JP2002135254A - Communication processor and its program-recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set up a dynamic IP address suited to a connected place by utilizing a DHCP server or the like on the place, when a mobile computer, capable of moving and using plural networks and set up a fixed and experiential IP address used in the past, even if the DHCP server or the like cannot be used. SOLUTION: When a dynamic address is allocated from the DHCP server 2, in the case of connecting the mobile computer 1 to a network, the computer 1 sets up the address as its own IP address. When the dynamic IP address is not allocated, the computer 1 reads out the fixed and experiential IP address set up in the past from an IP address storing memory and sets up the read address as its own IP address.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication processing apparatus for setting a network address for identifying itself on a network in accordance with a place connected on the network, and a program recording medium therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a computer device is connected to a network and used, it is necessary to specify a protocol to be used and to make necessary settings for the protocol. In particular, in a transfer control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), which is attracting attention for its high affinity with the Internet and is frequently used in networks other than the Internet such as a LAN, individual computer devices are identified on the network. It is very important to set the IP address to be used. By the way, in the Internet, for example, a global network is constructed by connecting a plurality of local networks (LANs and the like) constructed for each organization via a repeater (router and the like). The IP address identifies an individual computer device and identifies a local network constructed for each of the organizations. The individual computer device has an environment to which it is connected, that is, a local network. It is necessary to set an IP address according to a suitable network. Once the IP address has been set for the computer device, this IP address is valid unless the computer device moves to another environment (local network) and is reconnected, and thereafter this IP address is transmitted. By setting in a packet, information transmission using the Internet becomes possible. As a method of setting an IP address according to the connection environment of the computer device, in the early days, it was common to assign a fixed value by manual input by an administrator. However, in an environment where many computer devices are connected to a network, A DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server is constructed on the network to save the trouble of the setting by the administrator, and the IP address issued from the DHCP server is automatically assigned to the computer. I have.

[0003]

However, nowadays, with the spread of mobile computers such as notebook personal computers, cases where a plurality of local networks are moved and used are increasing, and the IP address is also different for each local network. Although a network-compatible device is used, regardless of the case where a DHCP server is constructed for each network, in a local network where there is no DHCP server, the user can use the local network. It is necessary to check an IP address available in a simple network and manually set a fixed address (static address). Therefore, there is a case where automatic assignment is possible or impossible depending on the environment to be used, and there is a problem that the meaning of automatic assignment is weakened.

[0004] A first object of the present invention is to provide a mobile computer, in which a plurality of networks are moved and used, a DHCP server is used at a connected place.
If a server can be used, a dynamic network address suitable for the location can be automatically set.
Even if an HCP server or the like cannot be used, a fixed network address set at that time can be automatically set if the mobile computer has been used in the place in the past. A second object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication system in which a plurality of networks are moved and used, such as a mobile computer.
It is not necessary to set a user-input fixed address every time a connection is made to a network where an HCP server or the like cannot be used. Is to be set as the address to be used this time.

[0005] The means of the present invention are as follows. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication processing apparatus for setting a network address for identifying itself on a network in accordance with a location connected on the network. First address setting means for making an address assignment request to a server device which manages the issuance of the address, and when the address is assigned in response thereto, setting the address as its own network address; A second address setting means for setting, when the address is not allocated from the server device, a valid address at a connected place from among addresses having a record set in the past as an address for its own network; Is provided. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program code for causing a computer to execute each of the above-described functions is recorded. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a case where a plurality of networks are moved and used like a mobile computer, if a DHCP server or the like can be used in the connected place, a dynamic network suitable for the place is used. Network address can be automatically set, and even if a DHCP server or the like cannot be used, if there is a record of using the mobile computer at the place in the past, the fixed network address set at that time Can be set automatically. It is to be noted that an address storage means for storing and storing a plurality of network addresses having a track record set in the past is provided, and the second address setting means, when no address is assigned from the server device,
A valid address may be selected at the connected place from the address storage means, and the address may be set as its own network address.

