JP2006086974A - Communication system, target side communication apparatus, communication method, and communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency of remote control when executing remote maintenance by performing access from the Internet side to network equipment, such as a router or a mode, for connecting to the Internet, for example. <P>SOLUTION: In the communication system where an apparatus identifier assigned to a target side communication apparatus may vary if a predetermined event occurs, the target side communication apparatus comprises: a unit to be remotely controlled that executes, on the target side communication apparatus, processing corresponding to remote control from a controlling side communication apparatus; a first nonvolatile storage unit for storing an apparatus identifier of the controlling side communication apparatus; a notification condition deciding unit for deciding whether or not predetermined notification conditions are satisfied; and a notification executing unit which uses the apparatus identifier stored in the first nonvolatile storage unit to transmit a protocol data unit destined for the controlling side communication apparatus when the notification condition deciding unit decides that the notification conditions are satisfied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a target communication device, a communication method, and a communication program, and is applied to, for example, when performing remote maintenance by accessing a network device such as a router or a modem for connecting to the Internet from the Internet side. Therefore, it is suitable.

  Conventionally, many Internet connection devices such as broadband routers and IP telephone modems do not have a fixed IP address, and acquire and use an IP address used at that time from an ISP (Internet Service Provider) or the like when the Internet connection is started. The state of this operation is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the maintenance target device 10 corresponding to the Internet connection device receives an IP address assignment from the PPPoE server 11 by transmitting a user ID and the like to the PPPoE server 11 corresponding to the ISP (S 10). In S11), the IP telephone server 17 is accessed and registered by transmitting an IP packet whose IP address is the source IP address (S12, S13).

  On the other hand, the operation when the maintenance person M1 performs remote maintenance on the maintenance target apparatus 10 is as shown in FIG. This remote maintenance is executed by accessing the maintenance target apparatus 10 from the Internet side.

  In FIG. 3, the maintenance person M1 who performs the remote maintenance makes an inquiry based on the user account information and the IP telephone registration information (S20), so that the person in charge on the ISP side (the PPPoE server administrator) M2 The IP address assigned to the maintenance target apparatus 10 is checked to know the IP address (S21). The exchange between the maintenance person M1 and the PPPoE server administrator M2 in steps S20 and S21 is currently performed using a telephone or the like. Normally, the maintenance person M1 makes an inquiry about a plurality of maintenance target devices (one of which is the maintenance target device 10) to be maintained at a time, and the PPPoE server administrator M2 investigates them all together and then performs maintenance. Inform the person M1.

  When the IP address of the maintenance target device 10 is known in step S21, the maintenance person M1 transmits an IP packet having the IP address as the destination (destination IP address) from the maintenance personal computer (maintenance personal computer). Remote maintenance of the target device 10 is performed (S22).

  However, it may be necessary to restart the maintenance target device 10 in the above-described remote maintenance process, or communication may be temporarily interrupted due to a network failure or the like.

  The IP address that the ISP assigns to a certain maintenance target device (for example, the maintenance target device 10) dynamically changes every time the maintenance target device 10 is connected to the Internet (that is, every time the step S10 is executed). Therefore, for example, when the network failure occurs or the maintenance target device 10 shown in FIG. 3 is restarted, the IP address assigned to the maintenance target device 10 changes every time.

  If the IP address of the maintenance target device 10 changes during a series of maintenance operations for one maintenance target device 10, the IP packet cannot be transmitted from the maintenance personal computer to the maintenance target device 10. Therefore, remote maintenance cannot be completed normally as it is.

  In order to complete normally, it is necessary to know the IP address of the maintenance target apparatus 10 after the change, and the maintenance person M1 again requests the PPPoE server administrator M2 for the investigation, as shown in FIG. Steps S23 and S24 similar to Steps S20 and S21 are repeated. The maintenance person M1 can resume remote maintenance for the maintenance object apparatus 10 by knowing the IP address of the maintenance object apparatus 10 after the change (S25). However, in this case, the PPPoE server administrator M2 on the ISP side Since the burden is large and the burden on the maintenance person M1 is also large, the overall efficiency is low.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the first aspect of the present invention, a device identifier for identifying a communication device is specified on a network using a predetermined communication protocol, and a protocol data unit corresponding to the communication protocol is transmitted. Thus, in a communication system in which a target communication device as an operation target is remotely operated from an operation source communication device as an operation source, and a device identifier assigned to the target communication device can change when a predetermined event occurs. The target side communication device includes: (1) a remote operated unit that executes processing corresponding to a remote operation from the operation side communication device on the target side communication device; and (2) a device of the operation side communication device. A first non-volatile storage unit that stores an identifier; (3) a notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined notification condition is satisfied; and (4) the notification condition determination unit is a notification condition. A notification execution unit that transmits a protocol data unit addressed to the operation side communication device using a device identifier stored in the first non-volatile storage unit. And

  In the second aspect of the present invention, by specifying a device identifier for identifying a communication device on a network using a predetermined communication protocol and transmitting a protocol data unit corresponding to the communication protocol, The target side as a component of the communication system in which the device identifier assigned to the target side communication device can be changed when a predetermined event occurs by remotely operating the target side communication device from the operation side communication device as the operation source. In the communication device, (1) a remotely operated unit that executes processing corresponding to a remote operation from the operation side communication device on the target side communication device, and (2) a device identifier of the operation side communication device is stored. A first non-volatile storage unit; (3) a notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined notification condition is satisfied; and (4) the notification condition determination unit satisfies the notification condition. When it is determined that, using the device identifier stored in the first nonvolatile storage unit, characterized by comprising a notification executing unit for transmitting a protocol data unit of the operating-side communication device addressed.

