CN1152526C

CN1152526C - Ethernet interchange controller with consol command logic unit

Info

Publication number: CN1152526C
Application number: CNB02140755XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈任凯; 胡永谦
Original assignee: Via Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Via Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2002-07-16
Filing date: 2002-07-16
Publication date: 2004-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-16
Also published as: CN1395397A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an Ethernet interchange controller with a console command logic unit, particularly to an intelligent Ethernet interchange controller which is concretely implemented by the lowest cost. The Ethernet interchange controller is provided with a serial port interface to be connected with an external American standard code information interchange console (ASCIIconsole). Users can input a string of character commands by the console, and the commands are received, interpreted and executed by the Ethernet interchange controller. When the commands are read commands, executing results are displayed on the console. The commands are used for reading and inputting buffers in the Ethernet interchange controller, buffers in an entity layer, and stored and set EEPROM data for setting the upgrading function of an interchanger.

Description

Ethernet exchange control unit with control desk command logic unit

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of Ethernet equipment, and be particularly related to a kind of Ethernet exchange control unit with control desk command logic unit.

Background technology

Because the prosperity of electronics technology, computer and various information digitalization equipment are universal day by day, and in order to reach the purpose of resource-sharing, network becomes necessity configuration of information exchange.In various network configuration, because Ethernet (Ethernet) has characteristics such as obtain easily, set up convenient and transmission speed is fast, make that the relevant equipment of Ethernet is flourish, wherein, Ethernet interchanger (EthernetSwitch is hereinafter to be referred as interchanger) is the key equipment that becomes network information exchange usefulness because of having the characteristics of quick exchange information.

In interchanger, except the physical layer that network connection port is provided, the ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit) one Ethernet exchange control unit (Ethernet Switch Controller is hereinafter to be referred as exchange control unit) of its control maincenter is the soul place especially, and relevant virtual network (VLAN), network backbone (trunking) and priority level difference in functionalitys such as (priority classification) all depend on exchange control unit.Yet existing exchange control unit is only set these values usually when electric power starting, and the communication interface that connects setting control panel (console) is not provided, so that (on line) connects and set its value on can line.Another kind of existing exchange control unit then provides a CPU (CPU) interface, so that connect the setting that microprocessor is reached difference in functionality, though this kind mode also can be reached its set-up function, following shortcoming is arranged:

1. owing to need write microprocessor program, reach set-up function, cause difficult design.

2. owing to need to increase microcontroller circuit, cause cost to increase, and more increased many fault points, thereby reduced equipment reliability.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a kind of intelligent (Smart) Ethernet exchange control unit with control desk command logic unit, it can connect control desk via serial port, variously advances grade function via what control desk can be set interchanger easily.

For reaching above-mentioned and other purpose, the invention provides a kind of Ethernet exchange control unit with control desk command logic unit, comprising: physical layer connecting interface, serial port interface, command logic unit and switching control unit.Wherein, the physical layer connecting interface is in order to connect physical layer (PHY), so that a plurality of Ethernets connectivity port to be provided; Serial port interface is in order to connect a control desk via a serial port driver; Switching control unit couples physical layer connecting interface and command logic unit, in order to the Ethernet package of control exchange from the Ethernet connectivity port; And the command logic unit couples serial port interface, in order to reception, decipher and carry out the order that control desk sends, and when ordering to reading order, and the execution result of response command.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the serial port interface of this Ethernet exchange control unit is the RS232 interface, its order uses a string ASCII (American Standard Code forInformation Interchange is called for short ASCII) to transmit, the control desk of its connection is an ASCII control desk (ASCII console) or with the control desk of personal computer emulation, and when connecting personal computer, this personal computer can comprise an application software, so that the humanization interface of user's input command and demonstration execution result to be provided.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this Ethernet exchange control unit, comprise that also one electrically can erase and can plan only rdma read (EEPROM) interface, in order to connect an EEPROM, with the storing and setting parameter, and this exchange control unit is applied in the Ethernet interchanger, at this moment, it can comprise the read write command of switching control unit internal buffer, physical layer internal buffer and EEPROM for order of setting, so as to set interchanger variously advance grade function.

