JP2003046519A - Address automatic setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an address automatic setting method for connecting a network device to a network that attains automatic setting of an address, without the need for an exclusive server device, such as a server device adopting the DHCP(dynamic host configuration protocol) or expert intelligence. SOLUTION: In the case of connecting a device 20 to be set to a network 30, a setting device 10, having already been connected to the same network 30, calculates a network address to be set and confirms whether or not the network address is available. When the network address is available, the setting device 10 informs the device to be set 20 regarding the address by means of broadcasting. The device 20 to be set uses the received network address to conduct network setting.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic address setting method capable of automatically and easily setting network information in a device connected to a network without requiring specialized knowledge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, not only computers such as personal computers and workstations, but also information devices such as printers and facsimiles (FAX) have been installed in networks (LAs).
The number of cases of connecting to and using N) is increasing. In addition, IPv6, which is the next-generation Internet protocol, is currently being used.
Has been proposed, and it is expected that even home electric appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators will be connected to the network by implementing IPv6.

As a network, TCP / IP which is an Internet protocol is generally used. TCP / IP requires an IP address, a broadcast address, a net mask (subnet mask), a network number, etc. as information for using the network.

The IP address is information for identifying a device on the network and needs to be a unique value for each device. On the other hand, the information such as the broadcast address and the net mask is information for allowing devices on the same network to communicate with each other. A device that uses a network (for example, a network printer) cannot connect to the network unless the network settings that match the network to which it is connected are made.

Conventionally, a user who manages a network (hereinafter referred to as a network administrator) holds network information and manages a list of IP addresses of network-connected devices. The network administrator manages the I managed by himself when connecting a new network device.
Free IP addresses are assigned from the P address list (first conventional technique: manual assignment).

There is also a method of automatically assigning an IP address using a computer. For example, DHCP (Dynamic Ho
st Configuration Protocol) is a method of dynamically assigning an IP address. FIG. 20 shows an example of network connection by the conventional DHCP. DHCP server 10
0 is a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) 101, PC
Devices such as 102, PC 103, and printer 104 are connected via a network 105.

[0007] In DHCP, the network administrator causes the DHCP server 100 to hold in advance information on the network 105 and a list of assignable IP addresses (IP table shown in FIG. 20). DHCP server 1
00 is P from the list of assignable IP addresses.
An IP address is assigned to each device such as C101, PC102, PC103, and printer 104.

FIG. 21 shows a procedure of IP address allocation by DHCP. The DHCP server 100 uses the DHC
According to an IP address allocation request (request) from the P client (PC 101 in FIG. 21), an unused IP address is selected from the IP addresses held in the IP table, and during a fixed time (hereinafter, referred to as lease time). , DHCP client. DHC
The P client can use the IP address during the lease time allocated by the DHCP server 100. DHC
When the P client wants to continue using the IP address, the P client issues a request for continuous use (request for extension of allocation time) to the DHCP server 100 before the lease time elapses. The DHCP server 100 is DH
The lease time is extended according to the continuous use request from the CP client. When there is no continuous use request from the DHCP client, the assignment of the IP address is released after a lapse of a fixed time (lease time), and the IP address is assigned to the other device according to the IP address request from the other device.

In order to use DHCP, a server machine which becomes the DHCP server 100 is required on the network 105, and a client machine which becomes a DHCP client (PC 101 to 103, printer 104, etc.) which uses DHCP needs DHCP. Client software is required (second prior art: DHCP).

Other than this, as a method for automatically allocating network information, an information processing system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-28065), a network automatic setting device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-101020), network configuration information There are a management system (JP-A-8-305650), an address setting method and an apparatus (JP-A-11-234342), and the like.

Information processing system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-28065)
Japanese Patent Publication) is a system in which the address requesting means requests an address at the time of rising and the address management server allocates the address. The function and effect are equivalent to those of the above-mentioned DHCP (second conventional technology) (third conventional technology: information processing system).

Network automatic setting device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-1
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 01020) relates to a method of holding own network information by itself and receiving information of other computers via the network. Collect the machine names and services of other devices connected to the network via the network. This method is based on DNS
(Domain Name System) and NIS (Network Informatio)
This is a method in which each network device individually performs the functions performed by the server (such as n Service). If the information for connecting to the network such as the IP address is not set, these cannot be used, and therefore the IP address cannot be automatically set (fourth conventional technique: network automatic setting device).

Network configuration information management system
No. 305650), in a client-server machine, all of the clients and servers hold client-server configuration information, and when the client configuration is changed, the configuration information is automatically updated. is there. Similarly to the network automatic setting device (third prior art), this can not be used unless the information for connecting to the network such as the IP address is set. Therefore, the IP address is automatically set. Cannot be done (fifth prior art: network configuration information management method).

Address setting method and device (JP-A-11-
Japanese Patent No. 234342) is a method of assigning a specific address to a user belonging to a specific user network. DHC
P provides a vacant IP address in response to an IP address request from the user. However, the user cannot specify which IP address is assigned to which device. This method is a method that solves the above problem by allocating an address associated with a link in advance according to a link that receives a request from a user (sixth prior art: address setting method and device).