  Furthermore, in the third aspect of the present invention, by specifying a device identifier for identifying a communication device on a network using a predetermined communication protocol and transmitting a protocol data unit corresponding to the communication protocol, In the communication method in which the device identifier assigned to the target communication device can be changed when a predetermined event occurs by remotely operating the target communication device to be operated from the operation communication device serving as the operation source, the target communication device Then, (1) the remote operated unit executes processing corresponding to the remote operation from the operation side communication device on the target side communication device, and (2) the first nonvolatile storage unit is operated on the operation side. The device identifier of the communication device is stored, (3) the notification condition determination unit determines whether or not a predetermined notification condition is satisfied, and (4) the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied. If, the notification executing unit, by using the device identifier stored in the first nonvolatile storage unit, and transmits the protocol data unit of the operating-side communication device addressed.

  Furthermore, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, by specifying a device identifier for identifying a communication device on a network using a predetermined communication protocol and transmitting a protocol data unit corresponding to the communication protocol, In the communication program in which the target identifier is allocated to the target communication device when a predetermined event occurs when the target communication device is remotely operated from the operation side communication device serving as the operation source. In the communication device on the side, (1) a remote operated function for executing processing on the target communication device on the target communication device, and (2) a device of the operation communication device A first nonvolatile storage function for storing an identifier; (3) a notification condition determination function for determining whether or not a predetermined notification condition is satisfied; and (4) the notification condition. A notification execution function for transmitting a protocol data unit addressed to the operation side communication device using the device identifier stored in the first nonvolatile storage function when the determination function determines that the notification condition is satisfied; It is characterized by realizing.

  According to the present invention, the efficiency of remote operation can be increased.

(A) Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where the communication system, the target communication device, the communication method, and the communication program according to the present invention are applied to a remote maintenance system.

(A-1) Configuration of the First Embodiment FIG. 4 shows an example of the overall configuration of the remote maintenance system 20 according to the present embodiment.

  4, the remote maintenance system 20 includes an Internet 21, ISP networks 22, 23, a maintenance target device 24, an end terminal 25, a maintenance personal computer (maintenance PC) 26, an IP telephone server 27, and a PPPoE server. 28 and 29 are provided.

  Of these, the Internet 21 is an aggregate of a number of ISP networks, and the ISP networks 22 and 23 are included in the aggregate. In FIG. 4, only the ISP networks 22 and 23 are separately illustrated.

  In addition, the ISP network in which the maintenance personal computer 26 operated by the maintenance person M1 who performs remote maintenance is accommodated may be the same as the ISP network in which the maintenance target device 24 to be subjected to the remote maintenance is accommodated. Since different ones are considered to be general, FIG. 4 shows different examples.

  The maintenance target device 24 is a relay device corresponding to the above-described broadband router, IP telephone modem, and the like, and is loaded with a virtual terminal program (server function) TN1 for realizing remote operation. The entity of the Internet connection by the maintenance target device 24 is a so-called terminal type dial-up IP connection, and each time a new PPPoE connection is made, a different IP address (usually a global IP address) is assigned from the PPPoE server 28. . In the state of FIG. 4, this IP address is IPA11.

  In the following, the description will proceed mainly assuming a case where the maintenance target device 24 is a broadband router. As is well known, an IP telephone modem is directly connected to a PSTN (subscriber telephone network) subscriber line or the like, whereas a broadband router is connected via a modem (eg, an IP telephone modem). It becomes a form connected to a subscriber line.

  The end terminal 25 is a communication device that connects to the Internet via the maintenance target terminal 24. The end terminal 25 may be a normal personal computer equipped with various communication applications, but may also be one equipped with an IP telephone function. In the case of an IP phone, since it is not known when there is an incoming call from a person who wishes to make a call with the user U1, basically it is necessary to always be connected to the Internet. In this case, since the maintenance target device 24 is always connected to the Internet, there are many opportunities to perform maintenance by remote operation.

  An IP telephone server 27 arranged on the Internet 21 is a SIP server or H.264. The end terminal 25 as an IP telephone is a communication apparatus that can correspond to a H.323 gatekeeper or the like, and communicates with the IP telephone server 27 at least during a call control process. This communication is performed via the maintenance target device 24, the ISP network 22, and the Internet 21.

  The maintenance personal computer 26 has a virtual terminal program (its client function) TN2 corresponding to the virtual terminal program (its server function) TN1 installed in the maintenance object device 24. The maintenance personal computer 26 may be a normal personal computer.

  Various virtual terminal programs TN1 and TN2 for realizing remote operation may be used. For example, rlogin may be used, but here, telnet is used. When the virtual terminal program is used, a remote terminal (here, the maintenance target terminal 24) connected via the network is operated in the same manner as when a local terminal (here, the maintenance personal computer 26 itself) is operated. Can be operated with.

