current version identification information and the latest version identification information are compared to set the data retained by the network device. A determination step for determining whether to perform setting, a start step for starting the setting of network device setting data held in the network device determined to be set in the determination step, and a network started by the start step and held in the network device Setting step for setting device setting data Comprising a flop, an update step of updating the current version number identification information.

  Another network device automatic setting method according to the present invention includes a detection step of receiving a packet transmitted from a network device and detecting that the network device is connected to the network, and a network device detected in the detection step. An inquiry step for inquiring the setting state of the network device setting data, a determination step for determining whether or not to set the network device setting data for the network device based on the return information, and a setting in the determination step A startup step of starting the setting of the network device setting data held in the determined network device; and a setting step of starting the setting of the network device setting data held in the network device.

According to another network device automatic setting method of the present invention, the timing for performing the step of starting the setting of the network device setting data is started from the outside when it is detected that the network device is connected to the network. When the latest network device setting data is updated, it is one of the cycles.
According to another network device automatic setting method of the present invention, the network device setting data held in the network device is the MAC address of the previous network device, and the network device is predetermined before the MAC address is set. Use a temporary MAC address.

  Another network device automatic setting control device and program according to the present invention is a packet received from a network device or transmitted from another device on the network that detects that the network device is connected to the network. It is necessary to set the detection means to detect that the network device is connected to the network by receiving either or both of the information to notify the detection of the network device, and the network device setting data of the network device detected by the detection means Determination means for determining whether or not the network device setting data of the network device determined to be set by the determination means.

  Another network device automatic setting control device and program according to the present invention is a packet received from a network device or transmitted from another device on the network that detects that the network device is connected to the network. A detection means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by receiving one or both of the information for notifying the detection of the network device, and the current version identification information of the network device setting data set for the network device, Setting the network device setting data of the network device by comparing the current version identification information of the network device detected by the detection device with the version identification information holding device that holds the latest version identification information and the latest version identification information It is necessary to set the judgment means to judge whether or not The network device setting data version identification information held for each network device when the network device setting data is set for the network device. Updating means for updating.

  Another network device automatic setting control device and program according to the present invention is a packet received from a network device or transmitted from another device on the network that detects that the network device is connected to the network. The detection means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by receiving either or both of the information for notifying the detection of the network device, and setting of the current network device setting data in the network device detected by the detection means Inquiry means for inquiring the version number, means for holding the latest version identification information of the network device, and current version identification information and latest version identification information of the network device setting data included in the reply information of the inquiry means Compare network device configuration data for network devices Setting and a determination unit for determining whether necessary.

  Another network device automatic setting control device and program according to the present invention starts the setting of network device setting data held in the network device from the outside when it is detected that the network device is connected to the network. When the latest network device setting data is updated.

  Another network device automatic setting control apparatus and program according to the present invention includes a DHCP server unit, and means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network based on a packet transmitted from the network device to the DHCP server unit. The detection means provided detects that the network device is connected to the network by a packet transmitted from the network device to the DHCP server unit.

  Another network device automatic setting control apparatus and program according to the present invention includes a wireless LAN access point unit, and the detection unit transmits a packet for association authentication to the wireless LAN access point unit by a network device that is a client of the wireless LAN. Detects that a network device is connected to the network using a wireless LAN packet.

Another network device automatic setting control apparatus and program of the present invention, means for detecting that the network device is using a predetermined temporary MAC pre-address,
Means for setting a MAC address different from the temporary MAC address in the network device using the temporary MAC address, and the network device using the temporary MAC address has a MAC different from the temporary MAC address. Set the address.
The network device detection apparatus and program of the present invention receives a packet transmitted from a network device, detects that the network device is connected to the network, and detects information of the detected network device on the network. Means for notifying the apparatus.

Another network device detection apparatus and program of the present invention, a DHCP server unit,
A means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network based on a packet transmitted from the network device to the DHCP server unit;
Means for notifying other devices on the network of detected network device information;
Is provided.

  Another network device detection apparatus and program of the present invention includes a wireless LAN access point unit and a wireless LAN packet in which a network device that is a client of the wireless LAN transmits a packet for association authentication to the wireless LAN access point unit, Means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network, and means for notifying information of the detected network device to other devices on the network.

