JPH08292923A - Group communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To lighten the load on a managing server device by downloading the addresses of terminals which communicate and a routing table from the managing server device to the terminals and a multiprotocol bruter. CONSTITUTION: A personal computer terminal 17-1 accesses the managing server device 11 first and informs it of a request to start communication with a personal computer terminal 17-2. The managing server 11 after confirming the access right transfers the address of the personal computer terminal 17-2 to the personal computer terminal 17-1 and informs the personal computer terminal 17-2 of the address of the personal computer terminal 17-1 and the presence of the communication request. The personal computer terminal 17-1 sends the state back to the managing server device 11. When the terminals are ready to communicate, the managing server device 11 informs the personal computer terminal 17-1 of the state of the personal computer terminal 17-2, sends the indication that the personal computer terminals 17-1 and 17-2 are ready to communicate, and sets the routing path between the personal computer terminals 17-1 and 17-2 in the multiprotocol bruter 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is used for communication between computers. In particular, the present invention relates to a group communication method in which members registered in the management server device communicate with a plurality of computer terminals or with an information server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of communication between computers, a group communication method has been known in which members registered in advance in a management server device installed on the network side communicate with each other. In the conventional group communication method, the terminal can access the center server by a predetermined protocol and can be provided with various communication services on the server.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a conventional group communication method in which a terminal accesses a management server device through a telephone line, and shows a physical system configuration. In this configuration, a modem 32 is connected to a center server device 31 as a management server device, and the modem 32 and the user's personal computer terminals 35-1 to 35-n are connected to a network side switch 33 and a terminal side modem 34. -1-34-n are connected. Here, it is assumed that the center server device 31 is in the city, and when it is out of the city, it is further connected through a relay exchange and a relay line. In addition,
Modems 34-1 to 34-1 for personal computer terminals 35-1 to 35-n
As 34-n, a group of modems or a multi-port modem can be used.

In this configuration, the user uses the modem 34-i from his / her personal computer terminal 35-i (i = 1 to n) to connect to the center server device 31 via the exchange 33 by the telephone line. Once the line is connected,
The server device 31 returns a prompt to the personal computer terminal 35-i to log in, and the user returns to the personal computer terminal 35-i.
Enter the account name and password from i. If the input contents match the registered data, the center server device 31
You are now logged in to and can receive the services provided. That is, all users can be authenticated by the management server device, and all services including electronic conversations called chats and bulletin boards can be performed by the same server.

In this example, a general analog telephone line is used, but a digital line can be used for connection without using a modem. However, in that case, an adapter for interface conversion is required.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional group communication method for accessing the management server device by the TCP / IP protocol. In this method, an Ethernet interface widely used for computer communication is prepared on the network side, and a server is accessed by the TCP / IP protocol generally used in the field of computer communication.
That is, the management server device 41 that performs group management has a hub 42 that passes signals at the Ethernet signal level.
Are connected to the hub 42 and the personal computer terminals 47-1 to 4-4.
7-n is the network side adapter 43-1 to 43
-N, network side line terminating device (SLT) 44-
1 to 44-n, line termination devices 45-1 to 45 on the subscriber side
-N and subscriber-side adapters 46-1 to 46-n. In addition, the hub 42 has an adapter 43-
m, line terminators 44-m, 45-m and adapter 4
An information server 48 that provides a service is connected via 6-m.

Adapters 46-1 to 46-n, 46-m
Converts the signal from the Ethernet terminal into a digital line interface. In addition, the adapters 43-1 to 43
-N and 43-m convert a signal from the communication line into an Ethernet signal. Subscriber side line termination devices 45-1 to 45-4
5-n and the line terminating device 45 on the information server 48 side
m is ONU (Optica if the communication medium is an optical fiber.
l Network Unit), in the case of metal DSU (Digital
Service Unit).

In this configuration, the personal computer terminal 47-1
47-n, the form of receiving the service after logging in to the management server device 41 or the access procedure is almost the same as the conventional example shown in FIG. However, in the conventional example of FIG. 6, the Ethernet packets from the personal computer terminals 47-1 to 47-n are sent to the center side via the digital line and are returned to the Ethernet packets by the adapters 43-1 to 43-n. Since the Ethernet packet is transmitted in this manner, it is possible to use TCP / IPO or the like widely used in the field of computer communication as a protocol on the Ethernet packet. Therefore, the user can use a plurality of services at the same time on the IP packet, access the management server device, perform communication between the personal computer terminals 47-1 to 47-n via the management server device, and perform information communication. The server 48 can be accessed.

