JP2002094516A - Frame communication method, frame communication unit and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To build up a local area network where wired units and wireless units are intermingled. SOLUTION: Usual nodes in a wired block and a wireless block exchange usual frames 220 with each other. Furthermore, a router at a connection point between the wired block and the wireless block generates a bridge frame 210 on the basis of the usual frame 220 received from the wired block and distributes the frame 210 to other routers. The router receiving the frame 210 references a type indication part 216, decides the frame to be the bridge frame 210 when the type indication part 216 indicates a code '0x6558', extracts the usual frame 220 from its communication data part 218 and distributes the frame 220 to the wired block under its control.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a frame communication method, a frame communication device, and a recording medium suitable for use in constructing a local area network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a LAN (local area network) is configured by a wired LAN and a wireless LAN.
And is known. Wired LANs have the advantage of being relatively immune to noise and capable of large-capacity transmission.
It is troublesome because it is necessary to perform a work of arranging a cable between the nodes (devices such as a personal computer and a printer) constituting the device. On the other hand, the wireless LAN has the advantage that the LAN can be constructed without any wiring as long as the required signal strength is within the range that can be secured, and the installation location of each node can be freely selected. Is more expensive than a wired LAN, the transmission capacity is relatively low,
There is a disadvantage that the number of channels is also limited.

[0003]

As described above, the wired L
Since the AN and the wireless LAN have advantages and disadvantages, it is convenient if a wired section and a wireless section are mixed in one LAN and the transmission method (wired / wireless) can be properly used depending on the use of each device constituting the LAN. is there. In this case, looking at the wired section from the wireless section, the wired section is “a plurality of MAs”.
One node having a C address ". Today, in the IEEE802-11 standard, which is the de facto standard for wireless LANs, a plurality of M
It is temporarily assumed that an AC address is granted to one node, and this technology uses a wireless distribution system (WDS).
ystem). However, the communication realized in WDS is one-to-one communication between stations,
In addition, the MAC address of each station must be manually input to the other station in advance, and it is not feasible to use it for general-purpose communication between wired sections.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a frame communication method, a frame communication device, and a recording medium that can construct a LAN in which wired and wireless are mixed.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following constitution. Note that the contents in parentheses are examples. According to the configuration of the first aspect, an access point that outputs a beacon signal and relays all frames transmitted in a wireless network (wireless section) and a station that mutually transmits frames via the access point are provided. And the frame has at least a destination address (destination MAC address part 21).
2, 222), a source address (source MAC address sections 214, 224), a type display section (216, 226) for defining the type of the frame, and a communication data section (21).
8, 228) in the frame communication method used for the access point or the station in the wireless network, a receiving step of receiving a frame from a place other than the wireless network (wired sections 100, 110, 120). A bridge that generates a bridge frame with the communication data portion as the received frame, the source address as its own address, the destination address as the other access point or the station, and transmits the bridge frame through the wireless section. And a frame transmission step (steps SP6 and SP64). Further, in the configuration according to the second aspect, in the frame communication method according to the first aspect, a determining step of determining whether a source address of the received frame is an address of the own apparatus (step SP2). And a normal frame transmission step of transmitting the received frame to the wireless network as it is, provided that the determination result in the determination step is affirmative (step SP
4), wherein the step of transmitting a bridge frame is performed on condition that a result of the determination in the determining step is negative. According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an access point that outputs a beacon signal and relays all frames transmitted in a wireless network (wireless section), and a station that mutually transmits frames via the access point. And the frame has at least a destination address (destination M
A frame having an AC address section 212, 222, a source address (source MAC address section 214, 224), a type display section (216, 226) for defining the type of the frame, and a communication data section (218, 228). In the frame communication method used for the access point or the station in a wireless network, a receiving step of receiving a frame from the wireless network, and the received frame is a predetermined type (code 0x
6558) (step SP)
14, SP34), and on the condition that the result of the determination process is affirmative, the communication data portion of the received frame is set as a new frame in a section other than the wireless network (wired sections 100, 110, 120). Transmitting the extracted frame to be transmitted (steps SP16, SP20, S
P36, SP46), and on the condition that the determination result of the determination process is negative, the received frame is used as it is other than the wireless network (wired section 100, 1).
10, 120) (steps SP22, SP48). Also, in the configuration according to claim 4, an access point that outputs a beacon signal and relays all frames transmitted in a wireless network (wireless section), and a station that mutually transmits frames via the access point The frame includes at least a destination address (destination MAC address units 212 and 222), a source address (source MAC address units 214 and 224), and a type display unit (216, 22) for defining the type of the frame.
6) and a communication data part (218, 228) in a frame communication method used for the access point in the wireless network, wherein an address of an external node existing outside the wireless network (node MAC address part 302) ) And the address of the station associated with the external node (station MAC address section 303) for learning (steps SP39 and SP52), and reception for receiving a frame from outside the wireless network (wired section 100). A step of determining whether or not the destination address of the received frame is included in the address learned as the external node (step SP62); and determining that the determination result in the determination step is positive. As a condition, the communication data Bridge frame transmitting step (SP64) of generating a bridge frame having a source address as the address of the access point and a destination address as an address of a station associated with the external node, and transmitting the frame through the wireless section. And characterized in that: According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the frame communication method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. Claim 6
In the configuration described above, a program for executing the frame communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is recorded.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Configuration of embodiment 1.1. Next, an overall configuration of a LAN according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 101, 111, 121 are routers, 131, 132 are personal computers, 1
Reference numeral 33 denotes a printer, which forms a wireless section 130 of the LAN. The protocol of the wireless section 130 complies with the IEEE802-11 standard. In the standard, one node is an “access point” and the other is a “station”.
It is said. The “access point” controls the entire wireless LAN, generates a beacon signal, and mediates communication between stations.