  Another network device and network device control program according to the present invention includes a means for temporarily storing the latest network device setting data and a network device setting held by a request from the network device automatic setting control device or the network device. Means for transmitting data to a network device.

  Another network device and network device control program of the present invention further includes means for receiving an inquiry about the current setting state of network device setting data of the network device via the network, and upon receiving the inquiry, the current network device. Means for returning the setting state of the setting data.

  In another network device and network device control program of the present invention, when the MAC address of the network device is not set, means for using a predetermined temporary MAC address and a part of the network device setting data or Means for setting a MAC address as a whole.

  In the network device automatic setting method, device, and program of the present invention, after detecting that the network device is connected to the network by detecting a packet transmitted by the network device, the network device is under the control of the network device setting control device side. Perform the actual setting by starting with. Therefore, the timing of setting the network device is centrally managed, and setting data to the network device can be set promptly as long as it is not overloaded without increasing network traffic. it can.

  In the present invention, since the detection of the network device and the start of setting the setting information are separated and the setting information setting is activated not on the network device but on the management device side, the setting timing is Not only when the network device is connected to the network, but also when the information to be set is updated, the management device side can determine periodically. At this time, it is possible to avoid unnecessary traffic, as in the case of periodically making inquiries from network devices, and when the latest data is updated, the entire system is temporarily stopped due to a power failure or construction. Then, if you resume at once, there is no traffic concentration.

  As a result, it is possible to shift to a new setting quickly and efficiently even when a setting is changed for a device that is constantly operating on the network.

  Furthermore, in a large-scale test environment using a large number of network devices, network device software and configuration information can be frequently replaced to improve efficiency when performing various tests.

  Furthermore, it is possible to perform settings for a large number of network devices at once, such as automatic test settings, operation settings, and maintenance after installation for a large number of devices at the time of new installation.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a network device 110, a network device detection device 120, and a DHCP server 150 are connected by a LAN 160, a network device setting control device 130 and a file server 140 are connected by a LAN 161, and the LAN 160 and the LAN 161 are connected by a router 162. It is connected.

  The network device 110 includes a DHCP client unit 111, a RARP server unit 112, a data update control unit 113, a TFTP client unit 114, a network device software memory 116, and a network device configuration information memory 117. Note that RARP is Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (IETF RFC903).

  Information set in the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 is a specific example of the network device setting data of the present invention.

  Currently, the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 each hold one version of information.

  The network device detection apparatus 120 includes a network device detection unit 121, a RARP client unit 122, and a network device detection notification unit 123.

  The network device setting control device 130 includes a network device detection notification receiving unit 131, a network device setting starting unit 132, a network device setting determining unit 133, and a network device management table memory 134.

  The file server 140 includes a TFTP server unit 141, a latest network device software memory 142, and a latest network device configuration information memory 143.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the network device management table memory 134 when the network device setting control device 130 manages the version number of the setting data of the network device 110. The network device management table memory 134 includes the MAC address, connection status, IP address, latest network device software version, latest network device configuration information version, current network device software version of each network device. Number, and the current network device configuration information version number.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence chart showing the operation in this embodiment.

  The network device 110 starts to operate due to factors such as when the power is turned on or when it is connected to the LAN. In the following, when the network device can communicate over the network, That's it.

  When the network device 110 is connected to the network, the network device 110 broadcasts a DHCP DISCOVER message packet 200 of DHCP to the LAN 160.

  The DHCP server 150 responds to the DHCP DISCOVER message packet 200, and the DHCP procedure is executed between the DHCP server 150 and the network device 110.

  The broadcasted DHCP DISCOVER message packet 200 reaches the network device detection device 120 at the same time, and the network device detection device 120 detects that the network device 110 is connected to the network by the network device detection unit 121. The MAC address of the network device 110 is extracted from the DHCP DISCOVER message packet 200.

Further, the network device detection apparatus 120 transmits a RARP REQUEST by the RARP client unit 122 to obtain the IP address of the network device.
Upon receiving the RARP REQUEST, the RARP server unit 112 of the network device 110 returns its own IP address to the RARP client unit 122 of the network device detection apparatus 120 by RARP RESPONSE.

The network device detection device 120 transmits the network device detection notification signal 201 to the network device setting control device 130 by the network device detection notification unit 123 using the MAC address and IP address of the network device 110.
The network device detection notification receiving unit 131 of the network device setting control device 130 receives the network device detection notification signal 201, compares the MAC address with the MAC address in the network device management table memory 134, and manages the network device 110 to be managed. The corresponding connection state in the network device management table memory 134 is set to “connected”, and the IP address is set.

