JP2000112850A - Communication parameter setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load on a communication line by selectively specifying a rise mode of a terminal and suppressing the transmission/reception of communication parameter changing information. SOLUTION: When an initial mode is set up by a rise mode setting part 4, a communication parameter set updating part 2 sets up an initial value stored in a communication parameter initial value storing part 21 as it is. When a reset mode is set up, the communication parameter changing information of another terminal is acquired by a changing information request command and the initial value of a communication parameter is changed and set up based on the acquired changing information. When a manual setting mode is set up, the initial value of the communication parameter is changed based on initial set value changing information inputted from a communication parameter set information input part 1, the other terminal is informed of changed contents, the communication parameter changing information of the other terminal is acquired by using a changing information request command, and then the communication parameter is updated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication parameter setting device for setting communication parameters for a terminal or the like connected to a network. In a case where the initial value of the communication parameter can be set to each terminal or the like without changing the configuration, a communication parameter setting device capable of reducing the load on the communication line by suppressing transmission and reception of information regarding the change of the communication parameter It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order for terminals and the like connected to a network to perform data communication, it is necessary to set communication parameters for each terminal and the like. Representative communication parameters include address translation information and communication route information (routing information). The address translation information is based on the TCP name from the terminal name.
/ IP conversion information used for terminal identification used in IP communication. Communication route information (routing information) is information for reliably transmitting data to a desired terminal or the like.

[0003] In TCP / IP communication, which is a communication protocol used in the Internet and the like, an IP address is set to a terminal in order to identify the terminal, and communication is performed based on the IP address. However, the IP address is expressed as a character string that is obtained by dividing a 32-bit address into four 8-bit units, converting each into a decimal number, and separating each with a dot (for example, “157.2.1.
1)), it is difficult for the user to remember. Therefore, a name (host name) that the user can easily understand is given to the terminal, and the name (host name) is associated with the IP address. This allows the user to communicate by handling the host name. The terminal performs communication after converting the host name into the IP address. Address conversion information is used for this conversion.

In the Internet, DNS (Domai)
An address translation method called “n Name System” is a standard recommendation document (RFC: Request fo).
rComments) 1035 and the like. D
The NS prepares a name server for managing a host name-IP address conversion database for each network. A terminal that performs communication goes to the name server for the IP address of the communication partner. If the communication partner is in the same network, the name server searches its own database and returns the IP address of the communication partner to the terminal. If the communication partner is not in the same network, the name server accesses the name server of the corresponding network address and replies the IP address of the communication partner to the terminal.

FIG. 4 shows a domain name system (DN).
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an address conversion operation by S). FIG.
A terminal A is connected to a first network NW1 having a first name server NS1, and a terminal B is connected to a second network NW2 having a second name server NS2.
Indicates a connected state. In FIG. 4, terminal A
The operation of transmitting data to terminal B connected to another network is as follows. (1) Terminal A
Inquire about the IP address of terminal B to name server NS1 in own network NW1. (2) The name server NS1 confirms that the terminal B does not exist in the network NW1, and makes an inquiry to the second name server NS2. (3) The second name server NS2 responds to the inquiry with the IP address of the terminal B to the first name server NS1. (4) The first name server NS1 replies to the terminal A with the IP address supplied from the second name server NS2. The terminal A transmits the message to the terminal B based on the IP address of the communication partner because the IP address of the communication partner has been found.

FIG. 5 shows communication route information (routing information).
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic update operation of FIG. Routing information is periodically exchanged between the relay terminals C1 and C2 of the adjacent networks NW1 and NW2, and each of the relay terminals C1 and C2 automatically generates the latest routing information. Standard Recommendation Document (RFC: Request for Comment)
ts) 1058 and the like, RIP (Routing Inf)
A standard for automatic updating of routing information called an operation protocol is provided.

[0007] Regarding the setting of communication parameters, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-17547 discloses a network environment setting and an application data setting when a system is constructed or reconstructed on a terminal on a network.
A terminal environment setting method for a network system in which a terminal can be completed only by starting up the system is described. The terminal environment setting method of this network system is configured as follows. An inquiry is transferred from the terminal B to the server terminal A in response to the system startup, and information necessary for setting the network environment corresponding to the inquiry from the database at the server terminal A and information for setting data of an application handled by the terminal B are provided. Is retrieved, the retrieved information data is returned to another terminal, the information data transferred from the terminal B is received, and the network environment setting and application data setting are automatically performed based on the information data. .