That is, stations in a wireless LAN cannot directly communicate with each other, but always communicate via an access point. In the illustrated example, the router 101 is set as an “access point”, and the routers 111 and 121 and the personal computer 1
31, 132 and the printer 133 are "stations"
Is set as The router 101 is also connected to the Internet and other networks via an external ISDN network 140.

Reference numerals 110 and 120 denote wired sections of the LAN. The wired section 110 includes the personal computer 1
12, 113, 114, a printer 115, the above-described router 111, and a cable 116 connecting them. Similarly, the wired section 120 includes personal computers 122, 123, and 124 and the printer 12.
5, the router 121 described above, and a cable 126 connecting them.

Further, the router 10 as an access point
1 can control a unique wired section. 100
Is the wired section, and the personal computer 10
2, 103, 104, a printer 105, the above-described router 101, and a cable 106 connecting these.

1.2. Router Configuration Next, each router 10
The configuration of 1, 111, 121 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a CPU, which controls each unit via the bus 20 based on a control program stored in the ROM 6. Reference numeral 4 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work memory of the CPU 2. 8 is an ISDN interface;
When connected to the DN network 140, the ISDN network 140
Input and output of various information via the. Reference numeral 10 denotes a wireless module which communicates with a node in the wireless section 130 according to IEEE.
It transmits and receives frames based on 802-11.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a wired LAN hub, which transmits and receives frames to and from a node in a wired section based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol. Reference numeral 14 denotes an analog port to which an analog communication device (not shown) such as a facsimile or a telephone is connected. 16 is a display unit,
Display various information to the user. Reference numeral 18 denotes a panel switch unit for setting an operation mode and the like of the router.

In this embodiment, the router 101 is described as an access point and the other routers 111 and 121 are stations. However, the hardware configuration of these routers is the same, and the operation of the panel switch unit 18 is described. Whether to operate as an access point or a station is set by a mode switching operation.

2. 2. Data structure of embodiment 2.1. Frame Structure Next, a frame structure in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the present embodiment, the router 10
A frame transmitted between 1, 111, 121 is called a bridge frame 210, and a frame transmitted between other nodes or between another node and the routers 101, 111, 121 is called a normal frame 220.

The structure of the normal frame 220 conforms to the Ethernet (registered trademark) frame, and the MAC
It comprises a destination MAC address section 222 for displaying an address, a source MAC address section 224 for displaying a source MAC address, a type display section 226 for indicating the type of the normal frame 220, and a communication data section 228. I have.

Similarly to the normal frame 220, the bridge frame 210 includes a destination MAC address section 212 for displaying a destination MAC address, a source MAC address section 214 for displaying a source MAC address, and a A type display section 216 indicating the type;
And a communication data unit 218. Here, the type display unit 216 is fixed to a unique code “0x6558” indicating that the frame is a bridge frame. Although details will be described later, the bridge frame 210
The communication data section 218 stores the normal frame 220 as it is.

