JP2007068034A - Communication terminal device, communication repeating apparatus and packet communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a communication repeating apparatus to simultaneously manage terminal classes of communication terminal devices and available service classes without using a novel protocol. <P>SOLUTION: The communication terminal device sets terminal class information and available service class information of the relevant communication terminal device into an option field of a DHCP message and notifies a communication repeating apparatus of the DHCP message. The communication repeating apparatus receives the DHCP message, uses the terminal class information notified from the communication terminal device to set an IP address lease term to the communication terminal device and uses the service class information to map and assign a wide area network side IP address and a port number to the communication terminal device. The communication terminal device receives from the communication repeating apparatus the DHCP message to which the wide area network side IP address, the port number and the IP address lease term are set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal device, a communication relay device, and a packet communication method, and in particular, to use a packet communication method capable of setting an optimum IP address lease period for each communication terminal and a plurality of services. The present invention relates to a communication relay device capable of address port conversion for each of a plurality of services and a communication terminal device connectable to the communication relay device.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conventional network configuration. In FIG. 4, the communication relay device 400 and the communication terminal devices 410 to 412 constitute a local area network 420, and the communication relay device 400 is configured to be connected to a wide area network (WAN) 430.

  The communication relay device 400 functions as a gateway of the local area network 420, a network for realizing a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server function for the communication terminal device in the local area network 420 and connection with the wide area network 430. It has an Address Port Translation (NAPT) function.

  The communication terminal device 410 is a communication terminal device that has mobility and that supplies power using a built-in battery. The communication terminal device 411 is a communication terminal device that has no mobility and performs power supply by connecting to an outlet. In addition, the communication terminal device 412 is a communication terminal device that does not have mobility and performs power supply by a built-in battery. Here, the mobility means the possibility that the communication terminal apparatus moves out of the local area network 420 and leaves.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of each apparatus. The communication relay device 400 includes a transmission unit 501 for a wide area network, a reception unit 502 for a wide area network, a transmission unit 507 for a communication terminal device in the local area network 420, a reception unit 506 for a local area network, a network An address port conversion processing unit 503, an address port mapping processing unit 504, and a DHCP processing unit 505 are provided.

  The network address port conversion processing unit 503 performs network address port conversion processing based on the IP telephone service IP address and port number mapping information notified from the address port mapping processing unit 504.

  The address port mapping processing unit 504 generates IP address and port number mapping information for the IP telephone service, and notifies the network address port conversion processing unit 503 and the DHCP processing unit 505.

  The DHCP processing unit 505 has a DHCP server function, and if the identifier (MAC ID, vendor class) in the DHCP_DISCOVER message from the communication terminal device is valid, the DHCP processing unit 505 uses the IP port service for the address port mapping processing unit 504. IP address / port number mapping information generation is requested, and the IP telephone service IP address / port number mapping information notified from the address port mapping processing unit 504 is set in the DHCP_OFFER message.

  Each of the communication terminal devices 410 to 412 includes a transmission unit 511 to the communication relay device 400, a reception unit 512 for the communication relay device 400, a DHCP processing unit 513, and an application control processing unit 514.

  The DHCP processing unit 513 has a DHCP client function, sets an identifier (MAC ID, vendor class) in a DHCP_DISCOVER message to the communication relay device 400, notifies the communication relay device 400, and receives it from the communication relay device 400 The application control processing unit 514 is notified of the IP telephone service IP address and port number mapping information in the DHCP_OFFER message.

  The application control processing unit 514 sets an IP address and a port number for the IP phone service packet in order to achieve network address translation (NAT) over IP phone service.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a communication procedure between the communication terminal device and the communication relay device. Here, a case where communication terminal apparatus 410 is connected will be described as an example, but the same procedure is performed when other communication terminal apparatuses 411 and 412 are connected.