By in the above-mentioned explanation as can be known, use and of the present inventionly have the Ethernet exchange control unit of control desk command logic unit in the Ethernet interchanger, then because Ethernet exchange control unit of the present invention has possessed the serial port interface that connects control desk, and also provide the order of required function to set the decipher circuit, so need not increase complicated microcontroller circuit, more microprocessor program need not be write, grade function setting that advances that general interchanger do not have can be reached.

For above and other objects of the present invention, feature and advantage can be become apparent, a preferred embodiment cited below particularly, and conjunction with figs. is described in detail below.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows a kind of Ethernet exchange control unit figure of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention; And

Fig. 2 shows the Ethernet interchanger figure of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention.The simple declaration of label

100 Ethernet exchange control units

110 physical layer connecting interfaces

120 serial port interface

130 switching control units

The 140EEPROM interface

200 Ethernet interchangers

220 physical layers

230 serial port driver

240～275 Ethernet connectivity ports

280EEPROM

290 control desks

Embodiment

Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, Fig. 1 is the Ethernet exchange control unit figure of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is then for using the figure of Ethernet exchange control unit in the Ethernet interchanger of preferred embodiment of the present invention.Show among the figure, this Ethernet exchange control unit 100 comprises physical layer connecting interface 110, serial port interface 120, command logic unit 150 and switching control unit 130, and, then can also comprise EEPROM interface 140 for the function setting parameter of virtual network (VLAN), network backbone (trunking) and priority level (priority classification) etc. can being stored.

Wherein, physical layer connecting interface 110 for example is MII interface or SMI interface, it is in order to connect physical layer (PHY) 220, so that a plurality of Ethernets connectivity port to be provided, in present embodiment for totally 8 Ethernet connectivity ports such as 240,245,250,255,260,265,270 and 275 are provided, certainly, the quantity of this Ethernet connectivity port will be different along with different Ethernet exchange control units 100.

Serial port interface 120 is in order to connect a control desk 290 via a serial port driver 230.In the present embodiment, this serial port interface 120 for example is that RS232 interface or other meet the serial port interface of industrial standard, and 230 of serial port driver cooperate serial port interface 120 and are that RS232 serial port driver (Line Driver) or other meet the serial port driver of industrial standard.And control desk 290 for example is an ASCII control desk (ASCII console) or with the control desk of personal computer emulation, when with the personal computer simulation console, this personal computer preferably comprises an application software, so that the humanization interface of user's input command and demonstration execution result to be provided.

Command logic unit 150 couples serial port interface 120, in order to the order of sending from the reception of RS232 serial port, decipher and execution control desk 290, and when its order is reading order, and the execution result of response command.

Switching control unit 130 couples physical layer connecting interface 110, command logic unit 150 and EEPROM interface 140, exchange from 240 in order to control, 245,250,255,260,265, the Ethernet package of Ethernet connectivity ports such as 270 and 275, function setting value via EEPROM interface 140 read-write EEPROM 280 storages, and according to its value setting virtual network (VLAN), network backbone (trunking) and priority level functions such as (priority classification), and provide command logic unit 150 according to the control desk order, for the access path of EEPROM 280 and internal buffer etc.