  The connection between the maintenance personal computer 26 and the ISP network 23 may be in any form, and as with the Internet connection by the maintenance target device 24, the IP address may be changed at each connection. In order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that the IP address on the maintenance personal computer 26 side does not change. This IP address is IPA21.

  Of course, an internet connection device similar to the maintenance target device 24 may be interposed between the maintenance personal computer 26 and the ISP network 23 as needed.

  When the maintenance target device 24 is remotely operated from the maintenance personal computer 26 using the functions of the virtual terminal programs TN1 and TN2, packets (IP packets) are exchanged between the maintenance personal computer 26 and the maintenance target device 24. The packets exchanged between the maintenance object device 24 and the maintenance personal computer 26 are not limited to this case, and are PK1 and PK2.

  Among these packets, the packet PK1 is a packet transmitted from the maintenance personal computer 26 and delivered to the maintenance target device 24 via the ISP network 23, the Internet 21, and the ISP network 22, and in the state of FIG. The IP address is IPA 11 and the source IP address is IPA 21.

  The packet PK2 is a packet transmitted from the maintenance target device 24 as a response to the packet PK1. The packet PK2 is delivered to the maintenance personal computer 26 via the ISP network 22, the Internet 21, and the ISP network 23. In the state of FIG. 4, the destination IP address described in the header of the packet PK2 is IPA21, and the source IP address is IPA11.

  The internal configuration of the maintenance target device 24 is as shown in FIG.

(A-1-1) Internal Configuration Example of Maintenance Target Device In FIG. 1, the maintenance target device 24 includes a WAN port unit 30, a control unit 31, a LAN port unit 32, a storage unit 33, and network connection processing. Unit 34, telnet server unit 35, event condition determination unit 36, and message generation unit 37.

  Among these, the WAN port unit 30 is a part having a communication port on the WAN (wide area network) side, that is, on the Internet 21 (ISP network 22) side in FIG. Specifically, as described above, when the maintenance target device 24 is a broadband router, the WAN port unit 30 is a PSTN (subscriber telephone network) subscriber via a modem (for example, an IP telephone modem) (not shown). Connected to a line.

  An IP address (for example, IPA 11) assigned to the maintenance target device 24 by the PPPoE server 28 is set in the WAN port unit 30 in the maintenance target device 24.

  The LAN port unit 32 is a part having a communication port on the LAN (local area network) side, that is, on the end terminal 25 side in FIG. Usually, the LAN port unit 32 has a plurality of LAN ports. The maintenance target device 24, which is a broadband router, is equipped with, for example, a DHCP server function and dynamically assigns an IP address (private IP address) to an end terminal (one is 25) connected to the LAN port unit 32. However, in this embodiment, attention is focused on the IP address (for example, IPA 11) assigned from the PPPoE server 28 and set in the WAN port unit 30.

  The control unit 31 corresponds to a CPU (central processing unit) of the maintenance target device 24 in terms of hardware, and may correspond to various programs such as an OS (operating system) in terms of software. When the maintenance target device 24 is an IP telephone modem, the control unit 31 is equipped with a VoIP compatible function (VoIP gateway). This is because the IP telephone modem is normally a relay device that allows a general telephone that does not support VoIP to be used as an IP telephone, and therefore the IP telephone modem needs to function as a kind of VoIP gateway.

  The storage unit 33 is a storage resource composed of volatile storage means (such as RAM) and nonvolatile storage means (such as EEPROM) in terms of hardware, and various files are stored in this portion in terms of software. May be included. Since a program file such as an OS may be one of such files, the physical entity of the OS or the like is located in the storage unit 33.

  When the maintenance target device 24 and the end terminal 25 are activated, if the setting is such that the user can automatically log in to the PPPoE server 28 corresponding to the ISP (even if the user U1 does not manually input a user ID or the like), the storage unit 33 The non-volatile storage means normally stores ID1 which is the ID (user ID) of the user U1 as a member of the ISP operating the ISP network 22. If the maintenance target device 24 is an IP telephone modem, ID2 which is the user ID of the user U1 as an IP telephone user can also be stored in the nonvolatile storage means of the storage unit 33.

  What is important in the present embodiment is that the IP address IPA 21 of the maintenance personal computer 26 can be stored in the nonvolatile storage means of the storage unit 33. The IP address IPA21 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 33 by a remote operation performed by the maintenance person M1 from the maintenance personal computer 26 using the virtual terminal programs TN1 and TN2 before the maintenance target device 24 performs the restart or the like. It is stored in the storage means. However, if necessary, the IP address of the terminal accessed by remote control (an example is the maintenance personal computer 26) is automatically obtained from the header of the received packet (for example, PK1), and the nonvolatile memory of the storage unit 33 is obtained. The maintenance target device 24 may have a function of storing (saving) in the storage unit.

  The IP address (for example, IPA 11) assigned to the maintenance target device 24 from the PPPoE server 28 and set in the WAN port unit 30 is normally stored in the volatile storage unit of the storage unit 33.

  The remaining components 34 to 37 are normally realized as software, but are illustrated as components separate from the control unit 31 in FIG.