  First, communication terminal apparatus 410 transmits a DHCP_DISCOVER message to communication relay apparatus 400 (ST601). This DHCP_DISCOVER message includes an identifier (MAC ID, vendor class). When the communication relay apparatus 400 receives the DHCP_DISCOVER message from the communication terminal apparatus 410, the communication relay apparatus 400 checks whether the identifier included in the DHCP_DISCOVER message is valid. If it is determined to be valid, the NAPT for the IP telephone service is realized. Therefore, a port number on the wide area network 430 side is assigned for the IP telephone service of communication terminal apparatus 410 (ST602). Communication relay device 400 then sets the assigned port number in the DHCP_OFFER message, and notifies assigned port number to communication terminal device 410 (ST603). Thereafter, communication terminal apparatus 410 transmits a DHCP_REQUEST message to communication relay apparatus 400 (ST604). When communication relay apparatus 400 receives a DHCP_REQUEST message from communication terminal apparatus 410, it sets a preset lease period T1 common to all terminals (ST605), and notifies communication terminal apparatus 410 with a DHCP_ACK message (ST606). . After transmitting the DHCP_ACK message, communication relay apparatus 400 holds and sets the NAPT port number for IP telephone service for communication terminal apparatus 410 (ST607). Further, after receiving the DHCP_ACK message from communication relay apparatus 400, communication terminal apparatus 410 holds and sets the NAPT port number for IP telephone service (ST608). It is assumed that the private IP address is assigned to the communication terminal device 410 in the DHCP process as usual.

Thereby, NAT traversal for IP telephone service of the communication terminal apparatus 410 can be realized, and the communication terminal apparatus 410 can make an IP telephone call with other terminals in the wide area network 430. When the communication terminal apparatus 410 moves out of the local area network 420, the communication relay apparatus 400 does not recognize that the communication terminal apparatus 410 has moved out of the area and the lease period T1 expires. The private IP address assigned to the communication terminal device 410 is not released. Patent Document 1 is known as one that performs network address port conversion.
JP-T-2004-533159

  However, the above-described conventional apparatus has a problem that there is no means for notifying the terminal type information and the usable service type information from the communication terminal apparatus 410 to the communication relay apparatus 400. Therefore, even if the communication terminal device 410 has mobility or can use a plurality of services other than the IP telephone service, the communication relay device 400 can use the mobility of the communication terminal device 410 or a plurality of available services. There is a problem that services cannot be recognized and collective management regarding the terminal type of each communication terminal device and a plurality of available services cannot be performed.

  Specifically, for example, a communication terminal apparatus that can use a plurality of services other than the IP telephone service by configuring a personal area network (PAN) or the like cannot perform a NAPT to a plurality of services. is there. In addition, since an optimal IP address lease period cannot be set for each communication terminal, there is a problem that the efficiency of IP address allocation and use of radio resources cannot be achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a communication terminal capable of collectively managing a terminal type and an available service type of each communication terminal apparatus without using a new protocol. An object is to provide a device, a communication relay device, and a packet communication method.

  In the packet communication method of the present invention, the communication terminal apparatus sets the terminal type information of the communication terminal apparatus and the available service type information in the option field of the DHCP message, and notifies the communication relay apparatus of the DHCP message. The communication relay device receives the DHCP message, sets the IP address lease period to the communication terminal device using the terminal type information notified from the communication terminal device, and the service type information Mapping and assigning the wide area network side IP address and port number to the communication terminal device using the communication terminal device, and the communication terminal device assigning the wide area network side IP address, port number and IP address lease period. The set DHCP message is sent to the communication And so it includes the steps of receiving from the relay apparatus.

  The communication terminal device according to the present invention includes a first information storage unit that stores terminal type information of the communication terminal device, and a DHCP that sets the terminal type information obtained from the first information storage unit in an option field of the DHCP message. And a processing means.