2.2. Bridge Learning Table The RAM 4 in the router 101 forming an access point stores a bridge learning table as shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes an entry number unit, in which numbers in ascending order are stored in the order of reception. Reference numeral 302 denotes a node MAC address portion, and each of the wired sections 100, 1
The MAC addresses of the nodes within 10, 120 are stored. Reference numeral 303 denotes a station MAC address, which stores a MAC address of a station that mediates between the node and the access point.

For example, the entry No. 1, the personal computer 112 is registered, and its MAC
The address (here, A112) is stored in the node MAC address section 302, and the MAC address (here, A111) of the router 111 that controls the wired section 110 is stored in the station MAC address section 303.

The access point and the station itself (the personal computers 131 and 13 in the example of FIG. 1) are stored in the bridge learning table.
2, the printer 133 and the routers 111 and 121) are not entered. In addition, this bridge learning table is a linear list hashed with the lower one digit of the MAC address in order to speed up the search. Also,
RAM 4 in routers 111 and 121 forming stations
Also stores a bridge learning table, but stores only the nodes in the wired sections 110 and 120 controlled by the own device, and does not care about the nodes in the wireless section 130 and other wired sections.

3. Operation of Embodiment 3.1. Operation in Wireless Module 10 In the present embodiment, the wireless module 10 includes IE
A general-purpose module configured for EE802-11 will be used. The wireless module 10 is mounted not only on the routers 101, 111, and 121 but also on all nodes constituting the wireless section 130. A driver (program) for controlling the wireless module 10 is stored in a node on which the wireless module 10 is mounted.
Depending on the situation, the wireless module 10 executes its own operation regardless of this program.

The operation that the wireless module 10 independently executes as described above can be regarded as a “condition” from the viewpoint of the driver. Therefore, various conditions of the wireless module 10 will be described for each operation mode.

(1) Access Point Mode Condition A1: Only one node enters the access point mode on the LAN, and the other nodes enter the station mode. Condition A2: If the destination address of the frame requested to be transmitted by the driver does not correspond to any of the MAC addresses of the stations communicating with the own device via the wireless section 130, the frame is discarded without being transmitted. However, if the destination address requested by the driver for transmission is multicast (including broadcast), the frame is transmitted to the wireless section 130.

Condition A3: The destination address of the frame received from any station communicating with the own device via the wireless section 130 is equal to the destination address of any station communicating with the own apparatus via the wireless section 130. If it is a MAC address, the frame is transmitted back to the wireless section 130 without notifying the driver of the reception of the frame. However, when the destination address is multicast (including broadcast), the frame is unconditionally returned to the wireless section 130 and transmitted, and the received frame is notified to the driver.

(2) Station Mode Condition S1: Nodes in station mode cannot directly communicate with each other, but always communicate via an access point. Condition S2: If the source address of the frame requested to be transmitted by the driver is different from the MAC address of the own device,
The frame is discarded without transmission. Condition S3: If the destination address of the frame received via the wireless section 130 is different from its own MAC address,
The frame is discarded without notifying the driver of the reception of the frame. However, if the frame is a multicast, the driver is notified that the frame has been received.

3.2. Processing in Routers 111 and 121 (Station Mode) 3.2.1. Frame reception from wired section Next, the router 11 set to the station mode
The operation of 1, 121 will be described. First, these routers
When a frame (this frame is always the normal frame 220) is received from the corresponding wired section, the process shown in FIG. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP1, the destination address of the frame is
It is determined based on the learning result whether or not it is within the wired sections 110 and 120 under the control of the router. If "YES" is determined here, the process of this routine is immediately terminated, and no frame is transmitted to the wireless section 130. On the other hand, if “NO” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP2, and based on the source MAC address portion 224 of the received frame, the source is the own device (the router 11).
1 or 121) is determined.

"The case where the transmission source is the own device" means, for example, that the routers 111 and 121 have previously sent the wired sections 110 and 120.
This is the case where the frame transmitted within the wraparound. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP6, and the bridge frame 210 is generated based on the normal frame 220. Here, the bridge frame 210
, The source MAC address section 214
And the destination MAC address section 212 is set to the MAC address of the router 101. Then, when the bridge frame 210 is transmitted to the router 101, the normal frame 220 is distributed to the entire LAN (the processing will be described later).