[0015]

In order to connect a device to a network, an IP address, network number,
It is necessary to set various network information such as broadcast address, subnet mask, default gateway (hereinafter collectively referred to as network address or network information).

In the first prior art, the network administrator manages and assigns these settings. Specialized knowledge is required to set the network address. However, now that the network has penetrated into the general home environment, very few families have such specialized knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to have a specialized company set the network address each time the network is connected, but this is costly.

In the second prior art, the user of each device is
Devices can be connected to the network without requiring knowledge of the network. However, in order to set up and manage the DHCP server, a DHCP server administrator who also has specialized knowledge is necessary. As mentioned above, in most ordinary households, no one has knowledge as a DHCP server administrator. for that reason,
Nowadays, a DHCP server with appropriate settings is installed in a product such as an ISDN modem so that the user can simply use it without setting it, but when changing the settings ， It is still necessary to call a specialized contractor.

Further, the DHCP has a problem that the IP address of the DHCP client changes. As described above, the DHCP server allocates an IP address for a certain period of time, then releases the allocation when there is no continuation request, and allocates the IP address to another device. As a result, the IP address of the device may change without notice. Printers, file servers, etc.
In the case of a server machine that provides services to multiple clients, if the IP address changes, the settings of all clients using that server must be changed. Although it is possible to set the IP address allocation time indefinitely by increasing the lease time, when such a setting is made in the DHCP server, specialized knowledge about DHCP is required.
Furthermore, the advantage of effectively utilizing the IP address of DHCP is lost.

The third prior art is the same processing as DHCP (second prior art), and the problem is the same as the second prior art. Further, in the fourth and fifth conventional techniques, devices connected to the network collect network information. However, it is necessary to perform network setting in order to connect the device to the network, and the fourth and fifth conventional techniques cannot automatically perform network setting.

The sixth prior art is a method of assigning a specific IP address to a user of a specific user network. A server similar to the DHCP server determines the IP address to allocate from the link information. However, similarly to the second and third conventional techniques, it is necessary to manage the server to which the network is assigned.

As described above, in the conventional technique, an administrator who manages network information or an IP allocation server such as DHCP is indispensable in order to connect a device to a network, and the network has spread to general households. Today, we cannot expect to have such a manager in every household.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems, and
An object of the present invention is to enable automatic network setting without requiring installation and setting of a dedicated server machine such as P, and without requiring specialized knowledge about the network.

[0023]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a method for automatically setting a network address of a device connected to a network, which comprises a process of calculating a network address in the same network. , A step of detecting whether the network address is used, a step of transmitting the detected unused network address (hereinafter, simply referred to as an empty address), and a device receiving the network address A device which has a process of performing network setting using a network address, and which has a network address of a device for network setting (hereinafter, referred to as a set target device) connected on the network, which is already connected on the same network. An empty address detected by (hereinafter referred to as a setting machine) Set using the.

In general, network devices are set to appropriate values at the time of factory shipment. When users connect to the network, it is necessary to reset this setting to a value suitable for their network. According to the present invention, by the above method, the network setting of a new device (setting target device) is performed using the device (setting device) already connected to the network. This setting machine does not need to be a dedicated device such as a DHCP server machine, but may be an ordinary personal computer (PC).

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a network address setting processing flowchart (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the setting machine calculates the network address of the set machine (step S1). You may use appropriate values for the network addresses in order, but it will take some time to find the appropriate settings. Therefore,
By referring to the network address of the setting machine, we will easily obtain the correct network address.

Specifically, the OS of the setting machine is, for example, Win.
In case of dows95, 98 etc., winipcfg
By executing the command, you can know the network address of the setting machine itself. Also, the OS of the setting machine is L
If it is Linux, the network address of the setting machine itself can be known by executing the ifconfig command. As described above, since the personal computer is provided with a means for knowing its own network address, the information of the set machine is calculated as follows from the information of the set machine obtained by this.

IP address: an address different from the setting machine and the default gateway Subnet mask: the same information as the setting machine Network number: the same information as the setting machine Broadcast address: the same information as the setting machine Default gateway: the setting machine By using the same information, the network address of the target machine can be calculated.

For example, when the own network address is: IP address: 192.168.32.2 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 Network number: 192.168.32.0 Broadcast address: 192.168.32.255 Default gateway: 192.168.32.1 , The network address of the set machine is: -IP address: 192.168.32.3-Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0-Network number: 192.168.32.0-Broadcast address: 192.168.32.255-Default gateway: 192.168.32.1

However, the IP address determined here is
It may already be used by other equipment. Therefore,
The setting machine confirms whether the IP address is not used (S2). Specifically, the ping command is executed for the IP address. If there is a response to the ping command, the IP address is already in use, so the process returns to step S1 and the setting machine executes the ping command again using another IP address. If there is no response to the ping command, the IP address is an unused address and is an address applicable to the set machine.

In the above example, the setting machine pings at the time of setting.
Although the command is used for confirmation, the ping command is used to confirm beforehand and no response is received.
A method of preparing a list of addresses may be used. In this case, an appropriate IP address may be used from the list of IP addresses, or the IP address list may be confirmed by the ping command.
By detecting an IP address that seems to be unused in advance, the unused IP address detection time at the time of setting can be shortened.