  Among these, the network connection processing unit 34 has a function corresponding to a PPPoE client, and requests the PPPoE server 28 to assign an IP address (for example, IPA 11) when the maintenance target device 24 performs a dial-up IP connection. . Note that the communication protocol processed by the network connection processing unit 34 is not necessarily PPPoE, and may be, for example, the DHCP protocol.

  Many ISPs in Japan currently have a configuration in which a PPPoE server is installed in its own ISP network and an IP address is assigned to a maintenance target device (for example, 24) by the PPP protocol. There is also an ISP that is installed in its own ISP network and assigns an IP address to a maintenance target apparatus by the DHCP protocol. In this case, the network connection processing unit 34 has a function corresponding to a DHCP client.

  The telnet server unit 35 is a part having a function corresponding to the virtual terminal program (server function) TN1.

  The event condition determination unit 36 is a part that determines whether or not a predetermined event has occurred. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the event is that the IP address (for example, IPA 11) set in the WAN port unit 30 is changed. The IP address set in the WAN port unit 30 is, for example, determined by the maintenance target device 24 when the maintenance target device 24 is restarted or after communication between the maintenance target device 24 and the ISP network 22 is interrupted due to a network failure or the like. Fluctuate every time you connect to the Internet 21.

  If necessary, instead of changing the IP address set in the WAN port unit 30, a restart or the occurrence of a network failure causing the IP address change may be used as the event. In this case, the event condition determination unit 36 directly performs detection by detecting the occurrence of restart or network failure.

  The message generator 37 is a part that generates a predetermined message ME1 when the event determination unit 36 determines that a predetermined event has occurred. The generation and transmission of the message ME1 is the most important purpose of transmitting the IP address (for example, IPA 12) newly set in the WAN port unit 30 to the maintenance personal computer 26. Therefore, the communication protocol used for this purpose is IP It can be anything as long as it does not conflict with the use of the protocol. For example, the message ME1 can be generated and transmitted as a message accommodated in a UDP packet or an ICMP echo request message.

  In any case, the message ME1 is accommodated in the packet PK2 and delivered from the maintenance object device 24 to the maintenance personal computer 26. In this embodiment, since the purpose of transmitting the message ME1 is to transmit the IP address (for example, IPA12) newly set to the WAN port unit 30 to the maintenance personal computer 26, what the content of the message ME1 will be like It also depends on the function of the maintenance personal computer 26 side.

  For example, when the transmission source IP address described in the header of the packet PK2 received by the maintenance personal computer 26 cannot be acquired, the transmission source IP address (for example, IPA12) is described in the message ME1, and the application ( Here, it is necessary to be able to acquire the transmission source IP address in telnet), but in this embodiment, the maintenance personal computer 26 is equipped with a protocol analyzer that can acquire the contents of the header. Therefore, the content of the message ME1 itself may be anything.

  The internal configuration of the maintenance personal computer 26 is as shown in FIG. 9, for example.

(A-1-2) Internal Configuration Example of Maintenance Personal Computer In FIG. 9, the maintenance personal computer 26 includes a communication unit 60, a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, an operation unit 63, a display unit 64, and a telnet client. Part 65 and a protocol analyzer part 66.

  Among these, since the control part 61 respond | corresponds to the said control part 31, and the memory | storage part 62 respond | corresponds to the said memory | storage part 33, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The communication unit 60 is a part that functions when the maintenance personal computer 26 performs communication. The communication unit 60 also functions when transmitting the packet PK1 or receiving the packet PK2 for remote maintenance or the like.

  The operation unit 63 is a part operated by the maintenance person M1 when performing remote maintenance. In the case of a normal personal computer, the operation unit 63 is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. However, in remote maintenance by telnet, a command is input, and thus the keyboard is mainly operated.

  The display unit 64 is a part corresponding to a display device that performs screen display output. Screens provided by the functions of the telnet client unit 65 and the protocol analyzer unit 66 are also displayed on the screen from the display unit 64 and viewed by the maintenance person M1.

  The remaining components 65 and 66 are normally realized as software, but are illustrated as components separate from the control unit 61 in FIG.

  Among them, the protocol analyzer unit 66 has a function of a protocol analyzer (or LAN analyzer), and captures the packets PK2 and PK1 received or transmitted by the maintenance personal computer 26 in the maintenance personal computer 26, and the header thereof. It has a function to display the contents of the screen. For example, when the maintenance personal computer 26 receives the packet PK2, the transmission source IP address (for example, the IPA 11) described in the header is displayed on the screen from the display unit 64. Can be visually observed.

  The telnet client unit 65 is a part having a function corresponding to the virtual terminal program (client function) TN2. The telnet client unit 65 causes the display unit 64 to display a screen for remote maintenance by exchanging information with the telnet server unit 35. The maintenance person M1 can perform remote maintenance by operating the operation unit 63 while viewing the screen.

  The operation of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing operations (or work procedures) related to the maintenance target device 24, the PPPoE server manager M2, and the maintenance personal computer 26, and includes steps S30 to S36. It is assumed that the maintenance target device 24 is assigned an IP address IPA11 and the maintenance personal computer 26 is assigned an IP address IPA21.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment In FIG. 8, in order for the maintenance person M1 to know the IP address of the maintenance target apparatus, an inquiry is made to the PPPoE server administrator M2 in the ISP network 22 by telephone or the like ( S30). Usually, the maintenance person M1 makes an inquiry about a plurality of maintenance target devices (one of which is the maintenance target device 24) to be maintained at a time, and the PPPoE server administrator M2 investigates them together, and then performs maintenance. The user M1 (S31).

