JP2003158530A - Method for configuring network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network configuration method that can dynamically disconnect two particular nodes from the network when it is estimated in advance that communications between the two particular nodes cause congestion and that can normally perform network communications. SOLUTION: In the method of configuring a bus type network where nodes 1 to 7 each having a repeater function for amplifying a signal and transmitting the amplified signal, when the network is divided into a first network (including the nodes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) and a second network (including the nodes 4, 7), the repeater function of the node 3 belonging to the first network and the repeater function of the node 6 connected to the node 3 by any of a plurality of signal transmission paths are made activated or inactivated to select a substitute communication path 30 among a plurality of the signal transmission paths connecting the nodes 3 and 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network configuration method for dynamically dividing and reconfiguring (joining) a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a certain band for data transfer is
In a bus-type network in which transfer is performed while sharing transfers among a plurality of devices (nodes), in principle, the transfer bandwidth decreases and becomes insufficient as the number of connected devices increases. From that,
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the network including the devices 21 to 25 is divided into a plurality of sub-networks so that the devices that frequently perform communication belong to the same group (hereinafter, also referred to as sub-network). A method of effectively utilizing a limited band by dividing the sub-networks and connecting the sub-networks to each other by a relay device (hereinafter, also referred to as a bridge) 26 is known.

Here, as a bus type network,
For example, a serial bus (hereinafter also referred to as an IEEE 1394 bus) defined by IEEE Std 1394 (Reference 1 and Reference 2) by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (hereinafter abbreviated as IEEE) is used. In order to connect multiple IEEE1394 buses to each other and communicate with each other, a bridge standard called P1394.1 (Reference 3) is also under development and standardization work.

Further, as a means for compensating for the problem in P1394.1, a means for improving a decrease in bus utilization efficiency at the time of network configuration (at the time of bus reset) (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-220485), some devices (nodes) Which improves the problem when a lot of resources (bandwidth) are acquired by the client (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-220485) and the method of selecting the bridge manager (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-165417) , Improving the reliability of the setting of the routing map of the portal (JP 2000-165417A), providing a management method corresponding to the disconnection of the bus (JP 2000-349805A), etc. Proposals have been made. In addition, the above-mentioned Document 1 describes "I-E-E Standard 1394".
-1995, Standard for High Performance Serial Bus (IEEE Std 1394-1995, Standard f
or a High Performance Serial Bus) ”, and the above-mentioned reference 2 describes“ I / E / E Standard 13 ”.
94a-2000, Standard for High Performance Serial Bus (Amendment) (IEEE Std 1
394a-2000, Standard for a High Performance Serial
Bus (Amendment)) ", and Reference 3 is" Pee 1394.
1, Draft for high performance serial bus bridge (P1394.1, Draft Standard for a
High Performance Serial Bus Bridges) ".

However, in such a conventional network configuration method, since the network is divided into a plurality of sub-networks by the bridge, it is expensive to develop the bridge itself (to achieve a practical throughput in the bridge. Of course, development of a dedicated LSI is indispensable), and in order to operate the entire network autonomously and efficiently, existing devices (nodes) must be adapted to the environment connected by the bridge. Therefore, it is necessary to deal with both hardware and software, which is a significant disadvantage in terms of cost. at least,
In the current IEEE 1394 bus, devices having these bridge functions have not been realized. In particular, in a small-scale (composed of about 5 nodes) network, it is not realistic in terms of cost to introduce an expensive bridge in order to avoid a congestion state that rarely occurs.

As a countermeasure against this, when the topology of the network is such that the path for desired communication is not divided by the division of the sub-network, the division into the above-mentioned sub-network is performed by using a relatively expensive bridge. It is desirable not to use it, but to do it dynamically only when division is necessary.