[0006] The invention according to claim 3 (second invention) is as follows.
A communication processing apparatus for setting a network address for identifying itself on a network in accordance with a place connected on a network when starting data communication by connecting to a network. Address storage means for storing and storing a plurality of sets of address information in which the own network address used at the time of association and the other party's network address are associated with each other. A communication test means for sequentially designating a plurality of sets of address information stored in the address storage means, and attempting to perform communication from the own network address to the other party's network address; If the communication test by this communication test means succeeds, the address is Those comprising an address setting means for setting a valid own network address. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program code for causing a computer to execute each of the above-described functions is recorded. Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of networks are moved and used like a mobile computer, a user input is fixed every time a connection is made to a network where a DHCP server or the like cannot be used. It is not necessary to set a general address, and if a network address having a communication track record used in the past in the past can be used, that address can be set as the current use address.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment,
FIG. 3 specifically shows the first and second inventions described above. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the network system in this embodiment. In this embodiment, in a system environment in which a plurality of local networks (such as LANs) constructed for each organization are connected to the Internet via a repeater, a mobile computer 1 that can be used by moving through a plurality of networks.
When connecting to and using a network other than the Internet, the transfer control protocol / Internet protocol (TCP / IP) is designated. At this time, the mobile computer 1 is used by connecting to a network system 3 on which a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server 2 is constructed on the network, or by using the DHCP server 2
The IP address is set according to whether or not it is used by connecting to a network system 4 that has not been configured.

That is, if the DHCP server 2 can be used on the network to which the mobile computer 1 is connected, a dynamic IP address suitable for the location is automatically set, but the DHCP server 2 can be used. Otherwise, a fixed I that has a track record of using the mobile computer 1 in the network in the past
A P address (IP address input by the user) is set. That is, when the mobile computer 1 is connected to the network system 3 on which the DHCP server 2 is constructed, the mobile computer 1
Sets the dynamically issued dynamic IP address as its own address, but when connecting to a network system 4 in which the DHCP server 2 is not constructed, a fixed IP address with a track record set in the past is used. A valid IP address is selected and set in a network connected from the inside. Note that the DHCP server 2 issues an unused IP address that is currently unused and performs automatic assignment, and has a configuration similar to that of a normal one.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the IP address storage memory 11 and the communication result partner storage memory 12 provided on the mobile computer 1 side. The IP address storage memory 11 stores a plurality of I
The P address (IP address input by the user) is stored and stored. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of “IP addresses” input and set by the user in the past, and The "use frequency" is stored. Here, when the IP address is not assigned from the DHCP server 2, the mobile computer 1 refers to the valid IP address from the IP address storage memory 11, that is, the “frequency of use” corresponding to each IP address, A frequently used IP address is selected as a setting candidate.

[0010] The communication result storage memory 12 stores the IP address of a communication partner who has performed communication in the past using the IP address stored in the IP address storage memory 11 and is shown in FIG. ), The communication result partner storage memory 12 stores the IP address storage memory 1.
A plurality of sets of IP addresses are stored by combining the “own IP address” stored in the “1” and the “destination IP address” having a past record of communication using the IP address. It has a configuration. Here, when the IP address is not assigned from the DHCP server 2, the mobile computer 1 selects the frequently used IP address from the IP address storage memory 11 as a setting candidate as described above and selects its own IP address. After the address is provisionally set, the IP address of the partner associated with the IP address is read from the communication result partner storage memory 12, and the temporarily set own IP address and the partner IP address corresponding to the IP address are read. A communication test is performed to test whether communication is possible, and if the communication test is successful, the temporarily set IP address is determined as its own IP address to be used this time, and the actual setting is performed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the mobile computer 1. As shown in FIG. The CPU 101 is a central processing unit that controls the overall operation of the mobile computer 1 according to an operating system and various application software in the storage device 102. The storage device 102 stores an operating system, various application software, and a database, and has the above-described IP address storage memory 11 and the communication performance partner storage memory 12, and is configured by a magnetic, optical, semiconductor memory, or the like. Recording medium 103 and its drive system. This recording medium 103 is a fixed medium such as a hard disk or a CD-
It is a portable medium such as a ROM, a floppy desk, a RAM card, and a magnetic card. The programs and data in the recording medium 103 are stored in a RAM (for example, a static RAM) 104 under the control of the CPU 101 as necessary.
Or the data in the RAM 104 is saved in the recording medium 103. Further, the recording medium may be provided on an external device such as a server,
101 can also directly access and use the program / data in this recording medium via a transmission medium.

