JPH0817401B2 - LAN connection system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a LAN (Local A)
rea network) connection system, especially L
LA connecting the AN and the device connected to this LAN
N connection system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a channel control method has been used when a device such as a general-purpose computer is connected to a LAN and data is transmitted and received between an information processing device on the LAN and a device such as the general-purpose computer. It was That is, when a general-purpose computer and a LAN are connected, conventionally, the general-purpose computer and the LAN connection device have been connected by a channel control device in the input / output control device of the general-purpose computer.

A channel control device in a general-purpose computer generally comprises an interrupt control unit, a data transfer control unit, an input / output control unit and a data buffer, and the interrupt control unit controls a channel with a central processing unit. Control input / output was performed, and the data buffer input / output data to / from the storage device.

Further, the LAN connection device is configured to include a channel control unit having a function similar to that of the general-purpose computer for connection with the general-purpose computer, and a LAN control unit for connection with the LAN.

To access the general-purpose computer from the LAN, first access the LAN control unit of the LAN connection device to access the LAN.
Data is sent to the LAN connection device, the data from the LAN is buffered in the LAN connection device, and the data is sent to the channel connection unit. After that, the control information of the channel control is exchanged between the channel connection unit of the LAN connection device and the channel connection device of the general-purpose computer to perform activation control to open a channel, and then transfer control to transfer data is performed. Then, the termination control is performed at the time when the data transfer is completed, the central control unit is notified of the end of the data transfer, and the data is stored in the storage device of the general-purpose computer.

As described above, conventionally, the data transfer time for executing the channel control for three times of the access permission, the data transfer and the access end for one data transfer, and the hardware and the channel for the data transfer. The control time by firmware and software for control was always required.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The conventional LAN described above
In the connection system, in addition to data transfer processing, time for transmitting / receiving channel control data for channel control between the general-purpose computer and the LAN connection device and execution time for hardware, firmware and software for channel control are required. It was. Therefore, a general-purpose computer and L
There is a drawback in that the time other than the data transfer processing with the AN is required and the data transfer speed becomes low.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and its purpose is to provide a LAN and this LA.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a LAN connection system capable of increasing the data transfer processing speed with a device connected to N.

[0009]

A LAN connection system according to the present invention is a LAN connection system for connecting a LAN and an apparatus connected to the LAN, which can be directly accessed from a central processing unit inside the apparatus, and Can be accessed from LAN and data from the LAN is stored
A first cache memory and a central processing unit inside the device.
Can be accessed directly from the LAN and can also be accessed from the LAN
A second data storage device capable of storing data from the central processing unit
A cache memory is provided , and data is transmitted and received between the device and the LAN via these cache memories.

[0010]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a LAN connection system according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a general-purpose computer, and 11 is a CPU unit (central processing unit) in the general-purpose computer 1. The main storage unit 12 is connected to the data cache memory 14, and the data cache memory 1
Reference numeral 4 is connected to the CPU bus 13 together with the CPU section 11. When the general-purpose computer 1 is started up, the memory map information 21 written in the ROM or the magnetic disk is read out in advance so as to pass the address information of the address for storing the data from the LAN 2 to the CPU unit 11. It is stored in the storage unit 12 and read by the CPU unit 11.

The cache control unit 22 divides the inside of the data cache memory 14 into a general-purpose cache area and a LAN cache area according to the memory map information 21 stored in the main storage unit 12, and in the case of access to the LAN2. Access to the LAN cache area. Further, the cache control unit 22 uses the data cache memory 1
4 is accessed from the cache access unit 23, the write signal from the cache access unit 23 is received, and the contents of the LAN cache area of the data cache memory 14 are immediately written to the main storage unit 12.

The LAN control unit 24 is physically connected to the LAN 2 and transmits / receives data to / from the LAN 2. Further, the LAN control unit 24 has a LAN connection flag, and
When the function investigation of the N control unit 24 itself ends normally, the L
Set the AN connection flag. Then, the LAN control unit 2
Reference numeral 4 examines a LAN connection flag indicating permission to connect to the LAN 2, and if the LAN connection flag is set, data is transmitted / received. If the LAN connection flag is not set, data from the LAN 2 is not fetched. LAN
The control unit 24 receives data from the LAN2, responds with a predetermined protocol, and sends the response data to the LAN2. Furthermore, the LAN control unit 24 sends the data after the protocol analysis to the cache access unit 23.

The cache access unit 23 stores the data received from the LAN control unit 24 in the data cache memory 14
To the LAN cache area of the cache controller 2
A write signal is output to 2. When the CPU section 11 sends and receives data to and from the main storage section 12, it always accesses the data cache memory 14.