  The communication relay device of the present invention includes a DHCP processing means for receiving and processing a DHCP message in which the terminal type information of the communication terminal device and the available service type information are set in the option field of the DHCP message from the communication terminal device, Based on the service type information of the communication terminal device, the IP address on the wide area network side for the communication terminal device, the address port mapping processing means for mapping the port number, and the mapping information from the address port mapping processing means, Network address port conversion processing means for performing network address port conversion, and terminal management processing means for setting an IP address lease period of the communication terminal apparatus based on the received terminal type information of the communication terminal apparatus, and the DH P processing means, in the option field of the DHCP message, the wide area network side of the IP address, set the port number and the IP address lease time, a configuration to transmit the DHCP message to the communication terminal device.

  According to the present invention, the communication relay device can collectively manage the terminal types and available service types of each communication terminal device without using a new protocol.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing configurations of a communication terminal device and a communication relay device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the system is the same as that in the prior art, and the communication relay device 100, the communication terminal device 110, and the communication terminal device (not shown) form a local area network, and the communication relay device 100 connects to the wide area network 430. It is configured as follows. In FIG. 1, the same components as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The communication relay device 100 includes a transmission unit 501 for a wide area network, a reception unit 502 for a wide area network, a transmission unit 507 for a communication terminal device in a local area network, a reception unit 506 for a local area network, a network address A port conversion processing unit 103, an address port mapping processing unit 104, a DHCP processing unit 105, and a terminal management processing unit 106 are provided.

  The network address port conversion processing unit 103 performs NAPT based on the IP address and port number mapping information for all services available to each communication terminal device notified from the address port mapping processing unit 104.

  When the service type information of the communication terminal device is notified from the DHCP processing unit 105, the address port mapping processing unit 104 generates IP address and port number mapping information for all services that can be used by the communication terminal device. The address port conversion processing unit 103 and the DHCP processing unit 105 are notified. When the address port mapping processing unit 104 receives a notification of expiration of the IP address lease period of the communication terminal device from the terminal management processing unit 106, the address port mapping processing unit 104 releases the port number assigned to the communication terminal device.

  The DHCP processing unit 105 has a DHCP server function, and notifies the terminal management processing unit 106 of the terminal type information included in the option field of the DHCP_DISCOVER message or the DHCP_REQUEST message from the communication terminal apparatus. Is requested to determine the IP address lease period, and the IP address lease period to the communication terminal apparatus notified from the terminal management processing unit 106 is set in the option field of the DHCP_ACK message.

  Further, the DHCP processing unit 105 notifies the address port mapping processing unit 104 of the service type information of the communication terminal device included in the option field of the DHCP_DISCOVER message or the DHCP_REQUEST message from the communication terminal device, whereby the address port mapping processing unit 104 requests the generation of the IP address and port number mapping information for all services available to the communication terminal apparatus 104, and notifies the IP address for all services available to the communication terminal apparatus notified from the address port mapping processing unit 104. Address and port number mapping information is set in the option field of DHCP_OFFER message or DHCP_ACK message. Further, when the terminal management processing unit 106 notifies the expiration of the IP address lease period of the communication terminal device, the DHCP processing unit 105 releases the IP address assigned to the communication terminal device.

  When the terminal type information is notified from the DHCP processing unit 105, the terminal management processing unit 106 determines an IP address lease period for the communication terminal device, and notifies the DHCP processing unit 105 of the determined IP address lease period. The terminal type information and lease period of the communication terminal device are held. When the terminal management processing unit 106 detects the expiration of the IP address lease period of the communication terminal device, the terminal management processing unit 106 requests the address port mapping processing unit 104 to release the port number assigned to the communication terminal device, and also DHCP. The processing unit 105 is requested to release the IP address assigned to the communication terminal device.

  Next, the communication terminal device 110 includes a transmission unit 511 to the communication relay device 100, a reception unit 512 for the communication relay device 100, a DHCP processing unit 113, an application control processing unit 114, and a terminal type information storage unit 115. To do.