  When the network device setting determination unit 133 detects that the network device is connected to the network according to the above-described procedure, or when the network device setting is started from the outside, the latest software error stored in the network device management table memory 134 is detected. The network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration of the network device 110 held in the network device management table memory 134 when one or both of the wear version number and the latest configuration information are updated from the outside or periodically The current software version number and current configuration information version number set in the information memory 117 are compared with the latest software version number and the latest configuration information version number to determine whether data setting is necessary.

  In this embodiment, the version number of the latest network device software memory 142 is 2 and the version number of the latest network device configuration information memory 143 is 2, whereas the network device 110 managed by the network device management table memory 134 is used. Since the network device software version number is 1 and the network device configuration information version number is 1, the network device setting determination unit 133 determines that both the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 need to be set. Then, the network device setting activation unit 132 is notified.

  The network device setting activation unit 132 notifies the network device 110 by the setting request signal 202 to update the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 using the file server 140. The setting request signal 202 includes information indicating the latest network device software memory 142 and the latest network device configuration information memory 143 to be downloaded, and information indicating the file server 140 that is a server device to be downloaded. .

  Upon receiving the setting request signal 202, the network device 110 activates the TFTP client unit 114 to update the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 based on the contents of the setting request signal 202, and starts the TFTP of the file server 140. The latest network device software memory 142 and the latest network device configuration information memory 143 are downloaded via the server unit 141.

  When the download is completed, the network device 110 notifies the network device setting control device 130 of a setting completion signal 203.

  Upon receiving the data update completion notification, the network device setting control device 130 automatically updates the version number of the current network device software and the version number of the current network device configuration information corresponding to the network device 110 in the network device management table memory 134. The setting process is completed.

  After that, even if the network device 110 executes the DHCP procedure again by resetting the power supply or the like, the data setting is not performed again because the network device management table memory 134 has already been updated.

  Further, the network device detection device 120 holds the MAC address of the network device 110 detected in the past for a certain period, and when the network device 110 having the held MAC address is detected again, the network device detection notification signal By preventing 201 from being notified to the network device setting control device 130, an increase in traffic between the network device detection device 120 and the network device setting control device 130 can be prevented.

  In addition, since the network device setting control device 130 activates the processing for setting the network device, the data setting activation timing can be adjusted according to the capability of the file server 140. As a result, the load on the file server 140 may exceed its capacity, for example, limiting the number of network devices that start data settings at the same time, and starting the update of the next network device after the update of one network device is completed. Can not be.

  Also, if the number of network devices is large, the size of the setting data is large, etc., and the load on the file server increases, a plurality of file servers are provided, and the network device setting control device 130 uses different files depending on the network devices. It is also possible to distribute the load by specifying the server.

  In this embodiment, the network device detection device 120 uses RARP to obtain the IP address of the network device 110 and notifies the network device setting control device 130 of the IP address. If the setting control device 130 is on the same LAN 160, this procedure can be omitted because the network device setting control device 130 does not need to know the IP address of the network device 110.

  It is also possible to configure such that communication between the network device 110 and the network device setting control device 130 is not performed directly, but is performed via the network device detection device 120. In this case, the network device setting control device 130 only needs to be able to communicate with the network device detection device 120. For example, when the LAN 160 is protected by a firewall, the network device setting control device 130 and the network device detection device 120 are connected. It is possible to implement the present invention only by setting a firewall so as to allow communication between the network and the network without lowering the strength of security.

  Further, as a means for the network device detection device 120 to detect the network device 110, in the present embodiment, a DHCP DHCP DISCOVER message packet that is broadcast is used, but if it is a packet that can reach the network device detection device 120, For example, when the LAN 160 is a shared LAN 1, any packet issued by the network device 110 can be used for detection.

  In this embodiment, the example in which TFTP is used for data setting has been described. However, any other protocol can be used.