  At this time, since the IP address assigned to the maintenance target device 24 and set in the WAN port unit 30 is the IPA 11, the maintenance person M1 who knows the IP address starts the telnet client unit 65. The maintenance target device 24 is accessed with the IP address IPA11 as the destination. Thereby, the maintenance person M1 can start remote maintenance (S32).

  There are various remote maintenance work contents. At the initial stage of the remote maintenance, the IP address IPA21 of the maintenance personal computer 26 itself is stored in the nonvolatile storage means of the storage unit 33 of the maintenance target device 24. (S33). The storage of the IP address IPA 21 in the maintenance target device 24 is maintained even when the power supply to the maintenance target device 24 is cut off due to rebooting or the like due to the storage in the nonvolatile storage means.

  As described above, when the maintenance target device 24 has a function of automatically acquiring and storing the IP address IPA21 of the maintenance personal computer 26 that is the transmission source of the packet PK1 from the header of the received packet PK1. Since the IP address IPA21 is stored in the non-volatile storage means in the storage unit 33 only by accessing the maintenance target device 24 using telnet, the maintenance person M1 inputs the command and executes the remote operation. It is not necessary to store the IP address IPA 21 in the nonvolatile storage unit of the storage unit 33 of the maintenance target device 24.

  In any case, the IP address IPA 21 is stored in the storage unit 33 at the initial stage of remote maintenance.

  Here, because of the necessity for remote maintenance, it is assumed that the maintenance person M1 restarts the maintenance target device 24 by remote operation (S34). Rebooting is relatively frequently used in remote maintenance, for example, for the purpose of changing the setting contents by remote maintenance, starting the newly installed firmware by remote maintenance, and recovering the failure of the maintenance target device 24 by remote maintenance. One of the operations to be performed.

  When restarting, the processes such as steps S10 and S11 of FIG. 2 already described are automatically executed, and therefore, an IP address different from the previous IPA 11 is normally assigned to the maintenance target device 24. Here, it is assumed that IPA 12 is assigned as a new IP address and is set in the WAN port unit 30.

  At this time, in the maintenance target apparatus 24, since the event condition determination unit 36 determines that the change (event) of the IP address has occurred, the message generation unit 37 generates the message ME1 and accommodates the message ME1. Packet PK2 is transmitted. The packet PK2 is transmitted via the ISP network 22, the Internet 21, and the ISP network 23, and is received by the maintenance personal computer 26 (S35).

  As in this case, this is not always the case when the maintenance person M1 intentionally restarts the maintenance target device 24 as a remote maintenance operation. However, when a network failure or the like occurs, when the packet PK2 is maintained It is difficult for the maintenance person M1 to predict whether the target device 26 will arrive. The maintenance target device 24 transmits the packet PK2, but the packet PK2 does not reach the maintenance personal computer 26 due to a network failure or the like, and the maintenance person M1 knows the IP address newly assigned to the maintenance target device 24. There is a possibility that a situation where it is not possible to occur. Therefore, the maintenance target apparatus 26 may be configured to transmit the packet PK2 including the message ME1 a plurality of times regularly or irregularly. Any of the packets PK2 transmitted a plurality of times can be expected to be normally received by the maintenance personal computer 26. It is also desirable for the maintenance person M1 to set such a transmission schedule of the packet PK2 in advance in the maintenance target apparatus 24 during remote maintenance.

  If remote maintenance (for example, restart) of the maintenance target device 24 is performed, the user U1 may be unable to access the Internet 21 using the end terminal 25, and thus the user U1 is affected. In order to reduce the influence as much as possible, remote maintenance is often performed by selecting a time zone such as, for example, midnight, but in that case, for example, in the transmission schedule, for example, from 1 to 15 midnight. It is also possible to specify such as sending four times every other minute.

  Of course, when the maintenance person M1 knows the newly assigned IP address and accesses the maintenance target apparatus 24 again, the transmission of the packet PK2 based on the transmission schedule can be stopped.

  In the maintenance personal computer 26, the maintenance person M1 can capture the packet PK2 using the protocol analyzer unit 66 and check the source IP address IPA12 described in the header. The maintenance person M1 who knows the IP address IPA12 from the screen displayed on the display unit 64 by the function of the protocol analyzer unit 66 uses the telnet client unit 65 as a maintenance target again by using the new IP address IPA12 as a destination. The device 24 is accessed and remote maintenance can be resumed (S36). Here, out of the work contents of the remote maintenance, the maintenance work is started following the restart in step S34.

  In this case, after the restart in step S34, the maintenance person M1 does not need to inquire the PPPoE server administrator M2 about the new IP address IPA12 of the maintenance target device 24 as in the past, and the PPPoE server administrator M2 Since it is not necessary to respond to such inquiries, the overall efficiency is high.

