JP2000092105A - Lan device monitoring device for computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform discrimination of normality/abnormality for each local area network(LAN) device, without increasing the OS load. SOLUTION: This monitoring device is provided with a signal output means for designating each LAN device 15, while using a data link protocol interface(DLPI) 18 and outputting echo/replay signals from a data link layer to transmission lines 12a and 12b of LANs 11a and 11b, a counter 16a for counting how many times the echo-replay signal is outputted from the LAN device 15 to the transmission line of the LAN, and abnormality discriminating means 20 for discriminating the abnormality of the LAN device designated as the destination, when a response signal to the echo/replay signal is not received even after the lapse of a specified time from the output time of the echo/replay signal and moreover the number of times of output counted by the counter is not increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a LAN (local
Area network)
In particular, the present invention relates to a LAN device monitoring device of a computer that is incorporated in a computer having a plurality of LAN devices such as a LAN transmission / reception unit and monitors each of the LAN devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG.
1b, each LAN 1
A plurality of computers 3a and 3b are connected to transmission lines 2a and 2b of a and 1b, respectively. The LANs 1 a and 1 b are connected by a router 4.

[0005] Each of the computers 3a and 3b incorporated in the LANs 1a and 1b has its own L, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of LANs as LAN devices for exchanging information with other computers 3a and 3b incorporated in ANs 1a and 1b and other computers 3b and 3a incorporated in other LANs 1b and 1a via router 4 Hardware components such as the transmission / reception unit 5 are incorporated.

Therefore, the normal operation of the LAN transmission / reception unit 5 is monitored at regular intervals, and if an abnormality occurs, an alarm (alarm) is displayed on a display screen, for example, and the user of the computers 3a and 3b is promptly notified to the user. It is necessary to notify the occurrence of abnormality. Then, immediately take countermeasures.
It is necessary to shorten the stop period due to the failure of a and 3b as much as possible.

Generally, in the LANs 1a and 1b, in order to monitor the normal operation of the LANs 1a and 1b, "p" defined in UNIX as a kind of OS is used.
It is conceivable to use commands such as "ing", "ifconing", and "snoop".

Next, a brief description will be given of a monitoring method using these commands. (a) Method using ping command IC via network layer in OSI reference model
The LAN transmission / reception unit 5 specifies the addresses (IP addresses and MAC addresses) of the other computers 3a and 3b to which the packaged echo / reply (Echo / reply) signal conforms to the MP (Internet Control Message Protocol).
Via the transmission lines 2a and 2b. The destination computers 3a and 3b that have received the echo / replay signal transmit response signals to the source computers 3a and 3b. The sending computers 3a and 3b receive this response signal,
It is determined that the transmission path between the own computer and the destination computer is normal.

(B) Method using ifconing command An OS counter is provided in each of the computers 3a and 3b, and the number of all signals input to and output from the computers 3a and 3b is counted.
Then, the number of input / output signals is monitored, and if no signal is input or no signal is output, it is determined that there is an abnormality.

(C) Method using a snoop command All signals including a signal (package) addressed to itself, flowing on the transmission lines 2a, 2b of the LANs 1a, 1b to which the computers 3a, 3b are connected, are transmitted to the own computer 3a, 3b. Then, if a signal that should have been transmitted from itself to the other computers 3a and 3b cannot be detected, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0009] Actually, as shown in FIG. 7, the monitoring control unit 6 incorporated as a control program in the OS in the computers 3a and 3b operates the UNIX "pin"
By using commands such as "g", "ifconing", and "snoop", it is determined whether the LAN transmitting / receiving unit 5 as a LAN device operates normally.

[0010]

However, the above-mentioned UNIX "ping", "ifconing",
LAN device 5 using a command such as "snoop"
There are also the following problems to be solved in the LAN device monitoring method of the computer for monitoring the state of the computer.

That is, "ping" in UNIX
The command is a command for sending an echo / replay signal to the transmission paths 2a and 2b via the network layer. In this case, since a signal is input / output via an interface corresponding to the network layer, it is not possible to specify a LAN device including the LAN transmitting / receiving unit 5 through which the signal passes. Therefore, the LAN transmission / reception unit 5 in which the abnormality has occurred cannot be specified. Conversely, a test cannot be performed using the echo / replay signal by specifying the LAN transmitting / receiving unit 5.