Finally, the setter transmits the network address by broadcasting to a specific port (S3). The set machine performs its own network setting based on the network address addressed to the specific port (S4).

However, when the user's network is finely divided by the subnet mask, routing settings, etc., the IP address determined by the setting machine
Communication with the target machine may not be possible. This problem,
The problem can be solved by finally performing communication for confirmation.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart (2) of the network address setting process in the embodiment of the present invention. First, the setting machine calculates a network address for setting the set machine (S10). Next, the setting machine
It is confirmed whether the IP address of the calculated network address is not used (S11), and if it is used, the process returns to step S10, the setting machine selects another IP address, and again in step S11. Confirm the use of the IP address.

In step S11, if it is confirmed that the IP address is not used, the setting machine sends a network address including the IP address by broadcasting to a specific port (S12), and the set machine transmits to the specific port. Based on the network address that came to the network, the network setting is made (S13). Finally, it is confirmed whether communication with the setting device is possible (S14). If the confirmation is not obtained, the process returns to step S10 and the same process is repeated. If it is confirmed that the communication is possible, the process is performed. finish.

FIG. 3 shows an example (1) of a communication procedure for network setting according to this embodiment. First, the setting machine 1
A free IP address is detected (procedure (1)), and the free IP
Broadcast the network address including the address (procedure (2)). FIG. 4 shows an example of transmitting information by broadcasting from the setting device 1. Broadcast is for all devices on the network.
Send information. In the example of FIG. 4, information is transmitted from the setting device 1 to all devices (set target device 2, printer 3, personal computer 4).

Next, the setter 2 decodes the network information in the broadcast packet and sets a network address such as an IP address (procedure (3)).
). After setting the network address, the setter 2 sends a confirmation packet to the setter 1 by unicast (procedure (4)). FIG. 5 shows the setting machine 2 to the setting machine 1.
Shows an example of sending a confirmation packet by unicast to the. Unicast sends information to only one designated party. In the example of FIG. 5, the information is transmitted only from the setter 2 to the setter 1. Unicast is
Since communication is not possible unless the correct network settings are made, the setting machine 1 confirms that the correct network settings have been made by receiving the confirmation packet from the settable machine 2 (procedure (5)). .

The setting machine 1 further sends a reply packet to the set machine 2 by unicast (procedure (6)). FIG. 6 shows an example of unicast reply packet transmission from the setting machine 1 to the setting machine 2. In the example of FIG. 6, the setting machine 1
Information is transmitted only from the setting target device 2 to the setting target device 2. By receiving this, the device to be set 2 can also confirm that the network settings have been made correctly (procedure (7)).
This confirmation completes the setting.

In the above network setting procedure, if the network setting is incorrect, the setting machine 1 cannot receive the confirmation packet in step (5) as described above.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the communication procedure (2) for network setting when the network setting is incorrect. The setting machine 1 searches for a free IP address (procedure)
(1)), The information of the network address including the empty IP address is transmitted from the setting device 1 by broadcast (procedure (2)). The setter 2 sets a network address from the received information (procedure (3)) and transmits a confirmation packet from the setter 2 to the setter 1 by unicast (procedure (4)). Up to this point, the procedure is the same as in FIG.

If there is no reply from the setting machine 1 even after a certain period of time has passed after the confirmation packet was transmitted, the setting machine 2 considers that the setting value is invalid and regards the network address such as the IP address. Return the information to its original value (step (5)). The setter 2 notifies the setter 1 that a communication error has occurred by broadcasting (procedure (6)
). FIG. 8 shows an example of transmitting information by broadcasting from the set target device 2. As shown in FIG. 8, information is transmitted from the setting target device 2 to all devices (setting device 1, printer 3, personal computer 4).

When the setting machine 1 receives the communication error notification, it detects the free IP address again (procedure (7)) as in steps (1) and (2), and includes the free IP address. Broadcast the network address of the target device 2
Send to (Procedure (8)). Thereafter, steps (9) and (10) are repeated in the same manner as steps (3) and (4). This process is repeated until the setting machine 1 receives the confirmation packet from the setting machine 2 and the setting machine 2 receives the reply packet from the setting machine 2, and the confirmation packet and the reply packet are transmitted and received normally. If you are told, the setting is completed.

In the method described so far, the setting machine detects a free IP address at the time of setting. However, if there is a device that has not started at the time of setting, I
There is a possibility of P address collision. Therefore, at the time of setting, it is necessary to turn on the power of all network devices so that the setting machine and other devices can communicate with each other.

FIG. 9 is a network address setting process flowchart (3) in the embodiment of the present invention. First, all the devices connected to the network are activated (S20). Then, the setting machine calculates the network address of the set machine (S21), confirms whether the network address (IP address) is not used (S22), and if it is used, returns to step S21. Then, the setting machine calculates another network address and confirms the use of the network address again in step S22.