  In this embodiment, the network device software and the network device configuration information memory are shown as the network device setting data set in the network device 110. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Further, different information may be set for a plurality of network devices. Further, the information is not limited to being stored in the file, and may be dynamically generated.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the router 162 is provided to indicate that the network device setting control device 130 and the file server 140 operate even if they are in different subnetworks from the network device 110 and the network device detection device 120. It is. The network device setting control device 130 and the file server 140 may always be the network device 110 and the network device detection device 120 may be in the same subnetwork. In this case, the router 162 is unnecessary.

  With the configuration shown in the present embodiment, it is possible to quickly shift to a new setting when the setting is changed efficiently and even for a device that is constantly operating on the network.

(Example 2)
In the second embodiment, the network device setting control device 130 does not manage the version number of the information held by the network device 110, and the network device setting control device 130 inquires of the network device 110 about the setting state. This is an example of determining whether setting is necessary.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment.
1 differs from FIG. 1 in that the network device 110 includes a setting state response unit 117 in addition to the configuration of FIG. 1, and the network device setting control device 130 includes a network in addition to the configuration of FIG. The device setting state inquiry unit 135 is provided.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the network device management table memory 134 when the network device setting control device 130 does not manage the version number of the setting data of the network device 110.

  The difference from FIG. 2 of the first embodiment is that the version number of the current network device software memory of each network device and the version number of the current network device configuration information memory in the configuration of FIG. 2 are not retained.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing the operation in this embodiment.
The operation until the network device 110 is connected to the network and the network device detection device 120 notifies the network device setting control device 130 of the network device detection notification signal 201 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Thereafter, when the network device detection notification receiving unit 131 of the network device setting control device 130 receives the network device detection notification signal 201, the MAC address is compared with the MAC address in the network device management table memory 134, and the network to be managed Recognizing the device 110, the corresponding connection state in the network device management table memory 134 is set to “connected”, and the IP address is set.

  Next, when it is detected that the network device is connected to the network, when it is activated from the outside, when the latest stored data is updated from the outside, or periodically, the network device setting The control device 130 makes an inquiry about the setting state of the network device 110 from the network device setting state inquiry unit 135 to the network device 110.

In response to the inquiry about the setting state from the network device setting control device 130, the network device 110 returns the version number of the current configuration information through the setting state response unit 117.
The network device setting determining unit 133 of the network device setting control device 130 determines the version of the network device software memory and the network device configuration information memory that have been set for the network device 110 indicated by the reply, the latest network device software memory, and the latest The version numbers of the network device configuration information memories are compared to determine whether data setting is necessary.

  In this embodiment, the network device latest software version number is 2 and the network device configuration information memory version number is 2, whereas the network device software memory of the network device 110 managed by the network device management table memory 134 is used. Since the software version number set in 116 is 1 and the software version number set in the network device configuration information memory 117 is 1, the network device setting determination unit 133 performs the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117. Are determined to be necessary, and the network device setting activation unit 132 is notified.

  The network device setting activation unit 132 notifies the network device 110 by the setting request signal 202 to update the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 using the file server 140.

  Upon receiving the setting request signal 202, the network device 110 activates the TFTP client unit 114 to update the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 based on the contents of the setting request signal 202, and starts the TFTP of the file server 140. Downloading from the latest network device software memory 142 and the latest network device configuration information memory 143 is performed via the server unit 141.

  When the download is completed, the network device 110 notifies the network device setting control device 130 of a setting completion signal 203, and the automatic setting process is completed.

  In this embodiment, the network device setting control device 130 does not have the version information of the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 held by the network device 110 in the network device management table memory 134. The difference from the first embodiment is that the device 110 is inquired.

  This difference has the disadvantage that an inquiry is made each time the network device 110 is connected to the network, but the network device 110 seems to have updated the network device software memory 116 and the network device configuration information memory 117 without going through the network. In this case, the setting is performed correctly.

(Example 3)
The third embodiment is an example in which the network device detection apparatus 120 of the first embodiment has a network device setting data cache function.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment.

  In addition to the configuration of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, the network device detection apparatus 120 includes a TFTP server unit 124, a TFTP client unit 125, a latest network device software memory 126, and a latest network device configuration information memory 127.

  In the present embodiment, the network device setting control device 130 instructs the network device 110 to download from the network device detection device 120 by the setting request signal 202.

  The network device 110 starts downloading from the network device detection apparatus 120 based on this instruction.