[0012] In UNIX, "ifconin
In the “g” command, the OS counter does not operate during the period when the computer is not performing communication, and when the LAN transmitting / receiving unit 5 is out of order, the “ifconning” command itself is locked, and the OS counter is locked. Does not work. Therefore, it is not possible to determine whether the LAN transmitting / receiving unit 5 is normal / abnormal with the “ifconing” command.

Further, "snoop" in UNIX
In the command, the transmission paths 2a of the LANs 1a and 1b,
2b, all signals flowing on the transmission lines 2a,
When the amount of signals flowing through the computer 2b increases, there is a concern that the load on the OS in the computers 2a and 2b that issued the "snoop" command will increase dramatically. In other words, this "snoo
In order to determine whether the LAN transmission / reception unit 5 is normal or abnormal using the “p” command, the OS load is too large and the LA
There is a problem that the normal / abnormal of the N transmitting / receiving unit 5 cannot be determined.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and designates a LAN device such as a LAN transmission / reception unit by outputting an echo / reblay signal not through a network layer but through a data link layer. And send an echo / relay signal to the LAN itself, and detect anomalies of each LAN device separately from the LAN itself and other information terminals without increasing the load on the OS, and a LAN device failure in a computer incorporated in the LAN. It is an object of the present invention to provide a LAN device monitoring apparatus for a computer, which can minimize the suspension period caused by the computer and improve the reliability of the computer itself.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a plurality of communication apparatuses connected to a transmission line of a LAN for internally communicating with another information terminal via the LAN. In a LAN device monitoring device of a computer which is incorporated in a computer having LAN devices and monitors each LAN device, a DLPI (Data Link Protocol)
A signal output means for designating each LAN device using the interface, and outputting an echo / replay signal from the data link layer to the LAN transmission path, and an echo / replay signal output from the LAN device to the LAN transmission path. A counter that counts the number of times the replay signal is output, a response signal to the echo / replay signal is not received even after a specified time has elapsed from the output time of the echo / replay signal, and the number of outputs counted by the counter is increasing. When not
Abnormality determining means for determining that the designated LAN device is abnormal;

In the LAN device monitoring apparatus for a computer configured as described above, the original ping command uses the LA of the network layer interface.
The echo / replay signal to be transmitted to the N transmission path is DL
The data is transmitted from the data link layer to the LAN transmission path using the PI. Generally, DLPI can specify each LAN device that could not be specified by a network layer interface.

Accordingly, each LAN device is designated to output an echo / replay signal, and by confirming the presence / absence of a response signal to the echo / replay signal, it is determined whether the signal has passed the LAN device normally. Can be determined. That is, abnormality of each LAN device can be determined.

Further, a counter is provided so that the designated L
Echo output from AN device to LAN transmission line /
By checking for the presence or absence of a replay signal,
When there is no response signal to the replay signal, LA
It is possible to distinguish whether the N device itself is abnormal, or whether the transmission path of the LAN or the information terminal of the transmission destination is abnormal, or whether the transmission path is simply crowded and the reception of the response signal is delayed.

Therefore, when a response signal to the echo / replay signal is not received even after a specified time has elapsed from the output time of the echo / replay signal, and the number of outputs counted by the counter has not increased, the designated time has not elapsed. LA
N devices can be determined to be abnormal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the computer LAN device monitoring apparatus of the invention described above further includes:
When a response signal to the echo / replay signal is not received even after a specified time has elapsed from the output time of the echo / replay signal, and the number of outputs counted by the counter is increasing, the connection to the LAN transmission path is made. When a signal re-output unit that outputs an echo / replay signal to the router and a response signal to the echo / replay signal are received from the router, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in another LNA connected beyond the router. Abnormality determination means.

Further, in another invention, if a response signal to the echo / replay signal is not received from the router to the LAN device monitoring apparatus of the computer of the invention described above, an abnormality occurs in the router or the LAN to which the router belongs. Abnormality determination means for determining that an error has occurred.

In the LAN device monitoring apparatus for a computer configured as described above, when a plurality of LANs are connected by a router, other LANs connected via the router
If an echo / replay signal is output by specifying the information terminal of the above and no response signal is received even after the specified time has elapsed, the router is specified and the echo / replay signal is output, so that the location where the abnormality has occurred can be detected. It is possible to determine whether the LAN is within its own LAN or another LAN beyond the router.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a LAN according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
A plurality of Ls incorporating a computer having a device monitoring device
It is a schematic diagram which shows the communication network which consists of AN.