When it is confirmed in step S22 that the network address is not used, the setting machine sends the network address by broadcasting to the specific port (S23), and the set machine sends the network address to the specific port. Based on, the network address of itself is set (S24), and the process is terminated.

As a method for starting all the devices in step S20, for example, the user turns on the power in advance, or the setting machine sounds a buzzer or the like to urge the user to turn on the power. Alternatively, there is a method of incorporating a power management function into the device on each network and controlling so that the power is turned on before the unused IP address is detected. This makes it possible to prevent IP address collisions.

However, depending on the device, there are cases where the device cannot be turned on, and there are cases where the device is forgotten to be turned on. In such a case, even if there is no problem immediately after setting,
Address conflicts may occur. The present invention also proposes a method for automatically avoiding an address collision.

FIG. 10 is a network address setting processing flowchart (4) in the embodiment of the present invention. In this method, a first network address (for example, a factory-set value) unrelated to the network to be connected and a second network address connectable to the network assigned by the setting machine are used.

First, the set machine starts up with the first network address (S30). Since the first network address is an address that cannot be used in the currently connected network, the IP address does not collide with other devices in the currently connected network.

Next, the set machine confirms whether or not the second network address is used (S31). Specifically, the second network address is used to generate a packet that can be communicated in the currently connected network, and a packet (for example, a destination such as ping) is sent to the IP address of the second network address. Packet) that will give a response from.

In step S31, if there is a response from the destination, the IP address is in use, and the activation process is terminated. In this case, from the setting machine,
You need to be assigned an IP address. If there is no response to the transmission of the packet to the IP address of the second network address, the second network address is unused, so this second network address is set (S32) and the startup is completed. .

A plurality of vacant addresses are assigned in advance to the set machine from the set machine as the second network address, and when one of the second network addresses is in use, another use is possible. Na second
You may make it use the network address of.
In this case, the setting machine does not need to set the target machine again.

FIG. 11 is a network address setting processing flowchart (5) in the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the set machine starts up with the first network address (S40). Next, the set machine is the second
It is confirmed whether the first IP address in the network address of is not used (S41). Specifically, a packet communicable in the currently connected network is generated using the second network address, and the packet is transmitted to the first IP address of the second network address. If there is no response to the transmission of the packet, the IP address of the second network address is unused, so this second network address is set (S42), and the activation process is completed.

If there is a response to the packet transmission, the IP address of this second network address is in use. Therefore, the IP address is deleted from the second network address and the next IP address is set as the second network address (S43). Second
If there is still another network address (S44), S
Returning to step 41, use confirmation is performed in the same manner. Then, when all the IP addresses in the second network address are in use and the second network address is exhausted (S44), the start processing is ended. In this case, it is necessary to have the setting machine again assign a network address having a new IP address.

FIG. 12 is a network address setting processing flowchart (6) in the embodiment of the present invention. Even if the number of the second network address is one, the device to be set has a different I from the second network address.
A method of calculating the P address may be used. In this method, the set target device calculates another IP address instead of using a plurality of pre-allocated free IP addresses.

For example, I of the second network address
If the P address is 192.168.32.2 and the broadcast address is 192.168.32.255, 192.168.32.3, 192.16
8.32.4,… and calculate the IP address in the same network, and check whether they are not used.

First, the set machine starts up with the first network address (S50). Next, the set machine is the second
The IP address of the network address is calculated and it is confirmed whether it is not used (S51). Specifically, the second network address is used to generate a packet that can be communicated within the currently connected network, and the packet is transmitted to the first IP address of the second network address. If there is no response to the packet, the second network address is unused, so this second network address is set (S52), and the startup process is completed.

If there is a response to the transmitted packet, the IP address of this second network address is in use. Therefore, the set machine calculates an IP address different from the IP address in the same network as the network address in use (S53). If another IP address still exists, return to step S51,
Check if the IP address is in use. If all the IP addresses in the same network are in use (S54), the network address cannot be set, and the activation process ends.

All of the methods shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are used when the set machine starts IP
This is a method of detecting the presence or absence of address collision. If a device having the same IP address as the set machine operates before the set machine starts up, the collision can be avoided by these methods. However, these methods cannot prevent the IP address collision when a device having the same IP address as the set target device is started after the set target device is started. Therefore, a method for preventing an IP address collision when a device having the same IP address as the set target device is started after the set target device is started will be described below.

FIG. 13 is a network address setting process flowchart (7) in the embodiment of the present invention. In this method, the IP address of the set device is changed periodically. The set machine holds a plurality of IP addresses, and after a certain period of time, changes the setting from the current IP address to the next IP address. Here, these IP addresses will be described as network addresses n (n = 1, 2, 3, ...) By numbering them sequentially from 1 for convenience.

First, the initial value of the network address number n is set to 1 (S60), and the set machine is started up with the network address n (1) (S61). After a certain period of time, it is confirmed whether or not the network address (n + 1) to be changed next is not used (S62). If not, the current network address (n) is changed to the next network address (n + 1). ) Is changed (S63), and 1 is added to the network address number n (S65). After that, when a certain time has passed, step S
Returning to 62 (S65), the process is repeated.