For example, the command format that sends of definition control desk 290 is as follows:

＜prompting symbol〉[＜address〉＜operand〉[＜data 〉]]＜return character 〉

The prompting symbol for example is "〉" symbol, send by Ethernet exchange control unit 100 when online, the user can begin typing command string after the symbol in prompting, and this command string comprises specifies the buffer address that writes or read or the address field of eeprom address, operand field, the representative of representative order kind to desire to write the data field position of data and the return character (return) of representative order end.Address field for example is to represent with 4 hexadecimal characters, the data field position need not be imported when the reading of data order, and when writing data command, then the compounding practice number is imported the decimal system or hexadecimal character value, operand represents with different characters according to different orders, for example:

"＜=" representative is with the order of decimal format read/write exchange control unit internal buffer;

" :=" representative is with the order of hexadecimal format read/write exchange control unit internal buffer;

"==" representative is with the order of hexadecimal format read/write EEPROM; And

" ^=" representative is with the order of hexadecimal format read/write physical layer internal buffer.

Above order is represented the reading of data order when not importing the data field position, otherwise for writing data command.Certainly, before not keying in return character, be the input character of to right the wrong as key entry deletion (Backspace) key that falls back.About the order setting means, be described as follows with example at this:

Representing not, the input command character is empty (null) order;

03F8＜=123 Write with decimal value 123 in the 03F8 Address Register of exchange control unit;

03F8＜= Read the value of exchange control unit 03F8 Address Register with decimal format;

123 show that with decimal format read the result is 123;

03F8:=1F Write with hexadecimal value 1F in the 03F8 Address Register of exchange control unit;

03F8:=

Read the value of exchange control unit 03F8 Address Register with hexadecimal format;

1F shows that with hexadecimal format reading the result is 1F;

0001==0A Write with hexadecimal value 0A in 0001 address of EEPROM;

0001== Read the value of 0001 address of EEPROM with hexadecimal format;

0A shows that with hexadecimal format reading the result is 0A;

0004==

Read the value of 0004 Address Register of physical layer (PHY) with hexadecimal format;

03 shows that with hexadecimal format read the result is 03;

The display reminding symbol, wait for and key in next order.

For the purpose of system safety, this preferred embodiment also provides easy password discriminating function, and just when system boot or to have continued for example be not more than 60 seconds the time input command time, must the specific order of input, and for the password identification.For example password 1234 is stored among the address 00FE and 00FF of EEPROM, and with continuous input command 00FE==12 with the order 00FF==34 input password, for the exchange control unit identification, when the input password bad the time, and to stop to receive order for example be time more than 15 seconds, send the command cue symbol afterwards again, receive next order to wait for.

In sum as can be known, use Ethernet exchange control unit of the present invention in the Ethernet interchanger, then have following advantage at least:

1. with the cost of minimum, reach the various purposes of advancing grade function that to set interchanger, and be easy to implement in the ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit) (ASIC).

2. significantly simplify the design of interchanger circuit and function setting thereof.

Though the present invention is open by preferred embodiment; so it is not to be used to limit the present invention, any those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention; change when doing some equivalences, thus protection scope of the present invention with claim the person of being defined be as the criterion.

Claims

1. Ethernet exchange control unit with control desk command logic unit comprises:

One physical layer connecting interface is in order to connect a physical layer, so that a plurality of Ethernets connectivity port to be provided;

One serial port interface is in order to connect a control desk via a serial port driver;

One command logic unit couples this serial port interface, in order to this serial port interface reception, decipher certainly and carry out the order that this control desk sends; And

One switching control unit couples this physical layer connecting interface and this command logic unit, exchanges the Ethernet package of these Ethernet connectivity ports in order to control, and the data access path of this command logic unit is provided.

2. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein this serial port interface is the RS232 interface.

3. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that this order transmits with a string ASCII.

4. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, this control desk is the ASCII control desk.

5. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, this control desk is a personal computer.

6. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that this personal computer comprises an application software, to provide the user to import this order and to show the humanization interface of this command execution results.

7. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, comprises that also one electrically can erase and can plan only rdma read interface, in order to connect an EEPROM, with the storing and setting parameter.

8. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, this order is in order to read and write this EEPROM.

9. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this order is in order to read and write an internal buffer of this switching control unit.

10. Ethernet exchange control unit as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this order is in order to read and write an internal buffer of this physical layer.