  The DHCP processing unit 113 has a DHCP client function, and acquires service type information of the communication terminal device from the application control processing unit 114 when transmitting a DHCP_DISCOVER message or a DHCP_REQUEST message to the communication relay device 100, and a terminal Terminal type information is acquired from the type information storage unit 115. Then, the terminal type information and the service type information are set in the option field of the DHCP_DISCOVER message or the DHCP_REQUEST message to the communication relay device 100. Further, the DHCP processing unit 113 notifies the application control processing unit 114 of IP addresses and port number mapping information for all available services set in the option field of the DHCP_OFFER message or the DHCP_ACK message from the communication relay apparatus 100. In addition, the IP address lease period set in the option field of the DHCP_ACK message is held. Furthermore, when the application control processing unit 114 requests the communication relay device 100 to update the service type information, the DHCP_REQUEST message in which the latest service type information notified from the application control processing unit 114 is set is sent to the communication relay device 100. Send to. When the terminal type information storage unit 115 requests the communication relay device 100 to update the terminal type information, the DHCP_REQUEST message in which the latest terminal type information notified from the terminal type information storage unit 115 is set is sent to the communication relay device. 100 is transmitted.

  When requested to acquire service type information from the DHCP processing unit 113, the application control processing unit 114 notifies the DHCP processing unit 113 of the service type information held (second information storage unit). In addition, the application control processing unit 114 is configured to use IP addresses for all services that can be used by the communication terminal device 110 notified from the DHCP processing unit 113 in order to achieve network address translation (NAT) traversal of all available services. Then, using the port number mapping information, an IP address and a port number are set for the service packet that can be used by the communication terminal apparatus 110. Further, when the application control processing unit 114 determines to update the service type information of the communication terminal device 110, it notifies the communication relay device 100 of new service type information to the DHCP processing unit 113. Request update of service type information.

  The terminal type information storage unit 115 stores the terminal type information of the communication terminal device 110 (first information storage unit), and when the DHCP processing unit 113 requests acquisition of the terminal type information of the communication terminal device, the DHCP processing unit 113 is notified of the terminal type information of the communication terminal device. Further, when the terminal type information storage unit 115 determines to update the terminal type information of the communication terminal device, the terminal type information storage unit 115 notifies the DHCP processing unit 113 of the new terminal type information, so that the communication relay device 100 is notified. Request update of terminal type information.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the communication procedure of the present invention.

  First, communication terminal apparatus 110 transmits a DHCP_DISCOVER message to communication relay apparatus 100 (ST201). The option field of the DHCP_DISCOVER message includes the terminal type information and service type information of the communication terminal apparatus 110. Next, when the communication relay device 100 receives the DHCP_DISCOVER message from the communication terminal device 110, the communication relay device 100 uses the service type information included in the DHCP_DISCOVER message to realize the NAPT for all services available to the communication terminal device 110. Therefore, port number allocation candidates on the wide area network 430 side are determined for all available services of communication terminal apparatus 110 (ST202).

  Communication relay device 100 then sets the port number of the candidate for assignment and the IP address on the wide area network 430 side in the option field of the DHCP_OFFER message and notifies communication terminal device 110 (ST203).

  The option field of the DHCP_DISCOVER message may not include the terminal type information and the service type information. In this case, the processing related to the DHCP_DISCOVER message and the DHCP_OFFER message in the communication terminal device and the communication relay device is normal DHCP. Processing will be performed.

  Thereafter, communication terminal apparatus 110 transmits DHCP_REQUEST to communication relay apparatus 100 (ST204). Here, the DHCP_REQUEST option field includes terminal type information and service type information of the communication terminal apparatus 110. Thereby, for example, when the communication terminal apparatus 110 located in the local area network area extends the lease period of the IP address by DHCP, the option field of the DHCP_REQUEST message is used instead of the DHCP_DISCOVER message transmission. Thus, the latest terminal type information and service type information can be notified to the communication relay device 100.

  Similarly, when the communication terminal device 110 located in the local area network area wants to update the terminal type information and service type information on the way, by transmitting a DHCP_REQUEST message using the option field of the DHCP_REQUEST message, The latest terminal type information and service type information can be notified to the communication relay device 100.