[0008]

In the address translation system illustrated in FIG. 4, every time a terminal starts communication, inquiry information of an IP address and its response information are sent to a communication line. For this reason, information other than the user data is frequently transmitted to the communication line. Even in the automatic updating method of the routing information illustrated in FIG. 5, information other than the user data is transmitted to the communication line in order to periodically exchange the routing information. When a large amount of information other than the user data is sent to the communication line, the transmission of the user data may be delayed. In particular, when the communication line is a low-speed line (a line with a small transmission capacity), the effects of transmission delay and the like become significant.

The method of setting communication parameters for each terminal or the like can be roughly classified into a method in which a user or the like sets communication parameters in each terminal or the like (hereinafter, referred to as a “static method”) and a method in which a user automatically sets communication parameters. There are two methods (hereinafter, referred to as “dynamic method”) in which communication parameters are set for each terminal or the like.

In the static method, when a change occurs in the configuration of the communication network, the communication parameters of each terminal or the like must be reset each time the change occurs. Therefore, as the number of terminals increases, the setting work becomes more difficult. In the dynamic system, communication parameters are automatically set in each terminal or the like by exchanging information (hereinafter, referred to as “communication parameter setting information”) between the terminals or the like through a communication line. . Therefore, when the dynamic method is used, the load on the communication line becomes large depending on the frequency of transmitting the communication parameter setting information to the communication line. In addition, in the case of a low-speed communication line, communication parameter setting information may occupy the communication line, and transmission of user data, such as transmission delay of data (user data) actually desired by the user, may occur. Have an effect.

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in a case where there is no change in the network configuration, each terminal or the like can automatically set initial values of communication parameters stored in advance. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communication parameter setting device capable of easily performing a setting operation. Further, when there is a change in the network configuration, each terminal or the like automatically changes the initial value of the communication parameter stored in advance by exchanging minimum necessary communication parameter setting information, and then changes the changed communication parameter. To provide a communication parameter setting device which facilitates setting work by enabling setting of communication parameters and suppresses transmission / reception of information related to change of communication parameters, thereby reducing a load on a communication line. And

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication parameter setting apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of start-up modes can be selectively designated. When the start-up mode is set to the initial mode, the communication parameter setting update unit sets an initial value of the communication parameter stored in the communication parameter initial value storage unit in advance. When the start-up mode is set to the reset mode, the communication parameter setting update unit obtains the communication parameter change information of another terminal using the change information request command, and then executes the communication parameter setting based on the obtained change information. Change the initial value of and set the changed communication parameters. When the start-up mode is set to the manual setting mode, the communication parameter setting updating unit obtains the communication parameter setting by changing the initial value of the communication parameter based on the initial setting value change information input from the communication parameter setting information input unit. After setting the communication parameters, notify the other terminals of the change, and then obtain the change information of the communication parameters of the other terminal using a change information request command, and obtain the change information supplied from the other terminal. The communication parameter is further updated based on

The communication parameter setting device according to the present invention sets the start-up mode to the initial mode when there is no change in the configuration of the network and when it is sufficient to set the initial values of the communication parameters to each terminal or the like. By doing so, each terminal or the like can automatically set the initial value of the communication parameter stored in advance. Therefore, the setting operation can be easily performed. Furthermore, even when it is necessary to change the initial values of the communication parameters, it is possible to minimize the transmission of the communication parameter setting information by specifying an appropriate start-up mode depending on whether the network configuration has changed. Can be reduced. Therefore, transmission delay of user data can be reduced.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication parameter setting device according to the present invention. The communication parameter setting device according to the present invention includes a communication parameter setting information input unit 1, a communication parameter setting updating unit 2, and a communication line input / output unit 3. The communication parameter setting information input unit 1 includes a start-up mode setting unit 4.

The communication parameter setting information input section 1 is for inputting change information when it is necessary to change communication parameters to be set in a terminal or the like from initial setting values. The start-up mode setting section 4 is used to select and specify a start-up mode when starting up a terminal or the like to join a network.