In such a configuration, when the general-purpose computer 1 is started up, the memory map information 21 is stored in C as a memory map table that the CPU unit 11 refers to when accessing.
It is registered in the PU unit 11 and the cache control unit 22. Then, when the CPU section 11 accesses the main memory section 12 or the data cache 14, the CPU section 11 refers to the memory mapping table based on the memory map information 21 to access.

When data is input from LAN2, L
The AN control unit 24 receives data, analyzes the received data by protocol, and responds. The data received by the LAN control unit 24 is passed to the cache access unit 23. The cache access unit 23 is L of the data cache memory 14.
The received data is written into the AN cache A, and the fact that the data has been written is notified to the cache control unit 22 as a write signal. When the cache control unit 22 knows that the data cache memory 14 has been updated by the writing by the cache access unit 23, the L of the data cache memory 14 is updated.
The data in the AN cache A is written to the location specified by the memory map information 21 in the main storage unit 12. The main storage unit 1 for the CPU unit 11 to read data from the LAN 2
When accessing the location designated by the memory map information 21 of No. 2, the LAN cache A of the data cache memory 14 is accessed. Then, if the required data from the LAN 2 is present, it is read, and if it is not already present, the main memory 12 is accessed and the data is read.

When data is output from the general-purpose computer 1 to the LAN 2, the CPU unit 11 accesses the main memory unit 12 via the LAN cache B of the data cache memory 14 according to the memory map information 21, and outputs the output data to the main memory. Write to section 12. The cache control unit 22 stores the LAN cache B of the data cache memory 14 in the CPU unit 1.
When it is known from the write signal and the address signal of the CPU section 11 that the output data has been written from 1, the output request signal is issued to the cache access section 23 and the read access to the LAN cache B of the data cache memory 14 is possible. Is notified and the cache access unit 23 is caused to read the output data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the LAN connection system according to the present invention, and the same portions as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the figure, 1
Is a general-purpose computer, and 11 is a CPU unit (central processing unit) of the general-purpose computer 1. The main memory unit 12 is connected to the LAN cache control unit 16, the LAN cache control unit 16 is connected to the general-purpose data cache 15, and the general-purpose data cache 15 is connected to the CPU bus 13 together with the CPU unit 11. When the general-purpose computer 1 is started up,
In order to pass the address information of the address for storing the data from the LAN 2 to the CPU section 11, the memory map information 21
Is stored in the main storage unit 12 in advance and read by the CPU unit 11.

The LAN cache control unit 16 stores the LAN cache address in the memory map information 21 stored in the main memory unit 12, filters the address of passing data, and only in the case of LAN data, To store. When the cache access unit 23 accesses the LAN cache control unit 16, the write signal from the cache access unit 23 is received and the contents stored in the LAN cache control unit 16 are immediately stored in the main storage unit. Write to 12.

The LAN control unit 24 is physically connected to the LAN 2 and transmits / receives data to / from the LAN 2. Further, the LAN control unit 24 has a LAN control flag and
When the function investigation of the N control unit 24 itself ends normally, the L
Set the AN connection flag. Then, the LAN control unit 2
Reference numeral 4 examines a LAN connection flag indicating permission to connect to the LAN 2, and if the LAN connection flag is set, data is transmitted / received. If the LAN connection flag is not set, data from the LAN 2 is not fetched. LAN
The control unit 24 receives data from the LAN2, responds with a predetermined protocol, and sends the response data to the LAN2. Furthermore, the LAN control unit 24 sends the data after the protocol analysis to the cache access unit 23.

The cache access unit 23 receives the data received from the LAN control unit 24 from the LAN cache control unit 1
At the same time as sending to 6, the write signal is issued. When sending and receiving data to and from the main storage unit 12, the CPU unit 11 always accesses the main storage unit 12 via the general-purpose data cache memory 15 and the LAN cache control unit 16.

In such a configuration, when the general-purpose computer 1 is started up, the memory map information 21 is stored in C as a memory map table to be referred to when the CPU section 11 makes an access.
It is registered in the PU unit 11 and the LAN cache control unit 16. Then, when accessing the main storage unit 12, the CPU unit 11 refers to the memory mapping table according to the memory map information 21 to access.

When data is input from LAN2, L
The AN control unit 24 receives the data and sets the received data to L
The AN control unit 24 analyzes the protocol and responds. The data received by the LAN control unit 24 is the cache access unit 23.
Passed to. The cache access unit 23 writes the received data in the LAN cache control unit 16 and notifies the LAN cache control unit 16 of the fact that the data has been written by a write signal. The LAN cache control unit 16 writes the data of the LAN cache control unit 16 to the location designated by the memory map information 21 of the main storage unit 12 when updated by the writing by the cache access unit 23. CPU
When the unit 11 accesses the location designated by the memory map information 21 of the main storage unit 12 to read the data from the LAN 2, the LAN cache control unit 16 is accessed. Then, the LAN cache control unit 16 filters the address signal, checks the data stored in the LAN cache control unit 16, reads the required data from the LAN 2, and reads the data from the main storage unit 12 if it does not already exist. Read.