[0007]

However, as described above, in the network configuration method in which the bridge is not used and the division into the sub-network is performed dynamically as needed, the method shown in FIG.
As shown in, when the traffic causing the congestion state (communication between the node 22 and the node 23) and the desired communication (communication between the node 21 and the node 25) overlap (overlap), Since the division of the sub-network also divides the route for desired communication, there is a problem that both communication cannot be performed normally.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and provides a network configuration method capable of effectively dividing / joining a network to effectively use bandwidth. . In particular, the present invention dynamically disconnects the specific 2 nodes from the network and normally performs the communication of the network when it is assumed in advance that the communication between the specific 2 nodes causes a congestion state. The present invention provides a network configuration method capable of performing the above.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bus type network configuration method comprising a plurality of nodes having a repeater function for amplifying and transmitting a signal, the method comprising: The first node and this first
The second node connected to the second node is dynamically separated from the network to divide the network, the first node, the second node, the first node, or the second node. The repeater function of any of the third nodes connected to this node is invalidated.

With this method, all devices (nodes) connected to the network are provided with a repeater function of amplifying and transmitting a signal, and all devices behave as repeaters to enable communication between devices. In such a bus type network, the single bus type network can be divided into a plurality of bus type networks by controlling the repeater function to be appropriately disabled.

The invention according to claim 2 is a method of constructing a bus type network provided with a plurality of nodes having a repeater function for amplifying and transmitting a signal, the first node in the network. And a signal transmission path for bypass connecting any of the other nodes except the second node connected to the first node, and the first node and the second node are connected to the network. When dynamically splitting the network to split the network,
A repeater of a predetermined connection port of any one of the first node, the second node, a third node connected to the first node, and a fourth node connected to the second node. The function is disabled, the repeater function of any one of the predetermined connection ports of the other nodes connected to both ends of the signal transmission path is enabled, and the signal transmission path can be used.

According to this method, a signal transmission path (alternative communication path) that bypasses the sub-network to be divided is prepared in advance, and when the sub-network is separated by increasing the traffic between two specific nodes, By exclusively selecting and using the alternative communication path, a single bus type network is divided into a plurality of networks while performing desired communication, and while a specific node performs communication requiring a wide band. Only, since the specific two nodes can be dynamically separated from the network, the problem that communication between other nodes becomes difficult can be solved.

The invention described in claim 3 is the same as claim 1
Alternatively, in 2, the bus type network is connected to the IEEE
It consists of a serial bus specified by Std 1394.

According to this method, it is possible to dynamically disconnect the specific two nodes from the network and to normally perform the communication of the network without using a special device such as a bridge (relay device). Since all the operations can be executed by software without the intervention of the end user, a network environment with high cost performance and good operability can be realized.

The invention described in claim 4 is the same as claim 3
In the case of enabling or disabling the repeater function, the software for realizing the disable / enable function of the port defined by IEEE Std 1394a-2000 is used.

According to this method, since a complicated control protocol for cooperating with a bridge or the like is not used, reliability and affinity with existing equipment are increased.

The invention described in claim 5 is the same as in claim 4
In order to realize the disable / enable function of the port, the remote command packet defined by the IEEE Std 1394a-2000 is used.

According to this method, the repeater function of this device can be enabled or disabled from a device (node) other than the device (node) having the port to be controlled by the repeater function.

Further, in the invention described in claim 6, in any one of claims 2 to 5, a plurality of nodes having the repeater function are built in the node.

According to this method, since a plurality of repeater function blocks (nodes) are built in one device, the apparent number of ports can be reduced and a plurality of signal transmission paths can be set easily.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, a network configuration method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a bus provided with a plurality of nodes 1 to 6 having a repeater function for amplifying and transmitting a signal. Type network configuration method, wherein the node 5 and the node 5 in the network and the node 6 connected to the node 5 are dynamically separated from the network to divide the network 6, the repeater function of any one of the nodes 3 connected to the node 6 is invalidated.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the topology of a bus type network (for example, based on the IEEE 1394 bus) includes a sub node including a specific node (device) 5 and a node (device) 6. A network configuration method in the case where a communication path between other nodes (devices) 1 to 4 is not divided even by dividing the network will be described. Each device on the bus-type network has a connection port (port) with one or a plurality of other devices, and the network is formed by connecting the ports with a cable. Further, each device has a function (a so-called repeater function) of reproducing a signal (information) received from any device, relaying the signal, and sending the signal to another device. With such a repeater function, the network shown in FIG. 1 functions as a bus type network in which all devices 1 to 6 share a certain communication band. In addition, the device that is the source of the information adds information (for example, an identifier (ID) or address) for identifying the receiving party to the transmission signal (information) and sends the information to the network. Each device that receives such a signal determines whether or not the signal (information) is addressed to itself, and receives it if necessary. As a result, communication is performed between any two devices.