In this communication network, each LA
A plurality of computers 13a, 13b are connected to transmission lines 12a, 12b of N11a, 11b, respectively. L
The ANs 11 a and 11 b are connected by a router 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, in each of the computers 13a and 13b incorporated in the LANs 11a and 11b,
Another computer 1 incorporated in own LAN 11a, 11b
3a, 13b and another LAN 11b via the router 14;
A plurality of LAN transmission / reception units 15 each composed of hardware components as LAN devices for exchanging information with other computers 13b and 13a incorporated in 11a are incorporated.

In each of the computers 13a and 13b, there is provided an output counter 16a for counting the number of output times CNo of echo / replay signals transmitted to the transmission lines 12a and 12b of the LANs 11a and 11b via the LAN transmission / reception units 15. An OS counter 16 comprising an input counter 16b for counting the number of times CNi of inputting a response signal to the echo / replay signal from the transmission lines 12a and 12b via each LAN device 15 is provided.

In each of the computers 13a and 13b, a network (NT) layer interface 17 for performing communication with the outside via a network layer in the OSI reference model, and a data link layer in the OSI reference model. And a data link (DL) layer interface 18 for performing communication with the outside. Further, there is provided a routing table 19 in which connection configurations of the LANs 11a and 11b in which the computers 13a and 13b are incorporated are stored. In particular,
Each computer 11a, 1 included in each LAN 11a, 11b
1b and the address of the router 14 (IP address, MAC
Address) is stored. The contents stored in the routing table 19 are such that new computers 13a and 13b are added to the LANs 11a and 11b,
When 3b is deleted, it is automatically rewritten by an SO function (not shown).

Further, in each of the computers 13a and 13b,
As a part of the OS, a monitoring control unit 20 that monitors a normal / abnormal state of each LAN transmission / reception unit 15 at a constant cycle is provided.

Each of the computers 13a, 13 thus constructed
The monitoring control unit 20 in 3b transmits each LAN transmitting / receiving unit 1 in accordance with a flowchart shown in FIG.
5 is monitored.

First, a number N is set for each LNA transmitting / receiving unit 15 to identify a plurality of LNA transmitting / receiving units 15 to be monitored, and this number N is initialized to 1 (P
1). Next, the input counter 1 in the OS counter 16
6b and the respective count values CNi and CNo of the output counter 16a.
And reads and stores these values as CNa and CNb (P2).

Next, via the data link (DL) layer interface 18, the Nth LAN transmitting / receiving section 15 is designated, and a packaged echo / replay (Echo / repl) according to the ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is specified.
y) Send signals (ICMP data) to the transmission paths 12a and 12b of the LANs 11a and 11b. In this case, the destination of the packaged echo / reply (Echo / reply) signal is the address of the computers 13a and 13b as the other information terminals belonging to the LANs 11a and 11b in which the self is incorporated. Of course, the transmission source is the address of the self-computers 13a and 13b (P3).

Upon receiving the echo / replay signal (ICMP data), the computers 13a and 13b designated as the destinations return a response signal. Source computers 13a, 13
b receives the response signal within a predetermined time (P4, P8), and determines that the corresponding LNA transmitting / receiving unit 15 is normal (P5).

Then, in P6, the number N of the LNA transmitting / receiving section 15 is updated (N = N + 1), and the updated number N becomes LN.
When it is confirmed that the number Nmax of the A transmitting / receiving sections 15 has not been exceeded (P7), the process returns to P2.

If no response signal is received within the specified time in P4 and P8, the count values CNi and CNo of the input counter 16b and the output counter 16a in the OS counter 16 are read (P9). If the count value CNo of the output counter 16a is not greater than the count value CNb of the output counter 16a read before sending the echo / replay signal (P10), the echo / replay signal cannot pass through the corresponding LNA transmitting / receiving unit 15. Therefore, it is determined that the LNA transmitting / receiving unit 15 is abnormal (P12). Then, the process proceeds to P6, where the LNA transceiver 1
The number N of 5 is updated.

The number CNo of the output counter 16a
Is larger than the count value CNb of the output counter 16a read before sending the echo / replay signal, it can be considered that the echo / replay signal has correctly passed through the corresponding LNA transmitting / receiving section 15, and the LNA transmitting / receiving section 15 is normal. It is determined that there is (P11). Then, the process proceeds to P6, where the number N of the LNA transmitting / receiving unit 15 is updated.