  If the latest network device software memory 126 and the latest network device configuration information memory 127 are already set, the network device detection apparatus 120 downloads them. If not set yet, the latest network device software memory 142 and the latest network device configuration information memory 143 are read from the file server 140, set in the latest network device software memory 126 and the latest network device configuration information memory 127, and then the network Download to the device 110 is started.

  Note that the network device detection device 120 may download the latest network device software memory 142 and the latest network device configuration information memory 143 from the file server 140 in advance, not when the network device 110 is detected.

  In this embodiment, the network device detection apparatus having the function of setting information in the network device is shown. However, the function of setting information in the network device and the function of controlling the setting of the network device may be arbitrarily combined. In an actual application, it can be selected depending on the arrangement and number of network devices, the update frequency of information held by the network devices, the size of information, and the like.

  By adopting the configuration of this embodiment, the load on the file server 140 can be reduced, and the load on the network across the LAN 160 can be reduced. Therefore, this configuration is suitable when the number of network devices is large, when the size of network device software or network device configuration information is large, or when the update frequency is high.

Example 4
The fourth embodiment is an embodiment where the network device detection apparatus 120 according to the first embodiment also functions as a DHCP server.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment.
The difference between the first embodiment and FIG. 1 is that there is no DHCP server 150 and that the network device detection apparatus 120 includes a DHCP server unit 128 and a network device detection notification unit 123.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing the operation in this embodiment.

  The network device 110 broadcasts a DHCP DISCOVER message packet 200 of DHCP to the LAN 160 when connected to the network.

The DHCP server unit 128 of the network device detection apparatus 120 responds to the DHCP DISCOVER message packet 200, and a DHCP procedure is executed between the DHCP server unit 128 and the network device 110. Further, the DHCP server unit 128 notifies the network device detection notification unit 123 of the MAC address of the network device 110 and the IP address assigned to the network device 110 by the network device detection notification signal 201. The following operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, an example in which the DHCP server function is added to the network device detection device is shown, but it is also possible to arbitrarily combine the function for setting information in the network device and the function for controlling the setting of the network device. Yes, depending on the total number of network devices, the size of network device setting data, the frequency of setting, the network configuration, and the like.

  In this embodiment, since the DHCP server also has a network device detection function, it is not necessary to increase the number of devices to be installed, and the cost for the devices can be reduced.

(Example 5)
The fifth embodiment is an example in which a wireless LAN station is a network device to be automatically set, and one device has a wireless LAN access point function and a network device detection notification function.

  FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the fifth embodiment. A difference from FIG. 1 of the first embodiment is that the network device detection apparatus 120 includes the wireless LAN access point unit 129, the network device 110 includes the wireless LAN interface 118, and the network device 110 is the LAN 160. They are not directly connected, but are connected via the wireless LAN access point unit 129 and the wireless LAN interface 118.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless LAN access point unit 129 assumes that the network device 110 is connected to the network when the network device 110 connected by the wireless LAN performs an association defined by IEEE 802.11. Informs the setting control device of network device information. The subsequent operation is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The network device detection apparatus 120 of this embodiment is often realized as a wireless LAN access point having a network device detection function in actual applications, but the configuration is exactly the same.

  In this embodiment, since the network device 110 is detected at the time of the wireless LAN association, the network device can be used even when a fixed IP address is used for security.

(Example 6)
The sixth embodiment is an example in which a unique MAC address is set for a network device for which no MAC address is set.

  Originally, a unique MAC address must be assigned to a network device including a LAN. The MAC address unique to the network device is generally written somewhere in the manufacturing process of the network device. In this embodiment, this writing is performed via a network after the manufacturing process is completed.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment.

  The network device 300 and the MAC address setting device 310 are connected by a LAN 320. The network device 300 includes a temporary MAC address 301, a unique MAC address setting memory 302, a DHCP client unit 303, and a terminal MAC setting unit 304. The MAC address setting device 310 includes a DHCP server unit 311, a MAC address determination unit 312, and a MAC address setting unit 313.

  Here, the temporary MAC address is a MAC address common to a plurality of network devices, and has already been set in the manufacturing process. On the other hand, the MAC address setting unit 313 sets a device-specific MAC address, but a value that cannot be originally taken in the manufacturing process, for example, all 1s are written here.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence chart showing the operation of this embodiment.