[0009]

However, the conventional group communication method has a drawback that an excessive load is applied to the management server device when the number of users who simultaneously access the management server device increases.

An object of the present invention is to solve such problems and to provide a group communication method in which the load on the management server device is small.

[0011]

According to the group communication method of the present invention, a plurality of computer terminals are connected to a management server device via a communication line and a multi-protocol brouter, and members registered in the management server device are connected to each other. In the group communication method of performing communication by using the multi-protocol brouter, the management server device transfers address information to the terminal and a destination terminal in response to a communication request from a computer terminal, and notifies the multi-protocol brouter of routing information. -The bruta is characterized by performing routing between terminals.

The multi-protocol brouter will be briefly described below. As a device that relays the signal that flows on the cable, a "repeater" that simply reproduces the signal and relays it, and a "hub" that has a function of determining whether to send the packet to the adjacent network segment by looking at the address
Or "bridge", in addition to the bridge function, "router" that analyzes and transfers a part of the protocols of the network layer and the transport layer in the OSI reference model, and adds the bridge function to the router function, For protocols that cannot be processed by the function of, "Bruta" that transfers signals by the function of the bridge is known. TCP / IC
For example, the hub or bridge operates at the Ethernet packet level, the router operates at the IP packet level, and Bruta performs routing processing for IP packets and passes signals as they are except for the IP protocol. Can be made. The "multi-protocol brouter" used in the present invention is a brouta capable of simultaneously recognizing and transferring a plurality of protocols.

The multi-protocol brouters may be arranged on the side of the management server to centralize the routing, or the multi-protocol brouters may be arranged on the side of the terminals to distribute the routing.

[0014]

Operation: A plurality of computer terminals are connected between members registered in advance in the management server device installed on the network side based on a predetermined communication protocol from a plurality of computer terminals via communication lines and a multi-protocol brouter. Communication is performed between the computer terminals and the information server. At this time, the address information is transferred from the management server device to the multi-protocol brouter and the computer terminal or the information server.
Thereby, the routing path is set in the multi-protocol brouter and the routing is performed in the multi-protocol brouter. Thereby, communication can be performed without going through the management server device.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of a first embodiment for implementing the group communication method of the present invention. This device includes a management server device 11 and a plurality of personal computer terminals 17-
1 to 17-n and the information server 18, and are connected via the multi-protocol brouter 12 and the communication line. The multi-protocol brouter 12 is arranged on the management server device 11 side, and
And personal computer terminals 17-1 to 17-n and information server 1
8 between the adapters 13-1 to 13-n and 13-m for converting the signal from the communication line into an Ethernet signal, and the line terminating devices 14-1 to 14-n and 14- on the network side.
m, line terminating devices 15-1 to 15-n, 15 on the subscriber side
-M, and adapters 16-1 to 16 for converting signals from Ethernet terminals into digital line interfaces
-N, 16-m are connected. The line terminating equipment on the subscriber side is called an ONU when the communication medium is an optical fiber, and a DSU when the communication medium is a metal. Although the present invention is not limited to the communication medium, the OSU will be described here as an example.

In this structure, the multi-protocol brouter 12 has a plurality of inputs / outputs (individual ports or multiplexed logical ports) and performs routing or switching between the ports corresponding to a plurality of protocols. In the initial state, each personal computer terminal 17-1 to 17-1
7-n is given only the address information of the management server device 11 as a communication partner. Also in the multi-protocol bruta 12, the personal computer terminal 17-1
Routing is set so that all the packets from 17 to 17-n are transferred to the management server device 11. Therefore, for example, when the personal computer terminal 17-i (i = 1 to n) starts communication, the data from the personal computer terminal 17-i is first sent from the Ethernet terminal to the adapter 16-i as an Ethernet packet, 16-i to be passed to the line terminating device 15-i. The line terminating device 15-i sends the data to the network side line terminating device 14-i via the digital communication line, and returns it to the Ethernet packet by the adapter 13-i. The Ethernet packet is sent to the management server device 11 connected to the destination via the multi-protocol brouter 12. In the present invention, the management server device 11 is accessed only at the start of this communication, and thereafter, when communication with the other party is started, the management server device 11 is not involved.