In the thus configured LAN device monitoring apparatus of the computer according to the first embodiment, the echo / replay signal is transmitted from the data link layer to the LAN using the DLPI.
The data is transmitted to transmission lines 12a and 12b of 11a and 11b. In this case, an echo / replay signal is transmitted by designating the LAN transmitting / receiving unit 15.

Therefore, when a response signal to the echo / replay signal is confirmed, it can be determined that at least the echo / replay signal has passed normally through the corresponding LAN transmitting / receiving section 15. That is, the corresponding LAN transmitting / receiving unit 15
Can be determined to be normal.

Further, if the response signal cannot be confirmed,
The output count CNb of the output counter 16a before the output of the echo / replay signal is compared with the output count CNo of the output counter 16a after the output of the echo / replay signal. If the number of times of output has not increased, the echo / replay signal has not been able to pass normally through the corresponding LAN transmitting / receiving section 15, and thus it can be determined that the relevant LAN transmitting / receiving section 15 is abnormal.

If the output number CNo has increased,
Since the echo / replay signal was able to pass normally through the corresponding LAN transmitting / receiving section 15, the corresponding LAN transmitting / receiving section 15
Can be determined to be normal.

As described above, the OS counter 16 is provided, and the echo / replay signal is transmitted from the data link layer to the transmission line 12.
a, 12b, the abnormality of each LAN transmission / reception unit 15 can be individually notified to the LAN itself and other computers only by changing a simple OS program using a part of the existing ping command and ifconing command. It can be clearly distinguished and detected.

Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the suspension period due to the failure of the LAN transmission / reception unit (LAN device) in the computers 13a and 13b incorporated in the LANs 11a and 11b, thereby improving the reliability of the computers themselves.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing a monitoring operation of a LAN control unit of each computer in a LAN device monitoring apparatus of a computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The hardware configurations other than the flowchart are the same as those of the computers 13a and 13b and the LANs 11a and 11b according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the same parts as those in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, the detailed description of the overlapping part is omitted.

First, the number N of the LNA transmitting / receiving section 15 is initialized to 1 (P1). Next, each number C of the input counter 16b and the output counter 16a in the OS counter 16
Ni and CNo are read, and these values are changed to CNa and CNb.
(P2).

Next, the N-th LAN transmitting / receiving section 15 is designated via the data link (DL) layer interface 18 to transmit the echo / replay signal (ICMP data) to the LAN.
The data is transmitted to transmission lines 12a and 12b of 11a and 11b. In this case, the destination of the packaged echo / replay signal is the address of the computer 13a, 13b incorporated in the LAN 11a, 11b to which the self belongs, or another LAN 11b, 11a other than the self connected via the router 14.
Are the addresses of the other computers 13b and 13a belonging to. Of course, the transmission source is the address of the self-computers 13a and 13b (P3).

Other LANs 11b, 11 designated as destinations
The calculators 13b and 13a of FIG.
Upon receiving the CMP data), a response signal is returned. P
4 to P12 are the same as those in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

At P10, the number of times C of the output counter 16a
If No is greater than the number CNb of the output counter 16a read before sending the echo / replay signal,
Since it can be considered that the replay signal has correctly passed through the corresponding LNA transmitting / receiving section 15, this LNA transmitting / receiving section 15
Is determined to be normal (P13).

However, since the response signal could not be received, there must be some abnormality. Therefore, the routing table 19 is checked (P14) to check whether the router 14 exists (P15). If it exists, the destination of the previously transmitted echo / replay signal is the L to which it belongs.
It is checked whether or not the computers 13a and 13b of the ANs 11a and 11b (P16).

The case where the router 14 does not exist and the case where the destination is the computer 13 belonging to the own LAN 11a, 11b
a, 13b, the LAN 11a, 1 to which the
1b transmission line 12a, 12b or communication destination computer 13
It is determined that a and 13b are abnormal (P17).

Next, in P22, the number N of the LNA transmitting / receiving section 15 is updated (N = N + 1), and the updated number N is changed to LN.
When it is confirmed that the number of installations A of the transmitting / receiving unit 15 has not exceeded Nmax (P23), the process returns to P2.

At P16, the destination of the echo / replay signal is the router 1 other than the LAN 11a, 11b to which the router belongs.
Computers 13 belonging to LANs 11b and 11a beyond 4
In the case of b and 13a, the packaged echo / replay signal is transmitted again to the router 14 (P1
8).

