JP2000031966A - Lan switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform higher speed data transfer with a simple configuration and to apply it to the transfer of information that requires instantanity by performing data exchange between a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal after switching to input and output ports based on connection information from a port for control regardless of the information content of a data packet flowing through a communication path. SOLUTION: A LAN 7 for switch control is connected to a port for switch control of a LAN switching device 10 from terminals A to F by means of branch connection other than LANs 1 to 6 for data communication. Each terminal A to F transmits a switch control packet to the device 10 through the LAN 7 before communication with the other communication party. The device 10 analyzes switch control packet content received from the LAN 7, selects the port of the other party to be connected, performs a switch operation and connects the ports corresponding to the terminal. After the connection is completed, data exchange is started through the LANs 1 to 6 for data communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a local area network (LAN) technology, and more particularly to a LAN switch device for switching connections between terminals and a duplex system using the LAN switch device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows an example of a conventional LAN switch device of this kind. Referring to FIG. 5, the LAN switch device 10 is connected to a plurality of terminals A to F via LANs 1 to 6 connected to input / output ports A to F, respectively.

For example, when terminal A and terminal F exchange data, LAN switch device 10 analyzes connection information in a data packet from terminal A received from port A, and connects port A to port F. In order to perform this operation, the changeover switch in the LAN switch device is operated.

As described above, the conventional LAN switch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 mainly uses an address (MAC (Media Acceses)) in packet information input to each port.
s Control) address or IP (Internet Protocol)
l) Address) is analyzed for each packet, and the output port is switched for each packet.

[0005]

As described above, in the above-described conventional LAN switch device, the address in the packet information input to each port is analyzed for each packet, and the output port is determined for each packet. Since it is configured to be switched, a circuit for address analysis is required for each port, and when using a processor for address analysis, the operating frequency of the processor is also increased in proportion to the transmission speed, In addition, the configuration becomes complicated, and when the transmission speed further increases, the internal processing speed cannot keep up with the transmission speed, and the transmission performance may reach a plateau.

Further, in the conventional LAN switch device, since the address in the packet information input from each port is analyzed for each packet, the internal processing throughput increases, and the immediacy of voice and video information is increased. It is not suitable for data transfer requiring

On the other hand, in a computer system that requires high reliability, a standby computer takes over the processing when the active computer goes down as a duplex system using a LAN and including an active computer and a standby computer. In the case of adopting the mode of operation, the terminal connected to the LAN recognizes that the active computer has switched from the active computer to the standby computer when the failure occurs, and the LAN address of the communication partner computer is recognized. Must also be switched, and the process is complicated and complicated.

In this case, it is conceivable to switch the active computer and the standby computer by making the LAN addresses the same and control the switching by software or the like. There may be a case where it exists, which may interfere with communication of other devices connected on the same LAN.

[0009] The L of the active and standby computers is
Although it is possible to switch the signal line connected to the AN using a mechanical switch, etc., it is not used in a system that requires high reliability because of concerns about reliability and transmission signal characteristics. This is the actual situation.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to improve the efficiency of data transfer processing and to transfer data such as voice and video information that requires immediacy. An object of the present invention is to provide an applicable LAN switch device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system in which a terminal connected to an active computer and a standby computer forming a duplex system switches from the active computer to the standby computer via a LAN switch device. An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of continuing processing without being conscious.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a LAN switch device for connecting a plurality of terminals to input / output ports corresponding to the terminals via a data communication LAN. A LAN for switch control, which is different from the LAN for LAN, is connected to each terminal by branching and connected to a port for switch control of a LAN switch device, and the terminal switches the switch prior to communication with a communication partner. A switch control packet is transmitted from the control LAN to the LAN switch device. The LAN switch device analyzes the contents of the switch control packet received from the switch control LAN, and determines whether the terminal port and the connection partner port are The switch unit is instructed to connect the LAN for data communication.
Data is exchanged between the terminal and the communication partner at.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a duplex system having an active server and a standby server, a plurality of client terminals are connected to the active server and the standby server via the LAN switch device of the first invention. The server is connected to an active server, the active server and the standby server have the same network address, and the standby server is logically separated from the LAN switch device; A plurality of client terminals and an active server are connected to the switch control port of the LAN switch device via the switch control LAN, and when switching processing from the active server to the standby server due to a failure or the like, the switch is used. Using a control LAN, connect the plurality of client terminals to an active server A control packet for switching from the active server to the standby server is transmitted to the LAN switch device based on information of the received control packet. And the standby server takes over the processing of the active server.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of terminals are connected to input / output ports corresponding to the respective terminals via a data communication LAN, and the data communication LAN is connected to the plurality of terminals.
A switch control LAN different from the above is branch-connected to each of the terminals, and connected to a switch control port of the LAN switch device. The terminal controls the switch control prior to communication with the communication partner terminal. The switch control packet is transmitted from the LAN to the LAN switch device. The LAN switch device analyzes the contents of the switch control packet received from the switch control LAN, selects a connection partner port, and switches and connects the switch unit. After the connection is completed, data is exchanged between the terminal and the communication partner via the data communication LAN.

