JP2001045033A - Address distributor and its distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an address distributor and its distribution method where a plurality of address distributors mutually monitor the address distribution function to supplement part of address resources unable to be served due to a function stop of part of the distributors by the other distributors and devices can utilize the address resources on a network without deficiency due to a defect of part of the distributors. SOLUTION: The address distributor 104 distributes address resources stored in a memory to a plurality of devices 101, 102, 103 on a network, periodically makes a request to another address distributor 105 for distribution of the address resources and when the address resources cannot be received, another address distributor 105 distributes the address resources to be distributed on behalf of the address distributor 104.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an address distribution device for distributing an address to a client which automatically acquires an address on a network, and a distribution method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a process of assigning an address to a device on a network is performed by a specific address distribution device distributing a predetermined address resource, and once the device fails due to a disk trouble or the like. ,
The service that assigns addresses has been suspended.

Therefore, a plurality of devices having different address resources are operated simultaneously, and even if a specific device fails, the insufficient address resources are copied to another device and restarted. Take action and require administrator backup to avoid complete stagnation of network operations.

[0004]

For this reason, in the conventional technology, a plurality of servers provide a service for allocating addresses by dividing the resources, thereby increasing the operating rate of the network. Since the address resources of the stopped address distribution device are not provided and the resources are exhausted if left unchecked, they can be used in networks where the number of clients is large and most of the address resources are used. The system was inadequate because some clients remained.

[0005] Recently, with the price reduction of network equipment, a plurality of servers are arranged on the net to improve reliability by distributing and managing various services. Then, if the function stop is confirmed, the function can be replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a plurality of address distribution devices monitor an address distribution function mutually, so that some of the devices cannot be provided due to the suspension of the function of some devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide an address distributing apparatus and an address distributing method in which an address resource is complemented by another normal apparatus and an address resource on one network can be used without being insufficient due to a failure of some apparatus.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a plurality of address distribution devices for distributing unique addresses that logically distinguish all devices on a network, comprising: Storage means for storing an address resource to be distributed to another device, address distribution means for distributing the stored address resource to a device on the network, and address receiving means for receiving an address resource distributed by another address distribution device Determining means for determining whether or not an address resource has been received by the address receiving means; and distributing address resources to be distributed by the other address distribution device in accordance with a determination result by the determining means. And a proxy distribution means.

Further, the present invention is an address distributing device having one address distributing device on each of a plurality of networks, each address distributing device functioning as a gateway between the networks, and the address distributing device is configured to send an address to one of the networks. Address distribution means for distributing an address, address receiving means for receiving an address from the other side of the network, and address distribution for distributing the address to an address distribution apparatus connected to the network when the address is not received by the address receiving means And proxy distribution means for distributing the address via the device instead.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for distributing a plurality of address distributing devices for distributing a unique address that logically distinguishes all devices on a network. An address distribution step of distributing to an apparatus on the network, an address receiving step of receiving an address resource distributed by another address distribution apparatus, and a determining step of determining whether or not the address resource has been received in the address receiving step. And a proxy distribution step of distributing address resources to be distributed by the other address distribution device in accordance with a result of the determination in the determination step.

Further, the present invention is a method of distributing an address distributing device having one address distributing device on each of a plurality of networks, wherein each address distributing device functions as a gateway between the networks. An address distribution step of distributing an address to a network; an address reception step of receiving an address from the other side of the network; and if the address is not received in the address reception step, the address is distributed to an address distribution apparatus connected to the network. And a proxy distribution step of distributing an address instead through an address distribution device.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a computer network in the embodiment. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and does not limit the number of address distribution devices and the connection method for realizing the present invention, and further do not limit the form of the network to be connected or the communication protocol.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 101, 102, and 103 denote clients each having only one communication port, which are ordinary personal computers or peripheral devices. 104,
A server 105 having two communication ports is an address distribution device on the same network. The communication ports of the address distribution devices 104 and 105 are A
1, A2, B1, and B2. A1 and B1 are assigned fixed addresses in advance, and have a role of sequentially providing address resources on a network in response to an address request from a client.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a role of monitoring a series of address distribution procedures by outputting an address request and having the addresses A1 and B1 of the address distribution device be assigned an address similarly to the client communication port, and by repeating the request and the allocation periodically. Carry.