When a response signal to the retransmitted echo / replay signal cannot be received, (P
19), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the transmission lines 12a and 12b of the LANs 11a and 11b to which it belongs, or that the router 14 itself is abnormal (P20). And P22
Update the number N of the LNA transmitting / receiving unit 15.

When a response signal to the retransmitted echo / replay signal is received (P19), the transmission lines 12b and 12a of the LANs 11b and 11a beyond the router 14 are received.
a is abnormal or has occurred, or LAN1 beyond router 14
1b, the computer 13b of the communication destination (destination) in 11a,
It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in 13a (P21). Then, in P22, the number N of the LNA transmitting / receiving unit 15 is updated (N = N + 1), and the updated number N is stored in the LNA transmitting / receiving unit 15
When it is confirmed that the installation number Nmax has not been exceeded (P2
3) Return to P2.

In the thus configured LAN device monitoring apparatus for a computer according to the second embodiment, even if a plurality of LANs 11a and 11b are connected by a router 14, as shown in FIG. One LAN 11a
From the computer 13a, and designates the computer 13b incorporated in another LAN 11b connected via the router 14 as a destination, and outputs an echo / replay signal.

If no response signal is received even after the specified time has elapsed, the router 14 is designated and the echo / replay signal is output again. If the response signal of the re-output echo / replay signal is received, the location of the abnormality is another LAN beyond the router, and if the response signal of the re-output echo / replay signal is not received, the location of the abnormality is Can be determined to exist in the LAN to which it belongs, including the router 14.

As described above, by transmitting the echo / replay signal to the router 14, the own computer 13 is transmitted.
It is possible to monitor the normal / abnormal state of each of the LAN transmission / reception units 15a and 13b, and when an abnormality other than the LAN transmission / reception unit 15 is detected, it is possible to specify which LAN has occurred. Therefore, the location where the abnormality occurs, including each LAN transmission / reception unit 15, can be specified with higher accuracy.

[0057]

As described above, the L of the computer of the present invention is
In the AN device monitoring apparatus, the echo / relay signal is output not via the network layer but via the data link layer, and the number of echo / relay signals output via the LAN device is counted.

Therefore, the echo / relay signal can be transmitted by designating the LAN device, and the abnormality of each LAN device can be detected separately from the LAN itself and other information terminals without increasing the load on the OS. In addition, it is possible to minimize the suspension period due to a LAN device failure in a computer incorporated in a LAN, thereby improving the reliability of the computer itself.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer in which a LAN device monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication network including two LANs in which the computer is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the LAN device monitoring apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the LAN device monitoring apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the LAN device monitoring apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a general communication network including two LANs.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer in which a conventional LAN device monitoring apparatus is incorporated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11a, 11b LAN 12a, 12b Transmission path 13a, 13b Computer 14 Router 15 LAN transmission / reception unit 16 OS counter 17 Network layer interface 18 Data link layer interface 19 Routing table 20 Monitoring control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A computer connected to a transmission line of a LAN and having a plurality of LAN devices for communicating with other information terminals via the LAN inside the computer, and monitoring the LAN devices. A LAN device monitoring apparatus of a computer that specifies each of the LAN devices using a DLPI (Data Link Protocol Interface) and outputs an echo / replay signal from the data link layer to the transmission path of the LAN. Signal output means; a counter for counting the number of times of output of the echo / replay signal output from the LAN device to the transmission path of the LAN; and the echo / replay even when a specified time has elapsed from the output time of the echo / replay signal. No response signal to the signal is received, and the number of outputs counted by the counter increases. When the specified LAN device is abnormal, the abnormality determining means for determining that the specified LAN device is abnormal.
AN device monitoring device. 2. When no response signal to the echo / replay signal is received even after a specified time has elapsed from the output time of the echo / replay signal, and the number of outputs counted by the counter is increasing. A signal re-output unit for outputting an echo / replay signal to a router connected to the transmission line of the LAN; and, when a response signal to the echo / replay signal is received from the router, other devices connected to the router and beyond. LN
2. The computer LAN device monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormality determining unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in A. 3. An abnormality judging means for judging that an abnormality has occurred in the router or the LAN to which the router belongs if a response signal to the echo / replay signal is not received from the router. The LAN device monitoring device of the computer described in the above.