[0015] Usually, Ethernet
Is called a “connectionless type”, and sends information necessary for communication when sending a data packet without constructing a logical communication path of a communication partner. In contrast, the present invention provides a connection-type L
By providing the AN switch device, the terminal establishes a logical communication path with a communication partner, and then performs communication,
During communication, a logical communication path is maintained.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a LAN switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
In one embodiment of the present invention, apart from LANs 1 to 6 for data communication from terminals A to F, an LA for switch control is provided.
N7 is connected to a switch control port of the LAN switch device 10 by branch connection. Each of the terminals A to F transmits a switch control packet to the LAN switch device from the switch control LAN 7 prior to communication with the communication partner.

The LAN switch device 10 analyzes the contents of the switch control packet received from the LAN 7, selects a connection partner port, performs a switch operation, and connects the ports corresponding to the terminals.

When the connection is completed, the data communication LAN 1
Data transfer is started from .about.6.

As a preferred embodiment to which the LAN switch device of the present invention is applied, in a redundant system having an active server and a standby server, a plurality of client terminals are connected to the active system via the LAN switch device of the present invention. Of the server and the standby server, the active server and the standby server are connected to the active server, the active server and the standby server have the same network address, and the standby server is logically separated from the LAN switch device. The client terminal and the active server are connected to a switch control port of the LAN switch device through a switch control LAN. When the processing is switched from the active server to the standby server due to a failure or the like, a control for switching the connection destination of the plurality of client terminals from the active server to the standby server using the switch control LAN. The packet is transmitted to the LAN switch device, and the LAN switch device switches the connection destination of the plurality of client terminals from the active server to the standby server based on the information of the received control packet, and the standby server is connected to the active server. It is configured to take over the processing.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment to which the LAN switch device of the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 2, terminals A to F are connected to input / output ports A to F of LAN
Connected through. In the LAN switch device 10,
A switch control port is provided separately from the input / output ports A to F, and a LAN 7 different from the LANs 1 to 6 is connected to the switch control port.

Also on the terminals A to F, a port for connecting to a switch control port of a LAN switch device is provided separately from the LAN connected to LANs 1 to 6,
And branch connection.

The LAN switch device 10 is assigned a LAN address.

The procedure for transmitting and receiving data from terminal A to terminal F will be described.

First, from the terminal A, which is the data transmission source, to the LA of the switch control port before connecting to the destination terminal F.
A LAN switching instruction packet is transmitted to the N addresses.

The switch control port connects the input / output port A and the input / output port F, which is the connection partner, based on the switching information in the LAN switching instruction packet, so that the data transmission source terminal A transmits the data to the data reception destination. A predetermined connection to the terminal F is completed, and data can be mutually exchanged. Also, terminals B to D and terminals C to E can be connected in the same manner.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation sequence when the terminal A and the terminal F communicate via the LAN switch device 10.

First, the terminal A transmits a port switching instruction control packet to the switch control port of the LAN switch device. The control packet includes information on the calling terminal and the partner terminal (eg, LAN address).

The LAN switch device 10 analyzes the contents of the information of the switch instruction control packet received from the switch control port, and sends the switch instruction information for connecting the ports A and F to the switch of the LAN switch device. The switching of the switch section is performed by sending the signal to the section.

When the switching is completed by the switch section, L
ACK (Acknowledge) information is transmitted from the switch unit of the AN switch device to the switch control port, and the switch control port generates a switching confirmation packet based on this information and transmits the packet to the terminal A.

After recognizing the switching confirmation packet, the terminal A starts data transmission to the terminal F and starts communication between the terminal A and the terminal F.

When one type of data communication is completed, the terminal A transmits a recovery instruction control packet to the port A of the LAN switch device 10.

The LAN switch device 10 analyzes the information content of the received recovery instruction control packet and
Recovery instruction information for disconnecting the connection between
The data is sent to the switch inside the AN switch to be restored.

When the recovery is completed in the switch section, LA
The ACK information is transmitted from the switch unit of the N switch device 10 to the switch control port, and the switch control port generates a recovery confirmation packet based on this information and transmits the packet to the terminal A.