FIG. 2 shows the address distribution device 104 (10
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 5). In the figure, 2
Reference numeral 01 denotes a microprocessor which performs control processing for address distribution and the like. A memory (RAM) 202 temporarily stores an address resource and an address distribution program to be provided to the client. Reference numeral 203 denotes an auxiliary storage device (hard disk).
2 is held in a non-volatile manner. 2
A communication port 04 actually distributes addresses between the client and the address distribution device.

In the above configuration, an address distributed from another address distribution device 105 (104) is received via the communication port 205, and the distributed address is periodically updated by the microprocessor 201 (request / distribution). Control is performed, and the success / failure of the periodic address distribution and the distribution address are temporarily stored in the memory 202.
In the auxiliary storage device 203, a copy (requested address table) of an address acquisition program which receives an address assignment through the address 05 and an address resource table managed by another address distribution device is stored. Therefore, there is no need for a special mechanism in the device except that there are two control systems and two network communication ports.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing addresses distributed by two address distribution devices. In FIG.
1 is a real address table loaded into the memory 202 of the address distribution device 104, and 302 is a real address table loaded into the memory 202 of the address distribution device 105. Then, the address distribution devices 104 and 1
05, the addresses of the real address tables 301 and 302 are distributed to each client through the communication port. In this example, the clients 303 and 304 are distributed from the real address table 301 of the device 104, and the clients 305 and 306 are distributed from the real address table 30 of the device 105.
Distributed from 2

Here, an address table is created using a TCP / IP network as an example. The network to be managed is the IP address 192.168.10.1-192.168.10.254
Although there are 254 resources of (subnet mask 255.255.255.0), as shown in FIG. 3, the fixed IP (192.168.10.
The address distribution device 104 having 1) as a communication port
The 99 resources from P (192.168.10.2) to IP (192.168.10.100) are used as the real address table Atbl301 and the fixed I
The address distribution device 105 having P (192.168.10.101) as the communication port is configured to use IP (192.168.10.102) to IP (192.16).
8.10.200) 99 resources in the real address table Btbl
302. Both devices store At in the auxiliary storage device 203.
Although both bl301 and Btbl302 are stored, when both devices are operating normally, only one address table is loaded on the memory 202 as a real address resource. Clients 303 to 306 from each device
Are obtained from the real address tables 301 and 302 loaded in the memory 202.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an address resource, a real address table, and an address distribution log in a normal state. In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes an address distribution device 104
, An address resource management table 402 stored in the auxiliary storage device 203; 402, an actual address table (Atbl) loaded into the memory 202; and 403, an address distribution log by the device 105 of the address distribution device 104. Reference numeral 404 denotes an address resource management table stored in the auxiliary storage device 203 in the address distribution device 105, reference numeral 405 denotes a real address table (Btbl) loaded in the memory 202, and reference numeral 406 denotes the address distribution device 1
5 is an address distribution log by the device 104 of FIG.

As shown, the relationship between the address resource management table in the auxiliary storage device of the address distribution device and the real address table to be loaded into the memory is shown.
In addition, a log is described in which an address distribution device periodically requests an address from a communication port to which the address distribution device does not distribute every 30 minutes. The device 104 is assigned an IP (192.168.10.102) by the address distribution function of the device 105, and
5 is IP (192.16) by the address distribution function of the device 104.
8.10.2). Each device is provided with a timer and requests an address update every 30 minutes as an example. However, a request may not be granted due to a trouble in the device 105, and a situation may occur in which the IP (192.168.10.102) of the device 104 is not updated. In this case, the device 104 determines that the address distribution function of the device 105 has stopped, reloads the address resource table Btbl on the memory, and thereafter provides the address distribution service of Atbl + Btbl by the device 104.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an address resource, a real address table, and an address distribution log at the time of failure. Incidentally, 501 to 506 are 401 to 40 shown in FIG.
6. As shown, the device 105
The address distribution form on the network after the failure of the above, showing the relationship between the address resource management table of the address distribution device and the real address table to be loaded into the memory,
In addition, a log is described in which an address distribution device periodically requests an address from a communication port to which the address distribution device does not distribute every 30 minutes. The bold line in the log is the point where a failure of the device 105 is detected. Thereafter, the address is supplied from the device 104 to all clients on the network.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of distributing an IP address by using the TCP / IP protocol as an example, and changing the address distribution process by detecting whether the server is normal or abnormal. Here, since the device 104 and the device 105 are symmetrical, the processing from the viewpoint of the control system of the device 104 will be described. Further, the control is roughly divided into two. 1
One is an address distribution control system using the address table Atbl managed by the device 104 as a resource. The second is a monitoring and control system that monitors the address distribution function of the device 105 and requests updating to the address distribution control.