In step S62, the n + 1th IP
Multiple IPs held if the address is used
The IP address of the network address (n + 1) is deleted from the addresses (S66), and 1 is added to the network address number n (S67). After that, the process returns to step S62, and it is checked whether or not the next network address is used. This process is repeated until an unused network address is found.

Here, a plurality of IPs that can be used by the set machine
The address may be collected from the network when the device to be set operates.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart (1) of processing for creating a usable address table in the embodiment of the present invention. For example, if the IP address of the target machine is 192.168.32.1,
If the subnet mask is 255.255.255.240, the IP address that can be set for this network is 192.168.
There are 15 from 32.1 to 192.168.32.15. In this case, check whether the IP address of 192.168.32.m is being used. Specifically, m = 1 to m = 15 (=
k: pin for each IP address up to the final number)
Execute g and check if it is in use by the presence or absence of a response.

First, the initial value 0 is substituted for m (S7).
0). Next, add 1 to m (S71), and IP address
Check if 192.168.32.m is in use (S7
2). If not in use, its IP address 192.168.3
2.m is stored in the unused check table (S73), the process proceeds to step S74, and if it is in use, step S7 is immediately performed.
Go to 4. It is confirmed whether or not m is final (in this case, m = k = 15) (S74), and if not final, step S
Returning to 71, the same process is repeated. If it is final, the result of the unused check table is stored as a usable address table (S75), and the process is terminated.

When the device connected to the network uses the service of the set device, the device using the service (hereinafter, referred to as a client) is the IP of the set device.
I have to know the address. The set device broadcasts its own IP address to all devices at a predetermined timing (see FIG. 8). The client establishes a network connection with the set device based on the contents of the broadcast packet from the set device.

For example, when the set machine is a printer, the client acquires the printer ID address from the contents of the broadcast packet and sets it as the connection destination IP address in the printer driver setting file.

Here, the set machine transmits the broadcast at a predetermined timing, but the client may request the set machine to broadcast the network address. When the client starts up or uses the service of the set machine, the client broadcasts to request the information of the set machine. The set machine transmits a network address such as an IP address as a unicast to the client or as a broadcast to the entire network in response to an information request from the client. The client establishes a network connection with the set device based on the contents of the broadcast packet from the set device.

However, the transmission of the broadcast packet puts a load on the network. Therefore, we propose the following method that corresponds to the change of the IP address of the device to be set without heavy use of broadcasting. In this way, the setter changes the IP address according to a predetermined IP address table or rules. And
If the same process as the change process on the set machine is executed at the same timing on the client side, it is possible to synchronize with the change of the IP address of the set machine without communication between the set machine and the client.

There is also a method in which the set machine detects the IP address of the set machine. In this method as well, the device to be set and the client may execute the same processing at the same timing, but the packet (ping) for detecting the device increases significantly, which increases the load on the network. . Therefore, the settable device may update the address table and then transmit the usable address table to the client by a broadcast packet or a multicast for a specific client.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart (2) of the processing for creating the usable address table in the embodiment of the present invention. For example, as in the case of FIG. 14, the IP address of the device to be set is 192.168.32.1 and the subnet mask is 255.255.25.
If it is 5.240, I can be set for this network.
P address is 1 from 192.168.32.1 to 192.168.32.15
There are five. Check if the IP address of 192.168.32.m in this case is being used. Specifically, m
Ping is executed for each IP address from = 1 to m = 15 (= k: final number), and it is confirmed whether or not it is in use by the presence or absence of a response.

First, the initial value 0 is substituted for m (S8).
0). Next, add 1 to m (S81) to obtain the IP address
Check if 192.168.32.m is in use (S8)
2). If it is not in use, it is stored in the unused check table (S83), and the process proceeds to step S84. If it is in use, the process directly proceeds to step S84. m is final (in this case m =
It is confirmed whether or not k = 15) (S84), and if not final, the process returns to step S81 to repeat the process.

If m is the final value, the result of the unused check table is stored as a usable address table (S85), and the usable address table is transmitted to the client by a broadcast packet or a multicast for a specific client (S86). ), The processing ends.

[0075]

FIG. 16 shows the system configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a network 30 to which a plurality of devices can be connected, a setting device 10 that is a device already connected to the network 30, and a device that is a target device for network address setting that is newly connected to the network 30. It comprises a setting machine 20. The setting machine 10
A normal personal computer (PC) will do.

The setting machine 10 has a network address calculation unit 11, a network setting holding unit 12, a network address confirmation unit 13, and a network connection unit 14. When the setting machine 10 is a PC, the network address calculation unit 11 and the network address confirmation unit 13
Etc. are realized by a software program for automatic address setting. Further, the setting target device 20 includes a network connection unit 21, a network address determination unit 22,
It has a network address setting unit 23 and a network setting holding unit 24.

In the setting machine 10, the network address calculating section 11 confirms the network address of the setting machine 10 held in the network setting holding section 12,
Information on the network 30 to which the setting device 10 is connected is acquired. Then, the network address calculation unit 11
Calculates the network address that can be set in the setter 20 from the acquired information on the network 30.

For example, suppose that the network address held in the network setting holding unit 12 is as follows.