  When the communication relay device 100 receives the DHCP_REQUEST message from the communication terminal device 110, the communication relay device 100 uses the service type information included in the DHCP_DISCOVER message or the DHCP_REQUEST message to realize the NAPT for all services available to the communication terminal device 110. Next, the port assignment on the wide area network 430 side is determined for all the services available in the communication terminal apparatus 110 (ST205). Also, using the terminal type information included in the DHCP_DISCOVER message or the DHCP_REQUEST message, an IP address lease period T10 optimum for communication terminal apparatus 110 is determined (ST206).

  Then, the IP address lease period of the communication terminal device 110 and the port number on the wide area network 430 side allocated for all available services of the communication terminal device 110 are set in the option field of the DHCP_ACK message, and the communication terminal device 110 A DHCP_ACK message is transmitted to (ST207).

  When the communication relay device 100 transmits the DHCP_ACK message, the communication relay device 100 holds the IP address lease period T10 for the communication terminal device 110 and the port number group on the wide area network 430 side allocated for all available services of the communication terminal device 110. Are set (ST208).

  Further, after receiving the DHCP_ACK message from the communication relay device 100, the communication terminal device 110 receives the IP address lease period T10 for the communication terminal device 110 and the wide area network 430 allocated for all available services of the communication terminal device 110. The port number group on the side is held and set (ST209). It is assumed that the private IP address is assigned to the communication terminal apparatus 110 in the DHCP process as usual.

  As a result, it is possible to realize NAT traversal for all available services of the communication terminal apparatus 110, and the communication terminal apparatus 110 provides all available services with other terminal apparatuses or server apparatuses in the wide area network 430. Can receive.

  In addition, even when the communication terminal device 110 moves out of the local area network area, for example, the IP address lease period T10 set by the communication relay device 100 for the mobile communication terminal device is: Since it is set to a relatively short period (T10 is shorter than T1), the communication relay device 100 releases the private IP address assigned to the communication terminal device 110 at an early stage (ST210). For this reason, an IP address can be allocated efficiently.

  Here, for example, for a communication terminal device that is not mobile and supplies power with a built-in battery, the communication relay device 100 sets the IP address lease period to a relatively long period (longer than T1). Therefore, the frequency with which this communication terminal apparatus makes an IP address lease period extension request can be kept low. For this reason, reduction of radio | wireless resource consumption and the battery saving of a communication terminal device can be aimed at.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the DHCP field of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, the DHCP message is provided with an option field 300. The option field 300 has a tag, a size of option data (unit is octet), and a plurality of sets of option data. . In the present invention, terminal type information, service type information, wide area network side IP address, and port number are added as option information using the range of expansion tags 128 to 254. The tag 51 may be used for the IP address lease period.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the terminal type information of the tag 128 is set in the option field of the DHCP message (DHCP_DISCOVER or DHCP_REQUEST) from the communication terminal apparatus 110 to the communication relay apparatus 100, and the tag 131 To the tag 150, service type information for the number of available services is set. Further, the IP address lease period of the tag 51 and the wide area network side IP address of the tag 160 are set in the option field of the DHCP message (DHCP_OFFER or DHCP_ACK) from the communication relay apparatus 100 to the communication terminal apparatus 110. Port numbers corresponding to each of the services that can be used by the communication terminal device 110 are set in the tags 161 to 180.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the terminal type information of the tag 128 is set in the option field of the DHCP message (DHCP_DISCOVER or DHCP_REQUEST) from the communication terminal apparatus 110 to the communication relay apparatus 100, and the size is variably set. Then, the service type information for the number of available services is collectively set as option data in the tag 131. Further, the IP address lease period of the tag 51 and the wide area network side IP address of the tag 132 are set in the option field of the DHCP message (DHCP_OFFER or DHCP_ACK) from the communication relay apparatus 100 to the communication terminal apparatus 110. Port numbers corresponding to each service available to the communication terminal apparatus 110 are collectively set as option data in the tag 133. FIG. 3 shows an example of an additional DHCP option according to the present invention. For example, tag values, size values, and the like are not limited to those shown in the figure.