First, in step S101, it is determined whether or not there is an address request from the client. If there is an address request, the process proceeds to step S102 to search for a free address from the address resource of the real address table loaded on the memory. I do. If there is a free address, the process proceeds to step S103, where the free address is specified, and authorization is requested from the requesting client. Then, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the client accepts the designated address. If not, the process returns to step S102 to search for a free address. Also,
If accepted in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105, where the address of the client is determined, and the client is notified to that effect.

Next, in step S106, it is determined whether or not a fixed time has elapsed since receiving the address distribution. If the fixed time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S107, and an address update is requested. Then, in step S108, it is determined whether or not the device 105 has received a provision permission request for a vacant address.
After determining the provided address and notifying the device 105, the timer for determining the time for updating the address is initialized.

In step S108, the device 1
If no address is provided from step 05, the process proceeds to step S110, and the address resource management table Bt of the device 105
Load bl into memory of device 104. Then, in step S111, an initialization process of the address distribution process is performed. Specifically, all address resources of Atbl + Btbl are mainly made valid for the device 104. Next, in step S112, the address distribution process is restarted, the process returns to step S101, and the above-described address distribution process is repeated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the address distribution apparatus is provided with two network communication ports, executes the address distribution function using one port, and simultaneously executes the address distribution function on the other port. The function of monitoring the validity of the address distribution function of a device can be realized by receiving an address distribution by another device having the same function and periodically requesting an address update. Therefore, the plurality of address distribution devices mutually diagnose the address distribution function,
When a malfunction of some device is detected, the function is replaced and executed by a normal address distribution device, so that the function can be complemented and backed up without reducing address resources.

The monitoring of the function of each address distribution device can be determined by referring to the log of the address receiving port shown in FIG. Also, the address update cycle is 30 minutes,
It is selected from Btbl, which is the address resource of the device 105. Here, 192.168.10.102 is held as the acquisition address. However, there is a point (bold) at which distribution is not provided midway, and the provision of the address from the device 105 cannot be accepted due to some cause of trouble. , Ground from the Atbl of the device 104 itself
192.168.10.3 is newly assigned.

As a result, the device 104 detects the malfunction of the device 105 and reloads and initializes the Btbl, which was a resource of the device 105, as shown in FIG.
04 restarts the address distribution function.

In the present embodiment, one address is assigned to another device to an extra network communication port so that the address distribution function of each device can be monitored, and a request for assigning the same address periodically is made. And polls whether the assignment is allowed, but excludes its own address resource table in the address request of each address distributing device so that the address is not assigned to itself by the device's own address distributing function. A request address resource table is provided, and the request addresses are controlled by referring to the table so that assignment is permitted if they match.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a process of permitting the assignment based on the request address table. Referring to FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes processing for loading the distribution address resource of the device 104 into the memory. Reference numeral 702 denotes processing for loading the distributed address request resource onto the memory.
Reference numerals 703 and 704 denote similar processing in the device 105. The requested address resource in the memory of each device is used for the mutual address distribution function, that is, the address allocation by the device 105 of the device 104 and the device 1 of the device 105.
In order to realize the address assignment process by
At 05, a comparison search is performed at the time of assignment confirmation to determine whether there is a resource on the table. If there is a resource, the address is determined. If not, the assignment of the address is rejected.