FIG. 2 shows a communication procedure at this time. For example, when the personal computer terminal 17-1 starts communication, FIG.
As shown in (a), the personal computer terminal 17-1 first accesses the management server device 11, and the personal computer terminal 17-2
Notify the request to start communication with. In the management server device 11, after the personal computer terminal 17-1 and the personal computer terminal 17-2 are authenticated (confirming the access right) that they are properly registered users or terminals, the personal computer terminal 17-1 is connected to the personal computer terminal 17-1. It transfers the address of 17-2 and notifies the personal computer terminal 17-2 of the address of the personal computer terminal 17-1 and that there is a communication request. The personal computer terminal 17-2 returns the status (whether communication is possible) to the management server device 11. Next, when communication is possible, the management server device 11 notifies the personal computer terminal 17-1 of the state of the personal computer terminal 17-2 as shown in FIG.
The multi-protocol brouter 12 sets a routing path between the personal computer terminals 17-1 and 17-2 while giving an instruction to the 7-1 and 17-2 that they can communicate with each other. ARP (Address Resolution Pro)
can be implemented using a standard protocol in the field of computer communication, such as tocol). The same applies when the communication destination is not the personal computer terminal but the information server 18.

At this time, as the address management, there are a fixed address allocation method and a dynamic address allocation method at the start of communication. The latter is preferable for security management, but in either case, the routing information in the multi-protocol bruta should be refreshed by the notification of the communication status from the terminal to the management server device or the notification of the end of communication. Can realize the security function.

FIG. 3 shows a hierarchical structure of group communication, and is a diagram for explaining the above procedure from the aspect of protocol layer.
The communication hierarchy is represented by seven layers in the OSI model, but here, it is simplified and represented by three layers of an upper layer, a middle layer, and a lower layer. That is, the physical layer is classified into a lower layer, the Ethernet packet or the IP packet layer above it is classified into a middle layer, and the TCP packet thereabove is classified into an upper layer. When it is confirmed that the terminal is a registered user by the initial setting, the routing table is transferred to the multi-protocol brouter, and the address of the partner terminal is transferred to the terminal. It becomes possible to perform routing or switching between the terminals.

The routing processing in the multi-protocol brouter can be performed by Ethernet packet or IP packet, and high-speed processing is possible by implementing the processing in hardware. Also, since it is not related to the data on the Ethernet packet or IP packet,
It is possible to provide various user-specific application services that are not limited to server applications.

As described above, the packet data from the terminal is routed in the middle layer in the multi-protocol brouter without passing through the management server, thereby reducing the load on the management service, high-speed routing and a plurality of protocols. It becomes possible to provide various services that were used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the device configuration of the second embodiment for implementing the group communication method of the present invention. This device includes a management server device 11 and a plurality of personal computer terminals 17.
-1 to 17-n and the information server 18, the bridge 21, the communication line and the multi-protocol brouter 2
2-1 to 22-n and 22-m are connected. A bridge 21 is connected to the management server device 11, and between the bridge 21 and the personal computer terminals 17-1 to 17-n and the information server 18, an adapter 13-1 to converts a signal from a communication line into an Ethernet signal. 13-n, 13-
m, network side line termination devices 14-1 to 14-
n, 14-m, subscriber side line terminators 15-1 to 15
-N, 15-m, adapter 16-1 for converting signals from Ethernet terminals to digital line interfaces
16-n, 16-m and multi-protocol brouters 22-1 to 22-n, 22-m.

In the initial state, the multi-protocol
Only the address information of the management server device 11 is given to the brouters 22-1 to 22-n and 22-m as communication partners on the center side (network side). Also, in the personal computer terminals 17-1 to 17-n, the multi-protocol brouters 22-1 to 22-2 connected to the personal computer terminals 17-1 to 17-n, respectively.
Only 2-n, 22-m addresses are given. Therefore, the routing is set so that all the packets from the personal computer terminals 17-1 to 17-n are transferred to the management server device 11.