  The terminal type information is information indicating the characteristics of each communication terminal device, and includes, for example, mobility information and power supply information of the communication terminal device. Here, the mobility information is information indicating whether or not the communication terminal apparatus may move out of the local area network area. The power supply information is information indicating whether the communication terminal device is supplied with power from a built-in battery, or is supplied with power from the outside due to an outlet connection or the like.

  The service type information is information indicating all services that can be used by each communication terminal device. For example, the service type information includes port number groups used in the communication terminal device when each communication terminal device uses various services. It is equivalent.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the communication relay device can collectively manage the terminal types of each communication terminal device and the available service types without using a new protocol. Thereby, for example, since the communication relay device can dynamically set the IP address lease period for each communication terminal device, the IP address assignment can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, the problem of exceeding network address translation (NAT) for all services available to each communication terminal device can be solved.

  The present invention is particularly suitable for a communication system in which a communication terminal device of a local area network can be connected to a wide area network.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication terminal device and communication relay apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention The figure for demonstrating each operation | movement of the communication terminal device and communication relay apparatus concerning the said embodiment The figure which shows the structure of the option field used for the communication terminal device and communication relay apparatus concerning the said embodiment. The figure which shows the system configuration | structure containing the conventional communication terminal device and a communication relay apparatus Block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional communication terminal device and communication relay device The figure for demonstrating each operation | movement of the conventional communication terminal device and a communication relay apparatus

Explanation of symbols

100 Communication Relay Device 103 Network Address Port Conversion Processing Unit 104 Address Port Mapping Processing Unit 105, 113 DHCP Processing Unit 106 Terminal Management Processing Unit 110 Communication Terminal Device 114 Application Control Processing Unit 115 Terminal Type Information Storage Unit 430 Wide Area Network 501 507 511 Transmitter 502, 506, 512 Receiver

Claims (7)

The communication terminal device sets the terminal type information and available service type information of the communication terminal device in the option field of the DHCP message, and notifies the communication relay device of the DHCP message;
The communication relay device receives the DHCP message, sets an IP address lease period to the communication terminal device using the terminal type information notified from the communication terminal device, and uses the service type information to Mapping and assigning a wide area network side IP address and port number to the communication terminal device;
The communication terminal device receiving a DHCP message in which the IP address, port number, and IP address lease period on the wide area network side are set from the communication relay device;
A packet communication method comprising: Further comprising the step of setting the terminal type information in an option field of a DHCP_REQUEST message and transmitting it to the communication relay device;
The packet communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication relay apparatus dynamically determines a lease period of an IP address to the communication terminal apparatus based on the received terminal type information of the communication terminal apparatus.   The packet communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal type information is information indicating whether or not the communication terminal apparatus is a movable apparatus. First information storage means for storing terminal type information of the communication terminal device;
DHCP processing means for setting the terminal type information obtained from the first information storage means in the option field of the DHCP message;
A communication terminal device comprising:   The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the terminal type information is configured to be set in an option field of a DHCP_REQUEST message.   A second information storage unit that stores service type information that can be used by the communication terminal device; and the DHCP processing unit includes the available information obtained from the second information storage unit in an option field of the DHCP message. 6. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein correct service type information is set. DHCP processing means for receiving and processing a DHCP message in which the terminal type information of the communication terminal device and the available service type information are set in the option field of the DHCP message from the communication terminal device;
Address port mapping processing means for mapping a wide area network side IP address and port number for the communication terminal device based on the received service type information of the communication terminal device;
Network address port conversion processing means for performing network address port conversion based on mapping information from the address port mapping processing means;
Based on the received terminal type information of the communication terminal device, the terminal management processing means for setting the IP address lease period of the communication terminal device,
The DHCP processing means sets the IP address, port number and IP address lease period on the wide area network side in the option field of the DHCP message, and transmits the DHCP message to the communication terminal apparatus. .

Images