・ IP address: 192.168.32.2 ・ Subnet mask: 255.255.255.240 ・ Network number: 192.168.32.0 ・ Broadcast address: 192.168.32.255 ・ Default gateway: 192.168.32.1 At this time, the network that can be set in the target machine 20 The address is as follows.

IP address: 192.168.32.3 to 192.168.
32.15 ・ Subnet mask: 255.255.255.240 (same as setting machine 10) ・ Network number: 192.168.32.0 (same as setting machine 10) ・ Broadcast address: 192.168.32.255 (same as setting machine 10) ・ Default gateway: 192.168.32.1 (Setting machine 10
The same as the network address calculation unit 11
It is transmitted to the network address confirmation unit 13. The network address confirmation unit 13 confirms whether the IP address calculated by the network address calculation unit 11 is in use. Specifically, 192.168.32.3 to 192.168.32.15
Network connection section 14 for the IP addresses up to
A ping is sent to the network 30 via (for example, a LAN card) and it is confirmed whether there is a response. If there is a response, the IP address is not used by the other device because it is being used by another device. When there is no response, it can be determined that the IP address is unused.

When an unused IP address is found, the setting machine 10 obtains the IP address via the network connection unit 14 together with information on other network addresses or by checking all network addresses. A plurality of unused IP addresses are transmitted as broadcast packets together with information on other network addresses. Since the broadcast packet is transmitted to all the devices connected to the network 30, it can be received even by the setter 20 to which the network setting is not made.

In the set machine 20, the network connection section 21 receives the broadcast packet from the set machine 10 and sends it to the network address determination section 22. On the network 30, many broadcast packets are flowing in addition to the broadcast packets transmitted by the setting device 10.

The network address determination unit 22 analyzes the information of the received broadcast packet and confirms whether the information is the network address information sent from the setting machine 10 to the setting machine 20. If the received broadcast packet is not the network address from the setting device 10, the broadcast packet is discarded. When the broadcast packet is information on the network address from the setting device 10, the network address determination unit 22 sends the network address to the network address setting unit 23.

The network address setting unit 23 uses the received network address as the network setting holding unit 2
4 and restart the network. After that, the setter 20 starts up with the network address calculated by the setter 10. In order to confirm whether or not the correct network connection is made with the network address calculated by the setting machine 10, after restarting the network, the settable machine 20 sends a unicast (for example, p
ing), and the setting machine 10 sends a reply when receiving the unicast. The setting machine 10 can confirm that the network settings have been made correctly by unicast from the setting machine 20 and by the reply from the setting machine 20.

FIG. 17 shows the system configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a network 30 to which a plurality of devices can be connected, a setting device 10 which is a device already connected to the network 30, and a device which is a target device for network setting newly connected to the network 30. And a setting machine 40.

The setting machine 10 has a network address calculation unit 11, a network setting holding unit 12, a network address confirmation unit 13, and a network connection unit 14. In addition, the settable device 40 has the network connection unit 4
1, a network address determination unit 42, a network address holding unit 43, a network address selection unit 44, and a network setting holding unit 45.

In the setting machine 10, the network address calculating section 11 confirms the network address of the setting machine 10 held in the network setting holding section 12,
Information on the network 30 to which the setting device 10 is connected is acquired. Then, a network address that can be set in the set target device 40 is calculated from the acquired information about the network 30, and is transmitted to the network address confirmation unit 13. The network address confirmation unit 13 confirms whether the IP addresses of the network addresses calculated by the network address calculation unit 11 are in use.
After confirming all the network addresses, the plurality of unused IP addresses obtained there is transmitted from the network connection unit 14 in a broadcast packet.

When the setting machine 10 detects a plurality of IP addresses and sends them to the setting machine 40, the setting machine 40
At, the network connection unit 41 receives the broadcast packet from the setting machine 10 and sends it to the network address determination unit 42. The network address determination unit 42 analyzes the information of the received broadcast packet and confirms whether the IP address is a plurality of IP addresses transmitted from the setting machine 10 to the set machine 40.

When there are a plurality of IP addresses from the setting machine 10, the network address judging section 42 sends the plurality of IP addresses to the network address holding section 43, and the network address holding section 43 makes the plurality of I addresses.
The P address is held as a list of IP addresses. The network address selection unit 44 selects from the IP address list held in the network address holding unit 43,
An IP address that is not currently used is selected, held in the network setting holding unit 45, and the network is restarted.

Instead of the setting machine detecting a plurality of unused IP addresses, the setting machine may detect an unused IP address. FIG. 18 shows the system configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a network 30 to which a plurality of devices can be connected,
A setting machine 50, which is a device already connected to the network 30, and a set machine 60, which is a device to be newly connected to the network 30 for network setting, are provided.

The setting machine 50 has a network address calculation unit 51, a network setting holding unit 52, and a network connection unit 53. Further, the set machine 60 includes a network connection unit 61 and a network address determination unit 6
2, a network address holding unit 63, a free network address detecting unit 64, a network address selecting unit 65, and a network setting holding unit 66.