When the personal computer terminal 17-i starts communication, the data from the personal computer terminal 17-i is sent from the Ethernet terminal to the multi-protocol brouter 22-i as an Ethernet packet and the line is sent via the adapter 16-i. It is passed to the terminating device 15-i. Line termination device 1
5-i sends the data to the line terminating device 14-i on the network side via the digital communication line, and the adapter 1
Return to Ethernet packet with 3-i. After that, the Ethernet packet is sent to the management server device 11 connected to the destination via the bridge 21. In the present invention, the management server is accessed only at the start of this communication,
After that, when communication with the other party is started, the communication is performed without going through the management server.

For example, when the personal computer terminal 17-1 starts communication with the personal computer terminal 17-2, the personal computer terminal 1
7-1 first accesses the management server device 11, and notifies the request to start communication with the personal computer terminal 17-2. In the management server device 11, after authenticating that the personal computer terminal 17-1 and the personal computer terminal 17-2 are properly registered users or terminals (confirming the access right), the multi-protocol bruta 22-1 and personal computer Terminal 17-1
The address of the personal computer terminal 17-2 is transferred to. Also,
The address of the personal computer terminal 17-1 is transferred to the multi-protocol brouter 22-2 and the personal computer terminal 17-2. As a result, from the personal computer terminal 17-1 via the multi-protocol brouter 22-1, the bridge 21, and the multi-protocol brouter 22-2,
A routing path to the personal computer terminal 17-2 is set. As a result, communication is possible without going through the management server device 11. The same applies when communicating from the personal computer terminals 17-1 to 17-n to the information server device 18.

The routing path can be set by using the address information of the Ethernet packet or the IP packet by using the multi-protocol brouter. Considering the connection to the external network, it is desirable to process with an IP packet in terms of consistency, and considering the high speed and the variety of services, it is desirable to process with an Ethernet packet of a lower layer.

As described above, the packet data from the personal computer terminals are routed by the multi-protocol brouter connected to each personal computer terminal so that the communication is performed only in the middle layer without passing through the management server device. I do. This makes it possible to reduce the load on the management server, provide high-speed routing, and provide various services using multiple protocols. In addition, since distributed processing is performed in the multi-protocol brouter connected to each PC terminal, the center side (network side) processing can be handled only by the bridge function, reducing the routing processing on the network side where traffic is concentrated. There are advantages.

[0028]

As described above, according to the group communication method of the present invention, the address and routing table of the terminal for communication are downloaded from the management server device to the terminal and the multi-protocol brouter so that the communication is performed via the management server device. You can try to communicate without doing anything. Therefore, the load on the management server device can be reduced, high-speed routing can be performed, and various services utilizing a plurality of protocols can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of a first embodiment for implementing a group communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication procedure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of group communication and explaining a communication procedure in terms of a protocol layer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of a second embodiment for implementing the group communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a conventional group communication method in which a terminal accesses a management server device through a telephone line.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional group communication method for accessing a management server device by a TCP / IP protocol.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 41 Management server device 12, 22-1 to 22-n, 22-m Multi-protocol brouter 13-1 to 13-n, 13-m, 16-1 to 16-n,
16-m, 43-1 to 43n, 43-m, 46-1 to 4
6-n, 46-m adapters 14-1 to 14-n, 14-m, 15-1 to 15-n,
15-m, 44-1 to 44-n, 44-m, 45-1 to
45-n, 45-m Line terminator 17-1 to 17-n, 35-1 to 35-n, 47-1 to
47-n Personal computer terminal 18, 48 Information server 21 Bridge 31 Center server device 32, 34-1 to 34-n Modem 33 Switch 42 Hub

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A group communication method in which a plurality of computer terminals are connected to a management server device via a communication line and a multi-protocol brouter, and communication is performed between members registered in this management server device, In response to a communication request from a computer terminal, the device transfers address information to the terminal and a destination terminal and notifies the multi-protocol brouter of routing information, and the multi-protocol brouter performs routing between terminals. A group communication method characterized by the above. 2. The group communication method according to claim 1, wherein the multi-protocol brouter is arranged on the side of the management server device and routing is centralized. 3. The group communication method according to claim 1, wherein the multi-protocol brouter is arranged on the terminal side and the routing is distributed.