  When all the operations necessary for remote maintenance are completed, the maintenance person M1 can delete the message ME1 and the IP address IPA21 of the maintenance personal computer 26 which are stored in the storage unit 33 by remote operation. If the message ME1 and the IP address IPA21 are deleted from the storage unit 33, the maintenance target device 24 will not transmit the packet PK1 to the maintenance personal computer 26.

(A-3) Effect of First Embodiment According to the present embodiment, both the burden on the maintenance person (M1) and the burden on the PPPoE server administrator (M2) are reduced, and the overall efficiency is high.

  Further, if the burden on the maintenance person is reduced and the time from the start to the end of the remote maintenance is shortened for one maintenance target device (for example, 24), the maintenance target device has the original function (for example, Since the time during which the function as a broadband router can be exhibited becomes longer, this embodiment can also contribute to the improvement of the availability of the maintenance target device.

(B) Second Embodiment Hereinafter, only differences between the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be described.

  Unlike the first embodiment, this embodiment is characterized in that information useful for the maintenance person M1 is described as the message ME2 corresponding to the message ME1.

(B-1) Configuration and Operation of Second Embodiment The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the point regarding the internal configuration of the maintenance target apparatus. An example of the internal configuration of the maintenance target device 40 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the maintenance target device 40 includes a WAN port unit 30, a control unit 31, a LAN port unit 32, a storage unit 33, a network connection processing unit 34, a telnet server unit 35, and an event condition determination unit. 36 and a message reading unit 50.

  Among these, the functions of the constituent elements given the same reference numerals 30 to 36 as in FIG. 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the maintenance target device 40 is different from the maintenance target device 24 of the first embodiment only in the point related to the message reading unit 50.

  The message reading unit 50 has a function of reading the content of the message ME2 stored in the nonvolatile storage means in the storage unit 33 of the maintenance target device 40 by the maintenance person M1 during remote maintenance. The message reading unit 50 performs this reading when the event condition determining unit 36 determines that the event has occurred. The read message ME2 is accommodated in the packet PK2 and delivered to the maintenance target device 26.

  The content of the message ME2 to be stored in the storage unit 33 can be freely determined by the maintenance person M1, for example, how far the remote maintenance work has progressed, from which maintenance target device the message ME2 has arrived, etc. May be described as a message ME2 that is useful for assisting the maintenance person M1 to determine.

  In actual remote maintenance, the maintenance person M1 often performs remote maintenance on a plurality of maintenance target devices (one of which is 40) at almost the same time. This is because it is usually not always easy to determine which maintenance target device has arrived.

(B-2) Effect of Second Embodiment According to the present embodiment, an effect equivalent to the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since information for supporting the determination of the maintenance person (M1) is obtained as the message (ME2), the efficiency of remote maintenance is further improved.

(C) Third Embodiment Hereinafter, only the points of this embodiment different from the first and second embodiments will be described.

  This embodiment is closer to the second embodiment among the first and second embodiments.

(C-1) Configuration and Operation of Third Embodiment The present embodiment is different from the second embodiment only in the point regarding the internal configuration of the maintenance target apparatus. An example of the internal configuration of the maintenance target apparatus 41 according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG.

  6, the maintenance target device 41 includes a WAN port unit 30, a control unit 31, a LAN port unit 32, a storage unit 33, a network connection processing unit 34, a telnet server unit 35, and an event condition determination unit. 36, a message reading unit 50, and a replacement execution unit 51.

  Among these, the functions of the constituent elements given the same reference numerals 30 to 36 and 50 as in FIG. 5 are the same as those in the second embodiment. Therefore, the maintenance target device 41 is different from the maintenance target device 40 of the second embodiment only in the point related to the replacement execution unit 51.

  As described in the second embodiment, in remote maintenance, what kind of content is stored in the nonvolatile storage means of the storage unit 33 of the maintenance target device (41 in this case) can be freely determined by the maintenance person M1. However, in this embodiment, the maintenance person M1 stores the message ME3 including a predetermined keyword for instructing replacement.

  Although various character strings can be used as keywords, “% I”, “% M”, and “% T” are used here.

  Among these, “% I” is a keyword for instructing replacement with the IP address set in the WAN port unit 30 at the time of transmitting the message ME3.

“% M” is a keyword for instructing replacement with a MAC address fixedly set in the WAN port unit 30. The MAC address is an address for identifying each communication device in the data link layer of the OSI reference model, and is fixedly assigned in the manufacturing process of the communication device and is not changed.
“% T” is a keyword used when the maintenance target apparatus 41 is the IP telephone modem, for example, and indicates replacement with terminal individual information such as an IP telephone number.

  In addition to this, keywords having various meanings can be prepared.

For example, the cause of the change of the IP address set in the WAN port unit 30 (
For example, a keyword describing a restart instruction by remote maintenance, a network failure, or the like may be prepared.

  In any case, when the message ME3 including such a keyword is read by the message reading unit 50, the replacement execution unit 51 functions.

  The replacement execution part 51 is a part that collects necessary information from each part of the maintenance target apparatus 41 and replaces the information with a corresponding keyword in the message ME3. The replaced message ME3 is accommodated in the packet PK2 and transmitted to the maintenance personal computer 26.