  The network device 300 activates the DHCP client unit 303 at the time of network connection, and sends a DHCP DISCOVER message packet 400 to the LAN 320. At this time, if all 1s are written in the unique MAC address setting memory 302, the temporary MAC address 301 is used as the MAC address of the network device 300.

  When the DHCP server unit 311 receives the DHCP DISCOVER message packet 400, the MAC address setting device 310 executes the DHCP sequence and activates the MAC address determination unit 312. For example, the MAC address determining unit 312 determines unique MAC addresses in order from a predetermined serial number of MAC addresses, and notifies the MAC address setting unit 313 of the unique MAC addresses. The MAC address setting unit 313 notifies the network device 300 of the unique MAC address by the MAC address setting request signal 401.

  The network device 300 sets the unique MAC address notified by the MAC address setting request signal 401 in the MAC address setting unit 313, notifies the MAC address setting completion signal 402 to the MAC address setting device 310, and completes the MAC address setting. To do.

  With the configuration of this embodiment, automatic setting for assigning different MAC addresses at the beginning of the inspection stage is possible without going through the procedure of assigning different MAC addresses to each network device in the manufacturing stage. This makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing process by one step and reduce the manufacturing cost.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a network device management table according to the first embodiment. 2 is a sequence chart of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of Example 2. 10 is a network device management table according to the second embodiment. 6 is a sequence chart of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of Example 3. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of Example 4. 10 is a sequence chart of Example 4. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of Example 5. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of Example 6. 10 is a sequence chart of Example 6.

Explanation of symbols

100 network equipment
111 DHCP client part
112 RARP server
113 Data update controller
114 TFTP client part
115 Network device software memory
116 Network device configuration information memory
117 Setting status response section
118 Wireless LAN interface
120 Network equipment detector
121 Network device detector
122 RARP client part
123 Network device detection notification section
124 TFTP server
125 TFTP client part
126 Latest network device software memory
127 Latest network device configuration information memory
128 DHCP server
129 Wireless LAN access point
130 Network equipment setting controller
131 Network device detection notification receiver
132 Network device setting startup section
133 Network device setting judgment section
134 Network device management table
135 Network device setting status inquiry section
140 File server
141 TFTP server
142 Latest network device software memory
143 Latest network device configuration information memory
150 DHCP server
160 LAN
161 LAN
162 router
200 DHCPDICOVER message packet
201 Network device detection notification signal
202 Setting request signal
203 Setting complete signal
204 Setting status inquiry signal
205 Setting status inquiry response signal
300 Network equipment
301 Temporary MAC address
302 Unique MAC address setting memory
303 DHCP client part
304 Terminal MAC setting section
310 MAC address setting device
311 DHCP server
312 MAC address determination unit
313 MAC address setting section
320 LAN
400 DHCPDICOVER message packet
401 MAC address setting request signal
402 MAC address setting completion signal

Claims (33)