Here, it is assumed that the specific nodes 5 and 6 perform communication that requires a very large bandwidth. When such communication is started, the node 6 sets the repeater function of the port 6a connected to the node 3 not to operate, and in response to this, the node 3 also connects the node 6 to the port 6a. Set the repeater function of 3a so that it does not operate. As a result, FIG.
As shown in, the network is divided into a main network to which the nodes 1 to 4 belong and a sub network to which the nodes 5 and 6 belong. After that, no matter how large the bandwidth is required between the nodes 5 and 6, the communication of the nodes 1 to 4 belonging to the main network is not affected. In this state, the main network and the sub network are connected by a cable (indicated by a dotted line in the drawing), but functionally the same as when the cable is disconnected. That is, the main network and the sub network function as two completely separate networks. After the communication with the node 5 is completed, the node 6 restores the repeater function of the port 6a connected to the node 3 again, and the node 3 also brings the repeater function of the port 3a connected to the node 6 into the valid state. By returning,
It returns to the initial state shown in FIG.

When the nodes 5 and 6 are communicating in such a way that the bandwidth of the network is used up, the nodes 5 and 6 are not connected to other nodes 1 to 4.
Since it is difficult to communicate with the node, even if the node 3 and the node 6 are connected by a bridge, this situation will not change. Therefore, in terms of functionality, it can be said that there is no great difference whether the network is divided or connected using a bridge.

Now, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the IEEE 1
In the network using the 394 bus, the operation of disabling and enabling the repeater function of the node 6 described above will be described. 2 shows the register configuration of the PHY (physical layer) controller. Here, FIG. 2A shows Fi of the above-mentioned reference 2.
gure 7-1 is quoted, and FIG. 2 (b) is a quote of Figure 7-2 of the above-mentioned reference 2. Also, FIG.
Is a reference to Figure 8-8 of Reference 2 above.

In a network based on the IEEE 1394 bus,
The repeater function of the port can be disabled (disabled) / enabled (enabled) by operating the register of the PHY (physical layer) controller by software. Where the port (eg, Figure 1
In order to operate 3a and 6a) shown in 1), first set 0 in the Page_Select field of the register 6 of the PHY controller.
And the target port number in the Port_Select field. After that, Register 7 Disabled
Setting 1 in the field sets the port to the disable state, and clearing it to 0 sets the port in the enable state.

Further, in the IEEE 1394 bus, P
By using a remote command packet, which is a type of HY (physical layer) packet, the above-mentioned ports 3a, 6 can be used from other than the device (node) equipped with the target port.
The disable / enable operation of a can be performed. If such a remote command packet is used, the node 5 sends the remote command packet to the node 6 when the node 5 mainly starts communication with the node 6 in FIG. The disable / enable operation of the port 6a of 6 can be performed. That is, the network can be divided and reconfigured (joined) from a node other than the node having the port for which the repeater function is to be enabled or disabled.

Specifically, the target port (for example,
When the disable operation of 3a and 6a shown in FIG. 1 is performed, the identifier (physical ID) of the node having the operation target port is shown in the phy_ID field shown in FIG. 3, the operation target port number is shown in the port field, and cmnd The field is set to 1 and the remote command packet is transmitted.
When enabling the target port, the identifier (physical ID) of the node having the target port in the phy_ID field shown in FIG. 3, the target port number in the port field, and the cmnd field in the field 5 is set, and the remote command packet is transmitted.