  Thereby, the maintenance person M1 can know various information about the maintenance target device 24 only by reading the content of the message ME3 using the telnet client unit 65. In particular, if “% I” is described in the message ME3 stored in the storage unit 33, the WAN of the maintenance target device 41 can be newly created without using the protocol analyzer unit 66 as in the first and second embodiments. The possibility of knowing the value of the IP address set in the port unit 30 is highly likely to greatly improve the efficiency of remote maintenance.

  Of course, the message ME3 stored in the storage unit 33 by the maintenance person M1 may include a character string other than the keyword. If a character string other than the keyword is also described at the time of saving, the maintenance person M1 receives information (for example, an IP address or a MAC address) replaced with each keyword after the packet PK2 containing the message ME3 is received by the maintenance personal computer 26. And the like, and the contents of the message ME3 in which character strings other than the keywords described at the time of storage in the storage unit 33 are mixed can be visually observed using the telnet client unit 65.

  For example, if “IP:% I, MAC:% M, TEL:% T” is described in the message ME3 saved in the storage unit 33, “IP: 10.11.12. 13, MAC: 00: 11: 22: 33: 44: 55, TEL: 0123456789 ”, etc., can be delivered to the maintenance personal computer 26, and the maintenance person M1 must visually check this. Can do.

  Here, “10.11.12.13” is an example of the IP address IPA 12 newly set in the WAN port unit 30, and “00: 11: 22: 33: 44: 55” is the WAN port unit 30. And “01234456789” is an example of the IP telephone number.

(C-2) Effect of Third Embodiment According to the present embodiment, an effect equivalent to the effect of the second embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the maintenance person (M1) receives various information related to the maintenance target device (41) including the IP address newly set in the WAN port unit (30) from the second embodiment. Since it is easy to know, the efficiency of remote maintenance is further improved.

(D) Fourth Embodiment Hereinafter, only the points of this embodiment different from the first to third embodiments will be described.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that, when the maintenance person M1 performs remote maintenance, the maintenance target apparatus automatically deletes the message stored in the storage unit 33 of the maintenance target apparatus when a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Although this feature can be combined with any of the first to third embodiments, the following description will be given by taking as an example a combination with the second embodiment.

(D-1) Configuration and Operation of Fourth Embodiment The present embodiment is different from the second embodiment only in the point relating to the internal configuration of the maintenance target apparatus. An example of the internal configuration of the maintenance target apparatus 42 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the maintenance target device 40 includes a WAN port unit 30, a control unit 31, a LAN port unit 32, a storage unit 33, a network connection processing unit 34, a telnet server unit 35, and an event condition determination unit. 36, a message reading unit 50, and a deletion timer unit 52.

  Among these, the functions of the constituent elements given the same reference numerals 30 to 36 and 50 as in FIG. 5 are the same as those in the second embodiment. Therefore, the maintenance target device 42 is different from the maintenance target device 40 of the second embodiment only in the point related to the deletion timer unit 52.

  The deletion timer unit 52 stores the maximum value of the period during which the maintenance target device 42 repeats the transmission of the message ME2, and the time measured from a predetermined time (for example, when the message ME2 is stored in the storage unit 33). However, when the maximum value is reached, the message ME2 stored in the storage unit 33 is deleted. When deleting the message ME2 from the storage unit 33, the IP address IPA21 of the maintenance personal computer 26 stored on the storage unit 33 may also be deleted.

  Various values can be set as the maximum value, but as an example, about 24 hours may be set.

  The message ME2 and the IP address IPA21 of the maintenance personal computer 26 are not information necessary for the maintenance target device 24 to function as an original broadband router, and consume a limited storage capacity of the maintenance target device 24. End up. Further, for example, repeating the transmission of the packet PK2 according to the transmission schedule indefinitely consumes the bandwidth of the ISP networks 22 and 23, or the IP address IPA21 is dynamically allocated, and the maintenance personal computer If it is assigned to a communication device other than H.26 (for example, another personal computer), it may cause unforeseen confusion by performing useless operations such as delivery of the packet PK2 to the unrelated personal computer, and is subject to maintenance. There is also a disadvantage that the processing capacity of the device 42 itself or the destination personal computer is wasted.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the measurement time reaches the maximum value, the deletion timer unit 52 deletes the IP address IPA21 and the message ME2 from the storage unit 33, and the storage capacity, the network bandwidth, and the communication device It saves processing power.

(D-2) Effect of Fourth Embodiment According to the present embodiment, an effect equivalent to the effect of the second embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the storage capacity of the storage unit (33), the bandwidth of the network (for example, 22, 23), and the processing capability of the communication device (42, etc.) can be saved, which may lead to unexpected confusion. It can be lost.

(E) Other Embodiments In FIG. 4, only one maintenance target device is illustrated, but it is natural that a plurality of maintenance target devices may be targets of remote maintenance. As described above, in actual remote maintenance, one maintenance person M1 often performs remote maintenance on a plurality of maintenance target devices almost simultaneously.

  Regardless of the first to fourth embodiments, the present invention can be applied to cases other than Internet connection. For example, it can be used for maintenance in a LAN (local area network). Even in the LAN, for example, the DHCP server may dynamically change the IP address of each personal computer, and it may be difficult to continue maintenance.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, maintenance has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where remote operation is performed for purposes other than maintenance.

  Furthermore, the communication protocols exemplified in the first to fourth embodiments can be replaced with other communication protocols.