The communication parameter setting update unit 2 includes a communication parameter initial value storage unit 21 that stores communication parameter initial setting values at the time of initial configuration of the network, and a terminal for starting up the terminal or the like by changing the network configuration. In order to investigate the change of communication parameters to be set to
A change information request sending unit 22 for sending a change information request command to another terminal; and a communication parameter for generating a communication parameter whose initial setting value is updated with change information on a communication parameter from the own terminal or another terminal. It comprises a generating means 23 and a communication parameter setting means 24 for setting communication parameters in a terminal or the like.

According to the present invention, the communication parameter setting apparatus automatically sets the initial values of the communication parameters stored in advance in each terminal or the like if the network configuration is not changed when the communication parameters are set in each terminal or the like. Can be set to

Further, according to the present invention, the communication parameter setting device is arranged such that when there is a change in the network configuration, each terminal or the like exchanges the communication parameter setting information with a minimum necessary value so that the initial value of the communication parameter stored in advance is exchanged. After the automatic change, the changed communication parameters can be set.

For this reason, according to the present invention, the communication parameter setting device is provided with a start-up mode for selecting a terminal or the like in accordance with a condition for starting the terminal when setting a communication parameter for the terminal or the like. There are three types of start-up modes: an initial mode, a reset mode, and a manual setting mode.

In the initial mode, when a terminal or the like is started up for the first time (or when it is restarted due to a failure or the like), there is no change in the network configuration, and the initial values of the communication parameters may be set to each terminal or the like as they are. Used in cases.

The reset mode is used when the terminal or the like is started up for the first time (or when the terminal is restarted due to a failure or the like).
This is used when there is a change in the network configuration and it is necessary to change and set the initial values of the communication parameters for the terminal to be started up.

In the manual setting mode, when a terminal or the like is started up for the first time (or when the terminal is restarted again due to a failure or the like), information on an initial set value change is input from the communication parameter setting information input unit 1 and started up. Used when it is necessary to change the initial values of the communication parameters of the terminal or the like.

By providing these three startup modes and selecting an appropriate startup mode, transmission of communication parameter setting information to the communication line can be minimized. As a result, the load on the communication line can be reduced, and the effects of transmission delay and the like in the transmission of user data can be reduced even in a low-speed communication line.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication parameter setting device according to the present invention. First, the terminal start-up mode is set by the communication parameter setting information input unit 1 (step S1). Next, the communication parameter generation unit 23 reads an initial setting value of the communication parameter from the communication parameter initial value storage unit 21 (Step S2).
Next, the startup mode of the terminal or the like selected in step S1 is checked (step S3). Subsequent processing differs depending on the startup mode of the selected terminal or the like.

[In the case of the initial mode] When the initial mode is selected, it is not necessary to change the initial setting values of the communication parameters. Therefore, the communication parameter generation unit 23 sets the communication parameter setting unit 24 with the initial setting value of the communication parameter as it is (step S4).

[In the case of the reset mode] When the reset mode is selected, a change information request command is sent to another terminal from the change information request sending means 22 to other terminals in order to investigate the change in the network configuration. It is transmitted via the unit 3 (step S5). The terminal that has received the change information request command sends the communication parameter change information when there is a change from the communication parameter initial setting value, and receives the change information via the communication line input / output unit 3 (step S6). . The communication parameter generation unit 23 updates the initial setting value of the communication parameter based on the received change information (Step S7). After updating, the communication parameters are set in the communication parameter setting means 24 (step S4).
In step S6, if no change information is received from another terminal even after a certain period of time has passed since sending the change information request, the initial setting value is set as it is in the communication parameter setting means 24 (steps S6 and S4).

[In the case of the manual setting mode] When the manual setting mode is selected, the operator or the like inputs information relating to the change of the initial setting value of the communication parameter from the communication parameter setting information input unit 1 (step S8). The communication parameter generation unit 23 updates the communication parameter initial setting value based on the change information input in step S8 (step S9). Next, the communication parameter generation means 23
In order to notify other terminals or the like of the contents changed from the initial setting values of the communication parameters, change information is created and the change information is transmitted from the communication line input / output unit 3 (step S10). After sending the change information, the change information request sending means 22 sends a change information request command to another terminal or the like in order to check whether there is a change in the network configuration (step S5).
If there is a change in the communication parameter, the terminal that has received the change information request command sends the communication parameter change information, and receives the change information via the communication line input / output unit 3 (step S6). Communication parameter generation means 2
3 further updates the communication parameters updated in step S9 based on the change information received from another terminal or the like (step S7). The communication parameters updated in step S7 are set in the communication parameter setting means 24 (step S4). In step S6, if no change information is received from another terminal or the like within a certain time after the change information request is sent, the communication parameter updated from the initial setting value in step S9 is set in the communication parameter setting means 24. (Step S4).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of transmitting communication parameter setting information to a communication line. FIG. 3A shows the operation of sending a change information request and receiving change information in the reset mode. FIG. 3B shows the operation of sending change information, sending a change information request, and receiving change information in the manual setting mode.