A detection step of receiving a packet transmitted from a network device and detecting that the network device is connected to a network;
A determination step of determining whether to set network device setting data held in the network device detected in the detection step;
An activation step for activating the start of setting of network device setting data held in the network device determined to be set in the determination step;
A setting step that is started by the starting step and sets network device setting data held in the network device;
A network device automatic setting method comprising: A detection step of receiving a packet transmitted from a network device and detecting that the network device is connected to a network;
Holding the current version identification information and the latest version identification information of the network device setting data of the network device, and for the network device detected in the detection step, the current version identification information and the latest version identification information A determination step for determining whether to set data held by the network device by comparing
An activation step of activating the setting of the network device setting data held in the network device determined to be set in the determination step;
A setting step that is started by the starting step and sets network device setting data held in the network device;
An update step of updating the current version number identification information;
A network device automatic setting method comprising: A detection step of receiving a packet transmitted from a network device and detecting that the network device is connected to a network;
An inquiry step for making an inquiry about the setting state of the current network device setting data to the network device detected in the detection step;
A determination step for determining whether or not to set network device setting data for the network device based on the reply information;
An activation step of activating the setting of the network device setting data held in the network device determined to be set in the determination step;
A setting step that is started by the starting step and sets network device setting data held in the network device;
A network device automatic setting method comprising: The network device automatic setting method according to claim 1, further comprising:
The timing to start the network device setting data setting is
(1) When it is detected that the network device is connected to the network (2) When it is activated from the outside (3) When the latest network device setting data is updated (4) At least one of the cycles A network device automatic setting method, characterized by: The network device automatic setting method according to claim 1, further comprising:
The network device setting data held in the network device is the MAC address of the previous network device, and the network device uses a predetermined temporary MAC address before the MAC address is set. Network device automatic setting method. Either reception of a packet transmitted from a network device, reception of information notifying detection of the network device, transmitted from another device on the network that has detected that the network device is connected to the network, or A detection means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by both;
Determining means for determining whether setting of network device setting data of the network device detected by the detecting means is necessary;
Starting means for starting the setting of the network device setting data of the network device determined to be set by the determining means;
A network device automatic setting control device comprising: Either reception of a packet transmitted from a network device, reception of information notifying detection of the network device, transmitted from another device on the network that has detected that the network device is connected to the network, or A detection means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by both;
Version identification information holding means for holding current version identification information and latest version identification information of network device setting data that has been set for the network device;
Determining means for comparing the current version number identification information of the network device detected by the detecting means and the latest version number identification information to determine whether setting of network device setting data of the network device is necessary;
An activation unit that activates the setting of the network device setting data of the network device determined to be set by the determination unit;
When the network device setting data is set for a network device, updating means for updating the version identification information of the network device setting data held for each network device;
A network device automatic setting control device comprising: Either reception of a packet transmitted from a network device, reception of information notifying detection of the network device, transmitted from another device on the network that has detected that the network device is connected to the network, or A detection means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by both;
Inquiry means for inquiring the network device detected by the detecting means about the setting version number of the current network device setting data;
Means for holding the latest version identification information of the network device;
Determining means for comparing the current version number identification information and the latest version number identification information of the network device setting data included in the reply information of the inquiry means to determine whether the network device setting data of the network device needs to be set; ,
A network device automatic setting control device comprising: In the network device automatic setting control device according to any one of claims 6, 7, and 8,
Start the setting of the network device setting data stored in the network device.
(1) When it is detected that the network device is connected to the network (2) When it is activated from the outside (3) When the latest network device setting data is updated (4) At least one of the cycles A network device automatic setting control device, which is performed at timing. The network device automatic setting control device according to claim 6, 7, 8 or 9, further comprising:
The detection means includes a DHCP server unit, and includes a unit for detecting that the network device is connected to the network based on a packet transmitted from the network device to the DHCP server unit. A network device automatic setting control device that detects that a network device is connected to a network by a packet. The network device automatic setting control device according to claim 6, 7, 8 or 9, further comprising:
A wireless LAN access point unit, the detection means,
A network device, wherein a network device that is a client of a wireless LAN transmits a packet for association authentication to a wireless LAN access point unit, and detects that the network device is connected to the network by a packet. Equipment automatic setting control device. The network device automatic setting control device according to any one of claims 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11,
Means for detecting that the network device is using a predetermined temporary MAC address;
Means for setting a MAC address different from the temporary MAC address to the network device using the temporary MAC address;
And a network device automatic setting control device, wherein a MAC address different from the temporary MAC address is set in a network device using the temporary MAC address. Means for receiving a packet transmitted from a network device and detecting that the network device is connected to a network;
Means for notifying other devices on the network of detected network device information;
A network device detection apparatus comprising: DHCP server part,
A means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network based on a packet transmitted from the network device to the DHCP server unit;
Means for notifying other devices on the network of detected network device information;
A network device detection apparatus comprising: Wireless LAN access point section,
Means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by a wireless LAN packet in which a network device that is a client of the wireless LAN transmits a packet for association authentication to the wireless LAN access point unit;