In the setting machine 50, the network address calculating section 51 confirms the network address of the setting machine 50 held in the network setting holding section 52,
Information on the network 30 to which the setting device 50 is connected is acquired. Then, one or a plurality of IP addresses are calculated from the acquired information on the network 30, and the network connection unit 53 transmits the IP address in a broadcast packet.

In the set machine 60, the network connection section 61 receives the broadcast packet from the set machine 50 and sends it to the network address determination section 62. The network address determination unit 62 analyzes the information of the received broadcast packet and confirms whether the IP address is one or a plurality of IP addresses sent from the setting device 50 to the setting device 60.

If there is one or a plurality of IP addresses from the setting device 50, the network address judging unit 62
Sends one or a plurality of IP addresses to the network address holding unit 63, and the network address holding unit 63
Holds one or more IP addresses as IP address list information.

The free network address detection unit 64 is
IP held in the network address holding unit 63
An IP address that can be used in the network 30 is calculated based on the address list information. For each calculated IP address, it is detected whether or not it is used in the network 30, and all the unused IP addresses detected are held in the network address holding unit 63 and the holding information is changed. As a result, the settable device 60 side can regularly calculate an unused IP address that can be used.

The network address selecting unit 65 uses the unused I held in the network address holding unit 63.
IP that is not currently used from the list of P addresses
The address is selected, held in the network setting holding unit 66, and the network is restarted.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the setting machine performs the network setting of the set machine, the I
Whether or not the P address is used is checked. Therefore, when determining the IP address of the set target device, all devices on the network need to be connected to the network. If you are not connected to the network,
At a later date, if there is a device that has the same IP address as the set machine, an IP address collision will occur. Therefore, at the time of setting, turn on the power of all the devices connected to the network, and the setting machine and other devices
It is necessary to be able to communicate.

Specifically, the user turns on the power in advance, or the setting machine sounds a buzzer or the like to urge the user to turn on the power, or a power management function is incorporated in the device on each network to use an unused network. There is a method of controlling so that the power is turned on before the address detection.

Here, an example of a system in which the power management function is incorporated in the devices on each network and the power is turned on before the unused IP address is detected will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 shows the system configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a network 30 to which a plurality of devices can be connected and a network 3
0, which is a device already connected to the setting machine 70,
PC80, PC81, printer 82 and each device (PC8
0, a PC 81, a printer 82, etc.).

Further, the setting machine 70 has a network address calculation unit 71, a network setting holding unit 72, a network address confirmation unit 73, a power management control unit 74, and a network connection unit 75.

In the setting machine 70, the network address calculating section 71 confirms the network address of the setting machine 70 held in the network setting holding section 72,
The information of the network 30 to which the setting device 70 is connected is acquired. Then, from the acquired information of the network 30, an IP address that can be set in the setting target device is calculated,
It is transmitted to the network address confirmation unit 73.

The network address confirming unit 73 uses the IP
A power-on signal is sent to the power management control unit 74 prior to checking whether or not the address is used. The power management control unit 74 receives the power-on signal and sends a signal to the power supply unit 90. The power supply unit 90 includes all the devices on the network 30 (PC80, PC8 in FIG. 19).
1 and the printer 82) are connected. The user can turn on the power to these devices with the buttons on the front. The power supply unit 90 includes the power management control unit 7
In response to the signal from 4, the power is supplied to the device which is not powered and the device is activated.

The network address confirming unit 73 confirms whether or not all the network addresses calculated by the network address calculating unit 71 are in use after a lapse of a certain time after the power-on signal is transmitted. After the confirmation, the network address confirmation unit 73 sends a power-off signal to the power management control unit 74. The power management control unit 74 sends a signal to the power supply unit 90 so as to cut off the power supply of the device for which the user has not designated activation. Upon receiving the signal, the power supply unit 90 turns off the power of the device for which the user has not designated activation. afterwards,
The unused IP address is
It is sent in broadcast packets.

As a result, when the setting machine 70 is detecting an unused IP address, the network 3 is always
The equipment above 0 will start up once. If all devices are up, I
There will be no P address collision.

The features of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed below.

(Supplementary Note 1) A method of setting network information of a device connected to a network, a step of calculating a network address in the same network, and a step of detecting whether the network address is used An automatic address setting method comprising: a step of transmitting the detected unused network address; and a step of performing network setting by the device that has received the network address using the address. (Supplementary note 2) A method of setting network information of a device connected to the network, in which the network address in the same network is calculated in the process of connecting the devices that are set to be connectable to the same network. And a step of detecting whether the network address is used, a step of transmitting the detected unused network address, and a device receiving the network address uses the address to perform network setting. An automatic address setting method comprising the steps of: (Supplementary note 3) In the address automatic setting method according to supplementary note 1 or 2, the step of calculating the network address is characterized by calculating network information from the network address setting value of the self. (Supplementary note 4) In the address automatic setting method according to Supplementary note 1, Supplementary note 2 or Supplementary note 3, the setter that receives and sets the network address performs unicast communication with the setter that transmitted the network address after network setting. And make sure the network settings are correct,
When the network settings are incorrect, the setting machine is notified by broadcast communication, and the setting machine transmits another unused network address to the set machine when receiving the broadcast. Automatic address setting method characterized by. (Supplementary Note 5) A method of notifying network information of a device connected to a network, a process of notifying its own network information by broadcast, and a process of performing network setting with a device that has received the broadcast and transmitted the broadcast An automatic address setting method comprising: (Supplementary note 6) A method of setting network information of a device connected to a network, the process of holding the first network address determined regardless of the connected network, and the method usable in the connected network. Holding the second network address, setting the first network address when the device is started up, and checking whether the second network address is already used on the network. And a step of setting the second network address when the second network address is not used, the automatic address setting method.