On the other hand, "YES" in step SP2.
When the determination is made, the process proceeds to step SP4, and the received normal frame 220 is transmitted as it is via the wireless module 10. Here, according to the “condition A3” described above, the wireless module 10 of the router 101 transmits the frame received from the routers 111 and 121 forming the station back to the wireless section 130. Thereby, similarly to the case of the bridge frame 210 described above,
Normal frames 220 are distributed throughout the LAN.

3.2.2. Frame reception from the wireless section 130 Next, the router 11 set to the station mode
A process performed when 1, 121 receives a frame from the wireless section 130 will be described. First, when notified that a frame has been received from the wireless module 10, the processing illustrated in FIG. 5 is executed in the CPU 2. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP12, it is determined whether or not the received frame is a frame addressed to itself or a broadcast. Otherwise, the determination is “NO”, and the processing of this routine ends.

On the other hand, in step SP12, "YE
If "S" is determined, the process proceeds to step SP14,
The type display section 216 of the received frame indicates the code “0x65
58 ", that is, whether the frame is a bridge frame. If “NO” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP22, and the received frame is transmitted as it is in the wired section 110 or 120.

In step SP14, "YE
If “S” is determined, the process proceeds to step SP16,
A normal frame is extracted from the bridge frame.
Next, when the process proceeds to step SP18, it is determined whether or not this normal frame is presumed to be a frame originally transmitted by the own device that has wrapped around through the access point.

That is, when the source MAC address portion 224 of the extracted normal frame is the same as the MAC address of the own device, it is estimated that the MAC address has been wrapped around.
Each of the routers 111 and 121 learns the MAC address of a node existing in a wired section controlled by the router, and stores the result in the RAM 4 as a bridge learning table.

In step SP18, the bridge learning table is referred to, and the source MAC address portion 224 of the extracted normal frame is the same as any of the node MAC address portions 302 in the table.
If the learning has been performed most recently (for example, within the past two seconds), it is estimated that the normal frame has wrapped around.

The reason that the estimation based on the learning result is applied only to the latest learning result (for example, within the past 2 seconds) is that even if the device belongs to the wired section controlled by the device in the past, the device is currently This is because it may belong to another wired section. When it is estimated that the wraparound is performed based on the above criteria, "YES" is determined in the step SP18, and the processing of this routine ends.
As a result, the extracted normal frame is discarded.

On the other hand, "NO" in step SP18
When the determination is made, the process proceeds to step SP20, and the extracted normal frame is transmitted within the wired section controlled by the own device. Then, the learning result in the bridge learning table is updated based on whether this frame has been normally received.

3.3. Processing in Router 101 (Access Point Mode) 3.3.1. Next, an operation of the router 101 set in the access point mode will be described. First, this router 101
Processing when a frame is received from the wireless section 130 will be described. First, when the wireless module 10 is notified that a frame has been received, the CPU 2 of the router 101 executes the processing shown in FIG. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP32, it is determined whether the received frame is a frame addressed to the own device (router 101) or a broadcast frame. Otherwise, the determination is “NO”, and the processing of this routine ends.

On the other hand, in step SP32, "YE
If "S" is determined, the process proceeds to step SP34;
The type display section 216 of the received frame indicates the code “0x65
58 ", that is, whether the frame is a bridge frame. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP48, and the corresponding wired section 100
The frame is transmitted. The contents of the processing are the same as in step SP22 described above.

In step SP34, "YE
If “S” is determined, the process proceeds to step SP36,
A normal frame is extracted from the bridge frame.
Next, when the process proceeds to step SP38, it is determined whether or not this normal frame is estimated to be a frame originally transmitted by the own device and wrapped around through the station.

That is, the source MAC address section 224 of the extracted normal frame is the MA of its own device (router 101).
If it is the same as the C address, it is presumed that it is a wraparound. As described above, the router 101 learns the MAC addresses of the nodes existing in each wired section, and stores the result in the RAM 4 as a bridge learning table.

In step SP38, the bridge learning table is referred to, and the source MAC address portion 224 of the extracted normal frame is the same as any one of the node MAC address portions 302 in the wired section 100 controlled by the own device. In addition, if the learning has been performed most recently (for example, within the past two seconds), it is estimated that the normal frame has wrapped around.