Means for notifying other devices on the network of detected network device information;
A network device detection apparatus comprising: The network device detection apparatus according to claim 13, 14 or 15, further comprising:
Means for temporarily storing the latest network device setting data;
Means for transmitting the network device setting data held by the network device automatic setting control apparatus or the request from the network device to the network device;
A network device detection apparatus comprising: In network equipment,
A network device comprising a function of setting network device setting data held in a network device upon activation via a network. The network device according to claim 17, further comprising:
Means for receiving an inquiry about the setting state of the current network device setting data of the network device via the network;
Upon receiving the inquiry, a means for returning the current setting state of the network device setting data;
A network device comprising: The network device according to claim 17, further comprising:
When the MAC address of the network device is not set, means for using a predetermined temporary MAC address;
Means for setting the MAC address as part or all of the network device setting data;
A network device comprising: Either reception of a packet transmitted from a network device, reception of information notifying detection of the network device, transmitted from another device on the network that has detected that the network device is connected to the network, or A detection means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by both;
Determining means for determining whether setting of network device setting data of the network device detected by the detecting means is necessary;
Starting means for starting the setting of the network device setting data of the network device determined to be set by the determining means;
A network device automatic setting control program comprising: Either reception of a packet transmitted from a network device, reception of information notifying detection of the network device, transmitted from another device on the network that has detected that the network device is connected to the network, or A detection means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by both;
Version identification information holding means for holding current version identification information and latest version identification information of network device setting data that has been set for the network device;
Determining means for comparing the current version number identification information of the network device detected by the detecting means and the latest version number identification information to determine whether setting of network device setting data of the network device is necessary;
An activation unit that activates the setting of the network device setting data of the network device determined to be set by the determination unit;
Updating means for updating the current version identification information of the network device setting data held for each network device when the network device setting data is set for the network device;
A network device automatic setting control program comprising: Either reception of a packet transmitted from a network device, reception of information notifying detection of the network device, transmitted from another device on the network that has detected that the network device is connected to the network, or A detection means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by both;
Inquiry means for inquiring the network device detected by the detecting means about the setting version number of the current network device setting data;
Means for holding the latest version identification information of the network device;
Determining means for comparing the current version number identification information and the latest version number identification information of the network device setting data included in the reply information of the inquiry means to determine whether the network device setting data of the network device needs to be set; ,
An activation unit that activates the setting of the network device setting data of the network device determined to be set by the determination unit;
A network device automatic setting control program comprising: In the network equipment automatic setting control program according to any one of claims 20, 21 and 22,
Start the setting of the network device setting data stored in the network device.
(1) When it is detected that the network device is connected to the network (2) When it is activated from the outside (3) When the latest network device setting data is updated (4) At least one of the cycles A network device automatic setting control program, which is performed at a timing. The network device automatic setting control program according to claim 20, 21, 22, or 23,
The detection means includes a DHCP server unit, and includes a unit for detecting that the network device is connected to the network based on a packet transmitted from the network device to the DHCP server unit. A network device automatic setting control program for detecting that a network device is connected to a network by a packet. The network device automatic setting control program according to claim 20, 21, 22, or 23,
A wireless LAN access point unit, the detection means,
A network device, wherein a network device that is a client of a wireless LAN transmits a packet for association authentication to a wireless LAN access point unit, and detects that the network device is connected to the network by a packet. Equipment automatic setting control program. In the network device automatic setting control program according to any one of claims 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25,
Means for detecting that the network device is using a predetermined temporary MAC address;
Means for setting a MAC address different from the temporary MAC address to the network device using the temporary MAC address;
And a network device automatic setting control program for setting a MAC address different from the temporary MAC address to a network device using the temporary MAC address. Means for receiving a packet transmitted from a network device and detecting that the network device is connected to a network;
Means for notifying other devices on the network of detected network device information;
A network device detection program comprising: DHCP server part,
A means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network based on a packet transmitted from the network device to the DHCP server unit;
Means for notifying other devices on the network of detected network device information;
A network device detection program comprising: A wireless LAN access point controller,
Means for detecting that the network device is connected to the network by a wireless LAN packet in which a network device that is a client of the wireless LAN transmits a packet for association authentication to the wireless LAN access point unit;
Means for notifying other devices on the network of detected network device information;
A network device detection program comprising: 30. The network device detection program according to claim 27, 28, 14 or 29, further comprising:
Means for temporarily storing the latest network device setting data;
Means for transmitting the network device setting data held by the network device automatic setting control program or the request from the network device to the network device;
A network device detection program comprising: In network equipment,
A network device control program comprising a function of setting network device setting data held in a network device upon activation via a network. The network device control program according to claim 31, further comprising:
Means for receiving an inquiry about the setting state of the current network device setting data of the network device via the network;
Upon receiving the inquiry, a means for returning the current setting state of the network device setting data;
A network device control program comprising: The network device control program according to claim 31, further comprising:
When the MAC address of the network device is not set, means for using a predetermined temporary MAC address;
Means for setting the MAC address as part or all of the network device setting data;
A network device control program comprising:

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