After recognizing the recovery confirmation packet, the terminal A completes a series of sequences.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, server A
The client terminals A to C are connected by the LAN switch device 10 with the system as the active system and the server B as the standby system, and the client terminals A to C and the server A are connected to exchange data. In this case, a failure occurs in the server A system, the processing is shifted to the server B system which is a standby system, and the business performed using the server A system is continued. In this case, the same LA is used for the server A system and the server B system.
An N address (IP address) is set, and the connection between the server B system, which is a standby system, and the LAN switch is logically disconnected.

Normally, the client terminals A to C execute communication while being aware of only the LAN address of the server A system.

Next, when the server A system stops functioning due to a failure or the like, and the processing using the server is continued by switching the processing to the standby server B system, the processing is switched to function normally. A control packet for switching the connection destination of the client terminals A to C from the server A system to the server B system is transmitted from the server B system or the client terminals A to C using the control LAN 7 to the LAN switch device. In the LAN switch device, the connection destination of the client terminals A to C is switched from the server A system to the server B system based on the information of the received control packet.

Thus, the client terminals A to C
LA due to server A switching to server B
The processing can be continued as if connected to the server A system without being aware of the N address change.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are obtained.

The first effect of the present invention is that, with a simple configuration,
It enables higher-speed data transfer and is suitable for use in transferring audio and video (video) information that requires immediacy.
That's what it means. The reason is that, in the present invention, since communication is performed after establishing a logical communication path with the communication partner, the connection information from the control port is independent of the content of the information of the data packet flowing through the communication path. This is because, after switching to the input / output port, data transmission / reception between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal is performed.

A second effect of the present invention is that, in a redundant system having a redundant server configuration, a terminal connected to a LAN is connected to a LAN address of a communication partner computer when switching from an active server to a standby server. That is, the switching is performed consciously, and the processing performed in the active system can be continued as it is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a form of a LAN switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of the LAN switch device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional LAN switch device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 LAN switch device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A LAN switch device comprising a switch unit for switching and controlling a LAN communication connection between a plurality of terminals, comprising a switch control port for inputting switch control information, wherein the plurality of terminals are connected to the switch control port. Dedicated LA
N, and one terminal supplies switch control information designating a connection destination terminal from the switch control port prior to data transmission / reception between the terminals, and based on the switch control information, connection in the switch unit is established. A LAN switch device for transmitting and receiving data between terminals after completion. 2. An LA for data communication with a plurality of terminals, respectively.
N, a switch control LAN different from the data communication LAN connected to the input / output port corresponding to the terminal.
Is connected to the respective terminals and connected to a switch control port of a LAN switch device. The terminal transmits a switch control packet from the switch control LAN to the LAN prior to communication with a communication partner.
The LAN switch device transmits the switch control L
The contents of the switch control packet received from the AN are analyzed, and the switch unit is instructed to connect the port of the terminal to the port of the connection partner. After the connection is completed in the switch unit, the data is transmitted to the LAN for data communication. A LAN switch device for exchanging data between a terminal and the communication partner. 3. When the data communication between the terminal and the communication partner is completed, the terminal sends a control packet for restoration instruction to the LAN switch device from the switch control LAN, and the LAN switch device Analyzing the contents of the switch control packet received from the switch control LAN, sending an instruction to disconnect the connection between the terminal port and the communication partner port to the switch unit, and restoring the instruction. 3. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein 4. An active server and a standby server are provided,
3. The redundant system according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of client terminals are connected to the LAN.
The active server and the standby server are connected to the active server through a switch device, the active server and the standby server have the same network address, and the standby server is the L server.
The plurality of client terminals and the active server are connected to a switch control port of the LAN switch device via the switch control LAN. Redundant system. 5. The LAN according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of client terminals are provided in a redundant system including an active server and a standby server.
The active server and the standby server are connected to the active server through a switch device, the active server and the standby server have the same network address, and the standby server is the L server.
The plurality of client terminals and the active server are connected to the switch control port of the LAN switch device via the switch control LAN, and the active terminal is connected to the AN switch device. When switching processing from the primary server to the standby server, the switch control LA
N, a control packet for switching the connection destination of the plurality of client terminals from the active server to the standby server is transmitted to the LAN switch device, and the LA
In the N switch device, based on the information of the received control packet, the connection destination of the plurality of client terminals is switched from the active server to the standby server, and the standby server takes over the processing in the active server. Characterized duplex system. 6. When switching from the active server to the standby server, the standby server that is already functioning or the client terminals are connected to the plurality of client terminals by using the switch control LAN. 5. The duplex system according to claim 4, wherein a control packet for switching a connection destination to a standby server taking over the processing from the active server is transmitted to the LAN switch device. 6.