As described above, the network configuration method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a bus-type network configuration method in which a plurality of nodes 1 to 6 having a repeater function for amplifying and transmitting a signal are provided. And a node 5 in the network and a node 6 connected to this node 5.
When the and are dynamically separated from the network to divide the network, the repeater function of any one of the node 5, the node 6, and the node 3 connected to the node 6 is disabled, so that the bus type network Is divided into multiple networks including two specific nodes (devices), but the communication path between other nodes is not divided,
It is possible to dynamically disconnect the specific two nodes from the network and normally perform communication of the network.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 shows a network configuration method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The bus-type network of the present embodiment is configured by using the IEEE 1394 bus according to the first embodiment (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and has a repeat function at each port of the nodes 1 to 7. The enable / disable control uses the disable / enable function of the port specified by IEEE Std 1394a-2000, and the disable / enable function of the target port from a node other than the node that communicates. Since a remote command packet is used when setting the, the description regarding this is omitted.

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the node 4 in the network and the node 7 connected to the node 4 are connected.
An alternative communication path 30 for connecting any one of the nodes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 other than
Node 4, node 7, node 4 when the network is divided by dynamically disconnecting from the network.
The repeater function of any one of the connection ports 3b, 4b, 6b, 7b of the node 3 connected to the node 3 and the node 6 connected to the node 7 and the nodes 3 and 6 connected to both ends of the alternative communication path 30. The difference is that the repeater function of the connection ports 3a and 6a is enabled and the alternative communication path 30 can be used. According to this method, when the topology of the bus type network is such that the communication path between other nodes is divided by the division of the sub-network including two specific nodes (devices), There is also an effect that it is possible to dynamically separate two specific nodes from the network and to normally perform communication of the network.

In FIG. 4, devices (nodes) 1 to 7 on a bus type network (for example, one using an IEEE 1394 bus) are connected to one or a plurality of other devices, respectively. And a network is formed by connecting the ports with a cable. Each of the devices 1 to 7 has a function (a so-called repeater function) of reproducing a signal (information) received from any of the devices, relaying it, and sending it to another device. With such a repeater function, the network shown in FIG. 4 functions as a bus type network in which all devices 1 to 7 share a certain communication band. In addition, the device that is the source of the information adds information (for example, an identifier (ID) or address) for identifying the receiving party to the transmission signal (information) and sends the information to the network. Each device that receives such a signal determines whether or not the signal (information) is addressed to itself, and receives it if necessary. As a result, communication is performed between any two devices.

Here, if it is assumed in advance that the nodes 4 and 7 will perform communication requiring a very large bandwidth, the nodes 4 and 7 should be bypassed. The empty port 3a of node 3 and the empty port 6a of the node 6 are connected to each other and used as the alternative communication path 30. In the initial state, the repeater function of both end ports 3a and 6a of the alternative communication path 30 is set to the disable state so as not to be valid. This is because the IEEE 1394 bus does not allow connection forms that form a loop within the bus.

With such a configuration, when communication requiring a very large bandwidth is started between the node 4 and the node 7 and at the same time communication is also performed between the node 1 and the node 5, FIG.
As shown in (b), in the node 4, the repeater function of the port 4b connected to the node 3 is disabled, and in response to this, the node 3 also connects to the node 4 at the port 3b.
The repeater function of is disabled. Further, in the node 3, since the communication with the node 4 is cut off, the repeater function of the port 3a connected to the node 6 is enabled in order to use the alternative communication path 30. Similarly, in the node 7, the repeater function of the port 7b connected to the node 6 is invalidated, and accordingly, the node 6 also disables the repeater function of the port 6b connected to the node 7,
In order to use the alternative communication path 30, the repeater function of the port 6a connected to the node 3 is enabled.