The reason why the estimation based on the learning result is applied only to the latest (for example, within the past 2 seconds) learning result is that the router 11 in the station mode described above is used.
This is similar to the case of 1,121, because even a device that previously belonged to a wired section controlled by the own device may possibly belong to another wired section at present. When it is estimated that the wraparound is performed based on the above criteria, "YES" is determined in the step SP38, and the processing of this routine ends. As a result, the extracted normal frame is discarded.

On the other hand, "NO" in step SP38
Is determined, the process proceeds to step SP39. Here, the source MAC address portion 214 of the received bridge frame (either the MAC address of the router 111 or 121 in the example of FIG. 1) and the source MAC address portion 224 of the extracted normal frame (the same as the personal computer) 112, 122, etc.), the learning result of the bridge learning table is updated.

Next, when the processing proceeds to step SP40,
It is determined whether the normal frame is a unicast frame destined for a node in a wired section other than the subordinate wired section (that is, the wired sections 110 and 120). If "YES" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP4.
Proceeding to No. 4, a unicast bridge frame is generated. Here, the station MAC address section 303 of the bridge learning table is written in the destination MAC address section 212 of the bridge frame, and the MAC address of the router 101 is written in the transmission source MAC address section 214. The bridge frame generated in this way is transmitted to the router 111 or 121 via the wireless section 130.

On the other hand, "NO" in step SP40
Is determined, the process proceeds to step SP42. Here, the bridge learning table is referred to again, the extracted normal frame is multicast, and
It is determined whether or not the source MAC address unit 224 is a node in the bridged wired section (that is, the wired sections 110 and 120). If "YES" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP50, and a multicast bridge frame is generated. Here, the destination MAC address part 212 of the bridge frame is set to a predetermined multicast address, and the source MAC address part 2
14 is set to the MAC address of the router 101.

"NO" in step SP42
Is determined, the process proceeds to step SP46. Here, the extracted normal frame is transmitted to the wired section 100. The above steps SP44, SP46 or SP
When the process of step 50 ends, the process proceeds to step SP52. Here, the learning result of the bridge learning table in the router 101 is updated based on the transmission result of the frame.

3.3.2. Next, processing when the router 101 receives a frame from a wired section will be described. When a frame is received from the wired section 100, the CPU 2 of the router 101 executes the processing shown in FIG. In the figure, the processing is step SP
In step 62, the destination MAC address section 222 of the received frame (normal frame) determines whether or not the node is a learned node in the bridge learning table, that is, the destination MAC address section 222 is included in the node MAC address section 302. It is determined whether or not there is a match.

[0045] If "YES" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP64, where a unicast bridge frame is generated and transmitted to the wireless section 130. In this bridge frame, the destination MAC address section 212
Is the station MAC in the bridge learning table
The MAC address of the station (that is, the router 111 or 121) stored in the address section 303 is set.
Is set to the MAC address. The received normal frame is written as it is to the communication data section 218 in the bridge frame. As a result, the bridge frame is received by the router 111 or 121, converted into a normal frame, and then supplied to a target node.

On the other hand, "NO" in step SP62.
Is determined, the process proceeds to step SP66, and it is determined whether the normal frame is unicast. If the normal frame is a multicast (including broadcast), the determination is “NO”, and the process proceeds to step SP72. Here, the received normal multicast frame is transmitted as it is via the wireless section 130. As a result, the wired sections 110, 12
Each node belonging to 0 receives the multicast frame via the routers 111 and 121.

In step SP66, "YE
If "S" is determined, the process proceeds to step SP68, and it is determined whether the destination of the normal frame is a station. If "YES" is determined here, the process also proceeds to step SP72, and the normal frame is transmitted as it is via the wireless section 130. Therefore, the destination station (routers 111 and 121,
The personal computers 131, 132, etc.) receive this frame via the wireless section 130, and receive the frame if it is addressed to itself.

In step SP68, "N
If it is determined to be "O", it means that the destination node has not been confirmed at the present time. In such a case, the process proceeds to step SP
Proceeding to 70, a broadcast bridge frame is generated. In this bridge frame, the destination MAC address section 212 has a predetermined M indicating "broadcast".
The source MAC address 21 is set to the AC address.
4 is set to the MAC address of the router 101. Then, this bridge frame is transmitted to the routers 111, 121, etc., via the wireless section 130, and the routers 111, 121, etc. search for the destination node.

4. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above,
For example, various modifications are possible as follows. (1) In each of the above embodiments, the program shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 is stored in a recording medium such as a memory card, a CD-ROM, or a floppy (registered trademark) disk and distributed, or is distributed through a transmission path. The present invention can also be applied to an existing router.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, a frame outside a wireless section, such as a wired section, is appropriately converted into a bridge frame and transmitted within the wireless section.
It is possible to construct a local area network in which radio is mixed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an overall configuration of a LAN according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a frame structure in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of routers 101, 111, and 121.

FIG. 4 shows a router 11 set to a station mode.
6 is a flowchart of a processing program executed by the CPU 2 when the CPU 121 receives a frame from the wired section 110 or 120.

FIG. 5 shows a router 11 set to a station mode.
1, 121 when a frame is received from the wireless section,
9 is a flowchart of a processing program executed in U2.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the CPU 101 when the router 101 set to the access point mode receives a frame from a wireless section.
6 is a flowchart of a processing program executed in the processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the router 101 set in the access point mode receives a frame from the wired section 100,
It is a flowchart of a processing program executed in PU2.

FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram of a bridge learning table stored in a RAM 4 in the router 101.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 CPU, 4 RAM, 6 ROM, 8 ISDN interface, 10 wireless module, 12 wired LA
N hub, 14: analog port, 16: display unit, 18
... panel switch section, 20 ... bus, 100 ... wired section,
101, 111, 121 ... router, 102, 103, 1
04, 112, 113, 114, 122, 123, 12
4, 131, 132 ... personal computer, 10
5, 115, 125, 133 ... printers, 106, 11
6, 126 ... cable, 140 ... ISDN network, 210 ...
Bridge frame, 212, 222 ... destination MAC address part, 214, 224 ... source MAC address part, 21
6, 226: type display section, 218, 228: communication data section, 220: normal frame, 301: entry number section, 302: node MAC address section, 303: station MAC address section.

Claims (6)

[Claims] An access point for outputting a beacon signal and relaying all frames transmitted in a wireless network, and a station for mutually transmitting frames via the access point, wherein the frame has at least a destination address and A frame communication method used for the access point or the station in a wireless network, which is a frame having a source address and a type display unit that defines the type of the frame, and a communication data unit. A receiving step of receiving, the communication data portion being the received frame, the source address being the address of the own device, and a destination address being a bridge frame to be the access point or the station to be a counterpart, and generating a bridge frame for the wireless section. Through Frame communication method characterized by having a bridge frame transmission process of transmitting. 2. A determining step of determining whether or not the source address of the received frame is the address of the own device, and the receiving frame is conditioned on a positive result of the determining step. And transmitting the bridge frame as it is to the wireless network, wherein the bridge frame transmitting step is performed on condition that a result of the determination in the determining step is negative. Item 2. The frame communication method according to Item 1. 3. An access point for outputting a beacon signal and relaying all frames transmitted in a wireless network, and a station for mutually transmitting frames via the access point, wherein the frame has at least a destination address and A frame communication method used for the access point or the station in a wireless network, the frame having a source address, a type display unit defining a type of the frame, and a communication data unit, wherein the frame is received from the wireless network. A receiving step of determining whether or not the received frame is of a predetermined type; and a communication data portion of the received frame on condition that a determination result of the determining step is positive. As a new frame after the wireless network An extracted frame transmitting step of transmitting the received frame to the outside, and a frame transmitting step of transmitting the received frame to other than the wireless network as it is, provided that a result of the determination is negative. Frame communication method. 4. An access point for outputting a beacon signal and relaying all frames transmitted in a wireless network, and a station for mutually transmitting frames via the access point, wherein the frame has at least a destination address and In a frame communication method used for the access point in a wireless network, the frame communication method is a frame having a source address and a type display unit that defines a type of the frame, and a communication data unit. A step of learning by associating an address with an address of a station associated with the external node; a receiving step of receiving a frame from outside the wireless network; and a destination address of the received frame is learned as the external node. Included in address A communication data section as the received frame, a transmission source address as the address of the access point, and a destination address assuming that the determination result in the determination step is affirmative. Transmitting a bridge frame using an address as an address of a station associated with the external node and transmitting the bridge frame via the wireless section. 5. A frame communication apparatus for executing the frame communication method according to claim 1. Description: 6. A recording medium on which a program for executing the frame communication method according to claim 1 is recorded.