  For example, the IP protocol could be replaced with other communication protocols located at the network layer or other layers of the OSI reference model.

  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. .

It is the schematic which shows the example of an internal structure of the maintenance object apparatus used with the remote maintenance system concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the conventional operation | movement. It is a sequence diagram which shows the conventional operation | movement. It is the schematic which shows the example of whole structure of the remote maintenance system concerning 1st-4th embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the internal structural example of the maintenance object apparatus used with the remote maintenance system concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the internal structural example of the maintenance object apparatus used with the remote maintenance system concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the internal structural example of the maintenance object apparatus used with the remote maintenance system concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the remote maintenance system concerning 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the internal structural example of the maintenance personal computer used with the remote maintenance system concerning 1st-4th embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Remote maintenance system, 21 ... Internet, 22, 23 ... ISP network, 24, 40, 41, 42 ... Maintenance target device, 25 ... End terminal, 26 ... Maintenance personal computer, 27 ... IP telephone server, 28, 29 ... PPPoE Server 30... WAN port unit 31... Control unit 32. LAN port unit 33. Storage unit 34. Network connection processing unit 35. Telnet server unit 36 36 Event condition determination unit 37 37 Message generation unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Message reading part, 51 ... Replacement execution part, 52 ... Deletion timer part, ME1-ME3 ... Message, PK1, PK2 ... Packet, IPA11, IPA21 ... IP address.

Claims (7)

By specifying a device identifier for identifying a communication device on a network using a predetermined communication protocol and transmitting a protocol data unit corresponding to the communication protocol, the target communication device to be operated can be In a communication system in which the device identifier assigned to the target communication device can vary when a predetermined event occurs by remote control from the operation side communication device to be
The target side communication device is:
A remote operated unit that executes processing corresponding to a remote operation from the operation side communication device on the target side communication device;
A first non-volatile storage unit that stores a device identifier of the operation side communication device;
A notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined notification condition is satisfied;
When the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied, the notification execution for transmitting the protocol data unit addressed to the operation side communication device using the device identifier stored in the first nonvolatile storage unit And a communication system. The communication system of claim 1.
The target side communication device is:
An erasure condition determination unit for determining whether or not a predetermined erasure condition is satisfied;
A communication system comprising: an identifier erasure unit that erases a device identifier stored in the first non-volatile storage unit when the erasure condition determination unit determines that the erasure condition is satisfied. The communication system of claim 1.
The target side communication device is:
A second non-volatile storage unit that stores a message designated in response to a remote operation from the operation side communication device;
The notification execution unit performs transmission in units of protocol data after accommodating messages in the units of protocol data. The communication system of claim 1.
The target side communication device is:
A second non-volatile storage unit for storing a message designated in response to a remote operation from the operation side communication device;
When a predetermined replacement character is detected in the message, the replacement execution unit replaces the replacement character with attribute information related to the subject communication device,
The notification execution unit transmits the protocol data unit after accommodating the message after the replacement execution unit performs replacement in the protocol data unit. By specifying a device identifier for identifying a communication device on a network using a predetermined communication protocol and transmitting a protocol data unit corresponding to the communication protocol, the target communication device to be operated can be In the target-side communication device as a component of the communication system that can be remotely operated from the operation-side communication device to become a device identifier assigned to the target-side communication device when a predetermined event occurs,
A remote operated unit that executes processing corresponding to a remote operation from the operation side communication device on the target side communication device;
A first non-volatile storage unit that stores a device identifier of the operation side communication device;
A notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined notification condition is satisfied;
When the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied, the notification execution for transmitting the protocol data unit addressed to the operation side communication device using the device identifier stored in the first nonvolatile storage unit A communication apparatus, comprising: an object side communication device; By specifying a device identifier for identifying a communication device on a network using a predetermined communication protocol and transmitting a protocol data unit corresponding to the communication protocol, the target communication device to be operated can be In the communication method in which the device identifier assigned to the target communication device can vary when a predetermined event occurs by remote control from the operation side communication device to be,
In the target side communication device,
The remote operated unit performs processing on the target communication device in accordance with the remote operation from the operation communication device,
A first non-volatile storage unit stores a device identifier of the operation side communication device;
The notification condition determination unit determines whether a predetermined notification condition is satisfied,
When the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied, the notification execution unit uses the device identifier stored in the first non-volatile storage unit, and the protocol data unit addressed to the operation side communication device A communication method characterized by transmitting. By specifying a device identifier for identifying a communication device on a network using a predetermined communication protocol and transmitting a protocol data unit corresponding to the communication protocol, the target communication device to be operated can be In the communication program when the device identifier assigned to the target communication device can be changed when a predetermined event occurs by remote control from the operation side communication device, the target communication device
A remote operated function for executing processing according to remote operation from the operation side communication device on the target side communication device;
A first nonvolatile storage function for storing a device identifier of the operation side communication device;
A notification condition determination function for determining whether or not a predetermined notification condition is satisfied;
When the notification condition determination function determines that the notification condition is satisfied, the notification execution for transmitting the protocol data unit addressed to the operation side communication device using the device identifier stored in the first nonvolatile storage function A communication program characterized by realizing functions.

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