The CPU 101 can also take in some or all of the data stored in the recording medium 3 from another device via a transmission medium, and newly or additionally register the data in the recording medium 103. Further, the program / data may be stored and managed on the external device side such as a server, and the CPU 101 can directly access and use the program / data on the external device side via a transmission medium. On the other hand, the CPU 101 has a LAN interface 105 as an input / output peripheral device, an input unit 1
06, a display unit 107, and a printing unit 108 are connected via a bus line.
U101 controls those operations. The LAN interface 105 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from a LAN (local area network) and acquiring an IP address issued by the DHCP server 2. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the LAN interface 105 is also responsible for packet generation in the transfer control protocol / Internet protocol (TCP / IP).

Next, the operation of the mobile computer 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, programs for realizing the functions described in these flowcharts are stored in the form of readable program codes in the recording medium 103, and the CPU 101 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes. I do. Also, CP
The U101 can also sequentially execute the operation according to the above-described program code transmitted via the transmission medium. That is, an operation specific to this embodiment can be executed using a program / data externally supplied via a transmission medium in addition to a recording medium.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an IP address setting process. First, mobile computer 1
Is in a state of waiting for the acquisition of an IP address issued by the DHCP server 2 when connected to any one of a plurality of local networks (step A1), and within a predetermined time. To I
It is checked whether the P address has been obtained (step A2). If the IP address issued by the DHCP server 2 can be acquired before the specified time elapses (before the timeout) (step A2), the mobile system is transferred to the network system 3 having the DHCP server 2. Since the computer 1 is connected, the dynamic IP address assigned by the DHCP server 2 is automatically set as its own address as usual, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the IP address cannot be acquired even after the timeout (step A2), the DHCP
Since the mobile computer 1 is connected to the network system 4 having no server 2, the mobile computer 1
With reference to the “frequency of use” corresponding to the P address, an IP address with a high frequency of use is selected as a setting candidate and provisionally set as its own IP address (step A3).

Based on the IP address provisionally set as described above, the communication result partner storage memory 12 is searched, and the IP address of the partner corresponding to the IP address is obtained (step A4). Then, a communication test is performed to test whether communication is possible from the temporarily set own IP address to the destination IP address, and as a result, it is checked whether the communication test was successful (step A5). Here, if the communication test is successful, that is, the mobile computer 1
Is used in the network in the past, since the temporarily set IP address is the address set at that time, this is determined as its own IP address and set permanently (step A6).

On the other hand, if the communication test is not successful (step A5), it is determined whether or not another address set still remains in the communication result partner storage memory 12 (step A7). Returning to step A3, the next most frequently used IP address is selected from the IP address storage memory 11 and temporarily set as its own IP address. Acquired from the storage memory 12 (step A
4) A communication test is performed to test whether communication is possible (step A5). Thereafter, the above operation is repeated until the communication test succeeds or until the end of the addresses of all the sets is detected (steps A3 to A7).

Here, if the communication test is not successful even if the communication test of all the sets in the communication result counter storage memory 12 is performed, an error is displayed (step A).
8) The process proceeds to a manual input IP address setting process (step A9). In this case, as usual, when the user inputs an arbitrary IP address by key, the fixed address input by the user is set as its own IP address.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a communication process started after the execution of the above-described IP address setting process. First, the mobile computer 1 sets its own IP address and the IP address of the communication partner in a transmission packet (step B1).
Packet transmission is performed (step B2). Then, it is checked whether the own IP address set in the transmission packet is a fixed address (step B3). If the IP address is a fixed address input by the user, the communication result storage memory 12 is accessed and the self A set of the IP address of the other party and the IP address of the other party is stored in the communication result
It is checked whether it is already stored in the IP address storage memory 11, and if it is a new set that has not been stored, the new set is additionally registered in the communication result counter storage memory 12 and its own IP address is stored in the IP address storage memory 11. A process for additionally registering an address is performed (step B4).

As described above, in this embodiment,
In the case where the mobile computer 1 is used by moving over a plurality of networks, if the DHCP server 2 can be used in the connected network, a dynamic IP address suitable for the location can be automatically set, Even if the DHCP server 2 cannot be used, if there is a record of using the mobile computer 1 in the network in the past, the fixed IP set at that time is used.
The address can be automatically set, so that an optimum IP address according to the network environment to be connected can be reliably set, and it is not necessary to be conscious of the network environment to be connected.