When the initial mode is selected, there is no need to change the communication parameters, so that the communication parameter setting information is not sent to the communication line.

In the case of the reset mode, as shown in FIG. 3A, the terminal A makes a change to the other terminal when starting up the terminal in order to acquire the change information of the communication parameter of the other terminal. Sends an information request command. Upon receiving the change information request command sent by the terminal A, the terminal whose communication parameter has been changed (the terminal D in FIG. 3) sends the communication parameter change information. The terminal A changes the initial value of the communication parameter based on the received change information, and automatically updates and sets the communication parameter.

In the manual setting mode, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the terminal A first sends the change information, the other terminals which have received the change information automatically change the set communication parameters. Update to Next, the terminal A further sends a change information request command because the initial value of the communication parameter may need to be changed due to a change in the network configuration. The terminal whose communication parameter has been changed (the terminal D in FIG. 3) transmits the change information upon receiving the change information request command. The terminal A automatically updates the communication parameters based on the received change information.

[0032]

As described above, the communication parameter setting device according to the present invention can selectively set the start-up mode, so that there is no change in the network configuration and the initial values of the communication parameters remain unchanged. When it is sufficient to set each terminal or the like, the startup mode is set to the initial mode, so that each terminal or the like can automatically set the initial value of the communication parameter stored in advance. Therefore, the setting operation can be easily performed. Furthermore, even when it is necessary to change the initial values of the communication parameters, it is possible to minimize the transmission of the communication parameter setting information by specifying an appropriate start-up mode depending on whether the network configuration has changed. Can be reduced. Therefore, transmission delay of user data can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication parameter setting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the communication parameter setting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of transmitting communication parameter setting information to a communication line.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an address translation operation by a domain name system (DNS).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic update operation of communication route information (routing information).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication parameter setting information input part 2 Communication parameter setting update part 3 Communication line input / output part 4 Startup mode setting part 21 Communication parameter initial value storage part 22 Change information request sending means 23 Communication parameter generation means 24 Communication parameter setting means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication parameter setting device comprising a start-up mode setting unit for selectively designating whether or not to change an initial value of a communication parameter when starting up a terminal. 2. A start-up mode setting unit for setting a start-up mode of a terminal, and a communication parameter setting update for setting and updating communication parameters based on the start-up mode set by the start-up mode setting unit The communication parameter setting updating unit is configured to set an initial value of a communication parameter stored in advance in a communication parameter initial value storage unit when the start-up mode is set to the initial mode. A communication parameter setting device, characterized in that: 3. A start-up mode setting unit for setting a start-up mode of a terminal, and a communication parameter setting update for setting and updating communication parameters based on the start-up mode set by the start-up mode setting unit The communication parameter setting update unit, when the start-up mode is set to the reset mode, after acquiring the change information of the communication parameters of another terminal using a change information request command, A communication parameter setting device for setting a communication parameter obtained by changing an initial value of a communication parameter stored in advance in a communication parameter initial value storage unit based on acquired change information. 4. A start-up mode setting unit for setting a start-up mode of a terminal, and a communication parameter setting update for setting and updating communication parameters based on the start-up mode set by the start-up mode setting unit The communication parameter setting update unit, when the start-up mode is set to the manual setting mode, the communication parameter setting update unit based on the initial setting value change information input from the communication parameter setting information input unit After setting the communication parameter obtained by changing the initial value of the communication parameter stored in advance in the value storage unit, the content of the change is notified to another terminal, and then the other terminal is changed using the change information request command. Acquiring the communication parameter change information of the terminal, and further updating the communication parameter based on the change information supplied from another terminal. Communication parameter setting device as symptoms.