By setting the repeater function as described above, the node 4 and the node 7 can be divided as a local sub-network without interrupting the communication between the node 1 and the node 5, and between the node 4 and the node 7. Then, you can execute the transfer that uses the maximum bandwidth. In this state, the main network and the sub network are connected by a cable and enter, but the state is functionally the same as when the cable is removed, and the main network and the sub network are two completely separate. Since it functions as a network, no matter how large bandwidth communication is performed between the nodes 4 and 7, it does not affect the communication between the nodes 1 and 5 belonging to the main network.

After that, when the communication with the node 7 is completed, the node 4 enables the repeater function of the port 4b connected to the node 3 again. As a result, at node 3,
First, the repeater function of the port 3a connected to the node 6 is disabled, and then the port 3b connected to the node 4
Enable the repeater function of. Similarly, the node 7 enables the repeater function of the port 7b connected to the node 6. As a result, in the node 6, first, the repeater function of the port 6a connected to the node 3 is disabled, and subsequently, the repeater function of the port 6b connected to the node 7 is enabled. By setting the repeater function like this, FIG.
The state returns to the state shown in (a).

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a network configuration method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The bus-type network of the present embodiment is configured by using the IEEE 1394 bus according to the first embodiment (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and has a repeat function at each port of the nodes 1 to 7. The enable / disable control uses the disable / enable function of the port specified by IEEE Std 1394a-2000, and the disable / enable function of the target port from a node other than the node that communicates. Since a remote command packet is used when setting the, the description regarding this is omitted.

The present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the alternative communication path 30 used when communication is performed between the node 4 and the node 7 so as to use all of the band is the node 1 and the node 5.
The points set between are different.

In FIG. 5, the node 4 disables the repeater function of the port 4c connected to the node 3, and accordingly the node 3 also disables the repeater function of the port 3c connected to the node 4. . Further, in the node 3, since the connection with the node 4 has been disconnected, in order to use the alternative communication path 30, the above-mentioned remote command packet is used, and the repeater of the port 1c connected to the node 5 in the node 1 is used. Enable the function. Similarly, node 7
In order to disable the repeater function of the port 7c connected to the node 6 and to disable the repeater function of the port 6c connected to the node 7 in the node 6 as well, to use the alternative communication path 30. Using the remote command packet described above, the repeater function of the port 5c connected to the node 1 in the node 5 is enabled.

After this, when the communication with the node 7 is completed in the node 4, the repeater function of the port 4c connected to the node 3 is validated again. As a result, at node 3,
First, the node 1 disables the repeater function of the port 1c connected to the node 5, and then the own node 3 enables the repeater function of the port 3c connected to the node 4.
Similarly, in the node 7, the repeater function of the port 5c connected to the node 1 at the node 5 is disabled, and subsequently, the repeater function of the port 7c connected to the node 6 at the own node 7 is enabled. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 5A is restored.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 6 shows a network configuration method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The bus-type network of the present embodiment is configured by using the IEEE 1394 bus according to the first embodiment (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and has a repeat function at each port of the nodes 1 to 7. The enable / disable control uses the disable / enable function of the port specified by IEEE Std 1394a-2000, and the disable / enable function of the target port from a node other than the node that communicates. Since a remote command packet is used when setting the, the description regarding these is omitted.

This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that nodes (devices) 10 and 20 have a node 3 having a repeater function,
The difference is that a plurality of 4, 6 and 7 are incorporated. According to this method, it is possible to obtain the effect of reducing the apparent number of ports and facilitating the connection and connection.