(Supplementary Note 7) In the address automatic setting method according to Supplementary Note 6, in the process of retaining the second network address, a plurality of addresses usable in the connected network are retained and already used on the network. If it is determined that the network address is not being used in the process of checking whether it is not used, another network address is selected from the held network addresses and the address is checked again.

(Supplementary Note 8) In the automatic address setting method according to Supplementary Note 6, when it is determined that the address is being used in the process of confirming whether the address is not already used on the network, it is determined from the second network address. A method for automatically setting an address, which comprises a step of calculating a network address of, and selects and confirms the network address again.

(Supplementary note 9) A method of setting network information of a device connected to a network, a process of holding a plurality of network addresses usable in the connected network, and the network address is on the network In the case of being used, the process of confirming whether it is not used, in the process of deleting the used network address from the held network address, and in the case of being unused, the network setting is performed. A method of automatically setting an address, comprising the step of changing to the network address, and periodically changing the network address.

(Supplementary note 10) A process of detecting a network address which is not used in the network in the address automatic setting method according to supplementary note 7 or supplementary note 9,
A method of automatically setting an address, comprising the steps of updating the available network address held therein based on the detection result and reflecting the detection result.

(Supplementary Note 11) In the address automatic setting method according to Supplementary Note 9 or Supplementary Note 10, a process of retaining the same network address as the retained plurality of usable network addresses, and the network address on the network. , A step of confirming whether the network address is already used, a step of deleting the in-use network address from the held network address if it is used, and a connection destination network if it is not used. And a step of changing the setting of the network address to the network address, and changing the connection destination network address in synchronization with the timing of changing the network address setting of the server.

[0112]

As described above, according to the present invention, the DHC
Without using a dedicated address management device such as P,
You can automatically configure the network settings of devices connected to the network. As a result, network equipment can be connected without specialized knowledge, there is no need to manage a dedicated equipment such as DHCP, and even if the IP address of the server that provides the service changes, the client side follows. It has the effect of being able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a network address setting process flowchart (1).

FIG. 2 is a network address setting processing flowchart (2).

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example (1) of a communication procedure for network setting.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example (1) of transmitting information by broadcasting.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example (1) of transmitting information by unicast.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example (2) of transmitting information by unicast.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example (2) of a communication procedure for network setting.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example (2) of transmitting information by broadcasting.

FIG. 9 is a network address setting process flowchart (3).

FIG. 10 is a network address setting process flowchart (4).

FIG. 11 is a network address setting process flowchart (5).

FIG. 12 is a network address setting process flowchart (6).

FIG. 13 is a network address setting process flowchart (7).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart (1) of a process of creating a usable address table.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart (2) of processing for creating a usable address table.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional network setting system using DHCP.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a procedure of address assignment by DHCP.

[Explanation of symbols]

10,50,70 setting machine 11,51,71 Network address calculator 12, 52, 72 Network setting holding unit 13,73 Network address confirmation section 14,53,75 Network connection 20,40,60 Target machine 21,41,61 Network connection 22, 42, 62 Network address determination unit 23 Network address setting section 24, 45, 66 Network setting holding unit 30 network 43, 63 Network address holding unit 44,65 Network address selector 64 Free network address detector 74 Power Management Control Unit 80, 81 PC 82 Printer 90 Power supply unit

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5B089 KA01 KB03                 5K032 AA03 DA02 DB24 EA03 EC03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method for setting network information of devices connected to a network, the steps of calculating a network address in the same network, and detecting whether the network address is being used. 2. An automatic address setting method, comprising: a step of transmitting the detected unused network address; and a step of performing network setting by the device receiving the network address using the address. 2. A method for setting network information of a device connected to a network, comprising the step of connecting a device which is set to be connectable on the same network with a network address in the same network. A step of calculating, a step of detecting whether or not the network address is used, a step of transmitting the detected unused network address, and a device receiving the network address, performs network setting using the address. And an address automatic setting method. 3. The automatic address setting method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the process of calculating the network address, network information is calculated from its own network address setting value. Method. 4. The automatic address setting method according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, wherein the set machine that has received and set the network address is a set machine that has transmitted the network address after network setting. Perform unicast communication to confirm that the network settings are correct, and if the network settings are incorrect, notify the setting machine by broadcast communication,
The automatic address setting method, wherein the setting device transmits another unused network address to the set device when the broadcast is received. 5. A method of notifying network information of a device connected to a network, the process of notifying itself of network information by broadcasting, and the network setting of the device that received the broadcast and originated the broadcast. An address automatic setting method comprising: