JP2005303544A - Communication system, file provisioning server, communication terminal, communicating method and communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set various setting information flexibly and efficiently. <P>SOLUTION: A communication system includes: a plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network; and a file provisioning server which provides set information file which contains various kinds of setting information relevant to the network function of the communication terminal for the communication terminal when the request message arrives from the communication terminal. The file provisioning server accumulates a group setting information file including the setting information common to the communication terminal in the group, and an inherent setting information file including the setting information intrinsic for each communication terminal when the group is set among the plurality of the communication terminals; and provides the group setting information file or the intrinsic setting information file in response to the request message arrived from each communication terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a file providing server, a communication terminal, a communication method, and a communication program. For example, the present invention is applied to a case where a plurality of IP telephones are installed on an IP network and settings of each IP telephone are flexibly changed. Therefore, it is suitable.

  As a method for setting basic configuration information related to TCP / IP to a communication terminal such as a notebook personal computer on an IP network, there is a method using DHCP. The basic configuration information related to TCP / IP includes an IP address set (assigned) as an identifier for designating the communication terminal itself, and when the communication terminal communicates with a communication terminal outside the subnet. Various information such as a default gateway indicating the IP address of the router through which it passes is included.

  When the DHCP client on the communication terminal operates effectively, when the communication terminal is connected to the IP network, the DHCP server on the IP network and the DHCP client exchange control information according to the procedure specified by DHCP. Basic configuration information related to TCP / IP is set in the communication terminal.

  When such a DHCP server is used, management is easier and setting errors are less likely to occur than when manually setting each individual communication terminal. This is because even when the administrator changes the configuration information, it is not necessary to manually move to each communication terminal and perform a setting operation, but only to change the registered contents of the DHCP server.

As a conventional technique related to DHCP, there is one described in Patent Document 1 below.
JP 2000-059387 A

  However, various types of configuration information (such as IP phone numbers and registered contents of speed dials) that are not included in the basic configuration information related to TCP / IP are set in communication terminals such as IP phones. Although it may be necessary, it is difficult to meet such a variety of configuration information settings by DHCP alone.

  Also, in DHCP and the like, it is difficult to flexibly and efficiently change the setting of configuration information such as telephone number and speed dial registration content in the IP telephone, so it can be said that flexibility and efficiency are low.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the first aspect of the present invention, when a request message arrives from a plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network and various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal, In a communication system including a file providing server for providing the accommodated setting information file to the communication terminal, the file providing server is configured so that when a group is set between the plurality of communication terminals, the communication terminals in the group A group setting information file including the setting information common to each communication terminal and a unique setting information file including setting information specific to each communication terminal, and in response to a request message received from each communication terminal, A setting information file or a unique setting information file is provided.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, when a request message arrives from a plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network, a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal is stored. In a file providing server as a component of a communication system including a file providing server provided to the communication terminal, when a group is set between a plurality of the communication terminals, the common to the communication terminals in the group A group setting information file including setting information and a unique setting information file including setting information unique to each communication terminal are accumulated, and in response to a request message received from each communication terminal, the group setting information file or A unique setting information file is provided.

  Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, when a request message arrives from a plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network and the communication terminal, a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal is stored. In a communication terminal as a component of a communication system including a file providing server to be provided to the communication terminal, (1) storing the setting information accommodated in the received group setting information file or unique setting information file (2) When the device itself is activated, or when the setting information deadline is included in the setting information saved in the saving unit, it is detected that the setting information deadline has arrived. A first request transmitter for transmitting the request message each time, and (3) the file providing server responds to the request message by the group If the setting information has already been saved in the storage unit when the group setting information file or the unique setting information file is delivered, the saved setting information and the group setting information file or the unique setting information file that has been delivered are stored. An update determination unit that determines whether the content of the setting information is updated by comparing the stored setting information; and (4) when it is determined that the update determination unit is updated, A first information update corresponding unit that updates the setting information already stored in the storage unit based on the setting information stored in the group setting information file or the unique setting information file that has been delivered. And

  In the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a request message arrives from a plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network and a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal, In a communication terminal as a component of a communication system including a file providing server to be provided to the communication terminal, (1) the setting information contained in the received group setting information file or unique setting information file and these files (2) a management information specifying unit for specifying management information of a file to be acquired next based on the management information stored in the storage unit, and (3) ) When the device itself is started up, or when the setting information time limit is included in the setting information stored in the storage unit, the setting information time limit A second request transmitting unit that transmits a request message specifying a target file by the management information specified by the management information specifying unit each time it is detected that it has arrived, and (4) the file according to the request message When the providing server receives the corresponding group setting information file or unique setting information file, the second information for updating the setting information stored in the storage unit based on the setting information stored in the file And an update support unit.

  Furthermore, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a request message arrives from a plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network and the communication terminal, a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal is stored. In a communication method using a file providing server provided to the communication terminal, when a group is set between the plurality of communication terminals, the file providing server uses the setting information common to the communication terminals in the group. And a unique setting information file containing setting information unique to each communication terminal, and in response to a request message received from each communication terminal, the group setting information file or unique setting An information file is provided.

  Furthermore, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of communication terminal functions belonging to a predetermined network, and when a request message arrives from the communication terminal function, various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal function are stored. In a communication program having a file providing server function for providing the setting information file to the communication terminal function, when a group is set between the plurality of communication terminal functions in the computer, the communication terminal function in the group Realizing the file providing server function for storing the group setting information file including the setting information common to the communication terminal and the unique setting information file including the setting information specific to each communication terminal function. Depending on the received request message, the relevant group setting information file or unique setting information file Characterized in that it provides.

  According to the present invention, various setting information can be set flexibly and efficiently.

(A) Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of a communication system, a file providing server, a communication terminal, a communication method, and a communication program according to the present invention will be described.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration example of a communication system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes a network 11, IP telephones 12 to 16, a provisioning server 17, and a DHCP server 18.

  Among these, the network 11 may be an intermediary between the Internet and a wide area Ethernet network (“Ethernet” is a registered trademark), or may be a LAN (local area network) constructed in one company E1. May be. In any case, on this network 11, it is assumed that the IP protocol is used as the network layer protocol of the OSI reference model and IEEE 802.3 is used as the data link layer protocol.

  The IP telephones 12 to 16 are divided into groups. The number of groups may be three or more, but here it is assumed to be two for the sake of simplicity. Among them, IP telephones 12 to 14 belong to one group GP1, and IP telephones 15 and 16 belong to the other group GP2. The groups GP1 and GP2 can be set based on various conditions, but are preferably set for each department. For example, a certain department (for example, sales department) in the company E1 may be the group GP1, and another department (for example, the research and development department) may be the group GP2.

  The IP telephone 12 is used by the user U12, the IP telephone 13 is used by the user U13, the IP telephone 14 is used by the user U14,..., And the IP telephone 16 is used by the user U16. In this case, the users U12 to U14 are employees belonging to the sales department, and the users U15 to U16 are employees belonging to the research and development department.

  An IP telephone is a communication terminal for realizing a voice call using VoIP technology. There are various appearances of IP telephones, such as those having the same appearance as ordinary telephones and those having the same appearance as ordinary personal computers. In the case of a computer having an appearance similar to that of a normal personal computer, the IP phone is configured by mounting software for IP phones on a normal personal computer and mounting user interfaces such as speakers and microphones.

  Since VoIP uses the IP protocol, an IP address, which is the only identifier for identifying a communication terminal on the IP protocol, is set (assigned) in order to make a call or the like on the IP phone. There is a need.

  In FIG. 1, IP12 is the IP address of the IP telephone 12, IP13 is the IP address of the IP telephone 13,..., IP16 is the IP address of the IP telephone 16.

  Similarly, M12 is the MAC address of the IP phone 12, M13 is the MAC address of the IP phone 13,..., M16 is the MAC address of the IP phone 16.

  The MAC address is an identifier used to identify a communication terminal in the data link layer of the OSI reference model. A normal IP address (including the IP12 to IP17) is a temporary identifier that can be dynamically set after the communication device (for example, the IP telephone 12) starts to be used. Are stored in each communication device in the manufacturing process of the communication device (for example, IP telephone 12) as a product, and are not changed after the communication device starts to be used. Therefore, the MAC address can be used as a permanent identifier of the IP phone.

  The DHCP server 18 executes a procedure according to a well-known DHCP protocol, and stores the above-described basic configuration information (including IP address (for example, IP12)) related to TCP / IP for each IP on which the DHCP client is mounted. This is a server for setting the telephones 12-16. The procedure according to the DHCP protocol is automatically started when a new IP telephone (for example, 12) is connected to the network 11 or the like. Here, the configuration information is a variable that defines the operation of the IP telephone.

  There are several types of IP address assignment methods by the DHCP server 18, but here, the description will proceed mainly on the premise of dynamic assignment. In the dynamic allocation, an IP address that is no longer necessary for a certain IP telephone (for example, 13) is reused and allocated to another IP telephone (for example, 14). When viewed from the side of the IP telephone to be assigned, among the many IP addresses pooled in the DHCP server 18, an accidentally unused one is assigned to itself. In addition, the IP address once assigned to the IP telephone is regarded as unnecessary when a predetermined lease period elapses.

  When performing such dynamic assignment, the IP address is not a permanent identifier for each IP phone, but only a temporary identifier.

  Since the functions of the IP telephones 12 to 16 are substantially the same, the following description will be given mainly focusing on the IP telephone 12.

  The provisioning server 17 is a server that supplies additional configuration information and a control program FM1 to the IP telephones 12 to 16 in accordance with a predetermined procedure (for example, a procedure according to the TFTP protocol or the FTP protocol). This procedure is started when a predetermined client software (provisioning client (for example, a TFTP client or FTP client)) PL1 installed in each of the IP telephones 12 to 16 requests for provisioning. Here, provisioning refers to flexibly changing the function and setting contents of an IP telephone (for example, 12).

  Although the function of the provisioning server 17 is in common with the DHCP server 18, most of the configuration information supplied by the DHCP server 18 is essential information for performing TCP / IP communication regardless of the type of communication application. On the other hand, the additional configuration information supplied by the provisioning server 17 mainly depends on a communication application (here, IP phone).

  When the provisioning server 17 is configured as a TFTP server or FTP server, there is a difference in processing procedure between DHCP and provisioning. In other words, in DHCP, the DHCP server 18 transmits individual information such as an IP address to each client (for example, a DHCP client installed in the IP telephone 12) according to an individual procedure, whereas provisioning by TFTP, FTP, etc. The provisioning client software PL1 determines the file name first and inquires of the provisioning server 17 whether there is a file with the file name. If there is, the provisioning server 17 transmits the file in units. .

  In the case of this embodiment, the provisioning client software PL1 installed in each IP telephone (for example, 12) automatically generates the file name of the corresponding individual file IF12 from the MAC address M12 of the IP telephone 12 itself, The group name is identified from the additional configuration information set in the IP telephone 12 (or acquired as individual configuration information), and the file name of the group file is automatically generated. The file name of the individual file and the file name of the group file generated in this way are used for the inquiry.

  In order to perform communication for obtaining additional configuration information, it is necessary to obtain and set basic configuration information as a precondition. First, basic configuration information is acquired from the DHCP server 18, and then additional configuration information is acquired from the provisioning server 17.

  In the present embodiment, this additional configuration information includes group configuration information common to all IP telephones (for example, 12 to 14) in the same group (for example, GP1), and individual IP telephones in the group. Divided into different individual configuration information. At least when stored (registered) in the provisioning server 17 or transferred from the provisioning server 17 to each IP phone, the group configuration information is accommodated in the group file, and the individual configuration information is accommodated in the individual file. Is in a state.

  Therefore, assuming that there are two groups GP1 and GP2 and five IP telephones 12 to 15 as shown in FIG. 1, basically two group files GF1 and GF2 and five individual files IF12 to IF16 are provided. Is registered in the provisioning server 17.

  Among them, the group file GF1 is a file containing group configuration information corresponding to the group GP1, and the group file GF2 is a file containing group configuration information corresponding to the group GP2. Similarly, the individual file IF 12 is a file containing the individual configuration information of the IP telephone 12, the individual file IF 13 is a file containing the individual configuration information of the IP telephone 13, and the individual file IF 16 is the IP telephone 16. This file contains individual configuration information.

  Although there are various types of information in the individual configuration information, in the example of FIG. 5, only the user name (username) is accommodated in the individual file IF 12. The user name is identification information for uniquely identifying users of all IP telephones 12 to 16 on the network 10. Of course, information other than the user name may be accommodated in the individual file IF 12 as necessary, or a plurality of information may be accommodated simultaneously.

  Similarly, in the example of FIG. 5, only the IP address (SipProxAddr) of the SIP proxy server is accommodated in the group file GF1, but if necessary, the IP address of the SIP proxy server is included in the group file GF1. Naturally, other information may be accommodated, and a plurality of information may be accommodated simultaneously. The SIP proxy server is a server used by each IP telephone (for example, 12 to 14) during call control when the SIP protocol is used as a call control protocol.

  In FIG. 5, each information included in an information set (for example, IS12A) which is a set of additional configuration information stored in the IP phone 12 is stored in the IP phone using such an individual file or group file. It was delivered to 12. Therefore, it is normal that individual configuration information and group configuration information are mixed in each information set.

  For example, the information set IS12A includes an IP address (ProvServerAddr) of the provisioning server 17, the group (ProvGroup), a provision expiration date (ProvExpire), a MAC address (MacAddr), and a collection of configuration information (here, Individual file) identification information (ConfigID) is included.

  Of these, the IP address of the provisioning server 17 is often set in the IP telephone 12 as a part of basic configuration information or stored in the storage unit (ROM) 23 in the manufacturing process, as will be described later. In this case, it is not necessary to have individual configuration information in this way. However, for example, in the case where a plurality of provisioning servers 17 are prepared in the network 11 and the next access from the IP telephone 12 is to be made to another provisioning server, the IP address of the provisioning server 17 is used. May be set as individual configuration information. If the IP address of the provisioning server is not set in the IP phone immediately after shipment, when the IP phone acquires an IP address from the DHCP server 18 by DHCP communication, the IP address of the provisioning server 17 is used as an option of DHCP. You may make it acquire.

  In addition, if the group (that is, information indicating that the IP telephone 12 belongs to the group GP1) should also be understood on the provisioning server 17 side, the IP telephone is used as the individual configuration information in this way. Although there is no need to transmit the information to the IP telephone 12, it is necessary to provide individual configuration information (or group configuration information) when the IP telephone 12 has a function for using the information of this group.

  As will be described later, the provision time limit is essential information for the IP telephone 12 and therefore needs to be set as individual configuration information (or group configuration information).

  The MAC address is the MAC address of the IP telephone 12 itself, and as long as it is used in a normal usage method (described as a source MAC address in the MAC header, etc.), it is transmitted from the provisioning server 17 as individual configuration information. Although there is no need to receive it, the IP telephone 12 may be provided with individual configuration information when a new function using this MAC address is installed.

  However, if necessary, the MAC address may be described in the individual file so as to be used for searching for the individual file on the provisioning server 17 side.

  As described above, information common to all IP telephones (for example, 12 to 14) in the same group (for example, GP1) is group configuration information, and information different for each individual IP telephone in the group is individual configuration. Since it is information, whether specific information becomes group configuration information or individual configuration information may vary depending on the network configuration related to the information.

  For example, if the same value is always set for all IP phones in the group as the provision deadline, the provision deadline is group configuration information, but a different value may be set for each IP phone. In this case, it is necessary to store the individual configuration information.

  The same is true for the IP address of the SIP proxy server. For example, if all IP telephones in a group always use the same SIP proxy server in the process of call control, the IP address of the SIP proxy server can be used as group configuration information. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Although it is possible to describe the IP address of the SIP proxy server only in GF1, otherwise it is individual configuration information, so the IP address of the SIP proxy server is described in an individual file (for example, IF12). There is a need.

  Control in TCP / IP communication (for example, the value of the IP address set in its own IP telephone, which router is set as the default gateway, etc.) that a general user (for example, U12) does not need to be aware of Therefore, the basic configuration information does not necessarily affect the usability of the user. However, since the communication application is a part that directly provides a user interface for general users, additional information provided by the provisioning server 17 is provided. The configuration information has a direct and great influence on the usability of the user. As additional configuration information, in addition to the above-described information, for example, a telephone number or an abbreviated dial may be used. In this case, the telephone number of its own IP telephone (for example, 12) is changed, When the registered contents of the speed dial are changed, it is necessary for the user (for example, U12) to accurately grasp it and perform an operation according to the change.

  Here, abbreviated dialing is applicable when one or more predetermined destination phone numbers are replaced with a string of letters or numbers having fewer digits than originally intended, and the user designates the letters or numbers. This is a function for making a call to a destination. Normally, the telephone numbers of a plurality of destinations with high calling frequency are registered in the speed dial, but since the destinations with high calling frequency are usually different for each department, the speed dial is used as the group configuration information. It is preferable to describe in a group file.

  Of the FTP and TFTP, which are file transfer protocols, FTP operates on the TCP protocol with retransmission control, but TFTP operates on the UDP protocol that does not perform retransmission control. Therefore, it can be said that TFTP has lower communication reliability but higher efficiency than FTP. If the communication reliability of the network 11 is sufficiently high, it is better to use the TFTP protocol than FTP.

  The internal configuration of the IP telephone 12 is, for example, as shown in FIG. The internal configurations of the other IP telephones 13 to 16 are the same.

(A-1-1) Internal Configuration Example of IP Telephone In FIG. 2, the IP telephone 12 includes a communication unit 20, a control unit 21, a user interface unit 22, a storage unit 23, a change determination unit 24, An information update unit 25, a request processing unit 26, and a management information comparison unit 27 are provided.

  Among these, the communication unit 20 communicates with other IP telephones (for example, 15) or a server (not shown) (for example, SIP server, H.323 gatekeeper, etc.) via the network 11, and the provisioning server 17 and the DHCP server. 18 is a part for executing communication with the communication unit 18.

  The control unit 21 corresponds to a CPU (central processing unit) of the IP telephone 12 in terms of hardware, and corresponds to various programs such as the control program FM1 in terms of software. Each component in the IP telephone 12 is controlled by the CPU executing processing according to the control program FM1.

  The user interface unit 22 constitutes a user interface between the user U12 and the IP telephone 12, and for example, an operation unit (for example, a button) for the user U12 to specify a destination telephone number. A microphone for collecting the spoken voice, a speaker for outputting the voice spoken by the other party to be listened to by the user U12, a display unit for transmitting various messages to the user U12, and the like.

  The storage unit 23 includes a volatile storage unit and a nonvolatile storage unit in terms of hardware, and various files may be included in this portion in terms of software. The information set IS12A is also stored and stored in the storage unit 23.

  The volatile storage means of the storage unit 23 is a storage resource constituted by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like, and mainly provides a working storage area to the control unit 21. Although the stored contents of the volatile storage means are lost when the power supply is cut off, relatively high-speed read / write access is possible. The nonvolatile storage means is a storage resource composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, etc., and the storage contents are not lost even if the power supply is cut off, so that a storage area for storage is provided. Can do. The ROM may be an EEPROM (flash memory) that can rewrite the stored contents.

  Here, it is assumed that the control program FM1 is stored in the EEPROM as firmware. If the control program FM1 is stored in the EEPROM, a new version of the control program FM1 can be downloaded and rewritten with an old version of the control program FM1 when necessary, and the functions of the control program FM1 can be appropriately changed. You can change it, fix bugs, and so on.

  The MAC address M12 is normally stored in a read-only ROM in the storage unit 23 in the manufacturing process.

  The remaining components 24 to 27 are characteristic of the present embodiment, and in terms of software, a combination of these components 24 to 27 corresponds to the provisioning client software PL1.

  Among these, the request processing unit 26 is a part that processes communication necessary for provisioning, such as transmitting a transfer request message for requesting transfer of a file (GF1 or the like) to the provisioning server 17. This processing is executed according to the TFTP protocol, for example. The transmission of the transfer request message is executed when the IP telephone 12 is turned on and activated or whenever it is detected that the provision time limit has come. The provision deadline is included in the information set (for example, IS12A). As the provision deadline, an absolute time may be described, but here, a relative time is described. Although what value the provision deadline is set to is arbitrary, it may be set to about 3600 seconds (60 minutes) as an example.

  In this case, for example, every time the relative value of the time measured by a predetermined timer reaches the 3600 seconds, the request processing unit 26 detects the provision deadline and transmits the transfer request message. Become.

  When the IP phone 12 receives a file (for example, a group file or an individual file) transferred from the provisioning server 17 in response to the transfer request message or the like, the change determination unit 24 receives information (additional information) in the file. The configuration information) and the contents of the information set (for example, IS12A) already stored in the storage unit 23 are compared to determine whether or not the contents are changed. For example, when the transfer request message or the like is transmitted and the individual file IF 12 is received, the information stored in the individual file IF 12 is compared with the information set already stored in the storage unit 23, and the content is It is determined whether or not it has been changed. The determination result that it has been changed is obtained when the administrator MU 17 substantially updates the contents of each file (for example, GF1 and IF12) on the provisioning server 17.

  When the IP telephone 12 is immediately after manufacture, etc., and the file serving as a reference for comparison is not stored in the storage unit 23, the change determination unit 24 does not need to perform such determination.

  The management information comparison unit 27 is a part that estimates whether or not the contents of a file have been changed by comparing file management information such as file name, version information, and update date. When it is difficult to directly determine whether or not the contents of a file have been changed because the file size is too large, the management information comparison unit 27 functions as a replacement for the change determination unit 24. The management information comparison unit 27 has already stored management information of a file (for example, a program file containing the control program FM1) transferred from the provisioning server 17 in response to the transfer request message or the like in the storage unit 23. This estimation is performed by comparing with the management information of the existing file.

  The version information in the management information of the program file containing the control program FM1 may be, for example, the character string “okisip010102” shown in FIG. In this character string, the four characters “okisip” from the left end are identification information of the firmware (control program FM1), for example, the subsequent two characters “01” are the major version numbers, and the subsequent two characters “01” are the minor version numbers. The next two characters “02” may be a build number.

  The information update unit 25 is a part that updates the information set (additional configuration information) stored in the storage unit 23 according to the determination result by the change determination unit 24. If the change determination unit 24 determines that the information in the received file has been changed, this time, the information in the information set already stored is replaced with the information in the received file, and the information has not been changed. If it is determined, such replacement is not performed. The replacement may be performed in units of information sets or may be performed in units of information.

On the other hand, the internal configuration of the provisioning server 17 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
(A-1-2) Internal Configuration Example of Provisioning Server In FIG. 3, the provisioning server 17 includes a communication unit 30, a control unit 31, and a storage unit 32.

  Among them, the communication unit 30 corresponds to the communication unit 20, the control unit 31 corresponds to the control unit 21, and the storage unit 32 corresponds to the storage unit 23, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  However, the above-mentioned various files GF1, GF2, IF12 to IF16 and the like are stored in the storage unit 32. When a transfer request message or the like arrives from each IP telephone set 12 to 16, these files are responded accordingly. The corresponding file is transmitted from the files GF1, GF2, IF12 to IF16 to the transmission source such as the transfer request message.

  The administrator MU 17 performs a desired operation in each of the files GF1, GF2, and IF12 to IF16 stored in the storage unit 32 by a local operation using a user interface (not shown) of the provisioning server 17 or a remote operation via the network 11. Can be rewritten, a saved file can be deleted, and a new file for which no corresponding file has existed can be saved in the storage unit 32. Also, the control program FM1 stored on the provisioning server 17 can be changed to a new version by the administrator MU17.

  Normally, such a new version of the control program FM1 is provided by the manufacturer that is the provider of the IP telephone (for example, 12) as a product, but the new version of the control program FM1 is provided by the manufacturer. If the administrator MU 17 or the like is registered in the provisioning server 17 by the administrator MU 17 or the like, the program FM 1 can be quickly installed on each IP telephone 12 to 16 in the network 11.

  Since the control program (for example, FM1) is considered to be a component that greatly depends on the models of the IP telephones 12 to 16, the provisioning server 17 manages information on the models of the IP telephones. It is advisable to register a different control program for each.

  The DHCP server 18 is basically a normal DHCP server, and its internal configuration may be basically the same as the provisioning server 17.

  In the configuration of this embodiment, it is important that the DHCP server 18 can supply the IP 17 that is the IP address of the provisioning server 17 to each of the IP telephones 12 to 16 as a part of the basic configuration information. The IP address IP17 of the provisioning server 17 is optionally added to a part of the basic configuration information.

  However, in the manufacturing process of an IP telephone (for example, 12) as a product, for example, the IP address IP17 can be stored in the ROM included in the storage unit 23 of the IP telephone 12. In this case, the IP address IP17 is previously communicated to the manufacturer. When the IP address IP17 is stored in the ROM in the IP telephone 12, it is difficult to change the IP address IP17 of the provisioning server 17 after the IP telephone 12 starts to be used, but the EEPROM in the IP telephone 12 For example, the IP address of the provisioning server 17 can be changed after the IP telephone 12 starts to be used.

  In any case, when the IP address IP17 is stored in the IP telephone (for example, 12) from the beginning, it is not always necessary for the DHCP server 18 to set the IP address IP17 in each IP telephone. When the IP address IP17 is changed, the changed IP address IP17 is transmitted from the provisioning server 17 as the group configuration information or the individual configuration information, so that the changed IP address IP17 is assigned to each IP telephone 12. It can also be set to ~ 16.

  The operation of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below. Here, as described above, the IP telephone 12 is mainly noticed.

(A-2) Operation of Embodiment In FIG. 1, IP telephones 13 to 16 are already connected to the network 11 and used, but the IP telephone 12 is not yet connected to the network 11. To do. The fact that the IP telephones 13 to 16 are already used means that the groups GP1 and GP2 already exist, and the group files GF1 and GF2 and the individual files IF13 to IF16 are already registered in the provisioning server 17.

  In this state, if the IP telephone 12 is newly connected to the network 11 as a telephone of the sales department corresponding to the group GP1, the manager MU 17 will connect the individual telephone corresponding to the IP telephone 12 before connection. The file IF 12 needs to be registered in the provisioning server 17. However, if necessary, the individual file IF 12 may be automatically generated based on previously stored information.

  When the user U12 connects the IP telephone 12 to the network 11 and turns on the power, and the IP telephone 12 is activated, the DHCP client on the IP telephone 12 operates and communicates with the DHCP server 18 using the well-known DHCP protocol. Obtain the basic configuration information. In this basic configuration information, IP 12 which is an IP address set as an identifier for designating the IP telephone 12 itself, and the IP telephone 12 communicate with a communication terminal (for example, another IP telephone) outside the subnet. This includes various TCP / IP related information such as a default gateway indicating the IP address of the router through which the information is routed. Here, the subnet indicates a network range divided by routers.

  As described above, when the IP address IP17 of the provisioning server 17 is not stored in the IP telephone 12, the IP address IP17 is included in the basic configuration information acquired at this time. In any case, the IP telephone 12 needs to recognize the IP address IP17 of the provisioning server 17 by the time when this basic configuration information is acquired.

  In the procedure according to the DHCP protocol, broadcast is essential, and broadcast cannot pass through the router. Therefore, the DHCP server 18 and the IP telephone 12 basically belong to the same subnet. However, as long as a DHCP relay agent is installed in the router, it may be in a different subnet. Since the DHCP relay agent converts the broadcast into unicast, communication according to the DHCP protocol can be performed regardless of how many routers are interposed between the DHCP server 18 and the IP telephone 12.

  When the basic configuration information is acquired and the IP address IP17 can be recognized, the IP telephone 12 can communicate with the provisioning server 17.

  As described above, since the request processing unit 26 transmits a transfer request message or the like to the provisioning server 17 when the IP telephone 12 is activated, an IP packet containing the transfer request message or the like is used. Upon receiving this IP packet (transfer request message or the like), the provisioning server 17 transmits the group file GF1 and the individual file IF12. In the header of this IP packet, the IP 17 is described as the destination IP address, and IP 12 is described as the source IP address.

  In order to identify the group file GP1, group identification information (corresponding to the file name of the corresponding group file) indicating that the IP telephone 12 with the MAC address M12 belongs to the group GP1 is added to the IP telephone 12 as additional configuration information. It is necessary to set. This setting may be performed in the manufacturing process of the IP telephone 12, or may be described as information (individual configuration information) in an individual file that the IP telephone 12 acquires from the provisioning server 17. . In the latter case, the IP telephone 12 first acquires the individual file IF 12 from the provisioning server 17, and then acquires the group file GF1 from the provisioning server 17 using the group identification information described in the individual file IF 12. It will be.

  As described above, the file name of the individual file (here, IF12) is a character string (number) indicating that the provisioning client software PL1 in the IP phone (here, 12) indicates the MAC address (here, M12) of the own IP phone. Column), it can be generated even in the initial state where there is no information other than the MAC address. For example, when the MAC address M12 is “001018000000”, by setting the file name of the individual file IF12 as “okisip-001018000000.txt” including the numeric string as shown in FIG. Can be generated automatically.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the file name “okisip-floor1.txt” is a text file corresponding to the group file GF1, and the individual file IF 12 and the group are grouped according to the transfer request message transmitted from the IP telephone set 12. The file GF1 is transmitted from the provisioning server 17 to the IP telephone 12.

  When the provisioning server 17 transmits the individual file IF12 and the group file GP1 specified on the basis of each file name to the IP telephone set 12, the IP packet including these files GP1 and IF12 and the MAC frame containing the IP packet are included. Of course, is used.

  In the IP telephone set 12 that has received the group file GF1 and the individual file IF 12 transmitted from the provisioning server 17 via the network 11, whether or not a transmission error has occurred using an FCS (frame check sequence) arranged in the MAC frame or the like. Inspect. If a transmission error has occurred as a result of the inspection, a transfer request message or the like may be transmitted again to obtain the files GF1 and IF12 that do not include a transmission error.

  When the files GF1 and IF12 that do not include a transmission error can be received, the change determination unit 24 operates.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the change determination unit 24 determines whether or not the contents of the received files GF1 and IF12 have been changed compared to the information already stored in the storage unit 23 of the IP telephone 12, If no change has been made, no special processing is performed, and therefore the IP telephone 12 performs the same operation (normal processing) as before. On the other hand, if it has been changed, the information already stored is replaced with the information contained in the received file. For example, if a set of information stored and set in the IP telephone 12 from the beginning is the information set IS12A shown in FIG. 5, the contents are each set as IS12B, IS12C every time a new individual file or group file is received. , ... and changed. Here, IS12A to IS12C are a set of information set in the IP telephone set 12 by being received and received in individual files or group files. However, if necessary, the initial information set IS12A may be stored in the IP telephone 12 when the IP telephone 12 as a product is shipped.

  In any case, the information set IS12A is changed to IS12B when the description of the user name that did not exist in the already stored information set IS12A exists in the received individual file IF12, for example. The information updating unit 25 realizes such an update by replacing information.

  Similar determination and replacement can be executed for the group file GF1.

  If the information set stored in the storage unit 23 does not exist when the file IF 12 or GF1 transmitted from the provisioning server 17 is received, such as the one immediately after the IP telephone 12 is manufactured, the reception is performed. The information set accommodated in the file (for example, IF12) is immediately stored in the storage unit 23.

  When the provisioning server 17 transmits a program file containing the control program FM1 together with the files IF12 and GF1, the same operation as described above can be executed for the received control program FM1. This point is as shown in FIG.

  However, in a normal implementation, transmission of the transfer request message, etc., reception of the file IFs 12, GF1, etc. are realized by the function of the control program FM1, which is already stored in the storage unit 23 and is in an execution state at that time. Therefore, regarding the control program FM1, when the control program FM1 transmitted from the provisioning server 17 is received by the IP telephone 12, there is no control program FM1 stored in the storage unit 23. impossible.

  Even if the control program FM1 is read into the RAM of the storage unit 23 and is in an execution state, the change determination unit 24 receives the code of the control program FM1 stored in the EEPROM or the like. It is possible to compare the generated control program FM1 with its code. However, when it is not preferable to perform such comparison because the size of the control program FM1 is too large, the management information comparison unit 27 is used.

  The management information comparison unit 27 determines whether the control program FM1 has been changed using file management information such as a file name, version information, and update date / time. In this determination, for example, the version information of the control program FM1 received from the provisioning server 17 is compared with the version information of the control program FM1 currently used in the IP telephone 12. If they are different as a result of the comparison, the management information comparison unit 27 recognizes in the IP telephone 12 that the control program FM1 needs to be updated. In response to this recognition, the next time a transfer request message or the like is transmitted, the request processing unit 26 specifies the file name of the program file containing the new control program, and the provisioning server 17 that receives the transfer request message or the like controls Send the program.

  In the case of the control program FM1 and in the case of the files GF1 and IF12, such an update is executed, and the IP telephone set 12 executes an operation according to the updated control program FM1 and the files GF1 and IF12. To do so, a reboot is usually required.

  After this restart, the IP telephone 12 performs normal processing, but the contents of the control program FM1, file IF12, GF1 have changed, except for the case of simply restarting for bug correction or the like. Normally, the contents of the normal process change before and after the restart.

  Whether or not to restart, when the IP telephone 12 connected to the network 11 starts normal processing, it is stored in the storage unit 23 of the IP telephone 12 at that time. As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer request message or the like is transmitted to the provision server 17 at a timing according to the provision time limit described in the information set (for example, IS12C).

  Therefore, when the control program FM1 or the file IF12, GF1 registered on the provisioning server 17 side is changed by the administrator MU17 or the like, the contents of the change are immediately reflected in the normal processing of the IP telephone set 12. Of course, when the contents of the files IF12 and GF1 on the provisioning server 17 side are changed, the provision time limit may be changed.

  For example, if the administrator MU 17 plans to make an important change in the near future and wants to reflect the contents of the next change in normal processing such as the IP telephone 12 more quickly, the IP telephone The short provision time limit (for example, 60 seconds) may be described in the file to be transmitted to 12. On the other hand, if it is clear that there will be no change for the time being, a long provision deadline (for example, 86400 seconds (24 hours)) may be described. If the provision period is lengthened, the frequency of transmission of the transfer request message and the transmission of files (for example, GF1, IF12, FM1) and the like decreases, so the processing capability of the IP telephone (for example, 12) and the provisioning server 17, and The transmission band of the network 11 can be saved.

  Further, as described above, when a provision deadline is described in a group file (for example, GF1 etc.), the IP telephone is used in a group unit and when a provision deadline is described in an individual file (for example, IF12). The provision deadline changes in units, and fine provisioning is possible.

  Furthermore, information unique to each IP telephone such as the telephone number and IP address is described in an individual file (for example, IF12), and IP telephones (for example, GP1) such as registration of the speed dial are registered in the group (for example, GP1). If information common to 12 to 14) is described in the group file (GF1), it is possible to save labor and processing amount for such description, and efficient provisioning becomes possible.

(A-3) Effect of Embodiment According to this embodiment, various configuration information (additional configuration information) can be flexibly and efficiently set in each IP phone.

(B) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the IP address (ProvServerAddr) of the provisioning server 17 is described as additional configuration information. However, the IP address (ProvServerAddr) of the provisioning server 17 is As shown in FIG. 9, the DHCP server 18 may transmit a part of the basic configuration information to an IP telephone (for example, 12).

  In the above embodiment, the group file or individual file is a text file, but this is not always necessary.

  Regardless of the embodiment, the provisioning server 17 can be divided into a plurality of functions. For example, separate servers may have the function of providing a group file or individual file to an IP phone and the function of providing a control program to an IP phone.

  Furthermore, although the IP telephone is used in the above embodiment, the present invention may be applicable to communication terminals other than the IP telephone.

  In the above embodiment, the group is set for each department in a certain company, but it is natural that the group can be set by other methods.

  The communication protocol exemplified in the above embodiment can be replaced with another communication protocol. For example, the IP protocol may be replaced with the IPX protocol, for example.

  In the above description, most of the functions realized in hardware can be realized in software, and almost all the functions realized in software can be realized in hardware. .

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the internal structural example of the IP telephone used by the communication system concerning embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of an internal structure of the provisioning server used with the communication system concerning embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Communication system, 11 ... Network, 12-16 ... IP telephone, 17 ... Provisioning server, 18 ... DHCP server, 20 ... Communication part, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... User interface part, 23 ... Memory | storage part, 24 ... Change Judgment unit 25 ... Information update unit 26 ... Request processing unit 27 ... Management information comparison unit GP1, GP2 ... Group, GF1, GF2 ... Group file, IF12-IF16 ... Individual file, FM1 ... Control program (firmware) .

Claims (10)

A plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network, and a file providing server for providing a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal to the communication terminal when a request message arrives from the communication terminal In a communication system comprising
The file providing server includes:
When a group is set between a plurality of the communication terminals, a group setting information file including the setting information common to the communication terminals in the group, a unique setting information file including setting information unique to each communication terminal, Accumulated,
A communication system, characterized in that the group setting information file or the unique setting information file is provided in response to a request message received from each communication terminal. The communication system of claim 1.
The file providing server includes:
Reflect the physical address fixedly given to the communication terminal from the beginning in the file name of the corresponding unique setting information file, or reflect it in the file contents,
A communication system, wherein when a request message arrives from a communication terminal via the network, the corresponding unique setting information file is specified based on a physical address attached to the request message. The communication system of claim 1.
The communication terminal is
A storage unit for storing the setting information stored in the received group setting information file or unique setting information file;
Whenever it is detected that the setting information deadline has been reached when the setting information deadline is included in the setting information stored in the storage unit, the request message is sent. A first request transmitter for transmitting;
When the file providing server has delivered the group setting information file or the unique setting information file in response to the request message, if the setting information is already stored in the storage unit, the stored setting information is delivered. An update determination unit that determines whether or not the content of the setting information should be updated by comparing the setting information stored in the group setting information file or the unique setting information file;
If the update determination unit determines that the update is required, based on the setting information stored in the group setting information file or the unique setting information file that has already received the setting information stored in the storage unit A communication system comprising a first information update support unit for updating. The communication system of claim 1.
The communication terminal is
A storage unit for storing setting information stored in the received group setting information file or unique setting information file and management information of these files;
Based on the management information stored in the storage unit, a management information specifying unit for specifying management information of a file to be acquired next;
When the setting information time limit is included when the setting information time limit is included in the setting information stored in the storage unit, the management information specifying unit A second request transmission unit that transmits a request message designating a target file by the management information specified by
When the file providing server delivers the corresponding group setting information file or unique setting information file in response to the request message, the setting stored in the storage unit based on the setting information contained in the file A communication system comprising: a second information update support unit that updates information. The communication system of claim 1.
From the beginning, the communication terminal is set with a logical address for identifying the file providing server on the network, or
A communication system, wherein the logical address is set in the communication terminal as an option of a DHCP server arranged on the network. A plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network, and a file providing server for providing a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal to the communication terminal when a request message arrives from the communication terminal In a file providing server as a component of a communication system comprising:
When a group is set between a plurality of the communication terminals, a group setting information file including the setting information common to the communication terminals in the group, a unique setting information file including setting information unique to each communication terminal, Accumulated,
A file providing server that provides the group setting information file or the unique setting information file in response to a request message received from each of the communication terminals. A plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network, and a file providing server for providing a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal to the communication terminal when a request message arrives from the communication terminal In a communication terminal as a component of a communication system comprising:
A storage unit for storing the setting information stored in the received group setting information file or unique setting information file;
The request message is transmitted every time it detects that the setting information deadline has arrived when it starts or when the setting information deadline is included in the setting information stored in the storage unit. A first request transmitter that
When the file providing server has delivered the group setting information file or the unique setting information file in response to the request message, if the setting information is already stored in the storage unit, the stored setting information is delivered. An update determination unit that determines whether the content of the setting information is updated by comparing the setting information stored in the group setting information file or the unique setting information file;
When it is determined that the update determination unit is updated, based on the setting information stored in the group setting information file or the unique setting information file that has already received the setting information stored in the storage unit A communication terminal comprising a first information update support unit that updates the information. A plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network, and a file providing server for providing a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal to the communication terminal when a request message arrives from the communication terminal In a communication terminal as a component of a communication system comprising:
A storage unit for storing setting information stored in the received group setting information file or unique setting information file and management information of these files;
Based on the management information stored in the storage unit, a management information specifying unit for specifying management information of a file to be acquired next;
When the setting information time limit is included when the setting information time limit is included in the setting information stored in the storage unit, the management information specifying unit A second request transmission unit that transmits a request message designating a target file by the management information specified by
When the file providing server delivers the corresponding group setting information file or unique setting information file in response to the request message, the setting stored in the storage unit based on the setting information contained in the file A communication terminal comprising a second information update support unit for updating information. A plurality of communication terminals belonging to a predetermined network, and a file providing server for providing a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal to the communication terminal when a request message arrives from the communication terminal In the communication method using and
When a group is set between a plurality of the communication terminals, the file providing server receives a group setting information file including the setting information common to the communication terminals in the group and setting information unique to each communication terminal. The specific setting information file including
A communication method comprising providing the group setting information file or the unique setting information file in response to a request message received from each of the communication terminals. When a request message arrives from a plurality of communication terminal functions belonging to a predetermined network and the communication terminal function, a setting information file containing various setting information related to the network function of the communication terminal function is stored in the communication terminal function. In a communication program having a file providing server function to be provided,
When a group is set between a plurality of communication terminal functions, a group setting information file including the setting information common to the communication terminal functions in the group and a unique setting including setting information specific to each communication terminal function Realizing the file providing server function for storing information files,
A communication program for providing a group setting information file or a unique setting information file in response to a request message received from each communication terminal function.

Images