In the above-described embodiment, one network has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a plurality of different networks.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an arrangement of address distribution devices between a plurality of different networks. In the figure,
A, B, and C are different networks. 80
Reference numerals 1 to 803 denote address distribution devices that function as Gateway servers between the networks and distribute addresses of the networks.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, since there is a one-to-one correspondence between the address providing side and the receiving side even without performing exclusive control as in the request address table, it is possible to cyclically assign the address of each device. And an address monitoring function of the adjacent net can be realized. This makes it possible to construct a rational network without installing devices occupying a plurality of addresses on the same network.

This embodiment can be applied to any address specification that uniquely specifies an individual device on a network, irrespective of the type, the number of devices, and the communication protocol of the devices on the network.

According to the embodiment described above, a device that can be distributed without interrupting an address that uniquely designates all clients on a network can be provided at all times, thereby improving the reliability of the network and, above all, improving the reliability of the network. It is possible to reduce the work of the administrator. Conventionally, a network address distribution device that should have been released from managing addresses in a fixed manner would cause a serious problem in network management if the system goes down due to a disk trouble or the like, affecting all clients. Here, it is not limited to arranging a plurality of address distribution devices, but also to detect the failure of one device in an unmanned state by mutually monitoring the address distribution functions of the devices, and to supplement the function of the device with a normal device. In order to make it possible, an advanced intelligent network device resistant to system trouble is provided to the client.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By monitoring the address distribution function mutually by multiple address distribution devices, other normal devices complement some address resources that cannot be provided due to the suspension of some devices, and address resources on one network Can be used without any shortage due to a failure of some devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer network according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an address distribution device 104 (105).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing addresses distributed by two address distribution devices.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an address resource, a real address table, and an address distribution log in a normal state.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an address resource, a real address table, and an address distribution log at the time of failure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of distributing an IP address by using a TCP / IP protocol as an example and changing an address distribution process by detecting whether a server is normal or abnormal;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of permitting assignment by a request address table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an address distribution device between a plurality of different networks.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 client (assigned address 1.3) 102 client (assigned address 1.4) 103 client (assigned address 1.13) 104 address distribution device 105 address distribution device 201 microprocessor (MPU) 202 memory (RAM) 203 auxiliary storage device (HDD) 204 Network communication port to be distributed 205 Network communication port to be distributed address

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of address distribution devices for distributing unique addresses for logically distinguishing all devices on a network, comprising: storage means for storing address resources to be distributed to devices on the network; Address distributing means for distributing the address resources to the devices on the network, address receiving means for receiving address resources distributed by other address distributing apparatuses, and determining whether the address resources are received by the address receiving means. An address distribution device comprising: a determination unit for determining; and a proxy distribution unit for distributing an address resource to be distributed by the other address distribution device in accordance with a result of the determination by the determination unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit periodically requests the other address distribution device to distribute an address resource, and determines whether the address resource is received. Described address distribution device. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second storage unit configured to store an address resource distributed by the another address distribution device, wherein the determining unit determines that the address resource received by the address receiving unit is the second resource. 3. The address distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination is made based on whether the address resource matches the address resource stored in the storage means. 4. An address distribution device having one address distribution device on each of a plurality of networks, each address distribution device functioning as a gateway between the networks, and an address for distributing an address to one of the networks. A distribution unit, an address receiving unit that receives an address from the other side of the network, and an address distribution unit that distributes the address to an address distribution unit connected to the network when the address is not received by the address receiving unit. An address distribution device comprising: proxy distribution means for distributing an address instead. 5. A method for distributing a plurality of address distributing devices for distributing a unique address that logically distinguishes all devices on a network, comprising: an address distributing step of distributing address resources to the devices on the network; An address receiving step of receiving an address resource distributed by another address distribution device, a determining step of determining whether or not the address resource has been received in the address receiving step, and according to a determination result in the determining step, A proxy distribution step of distributing an address resource to be distributed by the other address distribution device instead. 6. A method for distributing an address distributing device having one address distributing device on each of a plurality of networks, wherein each address distributing device functions as a gateway between the networks. An address distribution step of distributing, an address reception step of receiving an address from the other side of the network, and if the address is not received in the address reception step,
A proxy distribution step of distributing an address instead through an address distribution device that distributes the address to the address distribution device connected to the network.