In this case, when the DHCP server 2 cannot be used, an effective address in the connected network is selected from the IP address storage memory 11 as a setting candidate, and the address is set as its own IP address. Therefore, every time a connection is made to a network in which the DHCP server 2 cannot be used, the trouble of inputting an IP address and resetting the settings can be saved.

In addition, a plurality of sets of address information in which the own IP address set when communication was performed in the past and the IP address of the other party are stored in the communication result counter storage memory 12. A communication test is performed by sequentially designating the plurality of sets of address information to determine whether communication is possible from the own IP address to the destination IP address. If the communication test is successful, Since the IP address is set as its own IP, it is possible to use an address which has been set and input in the past, and every time a connection is made to a network in which the DHCP server 2 cannot be used, the IP address is set by a user input.
There is no need to reset the P address.

In the above-described embodiment, DH
When the mobile computer 1 is connected to the network system 4 having no CP server 2, the mobile computer 1 sets “frequency of use” corresponding to each IP address in the IP address storage memory 11.
, The frequently used IP address is acquired. However, the most recently used IP address may be acquired from the IP address storage memory 11 or the IP address may be acquired at random.

[0023]

According to the first invention, when a plurality of networks are moved and used like a mobile computer, the DHC is connected at the connected place.
If a P server can be used, a dynamic network address suitable for the location can be automatically set,
Even if a DHCP server or the like cannot be used, if the mobile computer has been used at the place in the past, the fixed network address set at that time can be automatically set, and the network environment to be connected It is possible to set an address suitable for the environment without being conscious of this. According to the second invention, in a case where a plurality of networks are moved and used, such as a mobile computer, a fixed address inputted by a user is input each time a connection is made to a network where a DHCP server or the like cannot be used. It is not necessary to set the address.If a network address that has been used in the past and has been used in the location can be used, that address can be set as the current address, and the address that has been input and set in the past is valid. Utilization facilitates the work of setting an address.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system.

2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an IP address storage memory 11, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication result partner storage memory 12. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of the mobile computer 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an IP address setting process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a communication process started after execution of an IP address setting process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile computer 2 DHCP server 3 Network system with DHCP server 2 4 Network system without DHCP server 2 11 IP address storage memory 12 Communication record partner storage memory 101 CPU 102 Storage device 103 Recording medium 105 LAN interface 106 Input unit 107 Display Department

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A communication processing apparatus for setting a network address for identifying itself on a network according to a place connected on the network, the communication processing apparatus comprising: a server for managing issuance of a network address; hand,
A request for allocating an address, a first address setting means for setting the address as its own network address if the address is allocated in response to the request, and an address not being allocated from the server device A communication processing apparatus comprising: a second address setting means for setting an effective address as a network address of its own at a location connected from among addresses having a track record set in the past. 2. An address storage means for storing a plurality of network addresses having a track record set in the past, wherein said second address setting means sets the address when no address is assigned from a server device. 2. The communication processing device according to claim 1, wherein a valid address is selected at a place connected from the storage means, and the address is set as its own network address. 3. A communication processing apparatus for setting a network address for identifying itself on a network in accordance with a location connected on a network when starting data communication by connecting to the network. Address storage means for storing and storing a plurality of sets of address information in which the own network address used in the past communication and the destination network address are associated with each other, and new communication by connecting to the network Is started, a plurality of sets of address information stored in the address storage unit are sequentially designated, and it is attempted whether communication is possible from the own network address to the destination network address. If the communication test by the communication test means succeeds, the address is connected. Communication processing apparatus, wherein the address setting means for setting as a valid own network address at the location, by comprising a. 4. A recording medium having a program code readable by a computer, wherein a request for allocating an address is made to a server device for managing issuance of an address for a network, and the address is allocated in response to the request. In this case, a computer-readable program code for setting the address as its own network address, and an address having a track record set in the past when no address is assigned from the server device. And a computer-readable program code for setting a valid address at a location connected from the computer as an address for the own network. 5. A recording medium having a program code readable by a computer, wherein when a new communication is started by connecting to a network,
The contents of the address storage means for storing and storing a plurality of sets of address information in which the own network address used in the past communication and the other party's network address are associated with each other are sequentially designated, and A computer readable program code for performing a communication test that attempts to enable communication from the network address of the other party to the other party's network address. If the communication test is successful, the address is connected. And a computer-readable program code for setting the address as a valid network address at a location.