In FIG. 6, the device 10 and the device 20 perform communication using a wider bandwidth than the other devices 1, 2 and 5. In addition to the node (device) 4 connected to the original function block of the device, the device 10 includes a node (device) 3 that is a repeater function block. Also,
The device 20 includes a node (device) 6 which is a repeater function block in addition to a node (device) 7 connected to a function block of the device itself. Here, if each of the devices 10 and 20 is regarded as one node, the connections of the nodes 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 forming the bus type network are the first to the first.
It can be seen that this is in accordance with the third embodiment. Here, since each of the nodes 1 to 7 is almost the same as that of the third embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the device 10, by incorporating the repeater function block (device 3), it is apparent that the port A for connecting the cable to the other device 2,
Port B for cable connection with device 20 (node 7)
And a port b for connecting the alternative communication path 30 to the device 20 (that is, a port for connecting the device 3 and the device 6 by cable) b. In addition, the device 20 has a built-in repeater function block (device 6) so that it is possible to apparently connect the device 10 (node 4) with the port A ′ for cable connection with another device 5. A port B ′ and a port b ′ for connecting the alternative communication path 30 between the device 10 (that is, a port for connecting the device 6 and the device 3 by a cable) are provided. Here, by bundling the cables between the ports BB ′ and bb ′ into one, the devices 10 and 20 can be easily connected without performing complicated wiring.

[0045]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the network is divided and reconfigured (joined) so that the local increase of traffic does not affect the communication between other devices. Can be configured.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the network is divided, it is possible to dynamically use the alternative communication path, thereby enabling communication between other devices. Further, since a complicated control protocol for cooperating with a bridge or the like is not used, the reliability is high and the affinity with existing devices is high.

According to the invention of claim 3, IEEE 139
When 4 buses are used, the network can be divided and reconfigured without introducing a special device such as a bridge, and all operations can be performed by software without end user intervention. It is also applicable to all current IEEE 1394 standards and existing hardware. Therefore, it is possible to improve cost performance and realize an easy-to-use network environment.

According to the invention described in claim 4, as described above, when the IEEE 1394 bus is used, the cost performance is improved and an easy-to-use network environment can be realized.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, as described above, it is possible to improve the cost performance when using the IEEE 1394 bus and to realize an easy-to-use network environment.

According to the invention of claim 6, the number of connectors or cables to be connected can be reduced by incorporating an additional repeater function in the device.
It is possible to provide a network environment that is easy for users to set (wiring).

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a network configuration method having an excellent effect that the network can be dynamically divided and reconfigured to effectively use the bandwidth.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a dividing and joining operation of a network according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of a remote command packet used for a network dividing and joining operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a conventional network configuration method (division method by a bridge).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration method that does not use a bridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 to 6, 21 to 25 nodes (equipment) 26 bridges (relay devices) 3a to 3c, 4b, 4c, 5c, 6a to 6c, 7b, 7
c, A, A ', B, B', b, b'Port 30 Alternative communication path (signal transmission path)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method of constructing a bus-type network having a plurality of nodes having a repeater function for amplifying and transmitting a signal, comprising: connecting a first node in the network and the first node; Connected to the first node, the second node, the first node, or the second node when the network is divided by dynamically disconnecting the configured second node from the network. A network configuration method, characterized in that the repeater function of any of the established third nodes is disabled. 2. A method of constructing a bus type network having a plurality of nodes having a repeater function for amplifying and transmitting a signal, comprising: connecting a first node in the network and the first node. A bypass signal transmission path connecting any of the other nodes other than the established second node, and dynamically disconnecting the first node and the second node from the network, When splitting, the first node, the second node, the first node
The third node connected to the node and the fourth node connected to the second node, the repeater function of a predetermined connection port is invalidated, and the repeater function is connected to both ends of the signal transmission path. A network configuration method comprising enabling a repeater function of a predetermined connection port of another node to enable use of the signal transmission path. 3. The bus type network is defined by IEEE Std 1
3. The network configuration method according to claim 1, wherein the network configuration method is configured by a serial bus defined by 394. 4. The software for realizing the disable / enable function of a port defined by IEEE Std 1394a-2000 is used when enabling or disabling the repeater function. Described network configuration method. 5. The network configuration method according to claim 4, wherein a remote command packet defined by the IEEE Std 1394a-2000 is used to realize the disable / enable function of the port. 6. The network configuration method according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of nodes having the repeater function are incorporated in any one of the plurality of nodes.