In such a configuration, L from the general-purpose computer 1
When outputting data to the AN2, the CPU unit 11 follows the memory map information 21 and the general-purpose data cache 15 and L
The main cache 12 is accessed via the AN cache controller 16 and the output data is written to the main memory 12. LAN
When the cache control unit 16 knows that the output data has been written from the CPU unit 11 from the write signal and the address signal of the CPU unit 11, it issues an output request signal to the cache access unit 23 to notify that read access is possible. To do. Then, the cache access unit 23 is made to read the output data.

As described above, in the first and second embodiments, the data transfer is performed between the CPU section 11 and the LAN 2 by using the data cache memory without using the channel control method. The processing speed can be increased.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the LAN connection system according to the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the figure, in the present embodiment, in order to absorb the difference between the data transmission speed from the CPU unit 11 to the LAN2 and the data storage speed from the LAN2 to the CPU unit 11 and improve the processing efficiency of the data transmission and the data storage, A LAN data buffer 25 is provided between the access unit 23 and the LAN control unit 24. The cache access unit 23 has an input data queuing flag and an output data queuing flag. Other than that, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

When data is input from LAN2, L
The AN control unit 24 receives the data, analyzes the protocol of the received data, and responds. The data received by the LAN control unit 24 is passed to the cache access unit 23. The cache access unit 23 is the LAN of the data cache memory 14.
The received data is written into the cache A for use and is notified to the cache control unit 22 as a write signal.

However, it is possible that the data cache memory 14 is busy. In this case, the cache access unit 23 uses the data that could not be written in the LAN cache A of the data cache memory 14 to the LAN.
By queuing to the data buffer 25, it is temporarily held and the input data queuing flag is set.
The cache access unit 23 is the data cache memory 1
If the input data queuing flag is set when the LAN cache of No. 4 is not busy, the data queued in the LAN data buffer 25 is immediately dequeued and written in the LAN cache A of the data cache memory 14. . As a result, even when the data cache memory 14 is in a busy state, data can be smoothly received from the LAN 2. The subsequent processing is the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

In such a configuration, L from the general-purpose computer 1
When outputting data to the AN 2, the CPU unit 11 accesses the main storage unit 12 via the LAN cache B of the data cache memory 14 according to the memory map information 21, and writes the output data to the main storage unit 12. When the cache control unit 22 knows from the write signal and the address signal of the CPU unit 11 that the output data is written from the CPU unit 11 into the LAN cache B of the data cache memory 14, it issues an output request signal to the cache access unit 23. , That the read access to the LAN cache B of the data cache memory 14 is possible. Then, the cache access unit 23 is made to read the output data.

However, when the LAN control unit 24 is busy and the cache access unit 23 cannot write data, the cache access unit 2 is loaded in the LAN data buffer 25.
3 queues the data and sets the output data queuing flag. The LAN control unit 24 reads the data from the LAN data buffer 25 when the output data queuing flag of the cache access unit 23 is set.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the LAN connection system according to the present invention, and the same portions as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the figure, in the present embodiment, in order to absorb the difference between the data transmission speed from the CPU unit 11 to the LAN2 and the data storage speed from the LAN2 to the CPU unit 11 and improve the processing efficiency of the data transmission and the data storage, Access unit 23 and L
A LAN data buffer 25 is provided between the LAN control unit 24 and the AN control unit 24. The cache access unit 23 has an input data queuing flag and an output data queuing flag. Other than that, the configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment (FIG. 2).

When data is input from LAN2, L
Data is received by the AN connection unit 25, and the received data is sent to the LAN.
The control unit 24 analyzes the protocol and responds. The data received by the LAN control unit 24 is passed to the cache access unit 23. The cache access unit 23 writes the received data in the LAN cache control unit 16.

However, it is possible that the LAN cache controller 16 is in a busy state. In this case, the cache access unit 23 is the LAN cache control unit 1
Data that could not be written in 6 is LAN data buffer 25
By queuing to, the input data queuing flag is set by holding it temporarily. When the LAN cache control unit 16 is not busy, the cache access unit 23 immediately dequeues the data queued in the LAN data buffer 25 if the input data queuing flag is set, and the LAN cache control unit 1
Write to 6. By doing so, data transfer is smoothly performed even when the LAN cache control unit 16 is in a busy state. The subsequent processing is the same as in the case of the second embodiment. In this configuration, L
When outputting data to the AN2, the CPU unit 11 follows the memory map information 21 and the general-purpose data cache 15 and L
The main cache unit 12 is accessed through the AN cache control unit 16 and the output data is written in the main storage unit 12. When the LAN cache control unit 16 knows from the write signal and the address signal of the CPU unit 11 that the output data has been written from the CPU unit 11, it issues an output request signal to the cache access unit 23 and sends it to the LAN cache control unit 16. Notify that read access is possible. Then, the cache access unit 23 is made to read the output data.

After that, when the LAN control unit 24 is busy and the cache access unit 23 cannot write data, the cache access unit 2 is added to the LAN data buffer 25.
3 queues the data and sets the output data queuing flag. The LAN control unit 24 reads the data from the LAN data buffer 25 when the output data queuing flag of the cache access unit 23 is set.

As described above, in the third and fourth embodiments, the LAN data buffer 25 is added to absorb the difference in processing speed between the CPU section 11 and the LAN 2, so The processing efficiency is improved as compared with the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fifth embodiment of the LAN connection system according to the present invention, and the same portions as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the figure, in the present embodiment, a protocol information unit 26 is provided for giving various protocol information of the LAN connected to the LAN control unit 24 to the LAN control unit 24 so that the LAN control unit 24 can support a plurality of protocols. ing. Except for this point, the configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment (FIG. 3).

Protocol selection information is added to the memory map information 21.

When the general-purpose computer 1 is started up, the protocol selection information added to the memory map information 21 is stored in the main storage unit 12. The cache control unit 22 reads the protocol selection information set in the main storage unit 12. The cache access unit 23 is the startup cache control unit 22 of the general-purpose computer 1.
Read the information set in. The LAN control unit 24 reads the startup information of the general-purpose computer 1 set in the cache access unit 23, reads the required protocol from the protocol information unit 26 if there is protocol selection information, and
Set the connection flag.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sixth embodiment of the LAN connection system according to the present invention, and the same portions as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, a protocol information unit 26 is provided to give various protocol information of the LAN connected to the LAN control unit 24 to the LAN control unit 24 so that the LAN control unit 24 can support a plurality of protocols. Except for this point, the configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment (FIG. 4).

Protocol selection information is added to the memory map information 21.

When the general-purpose computer 1 is started up, the protocol selection information added to the memory map information 21 is stored in the main storage unit 12. The LAN cache control unit 16 reads the protocol selection information set in the main storage unit 12. The cache access unit 23 reads the information set in the LAN cache control unit 16 at startup of the general-purpose computer 1. The LAN control unit 24 reads the startup information of the general-purpose computer 1 set in the cache access unit 23, reads the necessary protocol from the protocol information unit 26 if there is protocol selection information, and sets the LAN connection flag.

As described above, in the fifth and sixth embodiments, since the protocol information section 26 is added, L
There is an effect that the AN control unit 24 can support a plurality of protocols.

The cache memory in each of the above-mentioned embodiments must be constructed so that it can be accessed from both the CPU side and the LAN side. For example, a well-known dual port RAM may be used. Then, writing from the LAN side to the cache memory may be performed in units of the data portion from which the header and the like of the received packet have been removed. In this way, access faster than main memory
Data transfer processing is possible because the available cache memory is used.
Reason can be executed at high speed.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case of the system for the general-purpose computer has been explained, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and this embodiment can be applied to various devices.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the LAN
A cache that is directly accessed from the CPU section of a general-purpose computer when data is transferred between the general-purpose computer and a processing device such as a general-purpose computer
Using the memory, because it does not go to channel control, a control operation for an unnecessary output control between the general-purpose computer and LAN is not needed, since the data transfer rate immediately the data processing is performed that significantly increases the effective. Well
Also, it is necessary to send and receive data from multiple protocol information
Read the detailed protocol information, and read the read protocol information.
By sending and receiving the data using
It has the effect of supporting the protocol.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a LAN connection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a LAN connection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a LAN connection system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a LAN connection system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a LAN connection system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a LAN connection system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Reference Signs] 1 general-purpose computer 2 LAN 11 CPU unit 12 main storage unit 13 CPU bus 14 data cache memory 15 general-purpose data cache 16 LAN cache control unit 21 memory map information 22 cache control unit 23 cache access unit 24 LAN control unit 25 LAN data buffer 26 Protocol information section

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04L 29/10

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A LAN connection system for connecting a LAN and a device connected to the LAN, wherein the central processing unit inside the device can directly access the LAN and the LAN.
Data from the LAN can be accessed.
A first cache memory, and central processing inside the device
It can be accessed directly from the device and also from the LAN.
Second, the data from the central processing unit is stored.
And a cache memory, and data is transmitted and received between the device and the LAN via these cache memories. 2. The LAN connection system according to claim 1, further comprising a data buffer for temporarily holding data to be written in the cache memory when the cache memory is in a busy state. 3. Data is exchanged with the LAN.
Holding means for holding multiple protocol information for
When the system is started up, a plurality of protocol information in the holding means is
The protocol information necessary for sending and receiving the above-mentioned data from the information
The read protocol information is further included, including read means.
The LAN connection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data is transmitted and received by using .